12 September 2011

First exchange of views at a formal General Affairs Council meeting

The presidency informed the Council of progress in technical discussions on the duration, structure and flexibility of the EU's next multiannual financial framework (MFF).

All delegations agreed with the proposed seven-year duration (2014-2020), which in their view strikes the right balance between stability and predictability in EU expenditure.

Ministers in general also welcomed the proposed structure of the next MFF.

Read more

• Press release
• First Council discussion on the EU's budget planning (article)
• Backround note
• Agenda

Document for the discussion

• Fiche on the technical clarifications brought in the Friends of the Presidency 
  group
• Questionnaire on duration, structure and flexibility