"Kasutame küpsiseid, et teie sirvimiskogemust parandada. Nõukogu veebisaidi põhifunktsioonide toetamiseks tuleb kasutada vajalikke küpsiseid. Vabatahtlikud küpsised aitavad meil koostada anonüümseid statistilisi koondaruandeid, et paremini kasutajate vajadusi rahuldada.
Ministers responsible for European affairs continued preparations for the October 2025 European Council by discussing draft conclusions. The Council also discussed the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034, took note of a progress report on simplification and held the ninth hearing on the rule of law situation in Hungary.
The next multiannual financial framework has to deliver on our strategic priorities. We need a financial framework that is simpler, more responsive and more impactful, if we want a strong, resilient and competitive EU in the future. Today’s discussion in the General Affairs Council marks an important step towards strengthening European competitiveness in the next MFF. I am encouraged by our constructive dialogue and looking forward to continuing our discussions in the General Affairs Councils in November and December.
Marie Bjerre, Minister for European affairs of Denmark
October European Council preparation
The Council continued preparations for the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025 by discussing draft conclusions. Leaders are expected to discuss:
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,
latest developments in the Middle East with a focus on Gaza,
The Council held a second policy debate on the EU’s MFF for 2028-2034.
Based on a presidency note, ministers exchanged views on horizontal issues, such as the next MFF’s governance, predictability, impact and responsiveness. They also discussed ‘Heading 2’ of the framework which – through initiatives such as a new European Competitiveness Fund and the Horizon Europe programme – aims to drive prosperity via competitiveness, research and innovation in the EU.
The debate will inform the first negotiating box, the document which aims to identify elements for political consideration and facilitate their discussion by EU leaders. The Danish presidency intends to table this first negotiating box without numbers ahead of the December 2025 meeting of the European Council.
The Council took note of a progress report on omnibus simplification legislative packages. As a follow-up to the EU leaders’ call, the Commission has put forward several ‘Omnibus’ packages, aiming to simplify existing legislation in various fields: corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements, certain EU investment programmes, simplification measures for agriculture, small mid-cap companies and digitalisation, defence, and chemicals.
The simplification agenda is a top priority for the Council. Following the impetus from the Polish presidency, the Danish presidency will continue to treat all current simplification omnibus proposals as a priority and will advance their examination, preparation of negotiating mandates and negotiations with the European Parliament at a high speed.
Article 7 hearing on the rule of law situation in Hungary
As part of the Article 7(1) TEU procedure, the Council held the ninth hearing of Hungary as part of this procedure. It covered all the issues raised in the European Parliament’s reasoned proposalof September 2018, which triggered the procedure. The aim was to provide the Council an up-to-date picture of the rule of law situation in Hungary.
The exchanges focused particularly on the functioning of the constitutional system and checks and balances, independence of the judiciary, anti-corruption measures, protection of civic space, media pluralism, freedom of assembly and the protection of LGBTIQ+ rights in Hungary.
Over a working lunch, ministers held an extensive exchange of views providing input to the Commission’s upcoming proposal on a European Democracy Shield.
Any other business
The Austrian minister and the Slovenian state secretary for European affairs informed the Council about their recent visit to the Western Balkan countries.
The Dutch delegation underlined the importance of respect for the primacy of EU law and the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens.
The French delegation informed the Council about respecting and promoting the values of the European Union, including through EU funding.
Other items
The Council adopted, as an item without discussion, a decision authorising the Commission to sign the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in Union programmes.
