A notice of meeting and provisional agenda published by the Council of the European Union schedules the Permanent Representatives Committee (Part 2) to meet in Brussels on 24 and 26 June 2026 to discuss and adopt a heavy legislative and foreign affairs agenda, including mandates for negotiations on environmental and digital simplification packages and restrictive measures related to Ukraine and Belarus.
On 24 June, Coreper will discuss a mandate for negotiations on Omnibus VIII, a simplification package for environmental legislation covering permitting, the INSPIRE directive, and administrative burden reduction. On 26 June, it will take up a mandate for Omnibus VII, a digital omnibus simplification package. These initiatives aim to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses and national authorities. The agenda also includes foreign affairs items: debriefings on the EU-Republic of Korea summit of 10 June 2026 and the EU-Moldova summit of 22 June 2026, preparation for the EU-India Trade and Technology Council on 15 July 2026, and an exchange of views on restrictive measures concerning Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Justice and Home Affairs items on 26 June include preparation for a trilogue on preventing child sexual abuse and a Presidency debriefing on the EU Digital Travel application trilogue.
Non-discussion items scheduled for adoption on 24 June include appointments to the Committee of the Regions (for Cyprus, Estonia, Denmark), approval of third-party attendance at various working parties, adoption of regulations on customs duties and tariff quotas, and Council Decisions on restrictive measures (Haiti, Ukraine) and EU missions (EUBAM Rafah, EUPOL COPPS). On 26 June, non-discussion items include a mandate for negotiations on the IORPs directive (institutions for occupational retirement provision), a progress report on capital market integration, and confirmation of the final compromise text on Omnibus VI (chemical products). Two items have been withdrawn from the 26 June agenda: Omnibus X (food and feed safety) and a state of play of EU-UK relations.
The meeting will also include a discussion on the geographical balance of staff within EU institutions, an exchange of views that touches on internal governance and representation.
EU businesses and industry sectors, particularly those affected by environmental and digital regulations, stand to benefit from simplification measures that may reduce compliance costs and administrative burdens. National authorities of EU countries will be responsible for implementing the new rules, potentially facing transitional costs. EU consumers may see indirect benefits from more efficient regulatory processes. EU civil society and environmental NGOs may express concerns that simplification could weaken environmental protections or oversight.
Coreper's mandates will allow the Council to enter negotiations with the European Parliament on the omnibus packages. The restrictive measures decisions will be formally adopted by the Council at a later stage. The outcomes of the foreign affairs discussions will feed into the next General Affairs Council and European Council meetings.