Meeting: European Council, 15-16 October 2015

The Heads of state and government of the EU Member States met in the European Council in Brussels on 15-16 October 2015.

Discussion centred around the following topics:

+ Refugee and migration crisis and the need to build a credible European migration policy

+ The future of the Economic and Monetary Union

+ Referendum in the United Kingdom concerning its membership in the European Union.

News commentary on the summit highlighted in particular a tentative deal with Turkey ('Joint Action Plan with Turkey') to co-operate on trying to stem the flow of refugees through Turkey to EU Member States, in return for financial assistance, visa liberalisation and progress of Turkey's accession to the EU negotiations.

ESO: Background information: Five Presidents' Report sets out plan for strengthening Europe's Economic and Monetary Union as of 1 July 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-five-presidents-report-sets-out-plan-for-strengthening-europes-economic-and-monetary-union-as-of-1-july-2015/

EUObserver, 12.10.15: EU leaders to discuss offshoring asylum centres https://euobserver.com/migration/130634

EP: EPRS: At A Glance, October 2015: Outlook for the 15-16 October 2015 European Council http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2015/558793/EPRS_ATA(2015)558793_EN.pdf

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 13.10.15: Invitation letter by President Donald Tusk to the members of the European Council http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/10/13-tusk-invitation-letter-european-council/

ESO: Background information: Refugee Crisis: European Commission reports on progress in implementation of priority actions http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-refugee-crisis-european-commission-reports-on-progress-in-implementation-of-priority-actions/

EUObserver, 14.10.15: Tusk: 'Easy access' to EU is main lure for migrants https://euobserver.com/migration/130670

Deutsche Welle, 14.10.15: EU ponderously slow tackling refugee crisis http://dw.com/p/1GoYu

Notre Europe: Interview, 14.10.15: Ensuring an effective monitoring of our external borders. Preview of European Council, October 2015 http://www.institutdelors.eu/media/entretienpreconseilavenoct2015.pdf?pdf=ok

Politico, 15.10.15: 5 summit subplots to watch http://www.politico.eu/article/5-summit-council-migration-brexit-putin-subplots-to-watch/

ESO: Background information: Migrant crisis: EU leaders meet with focus on Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/record/migrant-crisis-eu-leaders-meet-with-focus-on-turkey/

ESO: Background information: EU waits for Cameron to make his move http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-waits-for-cameron-to-make-his-move/

EurActiv, 14.10.15: Berlin wants unity at EU refugee summit http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/berlin-wants-unity-eu-refugee-summit-318494

EurActiv, 15.10.15: EU leaders put EMU reform on the backburner http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/eu-leaders-put-emu-reform-backburner-318518

EUObserver, 15.10.15: EU's east-west migrant rift abates https://euobserver.com/political/130685

Council of the European Union: Statement, 15.10.15: Remarks by President Donald Tusk following the tripartite social summit http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/10/15-tusk-tripartite-social-summit/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: SPEECH/15/5851, 15.10.15: Social Dialogue: Press remarks of Vice-President Dombrovskis at the Tripartite Social Summit http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-15-5851_en.htm

Council of the European Union: European Council, Brussels, 15-16 October 2015. Conclusions http://consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2015/10/15-euco-conclusions/

Politico, 16.10.15: EU agrees to new migration measures http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-strikes-tentative-refugee-deal-turkey-migration-refugees-accession/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

EurActiv, 16.10.15: Turkey’s Erdogan calls the shots at EU summit http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/turkeys-erdogan-calls-shots-eu-summit-318576

EUObserver, 16.10.15: Turkey demands €3 billion on EU asylum crisis https://euobserver.com/migration/130713

Deutsche Welle, 16.10.15: Juncker: EU and Turkey agree on joint plan on refugees http://dw.com/p/1Gp7G

BBC News, 16.10.15: Migrant crisis: EU backs Turkey action plan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34546482

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 15.10.15: Schulz on relocating refugees: 'European solidarity is about sharing responsibilities' http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20151015STO97855/

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 16.10.15: EU and Turkey agree on refugee action plan http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER171594-EU-and-Turkey-agree-on-refugee-action-plan

EurActiv, 16.10.15: Juncker and Draghi fail to win support for euro zone reform http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/juncker-and-draghi-fail-win-support-euro-zone-reform-318573

EUObserver, 16.10.15: EU leaders reach minimal agreement on Syria https://euobserver.com/foreign/130714

EP: EPRS: Briefing, 20.10.15: Outcome of the European Council of 15 October 2015 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2015/558796/EPRS_BRI(2015)558796_EN.pdf

Council of the European Union: Statement, 27.10.15: Address by President Donald Tusk to the European Parliament on the latest European Council of 15 October 2015 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/10/27-pec-speech-ep/

---