European Council, Brussels, 19-20 October 2017

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 19-20.10.17
Publication Date 19/10/2017
Content Type

Reports and analysis of the European Council held in Brussels on 19-20 October 2017. The agenda included the following topics:

+ Migration
+ Defence
+ Foreign affairs
+ Digitalisation
+ Leaders Agenda

+ Brexit: The European Council (Article 50), in an EU 27 format, reviewed on the 20 October 2017 the latest developments in the negotiations following the United Kingdom's notification of its intention to leave the EU. They adopted Conclusions.

EU leaders also met informally to endorse the Leaders' Agenda, a concrete work programme to guide EU's action in the future.

Further information

Migration
EU leaders agreed that their 'comprehensive, pragmatic and resolute' migration strategy, which aims to restore control of external borders and to reduce arrivals and the number of deaths at sea, was bringing results and should be consolidated.

At the same time they highlighted the need for vigilance on all migration routes and readiness to react to any new trends and developments.

The summit called for further action, including:

+ support for directly affected EU countries
+ strong cooperation with countries of origin and transit, including with Turkey and the Western Balkans
+ further efforts to increase returns
+ applying the necessary leverage by means of EU policies, such as trade or development, to improve return rates and prevent illegal migration

EU leaders also reaffirmed their support for the Schengen system. They said they would get 'Back to Schengen' as soon as possible, taking into account security interests of EU countries.

They also pledged to continue talks on the reform of the Dublin system at their summit in December 2017, with a view of reaching a consensus in the first half of 2018.

Central Mediterranean Route

Illegal arrivals decreased by almost 70% on the Central Mediterranean route in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, thanks to the efforts of the EU and its member states, especially Italy.

At the summit the EU leaders called for further efforts, including:

+ working with Libya and its neighbours to boost border controls and support local communities along the migratory routes in Libya
+ increase efforts to establish a permanent EU presence in Libya
+ providing adequate and targeted funding for migration-related projects in North Africa

Source Link http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2017/10/19-20/
Related Links
ESO: Key Source: European Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council/
European Council: Remarks by President Donald Tusk on the European Council meeting of 19 October 2017 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/10/19-tusk-remarks-european-council/
EPRS: Outlook for the European Council meeting on 19-20 October 2017 and the European Council (Article 50) meeting on 20 October 2017 https://epthinktank.eu/2017/10/18/outlook-for-the-european-council-meeting-on-19-20-october-2017-and-the-european-council-article-50-meeting-on-20-october-2017/
European Council: European Council conclusions http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/10/19-euco-conclusions-final/
European Council: Remarks by President Donald Tusk on the European Council meetings and the Leaders' Agenda http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/10/20-tusk-final-remarks-european-council/
EPRS: Briefing: Post-European Council Briefing, October 2017: Outcome of European Council meeting of 19-20 October 2017 and the European Council (Article 50) meeting of 20 October 2017 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/611005/EPRS_BRI(2017)611005_EN.pdf
European Council: Report by President Donald Tusk to the European Parliament on October European Council meetings and presentation of the Leaders' Agenda http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/10/24-tusk-report-european-parliament-strasbourg/
European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/4124, 24.10.17: Speech by President Juncker at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament on the Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 and 20 October 2017 and presentation of the Leaders' Agenda http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-4124_en.htm
EPRS: Briefing: European Council Briefing, October 2017: The European Council and the 2017 State of the Union proposals http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/610993/EPRS_BRI(2017)610993_EN.pdf

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