Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 18 September 2018 in Brussels attended meeting of the General Affairs Council and the General Affairs Council (Art. 50).
The Council debated on the proposal of the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027. Pejčinović Burić supported in principle its general structure, underlining the importance of reaching an agreement on the adequate financing of priority policies for Croatia, such as cohesion and the common agriculture policy.
Following President Juncker’s speech on the state of the European Union, the Council discussed the Commission's priorities and intentions for its work programme for 2019. Pejčinović Burić welcomed the planned activities, adding that Croatia recognized the importance of unity and strongly supported the need to overcome differences among certain part of the EU. Croatia considers preparations for the completion of the single market and singled digital market, migrations, control of external border, Brexit, MFF, as well as strengthening of the economic and monetary union to be the priority issues in the upcoming period.
The ministers confirmed the topics for the European Council meeting in October, which include migrations, internal security and external relations.
The Council held a hearing under Article 7(1) TEU on the rule of law in Poland.
The Council in the EU27 format was briefed by the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on the state of play in the Brexit negotiations following the latest rounds of negotiation with the UK. The ministers discussed the situation and the way forward and also began preparations for the GAC (Art. 50) meeting in November.