European Union - Clément Beaune’s participation in the informal meeting of European affairs ministers (video conference, 23 Mar. 2021)

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Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will take part in in the informal meeting of European affairs ministers on March 23.

The discussions will focus on the following points:

  • Preparations for the European Council on March 25 and 26: With this in mind, the ministers will discuss the management of the health crisis, the strengthening of the internal market, industrial policy and the digital single market, as well as relations with Turkey and Russia.

In the face of the Covid-19 crisis, the aim is to reaffirm, in concrete terms, the unity and solidarity of the European partners in support of two goals: a vaccine policy that will make it possible to respond to the needs of the European population and to guarantee international solidarity; coordinated preparations for the lifting of movement restrictions, notably thanks to the proposal for a Digital Green Certificate presented by the European Commission on March 17, the adoption of which is now down to the co-legislators.

The discussions between the heads of state and government will also focus on the economic recovery. They will discuss the strengthening of the internal market, notably in terms of its digital dimension, as well as relations with Turkey and Russia. France expressed the wish that the Indo-Pacific region be discussed during this European Council.

  • European Semester: the Portuguese presidency will present the summary report and roadmap for the European Semester, as well as the draft recommendations on economic policy in the euro area. This exercise will reaffirm the urgent need to implement the European economic recovery plan, involving the swift entry into force of the Own Resources Decision, as well as the approval of national recovery and resilience plans.
  • Conference on the Future of Europe: the Portuguese presidency will provide an update on the organization of the conference, following the signing of the interinstitutional declaration on March 10.