EU General Affairs Council Conclusions on EU diplomatic service and more

Main results of the Council

The Council adopted a decision establishing the European External Action Service and setting out its organisation and functioning.

One of the most significant changes introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, the EEAS will assist High Representative Catherine Ashton in fulfilling her mandate. It is aimed at making the EU's external action more coherent and efficient, thereby increasing the EU's influence in the world.

The Council also approved a framework for negotiations with Iceland on its accession to the EU, with a view to the opening of the negotiations on 27 July.

CONTENTS: ITEMS DEBATED

PRESIDENCY PROGRAMME

ENLARGEMENT
Preparation for the ministerial accession conference with Iceland - Council conclusions

FOLLOW-UP TO THE JUNE EUROPEAN COUNCIL

PREPARATION OF THE SEPTEMBER EUROPEAN COUNCIL

EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE

OTHER BUSINESS
Use of information technologies in the Council
Situation of the Roma

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
- Statistical data - Excessive deficit procedure

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
- Euro-Mediterranean agreements - Originating status
- Euro-Mediterranean ministerial conference on employment and labour
- Weapons of mass destruction - Implementation of EU strategy

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
- Frontex - Switzerland and Liechtenstein
- European Police College - Croatia, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs - Croatia
- Cross-border cooperation against terrorism - Iceland and Norway
- Deputy director of Europol

BUDGETS
- Body of European regulators for electronic communications - Draft amending budget

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
- Mechanisms for reducing economic and social disparities

ENERGY
- Convention on nuclear safety
- Electricity - Access to the network for cross-border exchanges

SOCIAL POLICY
- Coordination of social security

ENVIRONMENT
- Greenhouse gas emissions registries
- Protocol on heavy metals
- Trade in endangered species

TRANSPORT
- Transport of dangerous goods

FISHERIES
- Cod, redfish and bluefin tuna - Fishing opportunities
- Anchovy - Fishing opportunities in the Bay of Biscay

AUDIOVISUAL POLICY
- Participation of Switzerland in "Media 2007" programme

TRANSPARENCY
- Accès du public aux documents

Download the complete General Affairs Council Conclusions.

| Arriba |

• EU diplomatic service: EU Parliament requests accountability and balanced recruitment  (20/10/2010)
• Remarks by EU HR Ashton on the European External Action Service (19/10/2010)
• EU Enlargement: EU opens accession negotiations with Iceland (27/7/2010)
• EU Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions on sanctions against Iran, Sudan, Middle East, and more (26/7/2010)
• EU Council establishes European External Action Service (26/7/2010)
• EU diplomatic service: Parliament gives go-ahead to Madrid deal (8/7/2010)
• Statement HR Ashton following EU Parliament vote on European External Action Service (8/7/2010)
• EU Parliament backs Iceland's EU membership bid (7/7/2010)