European Council, 21-22 March 2019

Summary:

A summit of the European Council was held on 21-22 March 2019. The agenda includes the following items:

• Discussion on outstanding issues relating to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit), followed by the adoption of a Decision extending the period under Article 50;
• Exchange of views on the overall relations between China and the European Union (EU) ahead of a bilateral summit, based on the contribution of a Communication published by the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Policy;
• Adoption of conclusions regarding Ukraine and its sovereignty;
• Discussion on climate change;
• Exchange of views and call for action on strengthening the economic base of the European Union;
• Adoption of conclusions on tackling disinformation and the need to secure free and fair elections;

Members of the European Economic Area (EEA) were also invited to mark its 25th anniversary, including non-EU Member States.

The European Parliament's plenary session held a discussion on the outcome of the European Council summit on 27 March.

Official

European Council: Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the European Council meetings on 21 and 22 March 2019 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/03/22/remarks-by-president-donald-tusk-after-the-european-council-meetings-on-21-and-22-march-2019/

European Council conclusions, 22 March 2019 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/03/22/european-council-conclusions-22-march-2019/

European Parliament: Press Release, 27/03/2019: MEPs debate Brexit and relations with China following EU spring summit http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190321IPR32115/

European Commission: Speech of President Jean-Claude Juncker at the plenary session of the European Parliament during the debate on the conclusions of the European Council [in French] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-19-1868_fr.htm

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News

Reuters, 21/03/2019: EU leaders to discuss stronger shield against Chinese influence https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKCN1R200G

Deutsche Welle, 21/03/2019: EU leaders to discuss Brexit and China https://p.dw.com/p/3FPdn

EurActiv, 22/03/2019: ‘Don’t be naive with China’, EU leaders tell Italy https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/dont-be-naive-with-china-eu-leaders-tell-italy/

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Commentary and Analysis

Politico, 22/03/2019: EU’s Brexit and China problems are intertwined https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-brexit-china-problems-are-intertwined/

EPRS: Briefing, March 2019: Outcome of the meetings of EU leaders, 21-22 March 2019 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2019)631740

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