Brussels, 17/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - FYROM, Bosnia & Herzegovina and the future inter-institutional agreement between the three co-legislating European institutions (Commission, European Parliament and Council) will be on the agenda of the meeting of the General Affairs Council, to be held in Luxembourg on Tuesday 21 April.
Over their working lunch, the ministers will discuss the state of play with the implementation of the declaration of February 2015 of the heads of state and government of the EU on the fight against terrorism. The discussions are expected to focus on radicalisation and preserving the fundamental values.
The ministers will hold the debate on the priorities of the Council on the “better regulation” plank of the future inter-institutional agreement. The Latvian Presidency will lay down the Council's priorities in this matter in a letter to the first Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans. The Commission will present its proposed new inter-institutional agreement on 19 May.
The current inter-institutional agreement, which dates back to the end of 2003, concerns the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission. It lays down the general principles and details for the cooperation between the institutions, particularly in the legislative process. The agreement aims to improve the drafting and application of Union law.
Bosnia & Herzegovina. The ministers will adopt the decision of the Council and the Commission on the conclusion of the stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) with Bosnia & Herzegovina. This agreement will enter into force on 1 June 2015. The Council's decision follows the adoption of the “written commitment of the Presidency of Bosnia & Herzegovina” of 29 January (see EUROPE 11243), its signature by the leaders of the Bosnian political parties and its approval by the Parliament of Bosnia & Herzegovina in February (see EUROPE 11261).
FYROM. The ministers may also adopt conclusions on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The Council is expected to express its concerns on the worsening situation (in the country) in political areas such as the primacy of law and the freedom of the press. The ministers may call on all parties to take on their responsibilities and to take draft immediate steps to improve the situation.
Budget. The Council will adopt, without debate, the regulation revising the multi-annual financial framework 2014-2020 to authorise a transfer of unused funds from 2014 into the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 (see other article). The Council will also adopt its position on amending budget no. 2/2015.
It is worth noting that the General Affairs Council will also mark the 10th anniversary of the signature of the accession treaty of Bulgaria and Romania. (Lionel Changeur and Camille-Cerise Gessant)