Media advisory - Informal EU leaders' retreat of 12 February 2026 14:43 EU leaders will participate in an informal meeting in Alden Biesen (Belgium) on 12 February 2026.[...]

Indicative programme

All times are approximate an d subject to change

Thursday 12 February

09:30 Arrivals and doorsteps (live stream 1 / live stream 2)
10:30 Exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament
11:00 Exchange of views with Mario Draghi
13:00 European Council working lunch
15:00 Exchange of views with Enrico Letta
16:00 European Council working session - afternoon
+/- 18:30 Press conference
TTBC Exit doorsteps and departures

At the end of the meeting (+/- 18:30) - Press conference in Alden Biesen in live streaming.

Information

EU leaders will participate in an informal meeting in Alden Biesen (Belgium) on 12 February 2026.

The Council services will set up a fully-fledged press centre within the Alden Biesen compound. This facility will be operational as of 7:30 and until 3 hours after the press conference, including live stand-up positions, a covered doorstep area, tables, chairs, desks, screens and access to the host signal.

The media security screening will be done upon arrival to the venue. Please foresee time to pass the control.

Parking for press has been reserved close to the venue, and a shuttle service to Alden Biesen will be offered to the media attending the event, with departure times from the Jean Rey square at 07:30 and 08:00.

The deadline to book transport or parking via [email protected] has been extended until Monday 9 at 14:00. Only the media representatives with a booking confirmation and in possession of the Council 2026 summit badge or the event badge will be allowed to use the shuttle or park their car on the spot.

The Council press centre in the Justus Lipsius building will also be operational throughout the event. Please note that a summit badge or a Council yearly badge will be required to access our premises that day. The access will be only possible via the Justus Lipsius main entrance.

Registration

The accreditation for the Informal EU leaders´retreat is closed since 6 February at 11:00

Accreditation

Accredited media representatives will receive a confirmation e-mail.

• Annual summit badge 2026 . No need to register for the event. Please collect your badge before 10/02 at the JL accreditation desk.
• Event badge for journalists without annual Council badge: Distributed at the LEX building on 11/02 from 14:00 to 19:00 and 12/02 from 07:00 to 10:00.

In order to make the best use of the capacity available, please inform the press centre immediately should you finally decide not to attend in person, via e-mail to [email protected]

Press materials

Videos and photos of the summits will be available on: