18 July 2019

Main results - General Affairs Council

The Council focused on the next multiannual financial framework, the implementation of the strategic agenda for 2019-2024 and strengthening the rule of law. The presidency also presented its priorities for the next six months.

Main results

Next multiannual financial framework

The presidency informed ministers about its plans regarding work on the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027.

In its June 2019 conclusions, the European Council called on the Finnish presidency to pursue work on the MFF and develop the Negotiating Box. On that basis, EU leaders will hold an exchange of views in October, aiming for an agreement before the end of the year.

To prepare for the exchanges among the leaders, the presidency will continue thematic discussions at technical level in July and September. Furthermore, the presidency has prepared a questionnaire for delegations to reply to over the course of the summer break. In addition, bilateral meetings at ministerial level will take place ahead of the General Affairs Council meeting in September.

In parallel, the presidency will seek to make the greatest possible progress in negotiations on the MFF-related sectoral proposals.

Implementation of the strategic agenda

Ministers exchanged views on the implementation of the strategic agenda 2019-2024. The debate was held in public session.

The strategic agenda, which was agreed by the EU leaders in June, is intended to guide the work of the EU institutions over the next five years. It focuses on four main priorities:

• protecting citizens and freedoms
• developing a strong and vibrant economic base
• building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe
• promoting European interests and values on the global stage

Finland is the first presidency to integrate the new priorities of the strategic agenda for 2019-2024 into the Council’s work. Ministers discussed how this could best be done, taking into account the multidimensional challenges and opportunities ahead. They also addressed the Council’s working methods and the cross-cutting principles of the strategic agenda, such as transparency.

The discussion was based on a paper in which the presidency provided a tentative indication as to when and in which Council configuration the main issues would be examined.

During the debate, ministers stressed the importance of achieving tangible results. The EU has to respond to the expectations of citizens. In addition, clear and active communication was considered crucial.

The General Affairs Council is expected to return to the implementation of the strategic agenda at its meetings in October and December. The European Council will also discuss the follow-up to the strategic agenda at its meeting in October 2019.

Implementation of the strategic agenda - Presidency discussion paper

Rule of law

The presidency informed the ministers about its plans for enhancing respect for the rule of law in the EU. The presidency will focus on developing the EU’s rule of law instruments, including the Council’s rule of law dialogue, and enhancing the synergies between them.

The Commission presented its communication on strengthening the rule of law in the EU, adopted on 17 July.

Ministers are expected to return to this topic at their meeting in September.

The Council also took stock of the state of play as regards the rule of law in Poland in the light of recent developments, notably the judgment of the European Court of Justice on Poland's Supreme Court law.

Without discussion, the Council approved the standard modalities for hearings under Article 7(1) TEU procedures. Following the experience gained from ongoing Article 7(1) TEU procedures, the aim of this text is to add predictability and a more solid structure to the hearings.

Priorities of the Finnish presidency

The Council also heard a presentation on the priorities of the Finnish presidency for the next six months.

The overall priorities of the Finnish presidency are: strengthening common values and the rule of law, making the EU more competitive and socially inclusive, strengthening the EU's position as a global leader in climate action, and protecting the security of citizens comprehensively.

In the second half of 2019, ministers in the General Affairs Council will focus, in particular, on the following topics:

• multiannual financial framework
• rule of law
• enlargement
• hybrid threats

Finnish presidency priorities and programme (Presidency website)

Full press release

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