Forward look: 5 - 18 May 2025

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

Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council, 12-13 May 2025

Ministers for youth, education, culture and sport will meet in Brussels, where they will seek to adopt a recommendation on a European quality assurance and recognition system in higher education. They will also aim to approve conclusions on the assessment of the legal framework for audiovisual media services and video-sharing platform services. Other topics on the agenda include the impact of disinformation on the lives of young people, and an integrated approach to sport and physical activity in education.

Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 13 May 2025

The Council will be invited to reach a general approach on the directive on VAT rules for distance sales of imported goods and import valued added tax (VAT). The Council will hold a policy debate on the proposed Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a new financial instrument to help member states increase expenditure on common defence procurement. Other agenda items include an exchange of views on the recently proposed savings and investments union.

Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 15 May 2025

Ministers will hold a policy debate on EU-US trade relations. The Council will exchange views on European economic security, including the review of the FDI Screening Regulation, export controls, and outbound investment controls. Ministers will dedicate the working lunch to ongoing trade negotiations.

Other meetings