Brussels briefing, May 20

The European Economic Area Council will gather in Brussels on Monday to discuss the overall functioning of the agreement on the European Economic Area. In addition, the council will hold an orientation debate on climate change, focusing on the long-term strategies towards 2050 and the implementation of the Paris Agreement. 

An agreement on Civil Aviation Safety between the EU and China will be signed in Brussels on Monday. The agreement expects to simplify the certification and trading of planes between the EU and China.

The EU’s General Affairs Council will meet on Tuesday in Brussels where the council will hold, in public session, a policy debate on the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027. The debate will focus on the EU budget for external action, in particular on funding for the development policy and the European neighborhood policy. Ministers will start preparations for the European Council meeting on June 20-21, 2019 by discussing an annotated draft agenda.

The Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council will gather in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday. Ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on young people and the future of work. They are also expected to adopt a recommendation on a comprehensive approach to the teaching and learning of languages. The aim is to ensure that more young people can master two languages in addition to their first language.

The EU is in preparations for the next European elections that will take place on May 23-26. In a direct vote, citizens in all EU member states will elect their MEPs to form the new European Parliament that consists of 751 MEPs.