| Author (Corporate) | European Council |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Meeting |
| Series Details | 20-21.10.16 |
| Publication Date | 20/10/2016 |
| Content Type | News |
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Main results Migration They asked EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, to present 'the first results' of cooperation with the five selected African countries at the European Council in December 2016. They also reiterated the importance of tackling the root causes of migration and called on all global players to shoulder their responsibilities. + External borders They also discussed the protection of external borders. They called for a swift adoption of revised Schengen rules to enforce systematic controls at EU borders. They also asked the European Commission to table a draft law that would set up a European system for advance security checks on visa-free travellers and to allow entry bans where necessary. + Eastern Mediterranean route - faster returns from the Greek islands to Turkey The leaders asked EU countries to boost the relocation of migrants, especially for unaccompanied minors. They also called for further work on the reform of EU asylum rules, including the application of the principles of responsibility and solidarity. Trade EU leaders invited the European Commission to actively pursue negotiations on a free trade agreement with Japan. Leaders also invited the Commission to present an ambitious, balanced and comprehensive free trade agreement with the US. The European Council stressed that unfair trade practices need to be tackled efficiently and that it is of crucial importance that the EU's trade defence instruments are effective in the face of global challenges. They said that the comprehensive modernisation of all these instruments should be agreed by the Council by the end of 2016. Global and economic issues The European Council reiterated its call for single market strategies to be implemented by 2018. These include: + digital single market The European Council also called on to the Council to reach an agreement on its negotiating position on the new proposal on the European fund for strategic investments at its meeting on 6 December. Relations with Russia and the situation in Syria It called for: + urgent and unhindered humanitarian access to Aleppo and other parts of the country Leaders also stressed that those responsible for breaches of international humanitarian law and human rights law must be held accountable. The EU is considering all options, if the current atrocities continue. Leaders invited the High Representative to continue pursuing the EU humanitarian initiative and medical evacuations in cooperation with the UN. The EU will also work on reaching out to the key actors in the region on a political transition and on preparations for post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction. Bratislava follow-up Over the dinner on the 20 October 2016, Prime Minister May provided a short update on Brexit and Prime Minister Rutte briefed the leaders on the situation in the Netherlands in the context of the Ukraine referendum. EU heads of state and government met as the European Council in Brussels on the 20 and 21 October 2016. On the 20 October 2016 they discussed migration and Russia, including its role in Syria. On the 21 October 2016 the EU leaders discussed trade issues, including the last minute case of the Wallonia region within Belgium holding up the free trade agreement signing with Canada (CETA) . On the evening of the 20 October 2016 during an extended dinner, Theresa May, United Kingdom Prime Minister, was given a brief opportunity to talk about the UK's plans to leave the EU. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2016/10/20-21/ |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
| Countries / Regions | Europe, Russia |
