Wed. Mar 26th, 2025

Main results of the EU General Affairs Council, 18 March 2025

Mar 19, 2025 , , , , ,

Brussels, 18 March 2025

The Council started by discussing draft conclusions for the upcoming European Council. Ministers then held an exchange of views on EU-UK relations, as well as on a synthesis report on Council contributions on the 2025 European Semester. The Council agreed to forward a draft recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area to the European Council for endorsement. Finally, ministers approved a joint declaration for this year’s legislative priorities together with joint conclusions on the EU’s policy objectives and priorities for 2025-2029.

Adam Szłapka, Minister for the European Union of Poland:

We live in extremely challenging times for Europe. The Polish presidency continues to work on its ambitious agenda to make Europe more secure and more competitive. We are intensifying our efforts in the coming months to bring tangible results for the people of Europe.

 

March European Council preparation

The Council continued preparations for the upcoming European Council meeting by discussing draft conclusions. EU leaders are expected to discuss:

  • Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
  • latest developments in the Middle East
  • EU’s competitiveness
  • European defence
  • the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and new own resources
  • migration,
  • oceans
  • multilateralism, and
  • other specific foreign policy issues

 

EU-UK relations

The Council heard a presentation by the Commission and held an exchange of views on EU-UK relations in the run-up to the EU-UK Summit of 19 May 2025. Ministers focused on areas where relations with the UK could be strengthened and on the best approach to collectively protect EU’s interests. Many ministers stressed the importance of working with like-minded partners, including the UK, in the field of security and defence.

 

European Semester

Ministers held an exchange of views on a synthesis report on Council contributions on the 2025 European Semester. The presidency presented an updated roadmap for the 2025 European Semester. The Council also agreed to forward a draft recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area to the European Council for endorsement.

 

Legislative programming

The Council approved the joint declaration on the EU legislative priorities for 2025, as well as joint conclusions on policy objectives and priorities for 2025-2029. The joint declaration and joint conclusions will be signed by the presidents of the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Parliament.

 

Any other business

Czechia presented information on the termination of financing of ‘Radio Free Europe’ by the US Agency for Global Media.

 

Moldova

Under ‘A’ items, the Council adopted the regulation establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova, a new instrument to support the country’s path towards the EU with up to €2 billion.

 

Informal breakfast with Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya

Over an informal breakfast, ministers held an exchange of views with the Belarussian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya.

Preparatory documents
Outcome documents
Press releases

Source – EU Council

 

Remarks by Commissioner Šefčovič at the press conference following the General Affairs Council

Brussels, 18 March 2025

“Check against delivery”

Good afternoon to everyone. You’ve just heard the Presidency overview, so I’d like to highlight a few key Commission proposals contributing to this week’s European Council.

As Europe’s security and Ukraine’s security are intrinsically linked, tomorrow we will present both the ReArm Europe Plan and the White Paper on the Future of European Defence, centred around three key pillars: Ukraine; critical defence capabilities; and the European defence industry.

Similarly, strengthening Europe’s defence and security, and boosting our competitiveness are two sides of the same coin.

To that end, we will present the Savings and Investment Union, which focuses on connecting the EU’s priority objectives with private savings, aimed at turning our significant European savings into much needed investment.

We will also introduce the Steel and Metals Action Plan, designed through the strategic dialogue with these vital sectors of the EU economy – to boost their competitiveness. Trade plays a pivotal role, as we need to address global overcapacities driven by non-market policies, to level the playing field for our domestic industry.

Today’s Council was also a good opportunity to discuss EU-UK relations, as we work towards a productive and meaningful EU-UK Summit in May.

This summit will be the first of its kind at leadership level since Brexit, marking a significant milestone in our post-Brexit relationship.

On one hand, we must stay focused on the full and faithful implementation of our existing EU-UK agreements. For instance, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement remains the most ambitious free trade agreement the EU has concluded with any outside partner.

At the same time, there is untapped potential to make our collaboration more strategic in certain areas, notably security and resilience; people-to-people connections; and the protection of our planet and its resources.

We are confident that a comprehensive, package-based approach will lead to balanced outcomes.

Let me stop here and take any questions you may have. Thank you.

Source – EU Commission

 

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