EU Finance Ministers of the eurozone meet on 19 February 2018 in Brussels. The meeting takes place in two formats - the first part is a regular meeting of the euro area ministers, while the second part is a meeting of the ministers of 27 EU member states. Among other topics, ministers discuss Greece's economic adjustment programme, the reform of the European Stability Mechanism and the appointment of the next ECB Vice-President.
The European Union works to bring an end to the conflict in Syria.
EU Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries meet on 19 February 2018 in Brussels to exchange views on "The Future of Food and Farming" and the revision of the EU bioeconomy strategy, and to be informed about the EU protein plan.
EU Ministers of Education, Culture, Youth, Sport and Communication meet on 15 February 2018 in Brussels to hold policy debates on how to take forward the education aspects of the European Council conclusions of 14 December 2017, and on the mid-term evaluation of the Erasmus+ programme and future orientations for post-2020.
Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, co-chairs the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq. The three-day event aims to mobilise additional international support for Iraq at this crucial time in the history of the country, following the territorial defeat of Da'esh in 2017.
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, visits the Austrian Federal Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, on 13 February 2018, in Vienna.
The Informal Meeting of Ministers responsible for Tourism takes place on 13 February 2018 in Sofia.
The European Union has a long-term partnership with Afghanistan. In close coordination with Afghanistan's international partners, the European Union is engaged with the Afghan Government to fight corruption, improve oversight, enable economic growth, reduce poverty and strengthen democratic institutions. This is part of the strategy for Afghanistan, agreed in October 2017 until the end of 2020.
The Informal Meeting of the Ministers responsible for Competitiveness is held on 1 and 2 February 2018 in Sofia. The meeting focused on Industry takes place on 1 February. On 2 February, the meeting focuses on Research.
The EU and Israel committed themselves to establishing a partnership which provides for close political and mutually beneficial trade and investment relations together with economic, social, financial, civil scientific, technological and cultural cooperation.
The EU has been working with the Palestinian Authority to build up the institutions of a future democratic, independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side with Israel and its neighbours.
EU Ministers of Foreign and European Affairs meet on 29 January 2018 in Brussels to adopt negotiating directives for the Brexit negotiations addressing in particular the transition period.
EU Ministers for Transport, Infrastructure, and Communications meet on 4 and 5 December 2017 in Brussels to agree their position on an updated mandate for the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communication (BEREC). Ministers also look at the progress made on a proposal on ePrivacy and discuss draft rules on the free flow of non-personal data. On Tuesday, the Council takes stock of the progress made on the mobility package proposals relating to market access and social aspects and discusses the road charging proposals. Ministers look at the progress made on the proposal to safeguard competition in air transport. The Council is also due to adopt three sets of conclusions.
EU Finance Ministers of the eurozone meet on 4 December 2017 in Brussels in two formats - the first part is a regular meeting of the euro area ministers, while the second part is a meeting of the ministers of 27 EU member states with the aim of preparing the December Euro Summit.
EU Finance Ministers meet on 5 December 2017 in Brussels to discuss adoption of an EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for taxation matters, as well as digital taxation, VAT on electronic commerce and a number of banking proposals.
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, meets Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach of Ireland, on 1 December 2017, in Dublin.
Federica MOGHERINI, EU HR for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, participates in a dialogue at the Rome MED 2017 – Mediterranean Dialogues, taking place on 30 November and 1 December 2017, in Italy, Rome.
EU Ministers of European Affairs, Industry, Research and related areas meet on 30 November and 1 December 2017 in Brussels to discuss the establishment of a single digital gateway and a future industrial policy strategy. They are adopting conclusions on the Horizon 2020 mid-term review and on the future research framework programme. The Council is considering how to address global challenges in the next EU research programme. It is also discussing on EU space programmes and adopting conclusions on the Copernicus mid-term review.
The Political and Security Committee (PSC) meets at the ambassadorial level as a preparatory body for the Council of the EU. Its main functions are keeping track of the international situation and helping to define policies within the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
The 5th Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit takes place in Brussels (Europa building) on 24 November 2017. Heads of state or government from the EU member states and the six Eastern partner countries look forward to future cooperation. They also take stock of what has been achieved since the last summit in Riga in 2015, focusing on the tangible benefits delivered to the citizens of the six Eastern Partnership countries.