Deens voorzitterschap klaar voor laatste EU-top (en)

Yesterday EU's Ministers for European Affairs held the last Council meeting during the Danish Presidency. The Ministers put the finishing touches on the Presidency’s draft negotiating box on the Multiannual Financial Framework as part of preparations for the meeting of Heads of State and Government in the European Council on 28-29 June. Furthermore it was agreed to grant candidate status to Montenegro.

Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen chaired his last meeting as president of the General Affairs Council today when the EU's Ministers for European Affairs met to prepare the meeting of the European Council on 28-29 June, where the EU leaders will meet to discuss a number of initiatives that can boost growth in Europe. An essential element of a growth package will be a reorientation of the EU’s multiannual budget to make it more growth stimulating.

The negotiations on the Multi-annual Financial Framework for 2014-2020 have been a key issue for the Presidency. In this context Minister Nicolai Wammen says:

"Building on six months of intensive work we today had a final discussion of the Presidency's negotiating box, which lists the various elements that may make up a final agreement on the EU's long term budget. It has been a difficult task to draft a complete box and it is now time for the Heads of State and Government to discuss the priorities of the future budget based on our solid legwork. Over the course of the Danish Presidency we have paved the way for an agreement that focuses on how the budget can support growth in Europe through better spending of our money. We simply cannot afford not to do so."

In relation to the Ministers' preparation of the growth debate in the European Council, Nicolai Wammen says:

"During our meeting today we discussed several of the different proposals for a growth package. Since we took over as president, we have worked to promote the growth agenda from a dual approach, where fiscal consolidation, structural reforms and new initiatives to promote growth and employment go hand in hand. It is my hope that we can conclude our six months term with the European Council identifying the main elements of a growth package, which will help boost employment in Europe. It would be a very satisfying completion of our Presidency."

In addition to preparing the European Council and the discussion of the negotiating box, the Ministers also discussed future European cohesion policy, the EU’s Baltic Sea Strategy and Montenegro's accession to the EU. At the meeting it was agreed to open accession negotiations with Montenegro. This means that negotiations can be opened when the EU Heads of State or Government have confirmed the decision later this week.

"Our work on the Balkans and enlargement has been a key priority for the Presidency. I am therefore very pleased that the Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Montenegro. This is an important decision in our continued efforts for a stable development in the Balkans and for a stable Europe. The decision is a result of great reform efforts made by Montenegro. However, membership of the EU does not follow automatically. There are still great challenges ahead for Montenegro. Therefore, we have sent a clear signal that the fight against corruption and organised crime, among other issues, is essential in order to continue the road towards EU membership. I look forward towards 29 June when the Presidency and the Commission officially will open negotiations with Montenegro in Brussels.”

Contact

Marie Bender Foltmann, Tel: 41 73 38 93 email: marfol@um.dk