State Secretary for Europe Andreja Metelko-Zgombić attends GAC

State Secretary for Europe Andreja Metelko-Zgombić participated in the meeting of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 16 December 2025. The agenda included preparations for the European Council meeting of 18-19 December, conclusions on enlargement, a discussion on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028-2034, a debate on the simplification and implementation of European legislation, approval of the Joint Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2026, and the presentation of the European Semester plan for 2026.

The Council completed preparations for the European Council meeting of 18-19 December, at which leaders will discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, European defence and security, the future MFF, enlargement and reforms, migration, as well as geoeconomics and competitiveness. Metelko-Zgombić underlined the importance of continued strong EU support for Ukraine, in particular the adoption of a decision on financing for Ukraine. She stressed the importance of Ukraine's equal participation in all phases of the negotiating process, alongside the EU. On migration, she welcomed the progress achieved through the adoption of the general approach on returns, the common EU list of safe countries of origin and the concept of safe third countries, assessing this as an important step in further work on cooperation with third countries through existing and new partnerships. In this context, she highlighted the importance of the Mediterranean Pact as a key new framework for creating a more connected and secure Mediterranean area, as well as for establishing mutually beneficial strategic partnerships, from the Southern Neighbourhood to the Gulf countries.

The Council reviewed progress in the enlargement process and, due to the absence of unanimity, the Danish Presidency prepared Presidency Conclusions on enlargement, which received political support from 26 Member States. The state secretary welcomed the text of the Danish Presidency conclusions, which underline the importance of good neighbourly relations and the resolution of all issues related to the past, including the implementation of the Agreement on Succession Issues of the former SFRY. Bosnia and Herzegovina is called upon to implement, as soon as possible, limited constitutional and electoral reforms to eliminate all forms of discrimination and inequality, referring to the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that have yet to be implemented. With reference to the upcoming elections in 2026, the importance is stressed of refraining from actions that could complicate or prevent the implementation of these decisions, as well as of ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

In preparation for the leaders' discussion on the future MFF, an exchange of views was held on the first draft of the so-called negotiating box prepared by the Danish Presidency. The state secretary particularly emphasized the importance of ensuring strong and visible Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as fundamental EU policies, highlighting in particular the need to establish a robust sectoral legislative framework for the CAP. With regard to the proposed European Competitiveness Fund, she stressed the importance of ensuring the principle of geographical balance in order to guarantee equal access for all regions and companies that meet the principle of excellence. She also underlined the importance of ensuring predictability of pre-accession assistance within the proposed Global Europe instrument.

In the context of work on simplifying EU legislation, the European Commission presented the 2025 Annual Consolidated Report on simplification, implementation and enforcement, as well as the Annual Progress Reports on simplification, implementation and enforcement. The state secretary supported the ongoing efforts to simplify EU legislation with a view to strengthening European competitiveness and creating a more favourable business environment, while at the same time preserving a high level of consumer, environmental and workers' rights protection.

As part of legislative programming for 2026, the Council approved the Joint Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2026, which will be signed by the Presidents of the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Parliament on the margins of the upcoming European Council meeting. The state secretary welcomed the emphasis on security and defence, migration and border management, strengthening competitiveness and energy security, and expressed satisfaction that the importance of Cohesion Policy and European agriculture, as well as affordable housing, has been recognised.

The current Danish Presidency and the incoming Cypriot Presidency presented the plan and key steps within the framework of the European Semester cycle for 2026.

On the margins of the Council, the 24th Intergovernmental Conference on the accession of Montenegro was held. The state secretary welcomed the provisional closure of five chapters (right of establishment and freedom to provide services, free movement of capital, company law, agriculture and rural development, and fisheries), calling for continued commitment to the European path and the fulfilment of the established criteria, while offering further support and expert assistance from Croatia.

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