Costa to leaders: ‘European Council should join ethics body’

Brussels – To “join the other EU institutions in the inter-institutional Ethics Body” is the pledge made by the newly appointed president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, in the first letter sent to leaders in his new capacity ahead of the summit of EU heads of state and government. To the 27 member states, Costa explicitly says in writing that he will request “to confirm the request of the European Council” to join that body from which the institution had previously withdrawn.

The nine European institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, EU Council, European Council, Court of Auditors, Court of Justice, European Central Bank, European Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions) aim to adhere to equal rules of behavior and conduct, in a bid to set a clear and uniform example to the citizenry. 

In times of euro-skepticism and an all-time low in the levels of confidence in the European Union, it is therefore necessary for Costa to correct his course immediately. “I believe that to maintain the trust citizens place in the institutions that serve them, these need to be exemplary,” the European Council president continues. His call for membership in the ethics body stems from here. For the occasion, Costa ‘revives’ Herman van Rompuy, the first president of the European Council (2009-2014). He will represent the institution on the body.

The Hungarian presidency welcomes @eucopresident António Costa’s decision to join the Interinstitutional Ethics Body. The transparent functioning of the EU is fundamental to its credibility and the reliability it provides to member states and their citizens.
This is in line… pic.twitter.com/jOoKdDBZia

— Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2024 (@HU24EU) December 9, 2024

The Hungarian rotating presidency of the EU Council welcomes the initiative. “The transparent functioning of the EU is crucial for its credibility,” it said. According to the government of Budapest, which is responsible for managing the work at the ministerial level until the end of the year, Costa’s commitment “is in line with the priorities of the Hungarian presidency.” While waiting for the other states, the new president of the European Council is already collecting the first praise and support.