Rinkevics to attend meetings of EU Foreign Affairs Council and EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg

RIGA - Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) will today attend a meeting of the European Union’s (EU) Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, and on April 9 will participate in a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council, the Foreign Ministry informed.

At the Foreign Affairs Council, views on the situation in Afghanistan will be exchanged, paying particular attention to the peace process. The High Representative, Federica Mogherini, will inform ministers on her visit to Afghanistan on 26 March.

At the meeting, ministers will discuss the Eastern Partnership in preparation for the Eastern Partnership Ministerial Meeting in Brussels on May 13, discuss the future of the Eastern Partnership and review the implementation of the Eastern Partnership’s 20 Deliverables for 2020.

Ministers will also have a discussion on developments in Venezuela and the results of the second ministerial meeting of the International Contact Group on Venezuela.

On April 9, Rinkevics will participate in the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

At the meeting of the General Affairs Council, the representatives of the member states will continue discussions on the progress in negotiations on the EU multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027. The cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy are to be examined. Ministers will also address the Council conclusions on the European Commission's reflection paper “Towards a sustainable Europe by 2030”. It offers solutions for the implementation of the objectives of the UN 2030 Agenda in the EU.

At the meeting, member states are expected to return to questions about the rule of law in Poland and Hungary. Ministers will be presented with the current situation on these issues.

At the meeting in Article 50 format of the General Affairs Council, ministers will in addition work on the preparation of the forthcoming meeting of the Special European Council on 10 April in Article 50 format, where it is planned to discuss the request of the United Kingdom to delay the date of Brexit.