European Council, 15-16 October 2020

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Publication Date October 2020
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Summary:

EU National leaders were summoned for a European Council summit on 15-16 October 2020 to discuss the epidemiological situation in the framework of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis, the relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom (UK), climate change and foreign affairs (and in particular relations with Africa).

Further information:

Leaders welcomed the progress achieved so far on overall coordination at EU level against COVID-19, including the recommendation on a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement. They also discussed the next steps to ensure the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

The European Council reviewed the state of play of negotiations on the EU-UK future relationship. Leaders noted with concern that progress on key issues was still not sufficient, and recalled that the Withdrawal Agreement and its protocols are to be fully and timely implemented. There was also a discussion on the European Commission’s Communication on Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition, including on a revised emissions reduction target for 2030.

A number of matters relating to external relations and foreign affairs were also subject to discussion, including Turkey and Belarus. A wider discussion was held on the relations between the EU and Africa.

The plenary of the European Parliament discussed the conclusions of this meeting on 21 October 2020.

Source Link https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2020/10/15-16/
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Commentary and Analysis
EPRS: Briefing, October 2020: Outlook for the European Council meeting of 15-16 October 2020 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2020)654194
BBC News, 15/10/2020: EU leaders weigh up hard choices over Brexit trade deal https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54541761

News
RTÉ News, 15/10/2020: EU agrees to invite UK for further talks on Brexit https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/1015/1171638-eu-summit/
Deutsche Welle, 15/10/2020: EU summit: Leaders agree to extend Brexit talks, defying London deadline https://p.dw.com/p/3jylm
France 24, 15/10/2020: EU leaders urge UK to ‘make the necessary moves’ to save post-Brexit trade talks https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20201015-eu-leaders-urge-uk-to-make-the-necessary-moves-to-save-brexit-talks
Reuters, 15/10/2020: EU leaders aim for deal in December on climate change target https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2701EN
Kathimerini, 16/10/2020: EU leaders hit out at Turkey's 'provocations' in the Med https://www.ekathimerini.com/258156/article/ekathimerini/news/eu-leaders-hit-out-at-turkeys-provocations-in-the-med
EurActiv, 16/10/2020: EU leaders to decide tougher climate goal in December https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eu-leaders-to-decide-tougher-climate-goal-in-december/

Official
European Council conclusions, 15-16 October 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/46341/1516-10-20-euco-conclusions-en.pdf
European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel before the European Council meeting on 15 October 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/15/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-before-the-european-council-meeting-on-15-octobre-2020/
European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel following the first working session of the European Council https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/15/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-following-the-first-working-session-of-the-european-council/
European Commission: Opening statement by Michel Barnier at the joint press conference with President Michel following the European Council meeting of 15 October 2020 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_1933
European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel before the European Council meeting on 16 Octobre 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/16/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-before-the-european-council-meeting-on-16-octobre-2020/
European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel after the European Council meeting on 15 and 16 October 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/16/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-after-the-european-council-meeting-on-15-and-16-october-2020/
European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Resolution on Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15-16 October 2020, in particular the negotiations of the future relations with the UK https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2020/2773(RSP)
European Parliament: Press Release, 21/10/2020: MEPs on EU-UK negotiations, COVID-19, climate goals and a decent budget https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201016IPR89557/
European Commission: Speech by Vice-President Šefčovič on behalf of President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 and 16 October 2020 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_1961
European Commission: Speech by Michel Barnier at the plenary session of the European Parliament (21 October 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_1962

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Record URL https://www.europeansources.info/record/?p=523067