Forward look: 17 – 30 March 2025

Foreign Affairs Council, 17 March 2025

Ministers will exchange views on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, after a short intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha via videoconference. They will then hold discussions on the situation in the Middle East, Iran and EU-US relations. They will be also informed about current affairs.

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 17 March 2025

Energy ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss the action plan for affordable energy and to exchange views on the EU’s energy security architecture. They will receive information on the energy situation in Ukraine, on EU electricity and gas market developments, on the successful synchronisation of the Baltic electricity systems with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area and on winter preparedness.

General Affairs Council, 18 March 2025

Ministers responsible for European affairs will meet in Brussels to continue preparations for the European Council meeting on 20-21 March 2025 and hold an exchange of views on the state of play of EU-UK relations. Ministers will also focus on the 2025 European Semester. Finally, the Council will approve a joint declaration on the EU legislative priorities for 2025, as well as joint conclusions on policy objectives and priorities for 2025-2029.

European Council, 20-21 March 2025

EU leaders will meet in Brussels to address the following topics: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support to Ukraine and its people; the situation in the Middle East; European defence; migration; EU’s economy and competitiveness; the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) and new own resources; oceans, and other foreign policy items.

Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 24 March 2025

The Council will hold an exchange of views on the Commission’s Communication on a Vision for agriculture and food. Over the course of an informal lunch, fisheries ministers will discuss the future of the Common fisheries policy. The Council will also tackle a number of ‘other business’ items.

Environment Council, 27 March 2025

Environment ministers will gather in Brussels to discuss the environmental dimension of the clean industrial deal and to exchange views on global environmental policies.

General Affairs Council (Cohesion), 28 March 2025

Ministers responsible for cohesion policy will meet in Brussels to discuss a more dynamic and strategic cohesion policy and ways to deliver change in the current and next perspective. The Council will be also invited to approve conclusions on cohesion and cohesion policy post-2027.

Other meetings