Press Release: General Affairs Council, Brussels, 17 December 2013

Main results of the Council:

The Council discussed enlargement and the stabilisation and association process. "Enlargement remains a key policy of our Union" said Linas Linkevičius, the President of the Council after the meeting.

In this context, the Council adopted the General EU position on accession negotiations with Serbia, including the negotiating framework, and agreed for the first intergovernmental conference with Serbia to take place in January 2014. "This means de facto that we started accession negotiations", commented Minister Linkevičius at a press conference following the Council.

In the light of encouraging progress made by Albania, the Council also looked forward to a decision regarding granting candidate status to Albania in June 2014, subject to endorsement by the European Council.

In its preparations for the European Council meeting on 19-20 December, the Council had an exchange of views on the basis of draft conclusions and a discussion with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

ESO: Background information: Council Conclusions on the EEAS Review. General Affairs Council, Brussels, 17 December 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-conclusions-on-the-eeas-review-general-affairs-council-brussels-17-december-2013/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-enlargement-and-stabilisation-and-association-process/

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