Special European Council, 1-2 October 2020

Summary:

EU National leaders were summoned for a special European Council summit on 1-2 October 2020 to discuss a number of matters concerning foreign affairs and issues relating to the economic base of the European Union (EU).

Further information:

The European Council discussed the situation in the eastern Mediterranean region. They also addressed relations with China, the situation in Belarus, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the poisoning of Alexei Navalny. On the economic front, leaders held discussions on the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the industrial policy and digital transition. The European Council was also briefed on the EU-UK negotiations for the future relationship and on the negotiations between the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament concerning the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The President of the European Council also presented the Leaders' Agenda 2020-2021, which covers the key challenges confronting the EU and allows the ground to be prepared for strategic discussions in the European Council meetings.

The European Council adopted a set of conclusions following this summit.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

EPRS: Briefing, 28/09/2020: Outlook for the special European Council meeting of 1-2 October 2020 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2020)654185

Euronews, 01/10/2020: What to expect from the EU's special summit on foreign affairs https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/01/what-to-expect-from-the-eu-s-special-summit-on-foreign-affairs

EPRS: Briefing, October 2020: Outcome of the special European Council meeting, 1-2 October 2020 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2020)654189

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News

Politico, 29/09/2020: Finland’s Sanna Marin to represent Sweden at EU summit https://www.politico.eu/article/finlands-sanna-marin-to-represent-sweden-at-eu-summit/

RFE/RL, 01/10/2020: EU Leaders Gather To Discuss Eastern Mediterranean Dispute, Belarus, Karabakh Crises https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-summit-belarus-karabakh-bulgaria-hungary-crisis-media-freedom/30868078.html

Deutsche Welle, 02/10/2020: EU summit: Angela Merkel wants China to be fair on investments https://p.dw.com/p/3jLuq

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Official

European Commission: Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel following the Special European Council meeting of 1 October 2020 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_1806

European Council conclusions on external relations, 1 October 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/01/european-council-conclusions-on-external-relations-1-october-2020/

European Council conclusions, 1-2 October 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/45910/021020-euco-final-conclusions.pdf

European Council: Press Release, 02/10/2020: Remarks by President Charles Michel after the Special European Council meeting on 1 October 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/02/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-after-the-special-european-council-meeting-on-1-october-2020/

European Commission: Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel following the Special European Council meeting of 2 October 2020 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_1815

European Commission: News, 02/10/2020: Focus on EU's external action and building our stronger inner core: von der Leyen at the Special European Council https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ac_20_1818

European Council: Press Release, 03/10/2020: Remarks by President Charles Michel after the Special European Council meeting on 2 October 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/03/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-after-the-special-european-council-meeting-on-2-october-2020/

European Council: Press Release, 06/10/2020: Report by President Charles Michel at the European Parliament on the Special European Council of 1-2 October 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/10/06/report-by-president-charles-michel-at-the-european-parliament-on-the-special-european-council-of-1-2-october-2020/

European Parliament: Press Release, 06/10/2020: We should strive for greater strategic autonomy and a speedy recovery, say MEPs https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201006IPR88601/

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