Informal video conference of European affairs ministers, 23 February 2021

Summary:

EU Ministers responsible for matters relating to broad European affairs held an informal videoconference on 23 February 2021. The agenda included the following items:

• Preparation for forthcoming video conference of Members of the European Council;
• Briefing on the epidemiological situation relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic;
• Exchange of views on strengthening the EU's resilience to health threats and on ways to reinforce international health cooperation;
• Strategic debate on European security and defence policy;
• Strategic discussion on the relations between the European Union and its Southern Neighbourhood, following up on conclusions from the European Council;
• Briefing on the latest talks concerning the setting up of the Conference on the Future of Europe;
• Exchange of views on the European Commission's European democracy action plan;
• Briefing on the state of place of EU-UK relations since the signature of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

• Primary Source

Official

General Secretariat of the Council: Background Brief on Informal video conference of European affairs ministers, 23 February 2021 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/48550/background-note-gac-23-feb.pdf

European Commission: Statement by Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič following the General Affairs Council (23 February 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_783

Portuguese Council Presidency: News, 23/02/2021: Ministers for European Affairs prepare European Council and discuss post-Brexit relations with the United Kingdom for the first time https://www.2021portugal.eu/en/news/ministers-for-european-affairs-prepare-european-council-and-discuss-post-brexit-relations-with-the-united-kingdom-for-the-first-time/

Finish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release, 23/02/2021: EU affairs ministers prepare for upcoming European Council and discuss European Democracy Action Plan https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/10616/eu-affairs-ministers-prepare-for-upcoming-european-council-and-discuss-european-democracy-action-plan

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