Main topics and media events 24 May - 9 June 2019

Met dank overgenomen van Raad van de Europese Unie (Raad) i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 31 mei 2019.

Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks.

Justice and Home Affairs Council, 6 and 7 June 2019

Justice ministers will discuss the negotiating mandates for agreements with the US and within the Council of Europe on access to e-evidence as well as adopt conclusion on data retention for fighting crime. They will also debate on the digitalisation of judicial documents as well as on the future of the EU substantive criminal law and on the way forward in mutual recognition in judicial cooperation on criminal matters.

Home affairs ministers will discuss the future of security and migration policy. They will also seek to agree on a partial general approach on the reform of the return directive, as well as partial general approaches on sectoral home affairs funds in the context of the next MFF.

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport and Telecom), 6 and 7 June 2019

The Transport Council is expected to agree its position on a proposal on the use of electronic freight transport information. It will assess progress on proposals relating to hired vehicles, road charging (Eurovignette), rail passengers' rights, and measures for the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). The AOB includes, among other topics, presidency information on the proposal to stop seasonal time changes.

The Telecommunications Council will hold a policy debate and adopt conclusions on the future of a highly digitised Europe beyond 2020. The Council will also adopt a decision in preparation for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019, and assess progress on a proposal to update privacy rules for electronic communications (ePrivacy).

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, 13 and 14 June 2019

On Thursday 13, ministers will be briefed on the progress achieved on the Directive on equal treatment and will adopt conclusions on a European Court of Auditors' report on the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, on measures for closing the gender pay gap and on the changing world of work. They will also hold a vote to select the seat of the European Labour Authority.

On Friday 14, ministers will adopt conclusions on combatting antimicrobial resistance and will hold a debate on how to use EU funds to support health investments.

Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 14 June 2019

The Council will discuss the taxation and financial aspects of the "Clean Planet for all" communication by the Commission and the country specific recommendations of the 2019 European Semester. They may also hold a debate on the financial transaction tax.