EU’s Foreign Affairs Council met in Brussels on Monday to start current affair negotiations. Ministers discussed Turkey's current drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and published a final declaration that read in light of 'Turkey’s continued and new illegal drilling activities, the Council will suspend negotiations on the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement and agree not to hold the Association Council and further meetings of the EU-Turkey high-level dialogues for the time being'.
The meeting also allowed ministers to review pressing issues on the international agenda including those on Sudan, Ethiopia and Venezuela.
Foreign ministers discussed Iran, in light of the recent developments concerning the Iran nuclear deal, and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). They also debated migration, focusing on external concerns.
Agriculture and Fisheries Council convened in Brussels on Monday. The Council was informed about the priorities and work program of Finland's presidency in the field of agriculture and fisheries. In addition, Ministers exchanged views on the environmental and climate-related aspects of the post- 2020 Common Agricultural Policy reform package. Furthermore, the Council was updated on developments of the sugar sector at EU and national level.
This week, the European Parliament’s plenary session will take place in Strasbourg. On Tuesday, Parliament will vote on Ursula von der Leyen’s nomination for Commission President. To be elected, she needs an absolute majority of 50% plus one of Parliament’s component members. Following her statement, a full debate with MEPs will take place and the vote will be held by secret paper ballot.
On Tuesday, MEPs will hold four debates with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, developments in Venezuela, the Persian Gulf and in Moldova.
Parliament will debate non-governmental organizations’ operations in the Mediterranean and the diverging positions of member states with the Finnish Presidency and the Commission on Wednesday.
EU and Canadian leaders will meet in Montreal to intensify EU-Canada relations and discuss future areas of cooperation on Wednesday and Thursday. Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, will represent the EU. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will also participate in the summit. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will represent Canada. EU and Canada will reaffirm their joint commitment to multilateralism and rules-based trade. They will reiterate their full commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, and they will call for further efforts to fight climate change. At the summit, leaders from both sides will discuss strategic cooperation on global challenges, including in science, technology and innovation. Foreign and security issues will also feature on the agenda.
The General Affairs Council will gather on Thursday in Brussels where the priorities of Finland's presidency for the next six months will be presented. Finland’s presidency representatives will inform ministers about plans for work on the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027.