Agenda highlights:

European Semester

Ministers will hold a policy debate on the employment and social policy measures contained in the country-specific recommendations. These recommendations offer tailored advice on actions that each EU country should take to meet commonly agreed objectives.

The outcome of the ministerial discussions will feed into the country-specific recommendations, due to be endorsed by the European Council at its meeting on 25-26 June.

The Council will also try to agree a position on the guidelines for the employment policies of the EU countries.

Women on company boards

Ministers will discuss a presidency progress report on a draft directive improving the gender balance among non-executive board members.

The proposal aims to increase the share of women to 40% of non-executive posts in publicly listed companies by 2020.

Medical and in-vitro diagnostic devices

Ministers will attempt to agree on the reform of EU rules on medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic devices.

The reform aims to increase the scrutiny of products before they enter the market and tighten surveillance once they are available. It also aims to create a unique device identification system that makes it easier to recall faulty products and helps to combat counterfeit devices.