Voorbereiding laatste EU-Top onder Zweeds voorzitterschap volop aan de gang (en)

Preparations ahead of the last summit under the Swedish EU Presidency, to be held later this week, was on the agenda when the Member States' EU ministers met in the General Affairs Council on 7 December.

Preparations for the summit high on the EU ministers agenda

Focus of the EU ministers meeting was on the preparations for the European Council taking place on 10-11 December. The ministers discussed draft summit conclusions. Among other things, the ministers discussed issues related to the entry in to force of the Treaty of Lisbon. The ministers also brought up the issue of exit strategies, i.e. how to return to long-term sustainable finances and the issue of financial supervision. This in the light of the economic crisis.

Two new strategic work programmes are also on the summit agenda for the heads of state and government. The Stockholm Programme and the post-Lisbon strategy. The Stockholm Programme is a five-year programme for EU cooperation in areas such as policing, rescue services, criminal and civil law, asylum and migration. The Lisbon Strategy is the EU's current strategy for growth and jobs, which will run out in 2010.

On the subject of climate change, ministers discussed the current Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and the issue of European financial contributions to help fund the developing countries' quick start measures to adapt to climate change.

Entry of the incoming Presidency

The ministers were given a presentation of the Council working programme for the next 1,5 years. The incoming Presidency trio consisting of Spain, Belgium and Hungary presented their joint 18-month programme.

“Europe will be facing several tough challenges over the next few years, but the EU is in good hands with the incoming Belgian, Spanish and Hungarian Presidencies. I wish them the best of luck and we are looking forward to a close cooperation", said Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmström i after the presentation.

One Council constellation becomes two

With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December, the Council for General Affairs and External Relations (GAERC) has been divided into two separate councils: The General Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs Council. General coordination of EU policies and preparations ahead of EU summits will take place in the General Affairs Council. Issues related to foreign affairs will be dealt with in the Foreign Affairs Council.