General Affairs Council, 29 September 2014

A meeting of the General Affairs Council was held on 29 September 2014. The agenda included the following items:

+ Preparations for the European Council summit taking place on 23-24 October by examining its draft agenda;

+ Assessment on the implementation of the initiatives taken in the previous two years to foster growth, jobs and competitiveness in the European Union and discussion on how to acceleare the implementation;

+ Adoption of conclusions concerning the EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region;

+ Information on the outcomes of the first meeting of the 'Friends of the Presidency Group' on improving the functioning of the EU, held on 25 September;

+ Adoption of two regulations on the statute and funding of European political parties and their affiliated foundations;

+ Decision to delay the provisional application of the free trade agreement with Ukraine;

+ Decision to broaden the mandate of the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo;

+ Adoption of a directive setting out new transparency rules on social responsibility for large companies;

+ Adoption of a direction on building up minimum infrastructure for alternative fuels across the EU;

+ Adoption of a regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.