On 30 and 31 August, the EU foreign affairs ministers will, upon joint invitation by Federal Minister Karin Kneissl and the High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, come to Vienna for an informal meeting, also known as Gymnich.
The High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, presides over the Gymnich and, in agreement with the country currently holding the rotating presidency, compiles the points to be discussed. Likely topics of discussion are current developments in the Middle East, transatlantic relations, South-East Europe and the strengthening of effective multilateralism, Austrian presidency of the Council of the EU announced.
European Commissioner Johannes Hahn will also participate in the meeting.
Discussions about South-East Europe will be aligned to developments in the coming months, with a focus on enlargement.
The working session on effective multilateralism will take place together with the EU candidate countries Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. Strengthening effective multilateralism and a rule‑based global order is one of the key priorities of the EU Global Strategy – the EU’s fundamental strategy document for its Common Foreign and Security Policy. At the same time it is one of the priorities of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
David McAllister, Member of the European Parliament and President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, will also participate in parts of the meeting.
