Minister Stubb to the General Affairs Council: preparatory work on the EU financial framework and the October European Council

Press Release 250/2011
8.9.2011

The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Monday, 12 September. Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb will represent Finland at the meeting. The meeting will focus on the proposal for the EU financial framework and on preparatory work for the October European Council.

The European Commission submitted a proposal for the new framework (2012-20) in June. The General Affairs Council will be briefed on the state of the framework preparations and discuss the issue over lunch. The Commission is to issue the actual legislative proposals concerning the financial framework and various policy sectors by the end of the year.

The General Affairs Council will discuss the forthcoming European Council meeting. The main theme of the meeting, to take place on 17-18 October, will be competitiveness. The European Council is to discuss the external aspects of the Union's economic policy, prepare for the top level summits to be held in autumn 2011 (including G20) and possibly also discuss current economic issues.

Inquiries: Satu Keskinen, Adviser to the Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 9 1602 2451 or +358 40 508 6722, Antti Timonen, Press Attaché, tel. +358 40 590 7321.