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PRESS
EN
Council of the European Union
ANNOTATED AGENDA
Brussels, 7 November 2014
MAIN TOPICS FOR THE COMING FORTNIGHT1
10 - 23 November 2014
10 -11 November
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Agriculture and Fisheries Council ................................................................................ 2
14 November
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Economic and Financial Affairs Council - Budget ....................................................... 3
17 - 18 November
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Foreign Affairs Council + Defence issues ..................................................................... 4
18 - 19 November
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General Affairs Council + Cohesion issues .................................................................. 5
21 November
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Foreign Affairs Council (Trade)...................................................................................... 6
Agenda of the President of the European Council .................................................................... 7
Other events ................................................................................................................................. 8
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For video coverage of Council sessions and audiovisual material, please see the following Council websites:
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http://video.consilium.europa.eu (live webcast of public deliberations, public debates and press
conferences), and
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www.eucouncil.tv (video material available for download in broadcast quality and photo gallery).
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This document has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the Press Office.
Information may be subject to change, depending on further developments.
Press office - General Secretariat of the Council
Rue de la Loi 175 - B-1048 BRUSSELS - Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319
[email protected] - www.consilium.europa.eu/press
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Monday 10 and (poss.) Tuesday 11 November 2014
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
In its Fisheries session, the Council is expected to reach political agreement on a proposal for a
regulation fixing for 2015 and 2016 the fishing opportunities for EU vessels regarding certain
deep-sea fish stocks (13852/14). The regulation sets levels of total allowable catches (TAC) - the
maximum quantities of fish from specific stocks that can be caught by EU vessels - for fish stocks
caught in waters beyond the main fishing grounds of continental shelves. Most of the species
concerned are slow-growing and long-lived, which makes them particularly vulnerable. The Council
examines every two years proposals for fishing opportunities on deep sea stocks established on the
basis of scientific advice.
The proposal is for the first time based on the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), whose
fundamental aim is to have all stocks fished at sustainable levels, the so-called Maximum
Sustainable Yield (MSY).
Regarding agricultural issues, ministers will have an exchange of views on the Commission
amending letter No. 1 to the draft general budget 2015 (14401/14), which updates the estimated
needs and appropriations for agricultural expenditure, to take into account the impact of decisions in
the agricultural sector since the draft budget was drawn up in June 2014.
Furthermore, ministers will have an exchange of views and could reach a political agreement on a
state aid in the Republic of Cyprus in the form of a tax exemption on motor fuel used for
agricultural purposes.
Further information
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Common Fisheries Policy Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 (OJ L354, 28.12.2013)
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) : http://www.ices.dk
Draft general budget 2015: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/budget/www/index-en.htm
Event
Meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Monday 10 and possibly Tuesday 11 at 10.00 on both days)
- Justus Lipsius building, Brussels.
A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting.
Contacts
Press officer: Xavier Pavard, tel. + 32 2 281 83 52, [email protected]
Italian presidency: Cristina Scarfia, tel. +32 492 27 33 86, [email protected]
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Friday 14 November 2014
ECOFIN Council (Budget)
The Council will prepare the negotiations with the European Parliament on the 2015 EU budget
which will take place within the Conciliation Committee meeting on the same day.
On 22 October, the Council informed the European Parliament that it cannot approve all
Parliament's amendments for the 2015 budget. Thus, on 28 October a three-week conciliation
period started, aimed at bridging the gap between the positions of the Council and the European
Parliament.
The Council's position, adopted on 2 September by an overwhelming majority of member states,
increases payments for activities such as research, innovation and education by 24.5% or
€2.8 billion compared to the 2014 EU budget as adopted; it limits the total level of payments to
€140.00 billion (+3.3% compared to 20142) and of commitments to €145.08 billion (+1.7%); and it
keeps sufficient margins under the ceilings for both payments and commitments.
The European Parliament wishes to increase total payments to €146.42 billion (+8.1% compared to
2014) and total commitments to €146.38 billion (+2.6%).
Background
The Conciliation Committee is composed of the 28 members of the Council and an equal number of
members of the European Parliament. If the Committee reaches an agreement on a joint text, the
Council and the European Parliament will have to formally approve it within 14 days.
