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Ministers exchanged views on the EU enlargement process and approved Council conclusions on enlargement.
The Council conclusions cover the six Western Balkans partners, Türkiye, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and Georgia. They assess the situation in each of the EU's partners and set out guidelines on the reform priorities.
The Council conclusions on enlargement send a strong message of our support for our partners' efforts to advance on the accession path, based on the principle of own merits. A balanced and credible enlargement has been a key priority of the Hungarian presidency, and we warmly welcome the renewed momentum in the process, as well as the significant progress achieved during our term. These conclusions will give a strong impetus to enlargement in the Western Balkans and beyond for the coming years.
János Bóka, Minister for European Union Affairs of Hungary
Ministers exchanged views on strengthening EU-UK relations. The discussion took place in light of preparatory work at technical level to examine the possibilities for deepening relations with the UK, also taking into account the UK's red lines.
During the discussion, ministers welcomed the UK's wish to enhance strategic cooperation with the EU and underlined the importance of working with the UK as a like-minded partner and an ally, in particular in the current geopolitical context. They expressed their openness to consider concrete ideas from the UK to build on existing cooperation, working in a package approach in a pragmatic spirit and guided by the core principles set out by the European Council in 2017.
In this context, they highlighted in particular the need to ensure a balance of rights and obligations and coherence with the EU's relationship with other third countries, as well as the indivisibility of the four freedoms and the autonomy of the EU's decision making. They also recalled the necessity of the full and faithful implementation of existing agreements as providing the required solid basis for the future agenda, and the need to ensure political steer by the Council in this process.
Ministers considered that the current geopolitical situation calls for close cooperation with the UK in the field of foreign and security policy as a priority area. Several other priority areas were mentioned in the discussion, such as youth exchanges, fisheries and energy, which are considered key to advancing the partnership with the UK.
Other areas, such as linking the emissions trading system, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary measures, could also be discussed subject to the principles approved by the European Council in 2017.
The Commission updated ministers on the negotiations regarding a broad package of measures aimed at modernising and deepening bilateral relations between the EU and Switzerland.
The key elements of the package under negotiation include:
institutional and state aid provisions to be included in existing and future agreements with Switzerland related to the internal market
an agreement allowing for Switzerland's participation in EU programmes, including Horizon Europe
an agreement on Switzerland's permanent financial contribution to social and economic cohesion in the EU
agreements on electricity, food safety and health
During the discussion, ministers welcomed the progress achieved in the negotiations andinvited the Commission to continue its efforts to bring them to a successful conclusion by the end of 2024.
Ministers held an exchange of views on the Future of Europe, focusing on the 'Strengthening governance' chapter of Mario Draghi's report 'The future of European competitiveness'. That chapter presents several considerations and specific proposals related to the EU's institutional set-up and functioning, aimed at refocusing work on areas where EU action has the greatest added value, accelerating work in priority areas, and simplifying rules.
During the discussion, ministers stressed the need to simplify EU legislation and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises. They also supported streamlining and improving the EU processes to better deliver on its competitiveness objectives.
While there was support for exploring all options under the Treaties to make the EU more agile, and several ministers supported extending qualified majority voting in some areas, other ministers expressed reservations, underlining the importance of maintaining the EU's unity and taking into account member states' concerns in sensitive areas.
The Presidency also provided an overview of the debates held in the different Council formations in connection with the future of some EU policies.
The Council endorsed its 18-month programme, covering the period from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2026.
The programme has been prepared by Poland, Denmark and Cyprus as incoming Presidencies, and the High Representative as regards the Foreign Affairs Council, in cooperation with the Commission.
Under 'any other business', the Presidency briefed ministers on the state of play of the establishment of the interinstitutional ethics body and on Council discussions on the report by Sauli Niinistö on strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness.
The Commission updated the Council concerning the negotiations on the revision of the 2010 Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.
