European Council, Brussels 18-19 February 2016

Agenda highlights

The European Council will focus on two main issues:

+ United Kingdom
Following the discussion at the December 2015 European Council on the UK plans for an (in/out) referendum, the European Council should agree on mutually satisfactory solutions in four areas of concern:

+ competitiveness
+ economic governance
+ sovereignty
+ social security

On 2 February 2016, President Donald Tusk put forward a proposal for a new settlement addressing all these concerns. This should serve as a basis to negotiate a compromise with all 28 member states.

+ Migration
The European Council will take stock of the implementation of its decisions taken in response to the migration and refugee crisis.
The European Council began with a statement condemning the terrorist attack in Ankara on the 17 February 2016. EU leaders extended their deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and expressed their solidarity with the people of Turkey.

Discussions at the European Council were dominated by the deal with the UK and the ongoing migration and refugee crisis.

A new settlement for the United Kingdom in the EU
Following intense negotiations, EU leaders achieved a deal which strengthens Britain's special status in the EU. It is a legally binding and irreversible decision by all 28 leaders. The settlement addresses all of Prime Minister Cameron's concerns without compromising EU fundamental values. [See related url hyperlink 'A new settlement for the United Kingdom in the EU' for full information].

Migration
EU leaders adopted conclusions on the migration and refugee crisis. The debate focused on the latest developments since leaders last met in December 2015 but also on the necessity to build a European consensus on migration.

The European Council also confirmed their intention to organise a special meeting with Turkey at the beginning of March 2016.

The discussion on migration issues focused on:
+ progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Action Plan but also the need to see a substantial and sustainable reduction of the number of illegal entries from Turkey
+ humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees, including in the Western Balkans countries
+ external border management
+ the need to gradually get back to a situation where all Members of the Schengen area fully apply the Schengen Borders Code
+ the requirement for hotspots to be fully functional
+ the implementation of decisions on relocation, returns and readmission

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Letter by President Donald Tusk to the Members of the European Council on his proposal for a new settlement for the United Kingdom within the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-letter-by-president-donald-tusk-to-the-members-of-the-european-council-on-his-proposal-for-a-new-settlement-for-the-united-kingdom-within-the-european-union/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

EP: EPRS: Briefing, February 2016: Outlook for the European Council of 18-19 February 2016 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/573284/EPRS_BRI(2016)573284_EN.pdf

ESO: Background information: Prime Minister’s speech with Chancellor Merkel in Hamburg: 12 February 2016 / PM meeting with President Hollande in Paris: 15 February 2016 / PM meetings with MEPs in Brussels: 16 February 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-prime-ministers-speech-with-chancellor-merkel-in-hamburg-12-february-2016-pm-meeting-with-president-hollande-in-paris-15-february-2016-pm-meetings-with-meps-in-brussels-16-febr/

ESO: Background information: Visegrad group calls migration mini-summit, seeks plan B http://www.europeansources.info/record/visegrad-group-calls-migration-mini-summit-seeks-plan-b/

EurActiv, 18-19.02.16: EU summit live: Refugee crisis and Brexit on leaders’ plate http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-summit-live-coverage-refugee-crisis-and-brexit-on-the-plate/

The Guardian, 18-19.02.16: Live: Reports from the European Council summit http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/feb/18/david-cameron-heads-for-summit-amid-widening-eu-rifts-live-updates

European Council: Press Release, 17.02.16: Invitation letter by President Donald Tusk to the members of the European Council http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/02/17-tusk-euco-invitation-letter/

European Council: Statement, 18.02.16: Remarks by President Donald Tusk following the first session of the European Council meeting http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/02/18-tusk-remarks-first-press-conference/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 18.02.16: Schulz: 'If we Europeans part ways we should make no mistake about the consequences' http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160218STO14859/

ESO: Background information: Ankara terrorist attack prevents Davutoglu from attending Brussels mini-summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/ankara-terrorist-attack-prevents-davutoglu-from-attending-brussels-mini-summit/

ESO: Background information: Austria moves to ‘plan B’, defies EU-wide solution to refugee crisis / Austrian cap on asylum-seekers infuriates Commission http://www.europeansources.info/record/austria-moves-to-plan-b-defies-eu-wide-solution-to-refugee-crisis-austrian-cap-on-asylum-seekers-infuriates-commission/

ESO: Background information: A new settlement for the United Kingdom in the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-18-19-february-2016-a-new-settlement-for-the-united-kingdom-in-the-eu/

European Council: Press Release, 19.02.16: European Council conclusions, 18-19 February 2016 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/02/19-euco-conclusions/

European Council: Statement, 19.02.16: Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the European Council meeting on 19 February 2016 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/02/19-tusk-final-remarks-european-council/

EP: EPRS: Briefing: Post-European Council Briefing, February 2016: Outcome of the European Council of 18-19 February 2016 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/573303/EPRS_BRI(2016)573303_EN.pdf

ESO: Key Source: European Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council/

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