EU leaders will face a packed agenda at this week’s European Council summit, with discussions expected to focus on the Russian war in Ukraine, the crisis in the Middle East, and developments in the Western Balkans, a Polish official said on Monday.
Ignacy Niemczycki, Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland, said the June 26–27 summit in Brussels will also tackle key issues such as European defence and security, migration, and economic competitiveness.
“This time, the European Council has a really heavy agenda,” Niemczycki told reporters following a meeting of the EU’s General Affairs Council (GAC) in Luxembourg.
The GAC, which brings together ministers of foreign and European affairs from all 27 member states, is responsible for preparing European Council meetings and addressing cross-cutting policy areas.
Niemczycki said one of the main conclusions of the final GAC under Poland’s rotating presidency was the need for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security.
He added that ministers also held discussions on the state of democracy in the EU, with a focus on rule of law and the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia. Simplifying regulatory frameworks for European businesses to enhance competitiveness was also on the agenda.