Press Release: General Affairs Council, Brussels, 18 March 2014

Main results of the Council:

The Council prepared the spring European Council on 20-21 March and held an exchange of views with European Council president, Herman Van Rompuy. The main focus, a part from discussions on Ukraine, will be on the economy, including growth, competitiveness and jobs. The issues of industrial competitiveness as well as climate and energy will also feature on the top of the agenda.

"These are a key priorities for the Greek presidency and for all European societies at this time", said Evangelos Venizelos, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, following the Council.

The Council established the European voluntary humanitarian aid corps. This initiative provided for in the Lisbon Treaty will provide thorough training to volunteers and place them in humanitarian organisations, based on the needs of beneficiaries.

The Council held a first discussion on the Commission communication establishing a framework for addressing systemic threats to the rule of law in the 28 member states.

ESO: Background information: European voluntary humanitarian aid corps established http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-voluntary-humanitarian-aid-corps-established/

ESO: Background information: A new EU Framework to safeguard the rule of law in the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-a-new-eu-framework-to-safeguard-the-rule-of-law-in-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Trade Defence Instruments: European Commission welcomes EU industry's agreement with China in the polysilicon anti-dumping and anti-subsidy cases http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-trade-defence-instruments-european-commission-welcomes-eu-industrys-agreement-with-china-in-the-polysilicon-anti-dumping-and-anti-subsidy-cases/

ESO: Background information: Innovation investment package: private and public partnerships for research and innovation http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-innovation-investment-package-private-and-public-partnerships-for-research-and-innovation/

ESO: Background information: Invitation letter by President Herman Van Rompuy to the European Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-invitation-letter-by-president-herman-van-rompuy-to-the-european-council-2/

ESO: Background information: EU and Myanmar/Burma to negotiate an investment protection agreement http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-and-myanmar-burma-to-negotiate-an-investment-protection-agreement/

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