European Council - General Affairs Council, 17 March 2026 Main results

 European Council

General Affairs Council, 17 March 2026

Main results

Ministers responsible for European affairs continued preparations for the March European Council meeting by discussing draft conclusions, held a policy debate on the governance aspects of the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2028-2034 and focused on the 2026 European Semester.

Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European affairs of the Republic of Cyprus

In the run-up to the European Council later this week, and against the backdrop of significant geopolitical challenges, the Cyprus presidency is stepping up its efforts to advance a more competitive Europe with a long-term EU budget that is fit for the future. We remain focused and results-oriented in working towards a stronger and more resilient Union, capable of acting autonomously while remaining open to the world.

Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European affairs of the Republic of Cyprus

Preparation of the March European Council

The Council continued preparations for the March European Council meeting by discussing draft conclusions. Leaders are expected to discuss:

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

latest developments in the Middle East

competitiveness and the single market

the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034

European defence and security

migration

multilateralism

European Council (19-20 March 2026), annotated draft agenda 

Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)

In a public session, the Council held a policy debate on the next MFF 2028-2034 with a focus on governance aspects. The MFF is the EU’s long-term budget, covering a period of seven years.

Since the presentation of the Commission proposals in July and September 2025, work has continued within the Council at both political and technical level with a view to achieving a unanimous agreement between member states by the end of 2026. The Commission’s proposals put forward a more streamlined structure than that seen in previous frameworks, with a reduced number of headings and programmes. The proposed structure also foresees enhanced flexibility within and between MFF programmes through mechanisms such as reprogramming possibilities, financial buffers, special instruments and increased unallocated margins.

A debate on governance was therefore especially timely given that member states seem to currently agree on the need for flexibility in the next MFF, while ensuring adequate predictability for long-term investments. During the discussion, and based on a presidency steering note, ministers exchanged views on the governance arrangements pertaining to the three main funds under the next MFF – namely, the National and Regional Partnership Plans, the European competitiveness fund, and the Global Europe instrument.

Separately, ministers held an exchange of views on the next MFF with members of the European Parliament over an informal lunch in the margins of the Council.

Multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2028-2034: governance aspects, Presidency steering note, 9 March 2026 

General Affairs Council meeting, 16 December 2025

General Affairs Council meeting, 17 November 2025

General Affairs Council meeting, 21 October 2025

The 2028-2034 EU budget for a stronger Europe, Commission background information, September 2025 

A dynamic EU Budget for the priorities of the future - The Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, Commission communication, 16 July 2025 

Questions and answers on the next long-term budget, Commission background information, 16 July 2025 

EU budget 2028-2034, Commission factsheets, 16 July 2025 

The EU long-term budget (background information)

European Semester

Ministers held an exchange of views on a synthesis report on Council contributions on the 2026 European Semester and the presidency presented an updated roadmap. The Council also agreed to forward a draft recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area to the European Council for endorsement.

European Semester 2026 - Synthesis report, 6 March 2026 

Draft Council recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area 2026 

Explanatory note to the draft Council recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area 2026 

European Semester 2026 – Revised Roadmap 

European Semester in 2026 (timeline)

The European Semester explained (background information)

Other points

The French delegation raised the importance of the new own resources in the next MFF, whereas the Spanish delegation informed the Council about a pilot project on the digital age verification system.

During consecutive informal meetings over breakfast, ministers held an exchange of views on reform and integration efforts, took stock of the results achieved so farand shared reflections on the next steps with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Taras Kachka, and the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister, Cristina Gherasimov.

Finally, the Council agreed, without discussion, on a decision amending the European electoral act concerning the election of Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage. The amendment introduces the possibility of proxy voting in plenary sessions of the European Parliament, supporting work–life balance and promoting gender equality by enabling members to fully exercise their mandates in the periods immediately before and after childbirth.

European electoral act: Council agrees to allow proxy voting for MEPs during pregnancy and after giving birth (press release, 17 March 2026)

Proposal for a Council decision amending the European Electoral Act, European