Main topics and media events 13 - 26 May 2019 - Main contents
Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks.
Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers meeting, 13 May 2019
EU foreign ministers will meet with their counter-parts from the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) for their annual meeting in this format. The meeting will be followed by a working lunch, marking the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership.
Foreign Affairs Council, 13 May 2019
The Council will review current affairs. It will discuss recent developments in Libya. Foreign ministers will then have an exchange of views on the Sahel, in view of their joint session the next day with foreign and defence ministers of the G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger). The joint session will also include EU defence ministers.
Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 14 May 2019
The Council will have exchanges of views on the 2020 CAP reform package, the Commission's communication "A clean planet for all", and trade-related agricultural issues.
Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 14 May 2019
The Council will start with a joint session of defence ministers with foreign ministers on the Sahel, together with foreign and defence ministers of the G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger). Defence ministers will then discussed PESCO, and exchange views on EU-NATO cooperation with Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller.
Foreign Affairs Council (Development), 16 May 2019
The Council will discuss the 2030 agenda and climate change, youth and development, as well as how to step up the EU engagement in the Sahel. Development ministers will also discuss the future of the financial architecture for sustainable development and neighbourhood.
Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 17 May 2019
The Council will discuss international issues, including digital taxation in the international context, outcome and preparations of international meetings and the setup of the coalition of finance ministers for climate actions. Ministers will also try to reach a political agreement on a set of new excise duty rules applicable in the EU regime and discuss the way forward on the reform support programme proposal.
General Affairs Council, 21 May 2019
The Council will discuss funding for external action within the next long-term EU budget (MFF) and prepare for the June European Council. Under any other business, the Commission will present its communication on strengthening the rule of law in the EU.
Education, Youth, Culture and Sports, 22 and 23 May 2019
The EYCS Council will adopt conclusions on young people and the future of work, a recommendation on a comprehensive approach to the teaching and learning of languages, conclusions on young creative generations and conclusions on access to sport for persons with disabilities. Ministers will hold debates on topics in each of the four areas under the EYCS Council competence.
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