General Affairs Council

Tuesday 8th January 2019 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Mr Robin Walker)]

Lord Callanan, Minister of State for Exiting the European Union, has made the following statement:

I will attend the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 8 January 2019 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:

Presentation of the priorities of the Romanian presidency

The Romanian presidency is expected to present its presidential priorities for its six month tenure. The priorities are: a Europe of convergence, a safer Europe, Europe as a strong global actor and a Europe of common values.

Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027

Ministers and the Commission will discuss progress on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations.

Co-ordinated response on disinformation

Ministers are expected to discuss the “action plan against disinformation” which was agreed at the December European Council. The plan comprises commitments to tackle the systematic spreading of false information created to deceive and mislead audiences, with the intention of causing harm or obtaining political, personal or financial gain.

Legislative files

The Commission is expected to provide an update on the state of play of live legislative files, including those in the Commission work programme 2019.

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