Forward look: 4 – 17 November 2019

Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 8 November 2019

The Council will adopt conclusions on climate finance and EU statistics. It will also take stock of the work on digital taxation and seek a general approach on a number of taxation files.

Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council (Education), 8 November 2019

Ministers of education will hold a joint debate with finance ministers on pursuing effectiveness, efficiency and quality of education and training. Education ministers will also adopt conclusions on the importance of lifelong learning and will hold a debate on artificial intelligence in education and training.

Foreign Affairs Council, 11 November 2019

The Council will discuss the most pressing issues on the international agenda under current affairs, Afghanistan and the regional security situation in the Gulf and Iran. EU foreign ministers will also have an exchange of views with Prime Minister of Sudan Abdalla Hamdok over lunch. 

Foreign Affairs Council (Defence issues), 12 November 2019

The Council will discuss security and defence issues, with a particular focus on PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) and its coherence with other initiatives. It will also discuss Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations. Over lunch, defence ministers will exchange views on EU-NATO cooperation with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg.

Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget), 15 November 2019

The Council will prepare negotiations with the European Parliament on the EU’s general budget for 2020. The negotiations will be held at a conciliation committee meeting the same day.