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General Affairs Council, December 2018

I will attend the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 11 December 2018 to represent the UK. Until we leave the European Union, we remain committed to fulfilling our rights and obligations as a full member.

The provisional agenda includes:

Multiannual Financial Framework 2021 - 2027

Ministers will discuss progress on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposals with the Presidency which should ensure that Leaders will be in a position to discuss the MFF at the European Council meeting in December.

Eighteen-month Programme of the Council

Ministers will endorse the eighteen-month work programme of the incoming trio of the Presidencies of Romania, Finland and Croatia. The programme will set out the Council of the European Union’s activities from from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Preparation of the European Council on 13-14 December 2018 and European Council follow-up

The Council will discuss the draft conclusions for the December European Council. The conclusions are expected to cover the Multiannual Financial Framework, the Single Market, Migration and External Relations. The Presidency will provide Ministers with an update on progress in implementing previous European Council conclusions.

Outcome on the Conference on subsidiarity on 15-16 November 2018

The Presidency will provide information on the outcome of the conference on subsidiarity. In those areas which do not form part of the EU’s exclusive competence, the principle of subsidiarity means that action should only be taken at EU level when the desired objectives cannot be effectively achieved by action taken at national or regional level.

Rule of Law in Poland - Article 7(1) TEU Reasoned Proposal

The Council is expected to hold a third hearing under Article 7(1) TEU on the rule of law in Poland.

Values of the Union - Hungary / Article 7(1) TEU Reasoned Proposal

Ministers will discuss the Article 7(1) procedure in relation to Hungary.

European Semester 2019 - Annual Growth Survey

The Commission will present the results from the Annual Growth Survey which will support the strengthening of economic policies across the EU.