Cypriotisch Voorzitterschap richt zich in de raadsformatie Algemene zaken op gedeeltelijke algemene benadering cohesiebeleid (en)

Ministers for European Affairs are set to discuss the new legislative package for Cohesion Policy during the General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting, which will take place in Luxembourg on October 16. The Cyprus Presidency aims to secure a partial general approach on certain elements of the proposal in the Council. The GAC meeting, which will be chaired by Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for EU Affairs, Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis, will also focus on the preparations for the upcoming European Council of October 18-19, while it will also examine the draft annotated agenda of the extraordinary European Council meeting of November 22-23, which will solely focus on the new Multiannual Financial Framework of 2014-2020.

Ministers will discuss the new Cohesion Policy legislative package, with the aim of reaching a partial general approach, meaning a preliminary agreement in the Council on certain aspects of the proposal. Cohesion policy is the main development policy of the Union, aiming to reduce significant economic, social and territorial disparities that still exist between Europe’s regions and Member States.

The Presidency will pursue a partial general approach on seven thematic blocs, namely, territorial development, European territorial cooperation, financial issues, management and control systems, information and communication, technical assistance and country specific recommendations and indicators.

Review of the Compact for Growth and Jobs

The GAC will also prepare the European Council meeting of October 18-19, on the basis of draft conclusions and the interim report on the further development of Economic and Monetary Union that the President of the European Council, in close collaboration with his colleagues from the Commission, the Eurogroup and the ECB, issued last Friday, October 12. The draft Conclusions will mainly focus on economic policy, specifically on a review of progress for the implementation of the Compact for Growth and Jobs, the future of the Economic and Monetary Union and on an assessment of progress concerning the single European banking supervision mechanism.

Over lunch, ministers will discuss the European Council’s general preparations with the President of the European Council, Mr. Herman Van Rompuy i (who will participate through video link). In addition, the Cyprus Presidency will brief the GAC on the implementation of all ongoing tasks arising from EC orientations and due to be completed in the coming months.

Ministers will also discuss the draft annotated agenda for the upcoming extraordinary European Council of November 22-23, which will focus solely on the new MFF, will also be discussed during the meeting.

Deputy Minister Mavroyiannis will inform the Council on one of the Cyprus Presidency’s initiatives, namely the ‘Limassol Declaration’ on the Integrated Maritime Policy, which was the outcome of an Informal Ministerial meeting of EU maritime Ministers in Cyprus on October 8.

Prior to the GAC meeting, an informal ministerial breakfast will be held on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), with the participation of the negotiating team of the European Parliament. A constructive exchange of views is expected to take place, contributing further to the objective of reaching an agreement at the Extraordinary European Council in November.