European Council, 23-24 June 2022

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Publication Date June 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 23-24 June 2022. The European Council adopted conclusions on Wider Europe, Ukraine, outstanding EU membership applications from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, Western Balkans, economic issues, the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) and external relations.

A meeting between EU and Western Balkans leaders was also held on 23 June 2022, ahead of the European Council meeting. The Euro Summit was held on 24 June 2022 in its inclusive format.

Further information:

Leaders carried out a strategic discussion on the Wider Europe, concerning the EU's relations with its partners in the European continent. It included a discussion on a proposal to launch a European political community.

The Council reiterated its military, humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine in the war against Russia, condemned Russia's attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and underlined that those responsible for war crimes would be held to account in accordance with international law. It was signalled that work on sanction would continue, and leaders urged all countries to align with EU sanctions (in particular those applying for EU membership). Leaders also addressed the global food crisis exacerbated by Russia's invasion.

The European perspective of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia was recognised by the European Council. EU leaders granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, and invited the European Commission to report back on the fulfilment of the conditions specified in its Opinions on the respective membership applications. Candidate status to Georgia would be granted once the priorities specified in the Commission's Opinion had been addressed.

The European Council endorsed the Country-Specific Recommendations (CSRs) in the framework of the 2022 European Semester. It also welcomed the fulfilment by Croatia of all the Euro Area convergence criteria, endorsing the Commission's proposal that Croatia adopt the Euro currency in January 2023.

EU leaders reiterated the invitation to the Commission to explore with international partners ways in which to curb rising energy prices, including the feasibility of introducing temporary price caps where appropriate. In the face of the weaponisation of gas by Russia, the European Council invited the Commission to pursue efforts to secure energy supply at affordable prices, and to take appropriate measures to ensure closer energy coordination between EU Member States.

Leaders also took note of the proposals outlined in the final report of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The European Council expressed concerned by the latest actions and statements by Turkey when it comes to the eastern Mediterranean region. It addressed the political situation in Belarus.

During the Euro Summit held on 24 June, leaders discussed the economic situation and the efforts for further strengthening the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union (CMU). They also welcomed the expected expiration of the enhanced surveillance framework for Greece.

Source Link https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2022/06/23-24/
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Commentary and Analysis
EPRS: Briefing, June 2022: Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders on 23-24 June 2022 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)730336
BBC News, 23/06/2022: Ukraine war: Where's Europe's leadership in crisis with Russia? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61904360
Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 23/06/2022: Why the EU Must Open Its Doors to Ukraine https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/87380
Friedrich Ebert Foundation: IPS Journal, 23/06/2022: Moldova’s European leap of faith https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/european-integration/moldovas-european-leap-of-faith-6012/
Politico, 24/06/2022: Ukraine: Not just a country, an EU candidate country https://www.politico.eu/article/ursula-von-der-leyen-emmanuel-macron-charles-michel-ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-eu-grants-candidate-status-moldova/
European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC): Press Release, 24/06/2022: EUCO: Energy measures don’t meet social emergency https://www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/euco-energy-measures-dont-meet-social-emergency
France24, 26/06/2022: Is Macron’s ‘European Political Community’ a realistic prospect? https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220626-is-macron-s-european-political-community-a-realistic-prospect
EPRS: Briefing, June 2022: Outcome of the meetings of EU leaders on 23-24 June 2022 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)730343
Social Europe, 29/06/2022: Ukraine’s EU candidate status—not just symbolic https://socialeurope.eu/ukraines-eu-candidate-status-not-just-symbolic

