On the basis of a revised negotiating box prepared by the Cyprus presidency, the Council discussed the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2014-2020 period. With regard to the overall expenditure ceiling, some member states welcomed the presidency intention to reduce the figures proposed by the Commission and insisted on the need of better spending. Others defended the Commission proposal, arguing that the MFF was the major investment tool for promoting growth and creating jobs. They also expressed their willingness to reach agreement at a special European Council scheduled for 22-23 November.

The Council discussed the Cyprus presidency paper on the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2014-2020 period prepared for negotiations. Ministers welcomed the work undertaken by the Cyprus presidency and expressed their willingness to reach agreement at a special European Council scheduled for 22-23 November. In July 2012, the Cyprus presidency already expressed its intention to reach an agreement on the EU's multiannual financial framework by the end of 2012. Ministers expressed comments on many different issues, such as the overall expenditure ceiling, expenditure ceilings for individual headings, or the allocation of cohesion policy funds.

On expenditure ceilings for individual headings, some delegations insisted that cuts should be made in all individual headings, whilst some opposed any reductions in cohesion policy. With regard to the allocation of cohesion policy funds, some member states deplored the removal from the negotiating box of the "reverse safety net", aimed at limiting the scope of support to a member state compared to a certain percentage of its level during the 2007-2013 period.

In the agriculture issue, some member states opposed the reduction of the EU average of direct aids per hectare. Others supported it if this contributed to a higher convergence of direct aids between member states, or subject to exceptional provisions for member states. Moreover, some member states insisted that the "past performance principle" for the distribution of EU support should be understood as the share of funds allocated to a member state for the entire 2007-2013 period, rather than only for the year 2013 as intended by the Commission. The General Affairs Council will again meet twice before the November European Council, on 16 October in Luxembourg and 20 November in Brussels. The objective is to reach agreement on the MFF package at the special European Council on 22-23 November.