Press Release: General Affairs Council, Brussels, 25 June 2013

Main results of the Council:

The Council agreed to recommend to the European Council to open accession negotiations with Serbia. The Council also agreed in principle on draft Council decisions authorising the opening of negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) between the European Union and Kosovo, to be adopted on 28 June 2013, following the necessary procedures.

The Council also agreed to open chapter 22 on regional policy with Turkey and underscored that the intergovernmental conference will take place after the presentation of the Commissions annual progress report.

In its preparations for the European Council meeting on 27-28 June, the Council held a videoconference with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and had an exchange of views on the basis of draft conclusions.

The Council took note of the state of play as regards an initiative for a new and more effective mechanism to safeguard fundamental values in member states.

The Council took note of the state of play in the discussions between the Irish presidency and representatives of the European Parliament and of the Commission on the EU's multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020.

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 25.06.13: Outcome of proceedings on Turkey http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/137597.pdf

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy joint communication on the Cybersecurity Strategy of the European Union: An Open, Safe and Secure Cyberspace http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-commission-and-the-high-representative-of-the-european-union-for-foreign-affairs-and-security-policy-joint-communication-on-the-cybersecurity-strategy-of-the/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the Integrated Maritime Policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-integrated-maritime-policy/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 25.06.13: The Overarching Post 2015 Agenda - Council conclusions http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/137606.pdf

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