General Affairs Council, 23/06/2015, 23 June 2015

Main results

European Council 

The Council made further progress in preparing the June European Council, including through discussions on a revised set of draft conclusions.

Our discussions have clearly shown that all member states want the next European Council to deliver a successful outcome Edgars Rinkēvičs, Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs

EU leaders are expected to focus on migration, security challenges and economic affairs at their meeting on 25 and 26 June in Brussels. "Our discussions have clearly shown that all member states want the next European Council to deliver a successful outcome. We now have a much clearer understanding from our debate as to how to reach a shared view on the important issues before us", said Edgars Rinkēvičs, the Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs and President of the EU Council.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

As part of reaffirming the EU's continuing engagement with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Council adopted conclusions setting out its views on the ongoing political crisis in the country. The Council urged all parties to honour the commitments they made on 2 June 2015 and to implement all the recommendations of the Commission.

• The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (background information)
• Council conclusions on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 21 April 2015

Better regulation agenda

The Council discussed the better regulation agenda presented by the Commission on 19 May 2015. Ministers took stock of work in the Council, particularly as regards the interinstitutional agreement to be negotiated among the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission. Ministers also discussed the content of the wider better regulation agenda from the particular perspective of business and citizens. One of the main aims of the better regulation agenda is to ensure that EU policies and laws achieve their objectives at minimum cost.

Strategic communication 

Over lunch an exchange of views was held in the follow-up to the March European Council focusing on strategic communication.

• Outcome of the Council meeting