News
EurActiv, 22/06/2022: EU closes ranks on Ukraine, Moldova candidate status as decision looms https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-closes-ranks-on-ukraine-moldova-candidate-status-as-decision-looms/
The Guardian, 23/06/2022: ‘Ukraine’s future is in the EU’: Zelenskiy welcomes granting of candidate status https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/23/eu-leaders-ukraine-candidate-status-russian-attack
Reuters, 23/06/2022: EU leaders accept Ukraine and Moldova as membership candidates - official https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-leaders-accept-ukraine-moldova-membership-candidates-official-2022-06-23/
Euronews, 23/06/2022: EU Summit: 'A good day for Europe' as EU leaders grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/06/23/live-ukraine-eu-candidacy-and-food-security-at-top-of-council-summits-agenda
Balkan Insight, 23/06/2022: EU to Award Moldova, Ukraine, Candidate Status https://balkaninsight.com/2022/06/23/eu-to-award-moldova-ukraine-candidate-status/
Deutsche Welle, 23/06/2022: EU leaders grant Ukraine and Moldova candidate status https://p.dw.com/p/4D746
Le Monde, 23/06/2022: European Union leaders set to grant Ukraine candidate status https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/06/23/european-union-leaders-set-to-grant-ukraine-candidate-status_5987778_4.html
Politico: Live Blog, 23-34 June 2022: As it happened - European Council summit https://www.politico.eu/article/euco-summit-june-2022-live-blog/
Reuters, 24/06/2022: EU plans for life without Russian gas amid inflation spike https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-leaders-debate-economy-woes-russia-squeezes-gas-supplies-2022-06-24/
EurActiv, 24/06/2022: ‘This is a victory’: smiling Zelenskyy promises EU membership while battles rage https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/this-is-a-victory-smiling-zelenskyy-promises-eu-membership-while-battles-rage/
Euronews, 24/06/2022: Croatia to officially join eurozone as EU summit wraps https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/06/24/live-eu-leaders-turn-their-attention-to-the-cost-of-living-crisis-and-food-security
BBC News, 24/06/2022: EU awards Ukraine and Moldova candidate status https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61891467
Kathimerini, 24/06/2022: PM expresses satisfaction at European Council conclusion on Turkey https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1187536/pm-expresses-satisfaction-at-european-council-conclusion-on-turkey/
Civil.ge, 24/06/2022: Georgian Foreign Ministry Reacts to European Council’s Decision https://civil.ge/archives/497836

Official
General Secretariat of the Council: European Council conclusions, 23-24 June 2022 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/24/european-council-conclusions-23-24-june-2022/
European Parliament: Press Release, 09/06/2022: EP groups’ leaders’ statement in view of 23-24 June European Council https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220608IPR32523/
European Council: Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council ahead of their meeting on 23 and 24 June 2022 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/20/invitation-letter-by-president-charles-michel-to-the-members-of-the-european-council-ahead-of-their-meeting-on-23-and-24-june-2022/
European Parliament: Press Release, 22/06/2022: MEPs say EU leaders must grab the opportunity to expand and reform the EU https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220616IPR33217/
European Commission: Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the preparation of the European Council meeting (22 June 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_22_3965
European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel following the first working session of the European Council, 23 June 2022 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/23/intervention-du-president-michel-a-l-issue-de-la-premiere-seance-de-travail-du-conseil-europeen-23-juin-2022/
European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel and President Macron on the EU membership applications by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia (23 June 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_22_4007
Renew Europe EP Group: Newsroom, 23/06/2022: Renew Europe leaders pledge to build the European Union of tomorrow https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2022-06-23/renew-europe-leaders-pledge-to-build-the-european-union-of-tomorrow
Ukraine Presidency: News, 23/06/2022: This is the biggest step towards strengthening Europe that could be taken right now – address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the participants of the EU Summit after granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for membership https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/ce-najbilshij-krok-na-posilennya-yevropi-yakij-mozhna-bulo-z-76025
Greens/EFA EP Group: Press Release, 23/06/2022: Member States should support clear & credible path to EU accession for Ukraine, Moldova & Western Balkans https://www.greens-efa.eu/en/article/press/member-states-should-support-clear-credible-path-to-eu-accession-for-ukraine-moldova-western-balkans
European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel following the second working session of the European Council, 24 June 2022 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/24/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-following-the-second-working-session-of-the-european-council-24-june-2022/
European Commission: Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel and President Macron following the meeting of the European Council of 23-34 June 2022 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_22_4073
Spanish Government: News, 24/06/2022: Pedro Sánchez underlines the historic nature of a European Council at which Ukraine and Moldova were granted EU candidate status https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/washington/en/Comunicacion/Noticias/Paginas/Articulos/20220624_NEWS01.aspx
Finnish Government: Prime Minister's Office: Press Release, 24/06/2022: European Council discussed economic issues https://vnk.fi/en/-/european-council-discussed-economic-issues
German Federal Government: News, 24/06/2022: Ukraine and Moldova: the European Council welcomes two new EU accession candidates https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/european-council-2055960
Finnish Government: Press Release, 24/06/2022: European Council granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-//10616/european-council-granted-candidate-status-to-ukraine-and-moldova

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Record URL https://www.europeansources.info/record/?p=525986