Video conference of the members of the European Council, 19 November 2020

Summary:

EU National leaders held a videoconference on 19 November 2020 to discuss coordination on tackling the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. They also touched upon the state of play on adopting the revised Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 and the fight against terrorism.

Further information:

Leaders discussed how to develop a common approach across the European Union (EU) for the use of rapid antigen tests in the context of the pandemic, and stressed the need to work towards mutual recognition of tests and their results. They also talked about national testing strategies and exchanged best practices. The leaders agreed to speed up the preparation of national vaccination plans against COVID-19. Finally, EU leaders highlighted that lifting restrictions should be gradual and regressive.

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union updated the other leaders on the state of play of the discussions regarding the final adoption of the revised MFF 2021-2027, which includes the so-called Recovery Plan for Europe. There was a focus on the conditionality mechanism concerning respect for the rule of law.

Leaders expressed their solidarity with France and Austria following a number of terrorist incidents.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Balkan Insight, 20/11/2020: Hungary and Poland remain defiant over EU budget block https://balkaninsight.com/2020/11/20/democracy-digest-hungary-and-poland-remain-defiant-over-eu-budget-block/

EPRS: Briefing, November 2020: Outcome of the European Council video-conference of 19 November 2020 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2020)654203

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News

Reuters, 19/11/2020: EU leaders deadlocked over recovery plan after Hungary, Poland veto https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN27Z2LY

Deutsche Welle, 19/11/2020: EU leaders clash over Hungary and Poland budget veto https://p.dw.com/p/3lYvU

Bloomberg, 19/11/2020: Poland and Hungary Stick to Their Veto on EU Stimulus Funds https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-19/poland-and-hungary-stick-to-their-veto-on-eu-stimulus-funds

Politico, 20/11/2020: EU leaders brace for December disasters in virtual meeting of doom https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-leaders-brace-for-december-disasters/

EUObserver, 20/11/2020: EU leaders in high-stakes poker with Poland and Hungary https://euobserver.com/political/150142

EurActiv, 20/11/2020: Inconclusive video summit hashes over EU budget hurdle, vaccines https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/inconclusive-video-summit-hashes-over-eu-budget-hurdle-vaccines/

Euronews, 20/11/2020: EU summit: Budget stalemate continues but Hungary not united in opposition to EU's rule of law https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/20/eu-summit-budget-stalemate-continues-but-hungary-not-united-in-opposition-to-eu-s-rule-of-

Politico, 20/11/2020: Merkel defends EU rule-of-law plan despite budget blockade https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-continue-search-for-budget-compromise/

France24, 20/11/2020: EU talks fail to break budget deadlock after Poland, Hungary veto https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20201120-eu-talks-fail-to-break-budget-deadlock-after-poland-hungary-veto

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Official

European Council: Remarks by President Charles Michel after the video conference of the members of the European Council on 19 November 2020 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/11/19/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-after-the-video-conference-of-the-members-of-the-european-council-on-19-november-2020/

European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel, following the EU Leaders' videoconference https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_2171

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