European Council, Brussels, 15 December 2016

The European Council summit took place on 15 December 2016. The agenda included the following topics:

+ Assessment of the progress on the Partnership Frameworks on migration;

+ Discussion on the state of play of the legislative process regarding the External Investment Plan;

+ Implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement on migration;

+ Discussion on the reform of the Common European Asylum System, and how to apply the principles of responsibility and solidarity in the future;

+ Discussion on the implementation of the Security Agenda;

+ Exchange of views on the strengthening of EU cooperation on external security and defence;

+ Information on the progress regarding investment (EFSI), the Single Market strategies, youth-related initiatives and the fight against unemployment;

+ Exchange of views on Russia and on the situation in the Netherlands as regards the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine.

+ Adoption of conclusions on migration, security, economic and social development, youth, Cyprus, and external relations.

An informal meeting of the 27 leaders was held in the margins of the summit. The objective was to set out how the Brexit process was going to be handled by the EU 27 once the UK notified its intention to leave the EU under the Article 50 procedure. The meeting was planned as an informal dinner after the main business of the European Council but due to the late running of the main meeting it turned out to be a very short 20 minute discussion and the issuing of a Statement.

On 14 December 2016, the European Parliament's plenary session held a debate previewing the main topics being discussed at the summit.

EurActiv, 02.12.16: December EU summit to last one day only, May not invited for dinner http://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/december-eu-summit-to-last-one-day-only/

EurActiv, 13.12.16: EU keen to move on with ‘life after Britain’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/eu-keen-to-move-on-with-life-after-britain/

EP: EPRS: Briefing: Pre-European Council Briefing, 13.12.16: Outlook for the 15 December 2016 European Council http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/593794/EPRS_BRI(2016)593794_EN.pdf

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/16/4390, 14.12.16: Speech by President Jean-Claude Juncker at the European Parliament Plenary Session ahead of the European Council of 15 December 2016 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-4390_en.htm

European Parliament: Press Release, 14.12.16: Debate on migration, security, Russia, Brexit and investment in jobs http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161208IPR55156/

EU: EEAS: Speech, 15.12.16, Remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini upon arrival to the European Council https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/17338/

European Parliament: President: Press Release, 15.12.16: Speech of the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz at the European Council of 15 December 2016 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/the-president/en/press-room/speech-of-the-president-of-the-european-parliament-martin-schulz-at-the-european-council-of-15-december-2016

European Council: Statement, 15.12.16: Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the European Council meeting on 15 December 2016 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/12/15-tusk-remarks-european-council/

EurActiv, 16.12.16: Germany blocks small progress on banking union at EU summit http://www.euractiv.com/section/euro-finance/news/germany-blocks-small-progress-on-banking-union-at-eu-summit/

EP: EPRS: Briefing: Post-European Council Briefing, December 2016: Outcome of the European Council of 15 December 2016 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/593795/EPRS_BRI(2016)593795_EN.pdf

European Council: Report, 18.01.17: Report by President Donald Tusk to the European Parliament on the European Council meeting of 15 December 2016 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/01/18-tusk-report-european-parliament/

European Parliament: Press Release, 18.01.17: Debate with Council President Tusk on putting 'Europe first' in 2017 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170113IPR58029/

---