General Affairs Council, 12/12/2017, 12 December 2017

Main results

December European Council

The Council finalised preparations for the European Council of 14-15 December 2017 by discussing draft conclusions. At their meeting EU leaders will focus on: 

• defence, where they are expected to welcome the launch of the permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) and to review progress in other fields, in particular EU-NATO cooperation
• social issues, education and culture, adopting conclusions which build on the discussions held at the Social Summit in Gothenburg and the Leaders' Agenda debate on culture and education
• external relations, addressing the latest foreign policy developments
• migration, holding as part of the Leaders' Agenda a debate on the way forward in this field

• European Council 14-15/12/2017

European Defence Industrial Development Programme

The Council adopted its negotiating position on the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) which will support the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Union’s defence industry.

European security is a core priority for our citizens. This is now being matched with a real increase in defence cooperation among EU members. The European Defence Industrial Development Programme will make our defence industry more competitive and innovative. This is crucial both for the security of our citizens and for the viability of our industry. Jüri Luik, Minister for Defence of Estonia

• European defence: Council agrees its position on the proposed regulation establishing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP)
• EU cooperation on security and defence

EU priorities for 2018-2019

The Council approved the EU's legislative priorities for 2018-2019, focused on seven main areas:

• security
• migration
• jobs, growth and investment
• social Europe
• digital single market
• energy and climate
• democratic legitimacy

EU decision-makers have about 18 months left until the European elections to deliver on our positive agenda for citizens. Agreement on a shared set of priorities will allow us to cooperate more closely. Our aim is to achieve real results, showing that the EU can bring added value in a very practical way. Sven Mikser, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia

• Council approves the EU's legislative priorities for 2018-2019

Action plan on cybersecurity

The Council adopted an action plan for the implementation of the Council conclusions on building strong cybersecurity for the EU.

The conclusions were adopted by the Council on 20 November 2017. They call for the strengthening of European cybersecurity and the enhancement of cyber resilience across the EU, in line with the instructions from the European Council in October 2017.

• EU to beef up cybersecurity
• Reform of cyber security in Europe

Enlargement

In the margins of the Council meeting the Presidency invited candidate countries for an informal lunch with the Member States and Commissioner Hahn to have a general discussion on the state of play and the outlook for 2018.

• EU enlargement