The Council held a discussion on the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2014-2020 period in which it was discussed the first elements of the negotiating box outlining the most central issues and options for certain parts of the MFF. On the other hand, the Danish Presidency of the EU Council expressed its intention to establish the basis for a substantive discussion by the European Council in June, so as to enable the MFF to be adopted by the end of the year.

The latest meeting of the General Affairs Council held a debate on the first elements of the negotiating box outlining the most central issues and options for certain parts of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2014-2020. Among other things, the negotiating box included topics as smart and inclusive growth as well as some horizontal issues, in particular the question whether some instruments should be put inside or outside the MFF. The European Parliament has already stressed the need to increase the budget for the 2014-2020.

During the debate, all delegations agreed that excellence should be a core criterion in research and development financing. However, some consider the need for a balanced access to funding for all Member States. In addition, many delegations stressed the importance of EU action in the area of asylum and migration, emphasised enlargement and neighbourhood policy as priority areas.

Furthermore, many delegations raised the need to consolidate administrative expenditure while some underlined the need for the European civil service to remain efficient. With regard to the question whether some instruments should be placed inside or outside the MFF, some Member States highlighted that all instruments should be put inside the MFF for the sake of transparency. However, others considered that all instruments should be put outside the MFF, as proposed by the Commission.