António Costa's Vision for the European Council

António Costa has made history as the first non-white individual to assume a top position within the European Union, reflecting a significant step toward diversity in leadership. Of Mozambican and Indian descent, Costa's presidency comes at a pivotal time as he seeks to implement reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency of EU summits. He advocates for shorter meetings, proposing to reduce the traditional two-day format to just one, thereby ensuring that critical discussions, such as the EU budget, can proceed without unnecessary delays.

Costa’s agenda is ambitious, focusing on various pressing issues including support for Ukraine, defense policy, migration management, and reforms within the EU budget. He emphasizes the need to advance the enlargement process for candidate countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, believing that negotiations should progress without artificial timelines or barriers.

His approach includes the idea of conducting 'informal summits' outside traditional settings, allowing leaders to discuss significant topics without the pressure of formal decision-making. This method aims to foster open dialogue and collaboration among member states.

With the transition of leadership from Charles Michel, Costa's role as Council President positions him alongside Teresa Ribera, the first vice-president of the Commission, in a prominent socialist leadership role. Analysts, such as Janis A. Emmanouilidis from the European Policy Centre, expect Costa to articulate his views clearly while maintaining unity among EU leaders. His presidency signifies an important evolution in the EU's governance, promising a forward-thinking approach to contemporary challenges.