Preparing for the future in focus when EU ministers met in Stockholm

On 21–22 June, EU ministers met in Stockholm for an Informal meeting of the General Affairs Council to discuss how the EU can best prepare for future challenges, and to prepare the EU in view of a future enlargement.

During the meeting, the EU ministers discussed how the EU can become even better equipped to deal with future challenges in view of Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine that threatens all of Europe’s security, while also facing both an economic and an energy crisis. In the coming years, the EU must adapt to a new geopolitical reality, strengthen the EU’s competitiveness and continue the green transition.

At the meeting, the European Commission also presented an oral report on reform efforts in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in view of the countries’ applications for EU membership.

“It is impressive to see the reform efforts that have been made in the candidate countries over the last year. Despite Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, it has made significant progress. This includes a new bill on the Constitutional Court and the adoption of a new Media Act. I am convinced that the report’s content will be used as a guide for further reforms.”

Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall

The meeting of the General Affairs Council was the Swedish Presidency’s last Informal ministerial meeting before Sweden hands over the Presidency to Spain on 1 July.