Nicolai Wammen voorzitter Raad Algemene Zaken over begroting, begrotingspact en groei (en)

Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen at the General Affairs Council

Photo: Council of the European Union

Today, the negotiations on the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) took off in the General Affairs Council under Danish Presidency with Minister for European Affairs, Mr Nicolai Wammen, as chair. The ministers also met the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy i, as part of the preparation of the informal European Council on Monday.

The discussions with Van Rompuy focused upon two subjects which will dominate the agenda of the informal meeting of the European Council on Monday: the Fiscal Compact and initiatives to promote growth and employment. The meeting with Van Rompuy, chaired by Minister for European Affairs, was a really good opportunity to get one step closer to an agreement concerning the Fiscal Compact, but also to discuss how the EU can increase growth and employment.

The Minister for European Affairs gave a presentation of the working programme of the Danish Presidency which was very well received with broad support to the priorities of the Danish Presidency. The main subject at the Council was the discussion on the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework 2014-2020. Today’s discussion kicked off the political negotiations and gave the Danish Presidency indications of the biggest challenges ahead. Finally, the Commission provided a brief update of the process concerning Hungary.

The Minister for European Affairs states:

“I am very satisfied with the today’s meetings. This morning we had a very fruitful discussion with Van Rompuy prior to the informal meeting of the European Council on Monday. We have to fight and confront the economic crisis from two sides - both by reaching agreement on the Fiscal Compact and increased budget discipline and by achieving a common understanding of the which initiatives that can stimulate renewed growth and employment in Europe.”

Nicolai Wammen adds:

“I am very pleased with the positive acknowledgment received from my colleagues concerning the work programme of the Danish Presidency at today’s meeting and I am happy to note the broad consensus among member states to work together for concrete results for the benefit of European citizens and enterprises. At the same time, the tone has been set for the negotiations in the following months concerning the budget of the EU for 2014-2020. We now have a clearer picture of the positions of the Member States. No doubt, we will have to work hard to reach consensus on the MFF 2014-2020, but today’s meeting was a step in the right direction. Finally, the Commission informed about the process that was formally launched last week when it decided to launch infringement procedures against Hungary. Hungary gave an account of the situation and stated that a constructive dialogue has been established with the Commission."

Photos from today's meeting in the Council

Webcast of the meeting and the press conference (Council website)