EU Council President Costa Welcomes UN Secretary-General Guterres, Stresses Multilateralism

EU Council Sanctions Press Releases

Published March 19th, 2026

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

European Council President António Costa met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to emphasize the importance of multilateralism and the rules-based international order. Costa reaffirmed the European Union's strong support for the UN's work, particularly in challenging global times.

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European Council President António Costa welcomed UN Secretary-General António Guterres, stressing the critical importance of multilateralism and the rules-based international order, especially in the context of current global conflicts and humanitarian crises. Costa commended Guterres's determination and assured him of the European Union's continued strong support for the United Nations' work.

This document is a statement of political support and does not introduce new regulatory requirements or obligations for regulated entities. It serves as an informational notice regarding high-level diplomatic engagement and the EU's foreign policy stance.

Source document (simplified)

European Council
Statements and remarks
19 March 2026 14:40

Remarks by President António Costa at the joint doorstep with UN Secretary-General António Guterres

It is a great pleasure to welcome the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The United Nations is a key institution in the international order. And now, in these very troubled moments that we are living, more than ever, it is decisive to uphold the international rules-based order, to support multilateralism, and to support United Nations' action.

I would like to commend especially the determination of the Secretary-General António Guterres to lead the United Nations in such a difficult moment. A lot of international actors are challenging the international order. But what we are experiencing is that, in fact, there is no alternative for the international rules-based order, because the alternative is chaos, the alternative is the war in Ukraine, the alternative is the war in the Middle East, the alternative is the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza, the alternative is war in several countries in Africa.

We need to uphold the international rules-based order, to support the multilateral system, and to support especially the United Nations. And I want to assure the Secretary-General that the European Union will continue to be the great supporter of your work and the work of the United Nations.

Thank you very much for accepting our invitation.

Joint doorstep by European Council President António Costa and UN Secretary-General António Guterres

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