EU Calendar

During a public debate, the Hungarian presidency will present its work programme for the six months ahead.

The Council will discuss the follow-up to the European Council of 16 and 17 December 2010. It will prepare draft conclusions for the European Council's meeting of 4 February which is devoted to energy and innovation.

Ministers will take note of the presentation of the Commission’s first annual growth survey which marks the launch of the European semester of economic policy coordination, as well as of the presidency's road map.

They will discuss the Roma issue on the basis of a roadmap drafted by the presidency. Following a presentation, they will also discuss the Danube region strategy.

The presidency will hold a briefing in the Council press room on 28 January, time tbc.

A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting.

Comprehensive information (agenda, background note, etc) will be available closer to the date of the meeting on http:/www.consilium.europa.eu/councilmeetings

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The General Affairs Council is composed of the Ministers of Foreign and/or European Affairs of the Member States. The Council meets formally once a month. The General Affairs Council prepares for meetings of the European Council. It supervises the continuity and coherence of the Council’s other configurations and is also responsible for institutional issues and horizontal dossiers, such as the multiannual financial framework and enlargement.

The General Affairs Council was established by the Treaty of Lisbon. Until 1st December 2009, it formed part of the General Affairs and External Relations Council.

Meetings bring together EU Ministers once a month. The General Affairs Council prepares and ensures the follow-up to meetings of the European Council, in liaison with the President of the European Council and the Commission. It also ensures continuity and consistency in the work of the Council’s other configurations. The General Affairs Council is also responsible for institutional and administrative issues and horizontal dossiers which affect several of the European Union’s policies, such as the multi-annual financial framework and enlargement.