European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
Suzana Anghel
Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders on 12-13 December 2019
At the meeting of EU Heads of State or Government in December 2019, the first to be presided over by Charles Michel, EU leaders will meet in three different formats: a regular European Council, a European Council (Article 50) meeting, and an inclusive Euro Summit. Continue reading
Outcome of the European Council of 17-18 October 2019
After endorsing the revised UK withdrawal agreement, and approving a revised political declaration, in the European Council (Article 50) format, EU Heads of State or Government had to tackle a range of divisive issues at their 17-18 October meeting, including the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, enlargement, climate change and Turkey. Continue reading
Origins of the 2019-24 EU Strategic Agenda: The Future of Europe debate and the Sibiu European Council
The Sibiu Summit of 9 May 2019 and the subsequent adoption of the 2019-24 Strategic Agenda on 20 June 2019 constitute the end of the Future of Europe debate (at least in its current iteration), which was initiated following the June 2016 UK referendum on EU membership. Continue reading
Outcome of the European Council and Euro Summit, 20-21 June 2019
At their most recent meeting, EU Heads of State or Government postponed decisions on nominating a set of high-level EU appointments, including the position of President of the European Commission. Continue reading
Outlook for the European Council and Euro Summit meetings, 20-21 June 2019
The June 2019 European Council meeting, the last regular one in the current institutional cycle, has a full agenda. First, EU leaders will discuss, and potentially agree on, high-level appointments to EU institutions. Continue reading
Outcome of the informal dinner of Heads of State or Government on 28 May 2019
EU leaders met to consider the outcome of the European Parliament elections, and to start the appointment process to high-level EU positions ahead of the June 2019 European Council. They discussed the principles that would guide their action, and mandated the European Council President, Donald Tusk, to begin consultations with the Parliament. Continue reading
Outcome of the meetings of EU Heads of State or Government, 13-14 December 2018
The meetings of EU Heads of State or Government that took place on 13-14 December 2018 dealt with a more extensive agenda than originally planned. Continue reading
Outcome of the meetings of EU Heads of State or Government, 17-18 October 2018
Although Brexit was the most anticipated point on the agenda, the European Council (Article 50) meeting of 17 October 2018 did not make any significant progress towards finalising a withdrawal agreement; nor did it decide to hold a special meeting on Brexit in November. Continue reading
Outlook for the meetings of EU Heads of State or Government, 17-18 October 2018
As has become the norm with European Council meetings, EU Heads of State or Government will convene on 17 and 18 October 2018 in different formats with varying compositions and levels of formality: a regular meeting of the European Council, and an enlarged Euro Summit of 27 Member States on 18 October, preceded by a European Council (Article 50) meeting on the 17 October over dinner. Continue reading
Outcome of the meetings of EU leaders on 28-29 June 2018
High expectations had built up before the June European Council meeting, in particular on migration. Prior to the meeting, the European Council President, Donald Tusk, had said that ‘the stakes are very high. And time is short. Continue reading
Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders, 28-29 June 2018
Expectations are high for the meetings of EU Heads of State or Government on 28 and 29 June 2018, as important decisions are required on several policy topics, including the reform of the euro area and the revision of the Dublin Regulation. Whether concrete results will emerge from this meeting on any, or all, of the controversial topics remains to be seen. Continue reading
Outcome of European Council meeting of 22-23 June 2017
Written by Ralf Drachenberg and Suzana Anghel, The main results of the European Council meeting of 22-23 June 2017 include the ‘historic step’ of agreeing to set up ‘permanent structured cooperation’ in European defence, the commitment to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change in all its aspects, and the extension of sanctions against Russia. … Continue reading
Outlook for the European Council meeting on 22-23 June 2017 and the European Council (Article 50) meeting on 22 June 2017
Written by Susanna Tenhunen and Suzana Anghel, At their meeting on 22-23 June 2017, EU leaders will focus on internal security, including, most probably, the fight against terrorism, as well as external security, when they will assess progress made in European defence cooperation. They will also review progress on deepening and modernising the Single Market, … Continue reading
Outcome of European Council meeting of 9 March 2017 and of informal meeting of the EU27 of 10 March 2017
Written by Suzana Anghel and Ralf Drachenberg, After re-electing Donald Tusk as its President, the European Council meeting of 9 March 2017 discussed the economic situation in Europe, progress on measures regarding migration, internal and external security, and external relations. In his first speech to the European Council, the recently- elected President of the European … Continue reading
Outcome of the European Council of 15 December 2016
Written by Ralf Drachenberg and Suzana Anghel, As flagged up in the EPRS Outlook for the European Council on 15 December 2016, this European Council meeting concentrated on migration and internal and external security, as well as economic and social development. As events unfolded, EU leaders discussed external relations at greater length, in particular Syria, and … Continue reading
The European Council and EU efforts to strengthen the partnership with the United Nations on crisis management
Written by Suzana Elena Anghel, In June 2016, the European Council ‘welcomed’ the presentation of the Global Strategy for the European Union. One element in the strategy is the recognition of the United Nations’ central role in maintaining international stability, and a call for an integrated EU approach to conflicts and crises. It is thus … Continue reading
Outcome of the European Council of 20-21 October 2016
Written by Ralf Drachenberg and Suzana Anghel, Migration was the main topic at the European Council of 20-21 October 2016, and featured most prominently in its conclusions. Other topics discussed were global and economic issues, external relations and trade issues, in particular the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada. This was the first formal … Continue reading
Outcome of the European Council of 28 June 2016 and the informal meeting of 27 Heads of State or Government on 29 June 2016
Written by Joséphine Vanden Broucke, Ralf Drachenberg, Susanna Tenhunen and Suzana Anghel, The 28 June 2016 European Council was described by its President, Donald Tusk, as ‘very much a British European Council’. The result of the UK referendum held on 23 June 2016 – in which 51.9% of the 71.8% of the electorate who voted opted … Continue reading
Outlook for the European Council of 28-29 June 2016
Written by Ralf Drachenberg, Susanna Tenhunen and Suzana Anghel, The European Council meeting to be held on 28-29 June 2016 will discuss the outcome of the UK referendum held on 23 June 2016, where 51.9 per cent of those voting opted for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. As a consequence, the other agenda items … Continue reading
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