European Council, 19-20 March 2015

Summary:

Heads of State and Government met on 19-20 March 2015 for a summit of the European Council. The agenda includes the following items:

+ Discussion on energy security and transparency in gas contracts across the European Union, followed by the endorsement of the European Commission's Communication setting out an Energy Union;

+ Agreement on the objectives of an upcoming Eastern Partnership summit;

+ Decision to align economic sanctions in the context of the conflict in Ukraine to the full implementation of the Minsk agreement;

+ Decision to address Russia's campaign of public disinformation on the conflict in Ukraine;

+ Discussion on the latest developments in Libya;

+ Discussion on the managing migration flows into the EU and the implementation of the actions previously agreed by the Council of the European Union;

+ Discussion on the economic situation in the European Union and the implementation of structural reforms by the Member States;

+ Endorsement of the priorities of the 2015 Annual Growth Survey, in the framework of the European Semester;

+ Update on the state of play regarding the proposed legal framework for the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI);

+ Discussion on the state of play in the negotiations with the United States regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement;

The European Council began by paying tribute to the victims of a terrorist attach in Tunisia. Ahead of the meeting, a meeting of the Tripartite Social Summit was held. On the fringes of the European Council, a separate meeting by key political leaders was held to discuss the financial crisis in Greece.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU extends sanctions against Russia until Minsk deal implemented http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-extends-sanctions-against-russia-until-minsk-deal-implemented/

ESO: Background information: EU launches operation to counter Russian propaganda http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-launches-reaction-to-russian-campaigns-of-disinformation/

ESO: Background information: EU summit backs Commission's 'Energy Union' plans http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-summit-backs-commissions-energy-union-plans/

EUObserver, 19.03.15: Leaders to hold Greece talks in margins of EU summit https://euobserver.com/political/128049

EP: EPRS: Briefing: Pre-European Council Briefing: Outlook for the European Council of 19-20 March 2015 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/EPRS/EPRS_BRIE_547541_pre_council_briefing_EUCO_march_2015.pdf

EUObserver, 19.03.15: 'Mini summit' on Greece raises eyebrows in Brussels https://euobserver.com/news/128074

ESO: Background information: Statement by the Presidents of the European Council, the Commission and the Eurogroup on Greece (20 March 2015) http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-the-presidents-of-the-european-council-the-commission-and-the-eurogroup-on-greece/

European Council: Press Release, 19.03.15: European Council Conclusions on external relations (19 March 2015) http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/03/conclusions-russia-ukraine-european-council-march-2015/

European Council: Press Release, 19.03.15: Nomination of new Secretary-General of the Council http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/03/19-new-council-secretary-general/

European Council: Remarks, 19.03.15: Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the first session of the European Council meeting http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/03/19-european-council-intermediate-remarks-tusk/

European Council: Press Release, 19.03.15: European Council conclusions, 19-20 March 2015 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/03/20-conclusions-european-council/

European Council: Remarks, 19.03.15: Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the European Council meeting http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/03/20-final-remarks-tusk-european-council/

European Council: Remarks, 25.03.15: Report by President Donald Tusk to the European Parliament on the March European Council 2015 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/03/25-report-tusk-european-parliament/

EPC Post-Summit Analysis, 23.03.15: Greece back on centre stage: the results of a déjà vu summit http://aei.pitt.edu/62989/

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