Video conference of European affairs ministers, 8 December 2020

Main results

December European Council

Ministers examined draft conclusions for the European Council meeting to be held on 10 and 11 December 2020.

The European Council will take stock of the situation and discuss the overall coordination effort that has been delivered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

EU i leaders will return to the issue of climate change and will address security issues, in particular the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. They will revert to consideration of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and relations with Turkey, and will hold a strategic discussion on EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood. Leaders will also discuss European Union - United States relations.

On 11 December the leaders will also meet for the Euro Summit.

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  COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic (background information)
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  Climate change: what the EU is doing (background information)
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  EU fight against terrorism (background information)
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  Joint statement by the EU home affairs ministers on the recent terrorist attacks in Europe, 13 November 2020
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  European Council conclusions on external relations, 1 October 2020
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  Euro Summit, 11 December 2020

EU-UK relations

The Union's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic informed ministers about the latest developments in the context of the intensified negotiations on the future EU-UK relations as well as on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement. Ministers noted the state of play and reaffirmed their support for the Commission and the Union’s chief negotiator.

The EU remains committed to concluding an ambitious agreement for the future relations. Nevertheless, ministers underlined the need for businesses and countries to prepare for all scenarios.

We remain committed to reaching a deal, but not at any price. We reiterate our support to our chief negotiator, Michael Barnier, and his team in their efforts to bring these negotiations to a successful close. Meanwhile, the Withdrawal Agreement must be applied in full. Trust depends on this. Issues with the UK Internal Market Bill and the forthcoming Finance Bill should therefore not be left unaddressed.

Michael Roth, Germany's Minister of State for Europe

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  EU-UK negotiations on the future relationship (background information)

Legislative programme

The presidency reported on the EU's legislative priorities for 2021 and the policy objectives and priorities for 2020-2024.

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  2021 Commission work programme - from strategy to delivery
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  2020 Strategic Foresight Report

European democracy action plan

The Commission provided information about the European democracy action plan which was issued on 3 December 2020.

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  European democracy action plan

Meeting information

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  Meeting n°VC-GAC-081220
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  Video conference
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  8 December 2020
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  10:00

Preparatory documents

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  Background brief

Outcome documents

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  List of participants