Forward look: 17 February – 2 March 2025
Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 18 February 2025
Ministers will hold a policy debate on competitiveness and regulatory burden reduction and the Commission will present the Competitiveness Compass initiative. Ministers will take note of the state of play of the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Council aims to approve its guidelines for the EU’s annual budget for 2026. It aims to adopt conclusions on the Alert Mechanism Report 2025 and agree on the 2025 recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area. The Council is expected to adopt recommendations regarding medium-term fiscal-structural plans and on correcting excessive deficit situations in member states. The Council is expected to approve modified recovery and resilience plans, submitted by some member states. The Council aims to adopt a revised EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in the field of taxation.
Foreign Affairs Council, 24 February
Ministers will exchange views on the Russian 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, including Syria, Lebanon and UNRWA, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Iran. They will also be informed about current affairs.
Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 24 February
Based on information from the European Commission and member states, agriculture ministers will discuss the situation of agricultural markets and commodities, a recurring topic on the Council’s agenda.
The Council will also exchange views on implementing the principle of rural proofing, which involves reviewing policies from a rural perspective to make sure they’re fit for purpose for people living and working in rural areas.
General Affairs Council, 25 February
The Council will start preparations for the March 2025 European Council and will hold an exchange of views on the Commission’s work programme for 2025 and, more generally, on annual and multiannual programming.
Other meetings
- Eurogroup, 17 February 2025
- Informal meeting of the General Affairs Council, 17-18 February 2025
