Foreign Affairs Council

Spain's EU presidency is an opportunity to reset relations with Latin America and the Caribbean

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Wednesday, July 12, 2023
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This meeting is important for both regions but, especially for Europe, given the current geopolitical pressures it is facing.

Key Points: 
  • This meeting is important for both regions but, especially for Europe, given the current geopolitical pressures it is facing.
  • We live in a world in transition towards a new model that is still uncertain after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
  • Several concerned Latin American countries requested the summit be suspended and called on CELAC to speak out against Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Cooled relations

    • The pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the Spanish presidency are the main factors that reactivated the EU-CELAC relationship at the highest level.
    • The first two highlighted some of the EU’s major structural threats and weaknesses in terms of military dependence on NATO, Europe’s essential defence base, strategic industrial dependence and energy dependence – especially on Russia.

Spain takes the initiative

    • In this context of European vulnerability, the Foreign Affairs Council of 18 July 2022 agreed to “promote a qualitative leap in relations between the EU and LAC countries”, with Spain taking the initiative to hold the summit under its presidency of the EU Council.
    • It also includes green and digital alliances within the framework of the Global Gateway investment strategy.
    • The EU needs a real strategic relationship with LAC, however complex and heterogeneous the region may be.
    • However, it cannot accompany it in the application of sanctions – its strategic vulnerability can’t assume the cost of sanctions.

What success would look like

    • The main success factor of the summit will be the abandonment of Eurocentrism.
    • Taking that into account, the international value of Latin America and the Caribbean in the developing global scenario is incalculable.

Forward look: 3 - 16 May 2021

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Saturday, May 1, 2021
Politics of Europe, Council of the European Union, Foreign relations of the European Union, Politics of the European Union, Continents, European Council, Foreign Affairs Council, Europe, Foreign minister, European integration, Gymnich meeting

Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), Thursday 6 May

Key Points: 
  • Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), Thursday 6 May

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange views on the Strategic Compass.

  • Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Saturday 8 May

    An Informal meeting of EU leaders will discuss the European Pillar of Social Rights in Porto.

  • Foreign Affairs Council, Monday 10 May

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange views on Western Balkans, transatlantic relations and Belarus.

  • General Affairs Council, Tuesday 11 May

    The Council will prepare for the special European Council meeting on 25 May 2021.

Forward look: 26 April - 9 May 2021

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Saturday, May 1, 2021
Politics of Europe, Council of the European Union, Foreign relations of the European Union, Politics of the European Union, Continents, European Council, Foreign Affairs Council, Europe, Foreign minister, European integration, Gymnich meeting

Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), Thursday 6 May

Key Points: 
  • Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), Thursday 6 May

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange views on the Strategic Compass.

  • Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Saturday 8 May

    An Informal meeting of EU leaders will discuss the European Pillar of Social Rights in Porto.

  • Foreign Affairs Council, Monday 10 May

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange views on Western Balkans, transatlantic relations and Belarus.

  • General Affairs Council, Tuesday 11 May

    The Council will prepare for the special European Council meeting on 25 May 2021.

Forward look: 22 March - 4 April 2021

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Saturday, March 20, 2021
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The location and the format (physical or virtual) indicated for each meeting are subject to change.

Key Points: 
  • The location and the format (physical or virtual) indicated for each meeting are subject to change.
  • Foreign Affairs Council, Monday 22 March

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange views on the Southern neighbourhood and Turkey.

  • Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Monday 22 - Tuesday 23 March

    Ministers discuss the state of play in the negotiations of the CAP reform package and the EU-UK fishing opportunities for 2021 and, for deep-sea stocks for 2021 and 2022.

  • Informal video conference of European affairs ministers, Tuesday 23 March

    European Council, European Semester and the Conference on the Future of Europe will be on the agenda of the General Affairs Council.

Media advisory - EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Council of 1 March 2021

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Saturday, February 27, 2021
Politics of the European Union, Organizations, Council of the European Union, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Press conference, European Union, Foreign Affairs Council

Indicative programme

Key Points: 
  • Indicative programme

    Chair: Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

    12.00Beginning of the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Council

    At the end of the meeting (+/-14.00) press conference in live streaming.

  • Arrangements for the press conference

    Please note that the press conference after the meeting will take place remotely.

  • In order to participate and ask questions, EU accredited journalists should register using this link.
  • Journalists who already registered for previous Foreign Affairs Council press conferences do not need to register again.

Two new director-generals appointed in the Council’s General Secretariat

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Saturday, February 6, 2021
Foreign relations of the European Union, Council of the European Union, European Union, Politics of the European Union, Relex, Directorate-General for External Relations, Didier Seeuws, European Council, Foreign Affairs Council, General Affairs Council

Today, the Council appointed Maryem van den Heuvel as the new Director-General for External Relations (RELEX), and Didier Seeuws as the new DirectorGeneral for General and Institutional Policy (GIP).

