State Secretary for European Affairs Andreja Metelko Zgombić 9 April 2019 in Luxembourg attended meetings of the General Affairs Council and General Affairs Council (Article 50).
The Council had an exchange of views on cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the context of the debate on the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027 (MFF), adopted conclusions on the Commission’s paper titled “Towards a Sustainable Europe by 2030”, and exchanged views on the Union’s values in Hungary and the rule of law in Poland.
The Council adopted a set of conclusions concerning the implementation by the EU of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
The Commission provided an update on the most recent developments in Hungary and Poland, after which the ministers discussed the state of play regarding EU values in Hungary and the rule of law in Poland under Article 7(1) TEU.
During the Article 50 meeting, chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier outlined to the Council the state of play in the Brexit process. On this basis, the ministers discussed the next steps on Brexit ahead of the special meeting of the European Council (Article 50) of 10 April.
During the debate, the member states reconfirmed their commitment to the withdrawal agreement as the best possible way to ensure an orderly Brexit. In the light of the uncertainty in the UK, they also stressed the importance of continued preparations for all outcomes, including a no-deal scenario.