General Affairs Council, 16/12/2014, 16 December 2014

Enlargement process crucial to the EU 

The General Affairs Council meeting on 16 December adopted conclusions on the EU enlargement process and on the role of the Council in safeguarding rule of law. It also dealt with preparations for the upcoming European Council.

Ensuring respect of the rule of law mechanism

There was an agreement for the Council to play a central role in discussions with member states on the respect for the rule of law within the EU. 

Such a dialogue among member states will take place once a year in the Council, in its General Affairs configuration, and be prepared by the COREPER (Presidency).

Preparations for the December European Council meeting

On 18 and 19 December, the European Council will look at improving  the investment framework and the details of the EU €315 billion investment plan for the next two years.

The plan draws on additional public and private resources in an effort to spur growth and jobs in Europe.

Issues of international concern like the situation in Ukraine are also likely to be debated.

Other topics on the agenda

Implementation of the EU strategic agenda

On the basis of a report prepared by the Italian Presidency, EU ministers looked at how to accelerate the implementation of the priorities agreed at the June European Council. EU ministers exchanged views on the strategic agenda priority focusing on the external dimension of the EU: the EU as a global actor.

Strengthening interinstitutional annual and multiannual programming

The Council discussed the 2015 European Commission's work programme, and endorsed conclusions on ways to improve the EU legislative planning and the functioning of the EU.

2015 European Semester roadmap

The forthcoming Latvian presidency also explained to the ministers how they plan to work in the first semester of 2015.