PRESS EN MAIN TOPICS FOR THE COMING FORTNIGHT

Council of the European Union
PRESS
EN
ANNOTATED AGENDA
Brussels, 10 October 2014
MAIN TOPICS FOR THE COMING FORTNIGHT1
13 - 26 October 2014
13 -14 October
Agriculture and Fisheries Council .............................................................................................. 3
13 October
Eurogroup .................................................................................................................................... 4
14 October
Economic and Financial Affairs Council .................................................................................... 4
16 October
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
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Employment and social policy issues ................................................................................ 5
20 October
Foreign Affairs Council ................................................................................................................ 6
21 October
General Affairs Council ............................................................................................................... 7
23 and 24 October
European Council ........................................................................................................................ 8
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This document has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the Press Office.
Information may be subject to change, depending on further developments.
Press office - General Secretariat of the Council
Rue de la Loi 175 - B-1048 BRUSSELS - Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319
press.office@consilium.europa.eu - www.consilium.europa.eu/press
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Agenda of the President of the European Council ..................................................................... 9
Other events ............................................................................................................................... 10
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For video coverage of Council sessions and audiovisual material, please see the following Council websites:
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http://video.consilium.europa.eu (live webcast of public deliberations, public debates and press
conferences), and
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www.eucouncil.tv (audiovisual material available for download in broadcast quality).
For photo coverage: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/council/photographic-library.aspx?lang=en.
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Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 October 2014
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Regarding fisheries issues, the Council will seek to reach political agreement on fishing
opportunities for member states in the Baltic Sea for 2015 (12854/14). The aim of the proposal is
to establish the maximum quantities of fish from specific stocks that can be caught in that sea - total
allowable catches (TACs) -, as well as the fishing effort limits (number of days at sea) for Baltic cod
stocks. This year some of the TACs will take into account the landing obligation introduced by the
reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
Moreover, the Council will hold an exchange of views on the annual consultations between the EU
and Norway under their bilateral fisheries agreement, in particular as regards the jointly managed
stocks in the North Sea and an exchange of fishing possibilities between the two sides.
Finally, ministers will exchange views on the EU position at the forthcoming meeting of the
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), scheduled for November
2014.
On agricultural issues, ministers will have a policy debate on the contribution of the agricultural
sector to the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy.
Ministers will also have an exchange of views on the consequences of African swine fever, which
was detected firstly in Lithuania in January 2014 and has now also been discovered in Poland,
Latvia and Estonia.
The Council will be informed by the Commission on the state of play on international agricultural
trade issues, including the negotiations with the United States for the TTIP.
Over lunch, ministers will discuss agriculture aspects of the policy framework for climate and
energy in the period 2020 to 2030 (5644/1/14 REV 1).
Further information
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•
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Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L354, 28.12.2013, p. 22)
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) : http://www.ices.dk/
ICCAT http://www.iccat.int/en/
Event
Meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council - Conference Centre Kirchberg, Luxembourg (10.00 on
Monday and 10.30 on Tuesday).
A press conference will take place on both days at the end of the meeting.
Contacts
Press officer: Xavier Pavard, tel. + 32 2 281 83 52, xavier.pavard@consilium.europa.eu
Italian presidency: Cristina Scarfia, tel. +32 492 27 33 86, comcoreper1@rpue.esteri.it
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Tuesday 14 October 2014
Economic and Financial Affairs Council
The Council will have an exchange of views on concrete measures, to be presented by the
Commission and the European Investment Bank, to boost investment and on projects which
could increase the EU's growth potential.
It will have a discussion on the Commission communication on research and innovation as
sources of renewed growth (10897/14). The Competitiveness Council is expected to adopt
conclusions on this communication in December.
On bank contributions to the single resolution fund, the Commission will inform the Council on
the state of play of the preparation of the delegated act and the proposal for a Council implementing
act.
The Council will try to reach political agreement on a proposal for a directive on mandatory
automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation (10243/13).
It will hold a policy debate on the energy taxation directive (10417/14).
The Presidency and the Commission will provide a debriefing from the G20 ministerial meeting
and the annual IMF and World Bank group on 10-12 October 2014 in Washington.
