A notice of meeting and provisional agenda published by the Council of the European Union schedules a meeting of the Mertens Group for 7 July 2026 at 11:00 in the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels. The group will examine minutes from recent Council meetings and prepare for the upcoming Coreper session on 8 July.
The Mertens Group, which handles preparatory work for the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper), will first approve its agenda. It will then examine the minutes of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) meeting of 26 May 2026 (document 9706/26 and addenda) and the Competitiveness Council (COMPET) meeting of 28-29 May 2026 (document 9847/26 and addendum). Following this, the group will prepare for the Coreper meeting scheduled for 8 July 2026. The Presidency will provide information on planning for forthcoming Coreper meetings. Under any other business, the Commission will give an update on College activities.
The meeting is a routine procedural step in the Council's decision-making process, with no policy decisions expected. The Mertens Group's work ensures that Coreper can efficiently address agenda items. The meeting format is 1+1, indicating limited participation per delegation.