The meeting of the Conciliation Committee will be prepared by a trilogue (i.e. meeting between
representatives of the Italian presidency, the European Parliament and the Commission) on 11
November. A first meeting of the Conciliation Committee will take place on 6 November.
The conciliation period ends on 14 November. Should the budget not be adopted at the beginning of
2015, a sum equivalent to not more than one twelfth of the budget appropriations for 2014 or of the
draft budget proposed by the Commission, whichever is smaller, may be spent each month for each
chapter of the budget, in line with article 315 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
Further information
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Draft budget 2015 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/budget/www/index-en.htm
2015 EU budget talks go to conciliation (14586/14)
Council's position on the draft general budget 2015 (12192/14)
European Parliament's amendments to the Council's position
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20141016IPR74260/html/Settle-bills-investmore-for-growth-and-jobs-EP-position-on-the-2015-EU-budget
Event
Meeting of the ECOFIN (Budget) Council - Justus Lipsius building, Brussels (10.00). A press conference will
take place at the end of the meeting. The presidency will hold a briefing in the Council press room on
Thursday 13 November at 14.30.
Contacts
Press officer: Jérôme Unterhuber, tel. +32 2 281 53 94, [email protected]
Italian presidency: Annarita Lippiello, tel. +32 2 220 05 96, [email protected]
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The 2014 EU budget as adopted last year includes €135.50 billion in payments and €142.64 billion in
commitments.
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Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November 2014
Foreign Affairs Council + Defence issues
The Council, chaired for the first time by the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, will address the situation in Ukraine. Ministers will hold an indepth discussion on the latest developments, including the recent elections, prospects for the
political process and EU support to the OSCE.
Ministers will then be briefed by EU Ebola coordinator Christos Stilianides, following his visit in the
most affected countries, and will have an exchange of views on how to counter the spread of the
disease.
Over lunch, ministers will take stock of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following the High Representative's trip to the Middle East, the Council will address recent
developments in the region.
The first EU-Georgia Association Council will take place after the Council and be chaired by High
Representative Federica Mogherini.
On Tuesday, defence ministers will first discuss cooperation on military capabilities in the format
of the European Defence Agency Steering Board.
The Council will then be briefed about the state of play of EU military operations. Defence
ministers will also discuss the security situation in the EU's broader neighbourhood.
In preparation for the June 2015 European Council, ministers will hold a lunch debate on the
outlook for the Common Security and Defence Policy.
Further information
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Fact sheet on EU-Ukraine relations
Fact sheet on the EU's response to Ebola
EU response to Ebola
EU External Action Service website: http://eeas.europa.eu
European Defence Agency: http://www.eda.europa.eu/
Events
Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council - Monday 17 November at 9.30, Justus Lipsius building, Brussels
A background briefing will be held in the Council press room on Friday, 14 November, at 10.30.
A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting.
The EU-Georgia Cooperation Council will also be followed by a press conference
On Tuesday 18 November, meeting of the EDA steering board at 9.00 and of the Foreign Affairs Council in
defence configuration at 10.30. The meeting will be followed by the Cooperation Council with the Kyrgyz
Republic, starting at 13.00.
Press conferences will take place at the end of the Council and following the Cooperation Council.
Contacts
Press officer: Susanne Kiefer, tel. + 32 2 281 94 42, +32 473 923 308, [email protected]
Spokespersons for the High Representative for Foreign Affairs:
Catherine Ray - +32 2 296 99 21, +32 498 969 921 [email protected]
Maja Kocijancic - tel. +32 2 298 6570, +32 498 984 425, [email protected]
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Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 November 2014
General Affairs Council + Cohesion issues
The Council will start preparations for the European Council on 18-19 December examining a draft
annotated agenda.
The Council will hold a thematic debate on "An Energy Union with a forward looking climate
policy", one of the five overarching priorities of the EU's strategic agenda, adopted at the June
European Council.
Ministers will have an exchange of views on the Rule of Law Initiative, presented by the
Commission in March 2014 (7632/1/14 REV 1).
The Council will be briefed by the Presidency on the state of play as regards the preparations for the
end of the post-Lisbon transition period for ex-third pillar measures (JHA) on 30 November this
year (Protocol 36).
The Council will also take note of information from the Presidency relating to progress on
strengthening interinstitutional annual and multiannual programming.
