European Council, 20-21 October 2022

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Publication Date October 2022
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Summary:

National Leaders from the Member States of the European Union (EU) gathered for a meeting of the European Council on 20-21 October 2022. The European Council adopted conclusions on the energy sector and the economy, and discussed the situation in Ukraine, critical infrastructure and external relations.

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EU leaders discussed Russia's latest escalation and atrocities in the war against Ukraine, and condemned the country's indiscriminate missile and drone attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects and infrastructure. Leaders also expressed concern for the safety of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The European Council demanded that Russia immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military from the entire territory of Ukraine.

Leaders took stock of the latest sanctions imposed to increase pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine, and urged Belarusian authorities to stop enabling it by permitting Russian armed forces to use its territory and supporting it. They welcomed the European Commission's latest guidelines on visa procedures for Russian applicants, and the Decision to establish an EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They also condemned the use of Irianian drones in Russia's aggression, and introduced sanctions against Iran.

The European Council called for the timely provision of remaining financial support to Ukraine through macro-financial assistance (MFA) operations, and for a more structured solution to providing assistance to Ukraine. Leaders also discussed the governance and financing of the effort to support Ukraine's rehabilitation and reconstruction.

EU leaders addressed the global food crisis. They also condemned acts of sabotage against critical infrastructure, and stressed the need for rapid progress in the work ensuring a coordinated EU response to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure.

The European Council discussed the energy crisis and agreed the need to accelerate and intensify efforts to reduce energy demand, avoid rationing, secure supply and lower prices. Leaders stressed that the integrity of the EU's Single Market had to be preserved, and urged the Council of the European Union and the European Commission to urgently submit concrete decisions on additional measures and on existing Commission proposals. They also insisted on the need to assess their impact on existing contract, and to take into account different energy mixes and national circumstances.

Leaders reiterated the need to step up investments in energy efficiency, future-proof energy infrastructure and innovative renewable technologies. They invited the Commission to speed up work on the structural reform of the electricity market, and called for further progress towards a full Energy Union.

The Council held a strategic discussion on the European Union's relations with China. Leaders also discussed the preparations for a forthcoming EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, as well as for the COP27 summit and the CPC on Biological Diversity.

EU leaders condemned the use of force by the Iranian authorities against peaceful protesters, and welcomed the latest restrictive measures adopted by the EU against the perpetrators of these human rights violations. The EU called on Iran to stop the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters and release those detained.

Source Link Link to Main Source https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2022/10/20-21/
Related Links
Official
European Council: Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council ahead of their meeting on 20 and 21 October 2022 (18 October 2022) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/10/18/invitation-letter-by-president-charles-michel-to-the-members-of-the-european-council-ahead-of-their-meeting-on-20-and-21-october-2022/
European Parliament: Press Release, 19/10/2022: Act decisively at EU summit on energy and the cost of living crises, urge MEPs https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20221014IPR43215/
European Commission: Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the preparation of the European Council meeting of 20-21 October 2022 (19 October 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_22_6262
European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel ahead of the European Council on 20 October 2022 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/10/20/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-ahead-of-the-european-council-on-20-octobre-2022/
European Commission: Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel following the meeting of the European Council of 20 October 2022 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_22_6306
European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel following the first working session of the European Council, 20 October 2022 (21 October 2022) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/10/21/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-following-the-european-council-meeting-on-20-october-2022/
European Council: European Council conclusions, 20-21 October 2022 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/10/21/european-council-conclusions-20-21-october-2022/
European Commission: Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel following the meeting of the European Council of 21 October 2022 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_22_6322

News
EurActiv, 17/10/2022: EU leaders to discuss ‘dynamic price limit’ for gas, among other options https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-leaders-to-discuss-dynamic-price-corridor-for-gas-among-other-options/
The Guardian, 20/10/2022: EU media and leaders blame Brexit for UK political ‘insanity’ as Truss quits https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/20/european-press-pin-blame-on-brexit-for-uk-political-insanity
Reuters, 20/10/2022: EU neighbours seek stability from UK after Truss exit https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-neighbours-seek-stability-uk-after-truss-exit-2022-10-20/
EUObserver, 20/10/2022: EU leaders urge for stability in the UK 'as soon as possible' https://euobserver.com/eu-political/156319
France24, 21/10/2022: European Union leaders struggle to find solutions at energy crisis summit https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20221021-eu-leaders-struggle-to-find-solution-on-gas-price-cap-at-energy-crisis-summit
Reuters, 21/10/2022: EU heads to focus on China, Iran after agreeing to disagree on gas cap https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-leaders-turn-foreign-policy-after-agreeing-disagree-gas-cap-2022-10-21/
Deutsche Welle, 21/10/2022: EU leaders strike gas compromise, discuss Ukraine https://www.dw.com/en/european-union-leaders-agree-to-work-on-measures-to-contain-energy-prices/a-63513880
Bloomberg, 21/10/2022: European Gas Slumps as EU Leaders Unite to Back Crisis Measures https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-21/european-gas-falls-as-eu-leaders-unite-to-back-crisis-measures
Wales Online, 21/10/2022: EU leaders still working on ways to impose a gas price cap https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/eu-leaders-still-working-ways-25318097
Associated Press (AP News), 21/10/2022: EU leaders weigh future of China ties as rivalry mounts https://apnews.com/article/european-union-council-xi-jinping-beijing-china-42316d57714db211345dfd1dbb10d11e
The Local (Italy), 21/10/2022: Stability and peace’: Italian PM Draghi’s farewell warning to EU leaders https://www.thelocal.it/20221021/stability-and-peace-italian-pm-draghis-farewell-warning-to-eu-leaders/
EurActiv, 21/10/2022: EU leaders wary of dependencies created with China, but far from united https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-china/news/eu-leaders-wary-of-dependencies-created-with-china-but-far-from-united/
The Irish Times, 21/10/2022: EU leaders manage — just about — to avoid commenting on London shambles https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2022/10/21/eu-leaders-manage-just-about-to-avoid-commenting-on-london-shambles/
Bloomberg, 21/10/2022: European Gas Slumps as EU Leaders Unite to Back Crisis Measures https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-21/european-gas-falls-as-eu-leaders-unite-to-back-crisis-measures
Euronews, 21/10/2022: EU to provide Ukraine with €18 billion in financial assistance for 2023, says von der Leyen https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/10/21/eu-to-provide-ukraine-with-18-billion-in-financial-assistance-for-2023-says-von-der-leyen
ERR News, 21/10/2022: European leaders agree on joint energy purchases and energy saving measures https://news.err.ee/1608759982/european-leaders-agree-on-joint-energy-purchases-and-energy-saving-measures
RTL Today, 21/10/2022: Draghi tells EU leaders united Europe should be their 'guiding star' https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/1982074.html
EurActiv, 21/10/2022: Super Mario: Draghi’s farewell warning to EU leaders https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/super-mario-draghis-farewell-warning-to-eu-leaders/
BBC News, 22/10/2022: Tory leadership race: EU leaders fret the 'What's Next' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63343754

Commentary and Analysis
EPRS: At a Glance, October 2022: Outlook for the European Council meeting on 20 – 21 October 2022 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2022)743680

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