COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION update

Council of the European Union   18/9/2018  Main results - General Affairs Council, 18/09/2018 The Council discussed the next multiannual financial framework and legislative priorities. It also started preparing the October European Council and held a hearing on the rule of law in Poland. Main results Next multiannual financial framework The Council held a policy debate on the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021 to 2027. Ministers set out their priorities for the negotiations, including their views on: how the EU policy priorities and European added value are reflected in the MFF proposal the proposed allocation of funds to different policy areas  The EU's multiannual financial framework represents an opportunity to make strategic choices for the future. It is about matching the EU's budget to our political priorities and bringing added value with EU spending. Our debate today, which focused on these essential questions, will therefore help lay foundations for our future discussions. The Austrian presidency is planning intensive work at technical and political level in order to advance as much as possible and facilitate a future agreement between the member states. Gernot Blümel, Austrian Federal Minister for the EU, Art, Culture and Media Multiannual financial framework (background information) Video: What is the MFF?  Legislative programming Following President Juncker's speech on the state of the European Union, the Council discussed the Commission's priorities and intentions for its work programme for 2019. The input from ministers will help the Commission finalise its work programme. The Council also took stock of the situation regarding pending legislative proposals in view of the end of the EP's legislative term in 2019. As we are approaching the European Parliament elections, the Presidency is committed to achieve progress and bring as many files as possible to a conclusion. In addition to our annual exchange on next year's priorities, ministers therefore took stock of what we currently have on the table. Gernot Blümel, Austrian Federal Minister for the EU, Art, Culture and Media October European Council Ministers began preparations for the October European Council by examining an annotated draft agenda. At their meeting on 18 October, EU leaders are expected to: return to the issue of migration; there will be a report on progress, as agreed in the June European Council conclusions adopt conclusions on internal security, following the Leaders' thematic debate in Salzburg in the light of events, address specific foreign policy issues Rule of law in Poland 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 for the session at the meeting of the General Affairs Council on 26 June 2018. Ministers continued their in-depth exchange with Poland on the concerns identified in the Commission's reasoned proposal. The Council will return to this issue. Commission's reasoned proposal under Article 7(1) TEU Presidency programme  The Austrian presidency presented its priorities for the duration of its term of office ending on 31 December 2018. Austrian presidency work programme Meeting information Meeting n°3636   Brussels   18/09/2018   09:00 Preparatory documents Background brief Indicative programme List of A items, legislative deliberations List of A items, non-legislative activities List of participants Outcome documents Outcome of the Council meeting Press releases Multilateralism: the Council endorses the UN-EU Strategic Partnership on peace operations and crisis management priorities for 2019-2021 18/09/2018, 11:30 EUCAP Sahel Niger: Council extends the mission for two years 18/09/2018, 11:00 Middle East Peace Process: EU appoints a new Special Representative 18/09/2018, 10:00

European Council

19/9/2018

	Remarks by President Donald Tusk ahead of the informal Salzburg summit
	The Brexit negotiations are entering their decisive phase. Various scenarios are still possible today, but I would like to stress that some of Prime Minister May's proposals from Chequers indicate a positive evolution in the UK's approach as well as a will to minimise the negative effects of Brexit. By this I mean, among other things, the readiness to cooperate closely in the area of security and foreign policy. On other issues, such as the Irish question, or the framework for economic cooperation, the UK's proposals will need to be reworked and further negotiated. Today there is perhaps more hope, but there is surely less and less time. Therefore, every day that is left, we must use for talks. I would like to finalise them still this autumn. This is why, at tomorrow's meeting of the twenty-seven, I will propose calling an additional summit around mid-November. This evening I will call on leaders to stop the migration blame game. Despite the aggressive rhetoric, things are moving in the right direction. Mostly because we have been focused on external border control and cooperation with third countries, which has brought down the number of irregular migrants from almost 2 million in 2015 to fewer than 100.000 this year. In fact, this is less than in the years before the migration crisis. So, instead of taking political advantage of the situation, we should focus on what works and just get on with it. We can no longer be divided into those who want to solve the problem of illegal migrant flows, and those who want to use it for political gain. Tonight, I will ask for support for our efforts to intensify cooperation with North African countries and the idea of calling an EU-League of Arab States summit in Egypt in February next year.