Key Points: 
  • Today, the Council appointed Maryem van den Heuvel as the new Director-General for External Relations (RELEX), and Didier Seeuws as the new DirectorGeneral for General and Institutional Policy (GIP).
  • DG RELEX provides policy support to the European Council and its president in the areas of the EU's external relations and international summits.
  • It assists and advises the Council, the Council presidency and the High Representative in his capacity as President of the Foreign Affairs Council.
  • It acts as secretariat for the General Affairs Council and for the European Council, drafting all European Council supporting documents and providing assistance during meetings.

Media advisory - Foreign Affairs Council of 7 December 2020

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Saturday, December 5, 2020
Politics of the European Union, Foreign relations of the European Union, Council of the European Union, European Union, Josep Borrell, Foreign Affairs Council, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Indicative programme

Key Points: 
  • Indicative programme

    9.30 Beginning of the Foreign Affairs Council, chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell

    - Current affairs and review of the latest international developments- Transatlantic Relations- Strategic Autonomy- Other business: Hong Kong Security Law

    At the end of the meeting (+/- 14.30) press conference inlive streaming.

  • Arrangements for the press conference

    Please note that there will be no physical press conference.

  • Journalists who already registered for previous FAC press conferences do not need to register again.
  • Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants approximately half an hour after the deadline.

Forward look: 7 - 20 December 2020

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Saturday, December 5, 2020
Politics of Europe, Organizations, Continents, Confederations, Foreign Affairs Council, European Union

Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council.

Key Points: 
  • Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council.
  • The location and the format (physical or virtual) indicated for each meeting are subject to change.
  • 7 December 2020

    Foreign Affairs Council

    EU ministers of foreign affairs will be briefed about current affairs and exchange of views on transatlantic relations and strategic autonomy

    Video conference of telecommunication ministers

    Ministers will discuss the proposal for a data governance act, published by the Commission on 25 November

    Video conference of European affairs ministers

    European Council and (poss.)

  • EU-UK relations will be on the agenda of the videoconference of EU Affairs ministers

    8 December 2020

    Video conference of transport ministers

    Ministers will discuss a proposal to revise the EU road-charging directive (Eurovignette), and the Commission's proposals concerning the Single European Sky

    10-11 December 2020

    European Council

    EU leaders will meet in Brussels to discuss further coordination on COVID-19, climate change, security and external relations

    14 December 2020

    Justice and Home Affairs Council

    Home affairs ministers will discuss the migration and asylum pact, as well as how to improve EU engagement with third countries on migration.

Forward look: 19 September - 4 October 2020

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Saturday, September 19, 2020
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Foreign Affairs Council, 21 September 2020

Key Points: 
  • Foreign Affairs Council, 21 September 2020

    Foreign affairs ministers will be informed about current affairs, and exchange views on Libya, Belarus, and relations between the EU and the African Union.

  • General Affairs Council, 22 September 2020

    The Council will prepare for the special European Council.

  • Ministers will also focus on the next MFF, EU-UK relations, COVID-19 measures, and Article 7 procedures regarding Poland and Hungary.
  • For video coverage of Council sessions and audiovisual material, please see the following Council websites:

Video conference of Foreign Affairs Ministers: Main outcomes

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Saturday, August 15, 2020
Politics of the European Union, Foreign relations of the European Union, European Union, Council of the European Union, Foreign relations of Europe, Josep Borrell, Foreign Affairs Council, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Foreign minister, European External Action Service

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, convened on Friday 14 August a video conference meeting with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 27 EU Member States.

Key Points: 
  • The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, convened on Friday 14 August a video conference meeting with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 27 EU Member States.
  • The aim of the discussions was to address the pressing situations in theEastern Mediterraneanand inBelarusafter the August 9 Presidential Elections.
  • The High Representative will remain in constant contact with the Ministers on these and other issues in the coming weeks, ahead of the informal Foreign Affairs Council (Gymnich), which will take place on 27-28 August in Berlin.
  • Eastern Mediterranean The Ministers discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, following a grave deterioration of the security situation in recent days.
  • They recalled EU common positions and the previous Council Conclusionsof22 March 2018andJune,July,October,December2019, in addition to theStatement on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean of 15 May 2020.
  • De-escalation: Ministers stressed in particular that recent naval mobilisations by Turkey do not contribute to finding any solutions.
  • At the same time, the High Representative/Vice-President is to prepare options on further appropriate measures in case tensions do not abate.
  • Belarus The EU Foreign Ministers addressed the Belarusian Presidential elections that took place on 9 August.
  • High Representative/Vice-President Borrelloutlined his contacts over recent weekswith the Maduro government and main opposition groups in this regard.
  • Ministers discussed the EUs willingness to assist all genuine Venezuelan efforts to find a political solution.