The second day of the meeting will be devoted to the cohesion policy: the Council is due to adopt
conclusions on the 6th report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, following the
Commission communication on the subject (12198/14).The report takes stock of the results of the
financial period 2007-2013 and sets out guidelines for implementation for 2014-2020.
Ministers will also have an exchange of views on the cohesion policy and the Europe 2020 midterm review. The outcome of the discussion will feed into the synthesis report to be presented to
the December European Council.
Further information
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Strategic Agenda for the Union in Times of Change
Commission communication "Taking stock of the Europe 2020 strategy"(6713/14)
Events
Meeting of the General Affairs Council - Tuesday 18 at 15.00 and Wednesday 19 at 10.00 (Cohesion issues) Justus Lipsius building, Brussels.
The presidency will hold a briefing in the Council press room on Friday 14 November at 10.00.
A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting(s).
Contacts
Press officers:
Jérôme Unterhuber, tel. + 32 2 281 53 94, [email protected]
Jüri Laas, tel +32 2 281 55 23, [email protected]
Italian presidency: Annarita Lippiello, tel. +32 2 220 05 96, [email protected]
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Friday 21 November 2014
Foreign Affairs Council (Trade)
The Council will discuss a draft regulation on trade defence instruments (TDI) and a proposed
regulation on public procurement (IPI).
It will discuss the current impasse in the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations, in
particular on the Bali package and the Trade Facilitation Protocol.
The Council will take stock of the negotiations with the United States for a transatlantic trade and
investment partnership (TTIP).
It is due to adopt conclusions on trade, with the purpose of updating the priorities of the EU's
current trade agenda. This follows up on the June 2014 European Council conclusions on the
strategic agenda of key priorities for the next five years.
Regarding bilateral trade talks, the Council will take stock of progress regarding EU-Japan and EUVietnam free trade area negotiations.
Further information
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EU trade defence
EU trade - public procurement
EU trade policy - Doha Development Agenda
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
European Council conclusions June 2014 (pdf)
EU trade policy - Japan
EU trade policy - Vietnam
Events
Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (trade issues) - Justus Lipsius building, Brussels (10.00).
The presidency will hold a briefing in the Council press room in the run-up to the meeting. A press conference
will take place at the end of the meeting.
Contacts
Press officers:
François Head, tel. +32 2 281 60 83, [email protected]
Azadeh Sharafshahi, tel. +32 2 281 31 95, [email protected]
Italian presidency: Michelangelo Nerini, tel. +32 2 220 04 32 [email protected]
Annarita Lippiello, tel. +32 2 220 05 96, [email protected]
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Agenda of the President of the European Council3
- 9 - 16 November
Sunday 9 November (Koekelberg Basilica, Brussels)
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Patronage and attendance to the concert "1000 Voices for peace become One" (17.00 )
Saturday, 15 November (Brisbane, Australia)
G20 meeting :
more information
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Press briefing by President Van Rompuy and President Jean-Claude Juncker (08.15)
Retreat session for the G20 members (10.00)
Official welcome by Prime Minister Tony Abbott (14.25 )
First working session on global economy (15.15)
Official reception hosted by Prime Minister Abbott (18.00)
Working dinner on trade (19.30)
Sunday, 16 November (Brisbane, Australia)
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G20 meeting :
Second working session on delivering global economic resilience (10.00)
Third working session on energy (11.15)
Working lunch on future challenges (12.40)
Further information
European Council - the president
Contacts
Spokesperson of the president:
Dirk De Backer, tel. + 32 2 281 97 68, mobile + 32 497 59 99 19,
e-mail: [email protected]
Deputy spokesperson of the president:
Preben Aamann, tel. + 32 2 281 20 60, mobile + 32 476 85 05 43,
e-mail: [email protected]
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Information included in this page may be subject to last minute changes. Please check regularly the
President's website.
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Other events
7-11 November (Beijing)
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): http://www.apec-china.org.cn/en/index.htm:
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ministerial meeting
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economic leaders' meeting
14 -15 November (Livorno)
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Conference Marine Strategy and Blue Growth
Programme:
http://goo.gl/M0xwSi
15 - 16 November (Brisbane, Australia)
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G20 summit
G20 information on the European Council website
http://italia2014.eu
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