General Affairs Council, 18/10/2016, 18 October 2016

Main results

MFF mid-term review

The Council pursued its work on the mid-term review of the EU's budgetary framework for 2014-2020. Ministers discussed the tools proposed by the Commission and reflected about the right balance between predictability and flexibility in the budgetary framework. They also exchanged views on whether budgetary prudence is compatible with new solutions to accommodate new needs. The Council will revert to this file in November.

"When we talk about money, there are no easy choices. I heard from ministers some important political messages to further guide our technical work. We will do our utmost to reach a political agreement on this complex and challenging file by the end of the year.”

Miroslav Lajčák, the Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and President of the Council

• Shaping the EU expenditure: multiannual financial framework
• Mid-term review/revision of the multiannual financial framework 2014-2020
• Proposal to amend MFF regulation

Preparation of the October European Council

The Council finalised preparations of the October European Council by examining draft conclusions. At their meeting on 20-21 October EU leaders will focus on three subjects: migration, trade and Russia. With regard to migration the European Council will take stock of the measures taken to reduce migratory flows across the Central Mediterranean route and of the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement to support the countries of the Western Balkans route. On trade, EU leaders will discuss how to ensure that the EU trade policy reaps the benefits of open markets while addressing the concerns of the citizens. On Russia, the European Council will hold a comprehensive discussion on the relations that the EU has with this country.

"The Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, is also going to report on progress in delivering on our commitments made at the Bratislava summit. For example, the EU has rapidly delivered on assistance to Bulgaria in the area of migration and on the Paris climate agreement. We should use these as examples of further ways of increasing trust of our citizens in the EU." 

Miroslav Lajčák, the Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and President of the Council

• European Council, 20-21 October 2016 (meeting page)

Interinstitutional agreement on better law-making

The Council took stock of the progress in the implementation of the interinstitutional agreement on better law-making. In line with this agreement the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission will agree common top priorities for 2017 before the end of this year. This will allow them to work more closely together to tackle the big challenges which lie ahead.

• Better law-making agreement