General Affairs Council, 29 September 2014

EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region

The General Affairs Council meeting on 29 September adopted conclusions on the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region. Ministers also dealt with preparations for the upcoming European Council summit. 

Ministers adopted a macro-regional strategy bringing together 8 countries of the Adriatic and Ionian region to boost cooperation for more growth and jobs.

The participating countries - Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia - will strengthen their cooperation in terms of maritime economy, marine environment conservation, transport and energy infrastructure and sustainable tourism.
The decision is now subject to endorsement by the European Council.

Preparations for the October European Council meeting

Ministers also discussed the agenda of the next European Council meeting, which will take place on 23 and 24 October.

EU leaders are expected to discuss

• climate and energy with the objective of taking a final decision on the new climate and energy policy framework
• economic issues
• specific external relations issues

Implementation of European Council conclusions

On the basis of a report prepared by the Italian Presidency, EU ministers also looked at how to accelerate the implementation of the priorities agreed at the June European Council .

In view of the conference on employment in Milan on 8 October, they mainly discussed measures aimed at fostering growth, jobs and competitiveness in Europe.

"Following a series of monthly debates, at the end of our Presidency, we will submit a comprehensive report on the first phase of the implementation of the strategic agenda," said Sandro Gozi, State Secretary for European Affairs of Italy and President of the Council.

Other topics on the agenda

Improving the functioning of the EU

The presidency informed the Council about the fourth meeting of the Friends of the Presidency Group on improving the functioning of the EU which took place on 25 September 2014.

Without discussion, the Council adopted the following legislative acts and decisions:

• the delay of the provisional application of the free-trade agreement with Ukraine until 1 January 2016  
• the start on 1 November of the provisional application of the remainder of the agreement with Ukraine on justice, freedom and security, and increased economic and financial cooperation
• a directive for the disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large companies
• the broadening of the mandate of the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo) to support relocated judicial proceedings
• 2 new regulations on the status and funding of European political parties and their affiliated foundations
• a directive on building up minimum infrastructure for alternative fuels across the EU
• a regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species