Press Release: European Council conclusions on jobs, growth and competitiveness and on climate and energy, 17 March 2016

The European Council summit, held on 17-18 March 2016, adopted conclusions on several topics connected to climate change, the farming crisis and the European Semester.

+ Endorsement of the policy priority areas of the Annual Growth Survey;

+ Call for action regarding the crisis hitting the steel sector;

+ Considerations on the situation of European farmers, notably in the dairy and pig sectors;

+ Considerations on an Action Plan regarding VAT, including an increased flexibility on reduced rates of VAT.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: European Council, Brussels, 17 - 18 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-17-18-march-2016/

EurActiv, 16.03.16: Climate deal relegated to ‘other items’ in Council agenda http://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/climate-deal-relegated-to-other-items-in-council-agenda/

EurActiv, 17.03.16: EU throws in towel in British tampon battle http://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/eu-throws-in-towel-in-british-tampon-battle/

EurActiv, 17.03.16: German-Polish spat threatened summit backing for Paris Agreement http://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/german-polish-spat-threatened-summit-backing-for-paris-agreement/

BBC News, 17.03.16: Deal reached to scrap 'tampon tax', officials say http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35834142

EUObserver, 04.03.16: Will spirit of 'Paris' return to EU climate debate? https://euobserver.com/environment/132553

ESO: Background Information: Speech: EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete on the follow-up to COP21 at the public session of the Environment Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-climate-action-and-energy-commissioner-miguel-arias-canete-on-the-follow-up-to-cop21-at-the-public-session-of-the-environment-council/

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