Monday 13 October
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Eurogroup (15.00)
Tuesday 14 October
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Ministerial dialogue with EFTA countries (8.30)
Informal discussion on the EU 2030 framework for climate and energy (15.30)
Further information
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Eurozone portal: http://www.eurozone.europa.eu/
2030 framework for climate and energy (5644/1/14 REV 1)
Events
Meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council - Conference centre Kirchberg, Luxembourg (11.30)
preceded by a ministerial breakfast at 10.30.
Press conferences will be held following the meetings of the Eurogroup on Monday and the Council on
Tuesday.
Contacts
Press officers:
François Head, tel. +32 2 281 60 83, francois.head@consilium.europa.eu
Azadeh Sharafshahi, tel. +32 2 281 31 95, azadeh.sharafshahi@consilium.europa.eu
Italian presidency: Michelangelo Nerini, tel. +32 2 220 04 32 stampa@rpue.esteri.eu
Annarita Lippiello, tel. +32 2 220 05 96, stampa@rpue.esteri.eu
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Thursday 16 October 2014
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
- Employment and social policy issues
The Council is expected to reach a general approach on a decision establishing a Platform to
improve prevention and deterrence of undeclared work (10871/14).The Platform will aim to
facilitate the exchange of best practices and information, provide a framework at EU level to develop
expertise and analysis, and promote joint actions between the different national enforcement
authorities of member states.
The Council will hold a policy debate on a review of the Europe 2020 strategy at its mid-term as
announced in the Commission communication in March 2014. It will endorse a joint opinion of the
Employment (EMCO) and Social Protection (SPC) Committees, as well as key messages for the
2015 annual growth survey.
Event
Meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council - Conference centre
Kirchberg, Luxembourg (9.30).
The presidency will hold a briefing in the Council press room in Brussels on Wednesday 15 October at 9.30.
A press conference will take place at the end of the session.
Contacts
Press officer: Evi Liaskou, tel. + 32 2 281 52 72, evi.liaskou@consilium.europa.eu
Italian presidency: Cristina Scarfia, tel. +32 492 27 33 86, comcoreper1@rpue.esteri.it
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Monday 20 October 2014
Foreign Affairs Council
The Council, chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Catherine Ashton, will discuss joint strategies to counter the spread of the Ebola virus disease.
Ministers will be joined for lunch by Bernadino León, Special Representative of the UN Secretary
General and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, to debate his mediation efforts in Libya and
possible EU assistance.
Ministers will also assess the situation with respect to ISIL in Iraq and Syria and means of tackling
the terrorist threat.
The Council will moreover exchange views on the situation in the Middle East peace process and
Gaza, including prospects for a sustainable ceasefire.
Finally, the Council will take stock of the situation in Ukraine, in all its aspects, including the
implementation of the peace plan, support to the OSCE special monitoring mission and further
assistance for Ukraine.
An EU-Tajikistan Cooperation Council will be held at 13.00.
Further information
•
•
Council website: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/
EU External Action Service website: http://eeas.europa.eu
Events
Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council - Conference centre Kirchberg, Luxembourg (11.00).
A background briefing will be held in the Council press room on Friday 17 October at 10.30.
A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting.
A press conference on the EU-Tajikistan Cooperation Council is scheduled for 15.15.
Contacts
Press officer: Susanne Kiefer, tel. + 32 2 281 94 42, susanne.kiefer@consilium.europa.eu
Spokespersons for the High Representative for Foreign Affairs:
Michael Mann, tel. +32 2 299 9780, Michael.Mann@eeas.europa.eu
Maja Kocijancic, tel. +32 2 298 6570, +32 498 984 425, Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu
6/11
Tuesday 21 October 2014
General Affairs Council
The Council will prepare the European Council on 23-24 October focusing on the European
Council conclusions.
As a follow-up to the June European Council, the Councilwill hold a thematic debate on strategic
agenda priorities - Europe of freedom, security and justice.
The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on a report concerning the governance of the macro
regional strategies.
Further information
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European Council conclusions on 26/27 June
Events
Meeting of the General Affairs Council - Conference centre Kirchberg, Luxembourg (10.00).
The presidency will hold a briefing in the Council press room on Friday 17 October at 10.00
A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting.
