President of the European Council, António Costa, will visit EU leaders in their capitals over the coming weeks, from 25 August to 17 September 2026, as part of the traditional annual tour known as the "Tour des Capitales." According to information obtained, Costa is expected to visit Cyprus toward the end of the second week, between 1 and 4 September, immediately after a stop in Greece.
As was the case last year, the meetings aim to gather the views of heads of state or government, with particular focus on the EU's next long-term budget, and will help prepare the ground for upcoming European Councils and international summits.
"Defence, competitiveness, enlargement and support for Ukraine will feature prominently in my discussions with European leaders" during the upcoming annual tour, Costa noted. "But the EU's next long-term budget will certainly stand out. These exchanges provide a vital 360-degree view of member states' priorities and expectations, ensuring that the work of the European Council continues to reflect Europe's realities," the President of the European Council added.
Under the itinerary already announced for the first week of his tour, the President of the European Council will meet on 25 August with the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, in Bratislava, and with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal, in Tallinn.
On 26 August, Costa will travel to Riga for a meeting with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Andris Kulbergs, before continuing to Vilnius, where he will meet with the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda. Closing out the first week, on 27 August he will meet with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, in Prague.
Costa is in Kyiv today, Monday, where he will take part in the Coalition of the Willing summit representing the EU. Late on Sunday, he met on the train with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham during their joint journey to the Ukrainian capital for the 35th anniversary of independence celebrations.
