EU General Affairs Council
The General Affairs Council is a configuration of the Council of the European Union, composed of ministers from each EU member state — typically the ministers for foreign or European affairs. It coordinates the Union's general affairs, prepares European Council summits and oversees institutional and enlargement matters, including the accession negotiations with candidate countries. Its meetings are chaired by the minister from the member state holding the rotating presidency of the Council.
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EU enlargement commissioner outlines three priorities for preparing bloc for new members
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said on 13 October that the European Union must prepare internally for new members, naming stronger democratic safeguards, more flexible decision-making, and gradual integration of candidate countries before accession as the three priorities. She said candidate countries will join the work of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience before membership, and called for transitional mechanisms to protect European farmers as Ukraine's agriculture integrates into the EU common market.