Forward look: 7 July - 20 July 2025 17:30 Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks and upcoming media events.[...]

Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight.

Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 8 July 2025

The Council is expected to adopt the final legislative acts paving the way for Bulgaria to begin using the euro as its official currency as of 1 January 2026. It will also be invited to activate the national escape clause under the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) in requesting member states to help facilitate their transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability. Ministers will hold a policy debate on the single currency package, including the proposal towards a digital euro. The Council is also expected to take decisions and make recommendations under the excessive deficit procedure.

Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 14 July 2025

The Danish presidency will give a presentation of its work programme and priorities for the second half of 2025. The Council will also exchange views on the market situation, in particular following Russia's war against Ukraine, and on the supply, production and sustainability of proteins.

Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 14 July 2025

Ministers will exchange views on the current state of EU-US trade relations. They will also hold a policy debate on EU-China trade relations. Finally, they will discuss the ongoing trade negotiations and the status of various trade agreements.

Foreign Affairs Council, 15 July 2025

The Council will exchange views on Russia's war against Ukraine, after a short intervention of the minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha via videoconference. EU ministers will then hold discussions on the situation in the Middle East and the New Pact for the Mediterranean with the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Nasser Kamel. They will also be informed about current affairs.

General Affairs Council, 18 July 2025

Ministers responsible for European affairs will hear a presentation by the Commission on its first package of proposals on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and will hold an initial exchange of views. The Council will also discuss the request by Spain to include Catalan, Basque and Galician in regulation No 1/1958, which governs the EU's language regime.

Other meetings