European Council leaders call for a tougher EU response to illicit drugs, backing stronger port security, international co-operation and a potential sanctions regime for transnational organised crime groups

In conclusions adopted at the 19 June 2026 European Council meeting, EU leaders call for a comprehensive, evidence-based response to drug use and trafficking, combining public health, prevention, treatment and social reintegration with stronger security, maritime and port resilience, and law enforcement co-operation with third countries. They also note the Commission and High Representative’s plan to propose a new horizontal sanctions regime targeting transnational organised crime groups, while separately advancing work on migration, the next EU budget, enlargement, Moldova, the Western Balkans…