The Council to discuss preparations for the October European Council and EU enlargement

Press Release 308/2010
20 October 2010

The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Monday, 25 October. The Council will prepare the European Council meeting, to take place on 28-29 October, and discuss a request for an opinion on Serbia’s EU membership application. Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors and Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb will represent Finland at the meeting. Mr Stubb will handle questions relating to enlargement.

The final report of the Task Force on economic governance is likely to be the main theme of the October European Council meeting. Other topics will include preparations for the summits between the EU and the USA, Russia and Ukraine plus the Union’s objectives in these meetings. The European Council will also discuss preparations for the G20 Summit and climate issues.

The Foreign Ministers will discuss the Council’s possible decision to ask the European Commission for their opinion on Serbia’s EU membership application. Finland supports the procedure. Serbia submitted its application to the EU in December 2009.

Inquiries: Anna Bruun, Adviser to the Minister of European Affairs, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 22052 and Päivi Pohjanheimo, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5332 or +358 40 511 3786