The European Parliament has released a press kit outlining lawmakers’ priorities ahead of the European Council meeting on Oct. 15–16, 2026. Parliament President Roberta Metsola is scheduled to address EU heads of state and government on Oct. 15, followed by a press conference in Brussels. The summit agenda includes negotiations on the European Union’s 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework, economic competitiveness, energy prices, continued support for Ukraine, the Middle East, defence and security, migration and EU enlargement. Parliament’s lead budget negotiators, Siegfried Mureșan and Carla Tavares, have rejected an emerging Council negotiating position that would reduce the European Commission’s proposed budget by 8%. They said the cuts could weaken EU support for competitiveness, defence, agriculture, regional development and external action. Parliament has called for a more ambitious budget and proposed additional revenue sources, including levies on digital services, online gambling and crypto-asset capital gains. The press kit also highlights recent parliamentary positions on energy infrastructure, military support for Ukraine, defence innovation, hybrid threats, border protection and enlargement. Parliament has approved a proposed €115 million defence innovation programme for small and medium-sized enterprises and called for stronger measures to protect the EU’s external borders and advance accession reforms in Ukraine and Moldova. Post navigation UK to Speed Air Defense Aid