European Council President Antonio Costa to begin annual Tour des Capitales

European Council President Antonio Costa is set to conduct his annual 'Tour des Capitales' between August 25 and September 17, 2026. This diplomatic mission involves visits to EU member state capitals to consult with national leaders ahead of upcoming European Council meetings and international summits. The tour aims to gather insights on key strategic priorities, with a particular focus on the EU's next multiannual financial framework.

Costa will specifically visit Cyprus between September 1 and 4, immediately following his stop in Greece. Throughout his travels, the President intends to emphasize critical topics including defense strategy, economic competitiveness, EU enlargement, and ongoing support for Ukraine. These consultations are intended to ensure that the work of the European Council remains aligned with the diverse needs and expectations of member states.

Ahead of his visit to Nicosia, Costa is scheduled to engage in a series of meetings this week with leaders including Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis. He is also visiting Kyiv on Monday to initiate this period of high-level diplomatic outreach.