Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Ministers responsible for European affairs concluded their preparations for the European Council meeting scheduled for December 18 and 19, 2025, by discussing the draft final declaration. The Council discussed the new Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2034 and reviewed progress made in the enlargement of the European Union. According to a European statement, "The Commission presented its reports on simplification, implementation, and enforcement for 2026, and ministers exchanged views. The Council adopted the Joint Declaration on the EU's Legislative Priorities for 2026. The Danish Presidency and the incoming Cypriot Presidency presented the European Term 2026 roadmap." The statement quoted Marie-Pierre, Denmark's Minister for European Affairs, as saying: "During the Danish Presidency, we made significant progress in establishing a simple, flexible, and effective Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034. We also advanced the EU's simplification agenda to enhance its competitiveness and make life easier for businesses and citizens. We made progress on the enlargement agenda, particularly with Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro. Unfortunately, the Council's conclusions could not be adopted due to the objection of one Member State. However, 26 Member States sent a clear and strong message about the best path forward for all countries aspiring to join. We now hand the torch to the Cypriot Presidency to continue this work within the framework of..." Our joint efforts to effectively address the major geopolitical challenges currently facing the European Union.

The Council continued its preparations for the European Council meeting scheduled for December 2025 by discussing the draft conclusions. Leaders are expected to discuss the following topics:
Ukraine
Middle East
European Defence and Security
The next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
Enlargement and Reforms
Migration
Geopolitical Economy and Competitiveness
MFF 2028-2034
The Council held its fourth political discussion on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034.

The exchange of views focused on the first negotiating item. This document, prepared under the responsibility of the Danish Presidency, aims to identify the elements that should be taken into political consideration and facilitate their discussion by EU leaders (without specifying numbers) before the European Council meeting in December 2025. These elements should also form the basis for future negotiations between Member States at the technical level.

The Council took note of the progress reports on the MFF and the draft constitutive regulation. The European Competitiveness Fund, the draft regulation on national and regional partnership schemes, and the draft regulation establishing the Global Europe instrument were discussed.

Ministers exchanged views on EU enlargement policy. The Council reviewed progress in the enlargement process, and the Presidency issued politically supported conclusions from the 26 Member States, outlining policy priorities, assessing the situation in each EU partner, and setting guidelines for further reforms.

Ministers exchanged views on EU enlargement policy. The Council reviewed progress in the enlargement process, and the Presidency issued politically supported conclusions from the 26 Member States, outlining policy priorities, assessing the situation in each EU partner, and setting guidelines for further reforms.

Following the discussions of the General Affairs Council held on 17 November 2025, the Council adopted a joint declaration on the EU legislative priorities for 2026, accompanied by a list of priority proposals. The Presidents of the three institutions (Council of the European Union, European Parliament, and European Commission) will be invited to sign this joint declaration. On the sidelines of the upcoming European Council meeting.

The Commission presented its annual report on simplification, implementation, and enforcement, as well as annual progress reports on simplification, implementation, and enforcement in relation to enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood, and in the area of ​​cohesion and reforms. Ministers exchanged views on these reports.

The Danish Presidency and the incoming Cypriot Presidency presented the European Term 2026 roadmap. The roadmap is divided into two phases: the first covers in detail the period up to the European Council meeting in March, and the second, more comprehensive phase covers the period between the European Council meetings in March and June 2025. This year’s European Term cycle began on November 25, when the Commission presented its Autumn Package, calling on Member States to take action to strengthen competitiveness, productivity, and innovation in Europe.

Ministers discussed the contribution of cohesion policy to the EU’s strategic priorities.

The Council also adopted, without discussion, a decision authorizing the Commission to begin negotiations with the United States on a framework agreement for the mutual exchange of information for security and identity verification purposes in relation to border procedures and visa applications. This framework agreement, once negotiated, will constitute The legal framework for bilateral negotiations between Member States and the United States on information-sharing agreements.

These agreements are concluded at the EU level and at the national level within the context of the United States' efforts to establish "enhanced border security partnerships" with countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Program.

Regarding accountability, the Council adopted a decision on the signing of the agreement establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. This commission is an administrative body that reviews, assesses, and decides on claims for compensation for damages, losses, and injuries resulting from internationally wrongful acts committed by the Russian Federation in or against Ukraine since the start of the war.