Brussels, 02/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - European Union ministers for European affairs are to meet on Monday in Brussels for a Foreign Affairs Council with a very full agenda, just three days from the European summit on 9 December. A diplomatic source on Friday 2 December commented that the Council promises to be lengthy and interesting.
At 9.30am on Monday, ministers are due to discuss the EU's financial framework for the period 2014-2020. The Polish Presidency of the EU Council will present a report on work achieved on cohesion policy, common agricultural policy, own resources and conditionality.
Ministers will discuss preparations for the European Council of 9 December on the basis of draft conclusions prepared by the secretariat general. Focus will be on economic policy, energy and enlargement. Discussions will continue over lunch, to be attended by the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy. Ministers will tackle the most political aspects, including review of the Treaty and the most topical foreign policy issues (probably Iran and Syria) as well as energy and post-Fukushima nuclear safety, a diplomatic source says.
During the afternoon, debate will be held on economic policy and growth policy. The Commission will present its annual report on growth, which highlights priority measures to be taken by member states to ensure they implement the most effective and best coordinated policies to put the European economy back on the road to sustainable growth. It will present its working programme for 2012 during a public debate.
Finally, the Council will tackle the issue of enlargement and the association and stabilisation process, and is expected to adopt conclusions. Discussion will above all be on Serbia's candidate status and on the beginning of talks with Montenegro, but will also look at the positive agenda of Turkey, Croatia, Iceland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. (CG/transl.jl)