European Union - Clément Beaune participates in the General Affairs Council meeting (Brussels, 25 January 2022)

Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is participating in today’s General Affairs Council meeting, the first to take place under the French presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The minister will outline the priorities for the French presidency before the current Council, in particular the issue of the rule of law. At this meeting, a debate will take place on two draft pieces of regulation that aim to strengthen democracy and election integrity. These regulations suggest guidelines for the status and financing of political parties and also touch on transparency in political advertising.

Mr. Beaune will present the timeline for the Conference on the Future of Europe and will recap last weekend’s plenary session, which covered matters having to do with democracy, rights and values, the rule of law, security, climate change, the environment and health.

The ministers will discuss European coordination on the fight against Covid-19 and will vote on a revised recommendation concerning travel within the European Union and the EU’s commitments to international solidarity.

Lastly, Maroš Šefčovič, vice president of the European Commission, will present the current state of relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom in order to determine the best way to guarantee adherence to previously signed agreements.