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Ministers responsible for European affairs continued preparations for the June European Council by discussing draft conclusions, held a policy debate on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2028-2034 with a focus on a negotiating box with figures and set the Council's position on three of its main pillars. The Council was also updated on the rule of law situation in Hungary, focused on the 2026 European Semester, endorsed its 18-month programme from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027 and took note of a presidency report on simplification.
Ahead of this week’s European Council, we reached a significant milestone in the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Ministers held a fruitful discussion on a revised negotiating box with figures, and reached partial negotiating positions on the three key building blocks of the future budget.
As we pass the baton to our Irish colleagues, we do so with confidence that the progress achieved under the Cyprus presidency will help pave the way towards a timely agreement on a budget that matches the Union’s ambitions and delivers for its citizens.
Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European affairs of the Republic of Cyprus
June EUCO preparation
The Council continued preparations for the June European Council meeting by discussing draft conclusions. Leaders are expected to discuss:
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
latest developments in the Middle East
the next Multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2028-2034
global economic challenges
European defence and security
migration
illicit drugs
European Semester
In addition, as part of the preparation for the upcoming European Council, the Council was informed of the state of play on the implementation of the Joint Declaration on legislative priorities for 2026 and of the 'One Europe, One Market' Roadmap.
In public session, the Council held a policy debate on the next MFF 2028-2034 with focus on a revised ‘negotiating box’. The MFF is the EU’s long-term budget, covering a period of seven years.
Negotiating box
Ministers exchanged views on a ‘negotiating box’ for the MFF 2028-2034. This document, prepared under the responsibility of the Cyprus presidency, aims to identify elements for political consideration, including figures for the various headings and programmes, and facilitate a discussion by EU leaders at the June 2026 European Council. The negotiating box is due to form the basis for future negotiations between member states.
The Council reached partial negotiating mandates on the rules that will govern the functioning of three key pillars of the MFF 2028-2034, namely:
the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP)
the European Competitiveness Fund
the Global Europe instrument
The negotiating mandates are 'partial' because they exclude financial and horizontal issues. These are currently being discussed as part of the negotiations on the overall MFF 2028-2034.
In the framework of the European semester 2026, the Council approved and transmitted to the European Council the horizontal note on the integrated country-specific recommendations.
As part of the Article 7(1) TEU procedure, the Council was updated on the state of play of the rule of law situation in Hungary.
The Hungarian delegation provided an update on the plans and concrete steps to address the concerns raised in the reasoned proposal and in the subsequent interim reports by the European Parliament but also concerns raised by member states during numerous hearings held in previous General Affairs Council meetings. The Commission also informed ministers on how discussions with Hungary are evolving as regards the three conditionality tracks and the related reforms and remedial actions.
Eighteen-month programme of the Council (public session)
In public session, the Council endorsed its 18-month programme covering the period from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027. The programme has been prepared by Ireland, Lithuania and Greece as incoming presidencies, and the High Representative as regards the Foreign Affairs Council, in cooperation with the Commission.
As an item without discussion, the Council approved conclusions on a homogeneous extended internal market and EU relations with non-EU Western European countries and with the Faroe Islands.
Also, without discussion, the Council took note of a presidency report on strengthening Europe’s democratic resilience and implementing a European Democracy Shield.
During breakfast, Ministers held an informal exchange of views on cooperation with candidate countries and potential candidates regarding the European Democracy Shield and the European Centre for Democratic Resilience. Ministers from the candidate countries and potential candidates also attended this discussion.
