Outcome of the meetings of EU leaders, 21-22 March 2024

Summary:

At the March European Council meeting, discussions focussed on the war in Ukraine, security and defence, the Middle East and enlargement. With a new sense of urgency, EU leaders reiterated their steadfast support for Ukraine, calling on the Council to rapidly adopt an eighth support package for Ukraine. Regarding security and defence, they agreed on the need to increase defence readiness and boost the defence industry, but did not agree on ways of promoting the defence sector. On the Middle East, EU leaders finally agreed on a common message, notably calling for an ‘immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire’. On enlargement, they decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. EU leaders also adopted conclusions on migration, agriculture and the European Semester. The meeting was followed by a Euro Summit.

This briefing is part of the series Post-European Council Briefing.

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