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Ministers exchanged views on the annotated draft agenda for the European Council meeting on 24 and 25 March 2022.
EU leaders will assess the epidemiological and vaccine situation and pursue coordination efforts in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic. They will also return to the subject of international cooperation on global health governance and the question of solidarity.
The European Council will hold a strategic debate on security and defence. It will be invited to endorse the Strategic Compass.
The European Council will address priorities for the 2022 European Semester and will be invited to endorse the Recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area.
In the light of events, the European Council may address foreign policy issues.
Rule of law in Poland
The Council held a hearing on the rule of law in Poland under the Article 7(1) TEU procedure.
The topics discussed at the hearing were raised in the Commission’s reasoned proposal, which triggered this procedure in 2017, and which focuses on the independence of the judiciary.
The purpose of the hearings is to provide the Council with an updated picture of the situation and to help integrate developments since the last hearing on 22 June 2021.
The Commission submitted the reasoned proposal on 20 December 2017 in order to determine whether there was a clear risk of a serious breach of the rule of law by Poland, and to provide recommendations for Poland to bring its judicial reforms into line with the principles of the rule of law.
The presidency informed the Council about the Conference on the Future of Europe and on the next steps leading up to 9 May.
The conference is about to enter a very practical phase, notably after the plenary on 11 and 12 March 2022, when the recommendations from the last citizens’ panels will be discussed.
Further discussion, including on the follow-up to the conference, is scheduled to take place at the informal meeting in Arles on 3 and 4 March 2022.
With a view to finalising the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe on 9 May, the presidency will continue to ensure close coordination of the Council, in full compliance with the governance arrangements established by the European institutions. It will pay particular attention to following up on the recommendations made by citizens, including through national consultation exercises.
Clément Beaune, French Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs
Preparedness, response capability and resilience to future crises
Ministers held a policy debate on strengthening preparedness, response capacity and resilience to future crises. The aim was to provide the necessary political guidance to the work carried out at technical level in three main areas: preparedness, response capability and resilience to future crises.
Ministers were briefed by the Commission on the latest developments in EU-UK relations, and the Slovak delegation submitted proposals on the protection of journalists in the EU.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the list of non-legislative A items.
With a view to finalising the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe on 9 May, the presidency will continue to ensure close coordination of the Council, in full compliance with the governance arrangements established by the European institutions. It will pay particular attention to following up on the recommendations made by citizens, including through national consultation exercises.