Contacts
Press officer: Jüri Laas, tel +32 2 281 55 23, juri.laas@consilium.europa.eu
Press officer: Jérôme Unterhuber, tel. + 32 2 281 53 94, jerome.unterhuber@consilium.europa.eu
Italian presidency: Annarita Lippiello, tel. +32 2 220 05 96, stampa@rpue.esteri.eu
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23-24 October 2014
European Council
The European Council is expected to agree on a new climate and energy policy framework
based on the Commission proposal (5644/1/14 REV 1), and the principles already identified by the
European Council in its conclusions in March 2014 (7/1/14 REV 1). In particular, it should agree on
EU reduction targets, further actions aimed at limiting the EU's energy dependence and increasing
its energy security for both electricity and gas, as well as set out specific 2030 interconnection
objectives.
The European Council will also address the economic situation in the European Union on the
basis of a presentation by the Commission and of work previously undertaken by the Council.
The European Council may also address specific external relations issues in the light of
developments on the international scene.
The European Council will be followed by a working lunch of the Heads of State or Government of
the Eurozone.
Further information
•
•
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European Council website: http://www.european-council.europa.eu
"A European Energy Security Strategy"
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/doc/20140528_energy_security_communication.pdf
Eurozone portal: http://www.eurozone.europa.eu/
Event
Meeting of the European Council - Justus Lipsius building, Thursday 24 (p.m) and Friday 25 (details will
follow).
A background press briefing will be held in the Council press room on 22 October at 09.00.
The President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission will hold a press
conference at the end of the meeting.
Contacts
Spokesperson of the President of the European Council:
Dirk De Backer, tel. + 32 2 281 97 68, mobile +32 497 59 99 19,
dirk.debacker@european-council.europa.eu
Deputy Spokesperson of the President of the European Council:
Preben Aamann, tel. +32 2 281 2060, mobile +32 476 85 05 43,
preben.aamann@european-council.europa.eu
Head of the Council press office:
Nicolas Kerleroux, tel. + 32 2 281 82 39, nicolas.kerleroux@consilium.europa.eu
Press officer for European Council and Summits
Jüri Laas, tel +32 2 281 55 23, juri.laas@consilium.europa.eu
8/11
Agenda of the President of the European Council2
- 13 -17 October
Monday, 13 October
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Meeting with Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung (15.15), followed by a press
statement (± 15.45)
Wednesday, 15 October
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Introductory keynote speech at the European conference on public communication (11.00,
Committee of the Regions)
Milan
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Meeting with Prime Minister of China Li Keqiang on the margins of the ASEM summit (19.00)
Thursday, 16 October
Milan
ASEM SUMMIT (Asia-Europe Meeting)
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EU-ASEAN informal meeting (08.45)
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Closing session of the Asia-Europe business forum (10.00)
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Bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe (13.00)
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Official handshake (13.30)
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Opening ceremony (14.00)
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Session with representatives of the Asia-Europe Parliamentary partnership, the Asia-Europe
people's forum and the Asia-Europe business forum (14.45)
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Family photo (15.00)
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First plenary session (15.15)
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Second plenary session (17.15)
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Official dinner hosted by the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano (20.00)
Friday, 17 October
Milan
ASEM SUMMIT
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Retreat session (09.30)
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Closing ceremony (12.30)
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Press conference (13.00)
2
Information included in this page may be subject to last minute changes. Please check regularly the
President's website.
9/11
Lausanne (Switzerland)
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Award of the Jean Monnet foundation for Europe gold medal (18.30)
Further information
European Council - the president
Contacts
Spokesperson of the president:
Dirk De Backer, tel. + 32 2 281 97 68, mobile + 32 497 59 99 19,
e-mail: press.president@consilium.europa.eu
Deputy spokesperson of the president:
Preben Aamann, tel. + 32 2 281 20 60, mobile + 32 476 85 05 43,
e-mail: press.president@consilium.europa.eu
10/11
Other events
13 -16 October (Rome)
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European Youth Conference
Agenda: http://www.it2014youth.eu/conference/agenda
15 October (Rome)
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Informal meeting of the foreign trade ministers (FAC)
16 - 17 October (Milan)
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ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) summit
http://www.european-council.europa.eu/asem-2014
20 - 21 October (Rome)
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Informal meeting of ministers for sports
23 October (Brussels)
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Tripartite social summit
24 October (Brussels)
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Working lunch of the Heads of State or Government of the Eurozone.
http://italia2014.eu
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