General Affairs Council October 2019

Steve Barclay Excerpts

Thursday 24th October 2019 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Stephen Barclay)]

I represented the UK at the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Luxembourg on 15 October 2019. A provisional report of the meeting and the conclusions adopted can be found on the Council of the European Union’s website at:

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/gac/2019/10/15/ id="47WS" class="column-number" data-column-number="47WS">

Enlargement and stabilisation and association of Albania and North Macedonia

The Council discussed enlargement and the stabilisation and association process as regards Albania and North Macedonia. The presidency recalled the conclusions of 18 June 2019 Council to revert to the issue no later than October 2019. However, the discussion concluded without resolution due to a lack of unanimity. The presidency issued procedural conclusions stating that the Council would return to the issue after the October European Council.

Preparation of the European Council on 17-18 October 2019: Conclusions and European Council follow-up

Ministers continued preparations for the European Council on 17-18 October. The presidency split the discussion into multiannual financial framework (MFF) and other agenda items. There was a lack of consensus among member states on the MFF proposal presented by the presidency. Leaders discussed EU priorities for the next five years; Turkey; and climate change.

AOB: Transparency seminar

The presidency briefed Ministers on the outcomes of the future of EU transparency seminar it held on 24 September in Helsinki.

[HCWS40]