Main topics and media events 30 May – 12 June 2016

Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks.

Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 30 and 31 May 2016

Youth

The Council will address the role of youth policies and of the youth sector for an integrated approach to prevent and combat violent radicalisation of young people

Education

The Council also stresses the fundamental role of education and training in helping young people to become media literate and responsible citizens of the future.

Culture and audiovisual

Ministers will discuss the promotion of European audiovisual content, following the Commission presentation of its very recent proposal on the revision of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive which was adopted in 2010 and established a single market for the free circulation of audiovisual works.

Sport

The Council will discuss how to improve good governance in sport.

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, 6 and 7 June 2016

Energy

The Council is expected to reach a general approach on a decision on establishing an information exchange mechanism for intergovernmental agreements between member states and third countries in the field of energy.

Ministers will also discuss measures to safeguard the security of gas supply. The main purpose of the proposed regulation is to reduce EU’s external energy dependency, improving its capacity to absorb the impacts of a potential gas disruption.

Ministers will also be updated by the Commission on the state of play regarding international energy relations.

Transport

The Council will be invited to agree on a general approach on new rules on the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation. It is also expected to adopt mandates that will allow the Commission to launch negotiations on comprehensive air transport agreements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. In addition, ministers will discuss nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by diesel cars.

Justice and Home Affairs Council, 9 and 10 June 2016

Justice

The Council will debate on a number of ongoing legislative files, including the directive on the supply of digital content and the regulation on a European public prosecutor’s office. It will also reach a political agreement on regulations on matrimonial property regimes and property consequences of registered partnerships. Finally, it will discuss issues related to criminal justice in cyberspace.

Home affairs

The Council will discuss several security and migration-related issues. It will also address visa liberalisation.