European Council, 13-14 December 2018

Summary:

A meeting of the European Council was held on 13-14 December 2018. The agenda includes the following items:

• Exchange of views on the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF);
• Preparations for a summit with the League of Arab States in February 2019;
• Update on the implementation of the Minsk agreements and decision on the restrictive measures against Russia;
• Review of the state of play regarding a fully functioning Single Market;
• Update on the implementation of the European Council's approach to migration, in accordance to previously adopted conclusions;
• Update on the issue of disinformation;
• Adoption of conclusions on the intention to provide a set of guidelines relating to a long-term climate strategy for the European Union;
• Discussion on the reform and deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), in the framework of the Euro Summit held on 14 December, including the adoption of a mandate for work on a budgetary instrument for the Eurozone.

The EU27 leaders also held a special meeting of the European Council (Art. 50) format to discuss the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit). They reconfirmed the conclusions of the previous special meeting and underlined that a backstop was intended as an insurance policy to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland and ensure the integrity of the Single Market. There were also discussions on the preparations for a no-deal scenario.

Official

European Council (Art. 50) conclusions, 13 December 2018 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/37508/13-euco-art-50-conclusions-en.pdf

European Council conclusions on the multiannual financial framework and on external relations, 13 December 2018 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/12/13/european-council-conclusions-on-mff-and-external-relations/

UK Government: Prime Minister's press statement at European Council, 14 December 2018 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-press-statement-at-european-council-14-december-2018

Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the European Council meetings on 13 December 2018 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/12/14/remarks-by-president-donald-tusk-after-the-european-council-meetings-on-13-december-2018/

Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the European Council and Euro summit meetings on 14 December 2018 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/12/14/remarks-by-president-donald-tusk-after-the-european-council-and-eurosummit-meetings-on-14-december-2018/

European Council conclusions, 13-14 December 2018 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/12/14/european-council-conclusions-13-14-december-2018/

Statement of the Euro Summit, 14 December 2018 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/12/14/statement-of-the-euro-summit-14-december-2018/

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News

Politico, 13.12.18: May plays down summit hopes as EU makes red lines clear https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-european-council-brussels-theresa-may-plays-down-summit-hopes/

The Independent, 14.12.18: EU leaders scrap plans to help Theresa May pass deal after disastrous meeting in Brussels https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-theresa-may-eu-angela-merkel-scraps-plan-meeting-juncker-european-council-summit-a8682786.html

BBC News, 14.12.18: EU says no to May on renegotiating deal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46560807

Reuters, 14.12.18: May's plea for EU help on Brexit cast as failure at home https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN1OD0SI

EurActiv, 14.12.18: Warm words but no Brexit concessions, as May leaves Brussels empty-handed https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/warm-words-but-no-brexit-concessions-as-may-leaves-brussels-empty-handed/

EurActiv, 13.12.18: No new sanctions on Russia at EU summit over Azov Sea https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/no-new-sanctions-on-russia-at-eu-summit-over-azov-sea/

Swissinfo.ch, 13.12.18: EU offers Ukraine more help but holds off on new Russia sanctions https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/reuters/eu-offers-ukraine-more-help-but-shies-away-from-new-russia-sanctions/44614304

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Commentary and Analysis

EPRS: Briefing, December 2018: Outcome of the meetings of EU Heads of State or Government, 13-14 December 2018 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2018)627155

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ESO Records

Political turmoil in the United Kingdom following the conclusion of withdrawal agreement and political declaration on post-Brexit relationship https://www.europeansources.info/record/political-turmoil-in-the-united-kingdom-following-the-conclusion-of-draft-withdrawal-agreement/

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