GAC: The Swedish Presidency presented its Presidency programme and ministers prepared for the special European Council on 9-10 February 2023

On Monday 6 February, EU ministers convened for this year’s first General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting in Brussels.

As chair of the Council, Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall underlined during her presentation of the Presidency’s work programme that an obvious point of departure has been Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s common response to its consequences.

The Council also prepared for the special European Council on 9-10 February 2023 by discussing draft conclusions. EU leaders will take stock of the situation on the ground as well as of the EU and member states’ support to Ukraine.

“We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes and confront Russia with its crimes,” says Jessika Roswall, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs.

EU leaders will also focus on Europe’s ability to maintain its global competitiveness and the immediate response to the current challenges faced by the European industry.

They are also expected to discuss issues related to migration.

EU-UK relations

The Ministers also assessed the state of play of the EU-UK relations, focusing on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, in particular the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. Ministers welcomed the ongoing UK-EU engagement aimed at finding joint solutions and expressed their full support to the Commission.