Agenda highlights

European Council

The Council will conclude preparations for the European Council on 17 and 18 December. Ministers will examine draft conclusions and the Five presidents' report on completing Europe's economic and monetary union.

Better regulation

The Council will also address the interinstitutional agreement on better regulation. The agreement was proposed by the Commission with the aim of securing a common commitment of the three institutions to improve the EU's legislative proceedings.

European Semester

The Commission will present its Annual growth survey for 2016, which launches the European Semester. This is the annual cycle of economic governance in the EU, which sets out general economic and social priorities and gives member states policy guidance for the following years.

Enlargement

The Council is also due to adopt conclusions on enlargement and the stabilisation and association process.

Programme of the Council

Ministers are expected to endorse the 18-month programme of the Council. The programme was drawn up by the incoming trio of presidencies (Netherlands, Slovakia, Malta) and it sets out the Council activities for the next 18 months (1 January 2016 - 30 June 2017).