On Monday, 18 November 2024, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dace Melbārde, will take part in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) in Brussels, Belgium.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council will focus on the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine and future steps in support of Ukraine to be taken by the EU. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, will address EU Foreign Ministers via videoconference and brief them about the current situation in the country. Tuesday, 19 November, will mark 1,000 days since Russia began its war of aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
The Ministers will also look at the situation in Georgia following the parliamentary elections held on 26 October. A discussion will be held on latest developments in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa – Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti. An exchange of views will then take place on cooperation between the EU and the United States following the U.S. elections of 5 November.
About the EU Foreign Affairs Council
The Foreign Affairs Council deals with matters relating to external action, including the common foreign and security policy, the European security and defence policy, external trade and development cooperation. The Council’s main role is to ensure the unity, consistency and effectiveness of the EU’s external action.
On Tuesday, 19 November 2024, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dace Melbārde, will attend a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels, Belgium.
At the meeting, representatives from the EU Member States will discuss the draft agenda of the European Council meeting on 19-20 December. Information will also be provided on the rule of law situation in four Member States – Austria, Malta, the Netherlands, and Poland – and regarding respect for the EU values in Hungary. Representatives from Member States will have an informal exchange of views on the role of cohesion policy in enhancing the competitiveness of the EU.
About the EU General Affairs Council
The General Affairs Council deals with matters affecting more than one EU policy, such as negotiations on EU enlargement, preparations for the meeting of the European Council, development of the EU’s multiannual budget, as well as the rule of law, institutional and administrative matters.