EU Council Conclusions on General Affairs

* The 2870th meeting on External Relations is the subject of a separate press release (9868/08).

Main results of the Council
The Council approved negotiating directives for a new comprehensive framework agreement with Russia.

The negotiations will aim to conclude an agreement to replace the current partnership and cooperation agreement, including a broader range of areas for cooperation and enabling the future development of bilateral relations in various sectors.

CONTENTS: ITEMS DEBATED

PREPARATION OF THE JUNE MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

EXTERNAL RELATIONS
- EU-Russia relations - Negotiating directives for a new agreement
- EU special representative for Afghanistan - Extension of mandate
- Annual report on common foreign and security policy
- EU/Switzerland - Agreement on the free movement of persons - EU enlargement
- Agreements with Georgia and Armenia - EU enlargement

EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY
- Single progress report on EU military capabilities
- European security and defence policy annual report on training
- EU exercise programme for the 2009-2013 period

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
- United Nations conference on trade and development
- Commodities

TRADE POLICY
- Ukraine - Steel products

GENERAL AFFAIRS
- Proceedings in the Council's different configurations

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
- Recovery of claims on certain levies, duties and taxes

BUDGET
- Surplus resulting from implementation of the 2007 budget

FISHERIES
- EU/Seychelles partnership agreement

AGRICULTURE
- Community tobacco fund
- Scrutiny of transactions by the guarantee fund

For details, download the complete General Affairs Council Conclusions.

| Arriba |

• EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner in Russia for bilateral talks  (3/6/2008)
• EU Council Conclusions on External Relations  (27/5/2008)
• Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on closure of the regional offices of the British Council in Russian Federation (18/1/2008)
• EU Presidency Explanation of Vote- United Nations Second Committee: Resolution on International Trade and Development (7/12/2007)
• EU Statement - United Nations 2nd Committee: Macroeconomic Policy Questions/Trade and Development (26/10/2007)
• EU-Russia Summit, Samara, Russia, 17-18 May 2007 (16/5/2007)