European Union - Amélie de Montchalin’s participation in the General Affairs Council (Brussels, 19 November 2019)

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Amélie de Montchalin, Minister of State for European Affairs, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, took part in the General Affairs Council in Brussels on November 19.

The ministers started preparing for the European Council due to take place from December 12 to 13, 2019.

  • Climate change: The minister of state reaffirmed the need for the European Council to adopt, in December, the EU’s long-term strategy in order to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
  • European budget 2021-2027: The minister of state underscored that the European Council in December will be an important step for the European budget in terms of addressing all items (expenditure, revenue, conditionalities) based on the forthcoming budgeted proposal by the Finnish presidency. She recommended that a Euro Summit be held in December in order to confirm progress on the eurozone budget.
  • Rule of law: Following an exchange of views with Michael O’Flaherty, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, the ministers were invited to adopt conclusions assessing the annual rule of law dialogue, which allows for annual discussions at the Council on this topic. The minister of state underscored the importance of the annual review of the human rights situation in the EU advocated by the Finnish presidency.
  • Accession process: The ministers took stock of progress following the discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council on October 15 and the European Council from October 17 to 18. The minister of state provided an update on our discussions relating to the reform of the accession process so that the Commission can swiftly outline proposals in this regard.