EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, Cohesion Policy, Common Agriculture Policy
- Initial discussions on the European Commission’s proposal on the next EU budget after 2013.
- Initial discussions on the European Commission’s proposal on EU own resources.
- Further discussions on the future of the Cohesion Policy after 2013, ensuring that the cohesion support is preserved at least at the current level (2007-2013) to reduce disparities at EU level.
- Further discussions on the Common Agriculture Policy after 2013. The need to ensure competitive direct payments for farmers in all EU member states, as well as the distribution of the rural development policy funding.
Sustainable Economic Growth and Financial Stability
- Implementation of National Reform Programme and Convergence Programme (work on measures to overcome macro-structural bottlenecks and to reach the “EU 2020” Strategy objectives); implementation of the Council recommendation.
- Strengthening of the EU Single Market. Reaching the goals of the Single Market Act and successful implementation of its initiatives, including access to finance for SMEs, service market, digital single market, resolution of cross-border consumer complaints, etc.
- Continuation of the financial sector reform (review of the financial services regulation, work on the new Crisis Management Framework, strengthening of the capital and liquidity requirements as well as transparency and consumer protection).
- Discussions on tax policy issues, including tax policy coordination and financial sector taxation.
Energy and Transport Policy
- Development of the common EU energy market, including implementation of the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan and regional Baltic LNG project to integrate isolated “energy islands”.
- Implementation of the priorities set in the European Energy Strategy and the Energy Infrastructure Plan; financing of EU energy and transport infrastructure.
- EU external energy policy.
EU External Relations Agenda
Eastern Partners and Central Asia
- Second Eastern Partnership Summit.
- Finalising negotiations with Ukraine on a new Association Agreement, including the free trade area aspects. Implementation of Action Plan on visa liberalisation.
- Further negotiations with Moldova on political part of a new Association Agreement; starting negotiations on free trade area. Implementation of Action Plan on visa liberalisation.
- Further negotiations on Association Agreements with Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Starting negotiations with Georgia on free trade area with the EU. Starting visa facilitation dialogue with Armenia and Azerbaijan.
- Support to democratic processes and civil society in Belarus. Starting visa facilitation dialogue.
- Development of EU policy in Central Asia in accordance with the current situation. Dialogue with Central Asia within the framework of the EU Strategy for Central Asia and on the basis of the Council Progress Report.
Transatlantic Relationship
- EU - US cooperation in issues of mutual interest (i.a. Iran, Afghanistan, Middle East) and within various international frameworks.
- EU- US cooperation in Eastern Partnership region.
- Strengthening EU-US economic relations within the frameworks of Transatlantic Economic Council and Energy Council.
- EU - US cooperation to facilitate the development of global economy.
EU – Russia Relations
- Negotiations on a new EU-Russia Agreement.
- Russia’s accession to the WTO.
- Further work on the Partnership for Modernisation.
- Discussion within the visa dialogue on a list of common steps in view of visa-free travel as a long term goal.
EU Enlargement and Western Balkans
- Continuation of the EU enlargement and the EU integration process with candidate and potential candidate countries in accordance with each country’s progress in meeting the set criteria.
- Signing the Accession Treaty with Croatia.
Common Security and Defence Policy
- Discussion on the implementation of the new CSDP instruments provided by the Treaty of Lisbon.
- Implementation of Weimar initiative, including continuous improvement of the EU-NATO strategic cooperation in operations and capability development, promoting non-duplication of tasks and informal political dialogue; more efficient use of Battle groups; pooling and sharing of national capabilities for the development of the EU civilian and military capabilities.
- Continued EU involvement in Georgia, Afghanistan and Kosovo; coordination of activities with other international players.
- Strengthening EU role in unresolved conflict prevention in Europe.
Development Policy
- Discussions about Commission’s Communication on EU development policy modernization – support of inclusive growth and sustainable development.
- Improving EU aid effectiveness: common EU position for IV High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, South Korea.
- Increasing the role of new donors in the EU development policy.