Consiliul Afaceri Generale, 11/12/2018, 11 decembrie 2018

Puncte importante de pe ordinea de zi

Consiliul va desfășura o dezbatere de orientare cu privire la cadrul financiar multianual pentru perioada 2021-2027. De asemenea, se preconizează că va aproba, în sesiune publică, programul pe 18 luni al Consiliului pentru perioada 1 ianuarie 2019-30 iunie 2020.

Miniștrii vor continua pregătirile pentru reuniunea Consiliului European din 13-14 decembrie2018 prin examinarea proiectului de concluzii. Ei vor face bilanțul punerii în aplicare a concluziilor Consiliului European precedent.

Having the MFF on every agenda of the GAC has paid off: the Austrian presidency today presented a presidency progress report and a draft negotiating box. Ministers had a constructive debate and shared their views ahead of the first substantial debate on the MFF among the leaders later this week. Gernot Blümel, Austrian federal minister for the EU, art, culture and media

• Draft negotiating box prepared by the presidency (30/11/2018)
• Presidency progress report (30/11/2018)

December European Council

The Council finalised preparations for the European Council meeting on 13-14 December by discussing draft conclusions covering:

• next multiannual financial framework
• single market
• migration
• external relations
• climate change
• security and defence
• disinformation
• fight against antisemitism, racism and xenophobia
• citizens' dialogues and consultations

• European Council, 13 and 14 December 2018

Article 7 proceedings

The Council held a hearing under Article 7(1) TEU on the rule of law in Poland. The modalities for the hearing were the same as at the meetings of the General Affairs Council on 26 June and 18 September 2018.

Ministers also exchanged views on the procedure under Article 7(1) TEU on the respect for EU values in Hungary.

As part of this procedure, the Council has received from Hungary its written contribution on the issues raised by the Parliament. The Commission has provided a factual contribution on pending infringement procedures against Hungary.

• Reasoned proposal under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary
• Reasoned proposal under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland

Council programme for the next 18 months

The Council endorsed its programme for the next 18 months, from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2020. The programme was prepared by the incoming Romanian, Finnish and Croatian Presidencies and the High Representative, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Council.

At the beginning of 2019 the main priority will be the finalisation of the outstanding files from the current Strategic Agenda and in particular those listed in the Joint Declaration on the EU's legislative priorities for 2018-19. When the new institutional cycle starts, the three presidencies will organise the work in the Council according to the priorities of the next Strategic Agenda, which is expected to be adopted in 2019, and taking into account the outcome of the Sibiu summit.

• 18-month programme of the Council (1 January 2019 - 30 June 2020)

EU budget for 2019

The Council endorsed without discussion the agreement reached with the European Parliament on the EU budget for 2019. The total commitments are set at €165.8 billion, which is an increase of 3.2% compared with 2018. Payments amount to €148.2 billion, 2.4% more than in 2018.

This is a solid budget which boosts support for the EU's priorities, ensures strong European added value and keeps sufficient margins in case new needs arise next year. It will help to effectively manage migration, benefit researchers and young people, and support economic growth across Europe. Hartwig Löger, minister for finance of Austria and chief Council negotiator for the 2019 EU budget

• Council endorses agreement on EU budget for 2019 (press release, 11/12/2018)