Brussels, 18/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - There are two items on the agenda for the General Affairs Council on Monday 21 February 2011, to be chaired by the Hungarian foreign minister, Janos Martonyi, namely:
The European Council. The ministers will hold a brief discussion about the Innovation and Energy Conclusions Document from the 4 February summit and will discuss preparations for the 24/25 March 2011 European Council which will have two major issues on the agenda, namely the EU's new legislation on economic governance and competitiveness and changing the Lisbon Treaty to set up a European Stability Mechanism, and events in North Africa and the Middle East.
Cohesion Policy. The Council will hold a policy debate on the fifth Cohesion Report, unveiled by the Commission in November 2010 and will adopt a conclusions document stressing the need to pursue the Cohesion Policy to reduce differences between the EU's regions. (H.B./transl.fl)