COUNCIL OF THE

MAIN TOPICS FOR THE COMING FORTNIGHT 1

28 January - 10 February 2013

Monday 28 January

Agriculture and Fisheries Council - Overview of the agenda………………………………………………………………………….3

Thursday 31 January

Foreign Affairs Council - Overview of the agenda……………………………………………………………………………4

Monday 4 February

General Affairs Council - Overview of the agenda……………………………………………………………………………5

Thursday 7 and Friday 8 February

European Council - Overview of the agenda……………………………………………………………………………6

Agenda of the President of the (28 January - 3 February) ...... 7

Other events ...... 8

1 This document has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the Press Office. Information may be subject to change, depending on further developments .

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For additional information concerning Council meetings, see also Council webpage http://www.consilium.europa.eu/councilmeetings

For video coverage of Council sessions and audiovisual material, please see the following Council websites: - http://video.consilium.europa.eu (live webcast of public deliberations, public debates and press conferences) and - 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 28 January 2013

Agriculture and Fisheries Council - overview of the agenda

The Council will hold an exchange of views on the Irish presidency's work programme for the reform of the (CFP) and on the key issues requiring further discussion in this context, following the general approaches reached last year by the Council on the CFP reform proposals. The legislative reform package consists of three draft regulations: one laying down the basic rules for the CFP ( 12514/11 ), a second on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products ( 12516/11 ), and a third on a new European maritime and fisheries fund (EMFF) (17870/11 ), intended to support the implementation of the CFP and to further develop the EU's integrated maritime policy by financing some of the priorities identified.

Ministers will also hold a debate on a proposal aimed at introducing a discard ban in the Skagerrak (13264/12 ). The debate is expected to focus in particular on the monitoring of the implementation of such a ban and on the arrangements for the landing of catches.

Moreover, the Council will be briefed by the Commission about the state of play in the annual consultations between the EU and under their bilateral fisheries agreement. The two main issues in these consultations are the establishment of the total allowable catches (TACs) for jointly managed stocks in the North Sea and the reciprocal exchanges of quotas.

The Council will also hold an exchange of views on the Irish presidency's work programme in the field of agriculture and in particular on the roadmap for the reform of the common agricultural policy .

Event

Meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council - , Brussels (10.00). A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting.

Contacts

Press officer: Xavier Pavard, tel. +32 2 281 83 52, [email protected] Irish presidency: Marcella Smyth, tel. +32 490 44 43 02, [email protected]

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Thursday 31 January 2013

Foreign Affairs Council - overview of the agenda

The Council, chaired by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, will discuss the situation in the EU's southern neighbourhood, in particular in Syria and Egypt. It will also prepare the forthcoming European Council debate on the Arab Spring .

The Council will discuss the situation in Mali and the foreign policy priorities of the United States of America during the second Obama administration. Ministers will also discuss the EU Arctic policy .

Furthermore, the Council may adopt conclusions on Somalia and the Horn of Africa. During the working lunch, ministers will exchange views with the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Further information

• Council website: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ • EU External Action Service website: http://eeas.europa.eu • Factsheet : EU and Syria • Factsheet : EU Arctic policy

Event

Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council - Justus Lipsius building, Brussels (09.30). A background briefing will be held in the Council press room a few days before the meeting. A press conference will take place at the end of proceedings.

Contacts

Press officer: Susanne Kiefer, tel. + 32 2 281 94 42, [email protected] Spokespersons for the High Representative for Foreign Affairs: Michael Mann, tel. +32 2 299 9780, [email protected] Maja Kocijancic, tel. +32 2 298 6570, +32 498 984 425, [email protected]

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Monday 4 February 2013

General Affairs Council - overview of the agenda

Ministers will finalize the preparation of the European Council meeting scheduled for 7-8 February. In particular, the EU heads of state or government will resume their discussions on the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020, following the meeting of the European Council, on 22-23 November 2012 (see next page on the European Council).

The Council will also examine a draft annotated agenda for the European Council meeting on 14-15 March 2013.

Furthermore, the Irish Presidency will present, in public debate, its work programme and ministers will hold an exchange of views on some of its items.

Further information

• Multi-annual financial framework web pages : http://www.consilium.europa.eu/special- reports/ • Irish Presidency website: http://www.eu2013.ie/ • European Council website: http://www.european-council.europa.eu

Event

Meeting of the General Affairs Council - Justus Lipsius building, Brussels (10.00). The presidency will hold a press briefing in the Council press room on Friday, 1 February at 10.00 . A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting.

Contacts

Press officers: François Head, tel. + 32 2 281 60 83, [email protected] Jérôme Unterhuber, tel. + 32 2 281 5394, [email protected] Irish presidency: Deirdre Farrell, tel. +32 2 282 33 23, [email protected]

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Thursday 7 and Friday 8 February 2013

European Council

The European Council will seek to reach an agreement on the multi-annual financial framework (MFF) 2014-2020, building on the outcomes of the last meeting of the European Council in November 2012.

The MFF Regulation sets out annual maximum amounts - ceilings - which the EU is allowed to spend on policy areas - "headings" - over a period of no less than 5 years. It also sets out an annual global ceiling for total expenditure. Its aim is to: - translate political priorities into figures for the budget cycle 2014-2020; - ensure budgetary discipline for the EU; and - facilitate the adoption of the annual EU budget through a multi-annual framework.

The process started in July 2011 after the presentation of the Commission's proposals and it involves three EU institutions: the , the Council and the Commission. The MFF regulation must be adopted by unanimity by the Council, after receiving the consent of the European Parliament.

The European Council is also expected to discuss trade-related issues , aiming to ensure that the benefits of trade as an important source of growth and jobs are fully developed. In this context, the European Council will also examine how to improve trade relations with the EU's strategic partners .

Furthermore, the European Council is expected to discuss the situation in Mali . It will also take stock of developments following the "Arab Spring" and examine the way forward for the EU's policy aimed at assisting those countries that are in transition towards democracy.

Further information

• Message from President Van Rompuy (22.1.2013) • Multi-annual financial framework web pages : http://www.consilium.europa.eu/special- reports/ • European Council website: http://www.european-council.europa.eu • Statement by the members of the special European Council of 22-23 November 2012 • Commission communication: "A Budget for Europe 2020" (12475/11 )

Event Meeting of the European Council - Justus Lipsius building, Brussels (details will follow). The President of the European Council and the President of the will hold a press conference on both days 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, [email protected] Deputy Spokesperson of the President: Preben Aamann, tel. +32 2 281 2060, mobile +32 476 85 05 43, [email protected] Head of the Council's press office: Nicolas Kerleroux, tel. + 32 2 281 82 39, [email protected]

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Agenda of the President of the European Council 2

28 January - 3 February 2013

Wednesday 30 January

- Address to the closing plenary session ( also with representatives from EU National Parliaments) of the European Parliamentary Week on (09.35);

- Meeting with President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (10.45);

- Meeting with Prime Minister of Viktor Orbán (12.00);

- Meeting with Prime Minister of Algirdas Butkevičius (16.30)

Thursday 31 January

- Meeting with Prime Minister of Mario Monti (08.30);

- Meeting with Northern Ireland Assembly's first minister Peter Robinson and deputy first minister Martin Mc Guiness (16.00)

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

2 Information included in this page may be subject to last minute changes. Please check regularly the President's website . 7 E

Other events

Thursday 7 and Friday 8 February (Dublin Castle, Ireland )

- Informal meeting of Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs (EPSCO)

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