António Costa, President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Portugal, will represent the European Union at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace, taking place on Monday, October 13, in Egypt.
The summit, co-hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. President Donald J. Trump, seeks to consolidate international efforts toward ending the war in Gaza and advancing a durable peace framework for the Middle East.
As President of the European Council, Costa carries the mandate to represent the European Union externally on matters of foreign and security policy. His participation at the summit underscores the EU’s continued commitment to multilateral diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and peacebuilding in the region.
“The European Union remains a steadfast advocate for dialogue, stability, and a two-state solution founded on international law and mutual recognition,” Costa stated ahead of his departure for Egypt. “Peace must be built through cooperation, reconstruction, and respect for human dignity.”
Costa’s attendance also highlights the growing influence of his leadership within the EU since assuming office in December 2024. His experience as Portugal’s Prime Minister (2015–2024) provides him with unique political insight and credibility among heads of state.
Drawing upon Portugal’s Atlantic and Mediterranean connections, Costa is expected to emphasize the EU’s role as a constructive mediator and humanitarian partner. “Europe has a responsibility to act with unity and principle,” he remarked, reaffirming that peace in the Middle East “is not only a regional priority but a global imperative.”
The Sharm el-Sheikh Summit brings together global leaders, diplomats, and international organizations to finalize a peace framework for Gaza, coordinate post-war reconstruction efforts, and reaffirm commitments to regional stability and human rights. Costa’s presence signals the European Union’s readiness to contribute actively to these goals through diplomacy, humanitarian support, and long-term cooperation.
PAJ/Staff
António Costa, 62, was formally appointed on June 27, 2024, to take on President of the European Council, the second highest job in the European Union. He is seen as a “pragmatic negotiator,” and is believed to have all the right credentials for Brussels, including a moderate profile combining socialist democratic values with an orthodox approach to the economy. His career so far has included working as a lawyer, mayor of Lisbon, and prime minister. He worked as a lawyer before becoming a member of the Portuguese Parliament in 1991. His many positions since then have included mayor of Lisbon, elected in 2007, 2009, and 2013. He was a minister of the European Committee of the Regions from 2010 to 2015, adding to his considerable experience with the European Parliament and Council, before serving as prime minister from 2015 to 2024.
