Informal European Council, Brussels, 12 February 2015

In an informal meeting in Brussels on 12 February 2015, EU leaders discussed the EU's fight against terrorism in the wake of the attacks in Paris in January 2015. Member states needed to work closer together and cooperate even more actively to fight a common threat.

EU leaders agreed on a statement to guide the work of the EU and the member states in the coming months.

This statement focused on three areas of action:

+ ensuring the security of citizens
+ preventing radicalisation and safeguarding values
+ cooperating with international partners

There was also a discussion on how to strengthen economic coordination and the smooth functioning of the Economic Monetary Union - in particular, the situation in Greece.

Finally, leaders took stock of the latest developments in Ukraine, including the ceasefire agreement adopted earlier that day in discussions between the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine in Minsk.

[For more information on the current issues relating to the situations in Ukraine and Greece see the ESO: Background information related hyperlinks above]

EurActiv, 11.02.15: EU leaders look to corner Tsipras over Greek debt deal http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/eu-leaders-look-corner-tsipras-over-greek-debt-deal-312031

European Council: Press Release, 12.02.15: Remarks by President Donald Tusk after President Poroshenko's exchange of views with the members of the European Council http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/02/150212-tusk-after-meeting-poroshenko/

ESO: Background information: Ukraine peace talks end, ceasefire to begin Sunday http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-peace-talks-end-ceasefire-to-begin-sunday/

ESO: Background information: Meeting - Eurogroup, 11 February 2015 [The situation in Greece] http://www.europeansources.info/record/meeting-eurogroup-11-february-2015/

European Council: Statement, 12.02.15: Informal meeting of the Heads of State or Government Brussels, 12 February 2015 - Statement by the members of the European Council on the fight against terrorism http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/02/150212-european-council-statement-fight-against-terrorism/

EUObserver, 13.02.15: EU warns of more sanctions if Russia flouts ceasefire https://euobserver.com/foreign/127630

EurActiv, 13.02.15: Hit Russia with more sanctions if Minsk deal broken, Poroshenko tells EU http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/hit-russia-more-sanctions-if-minsk-deal-broken-poroshenko-tells-eu-312083

EurActiv, 13.02.15: French calls to rewrite Schengen code fall on deaf ears http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-priorities-2020/french-calls-rewrite-schengen-code-fall-deaf-ears-312088

ESO: Background information: Passenger Name Record and data protection talks should go hand in hand, MEPs say http://www.europeansources.info/record/passenger-name-record-and-data-protection-talks-should-go-hand-in-hand-meps-say/

EUObserver, 13.02.15: EU leaders want tighter border controls https://euobserver.com/justice/127636

EP: EPRS: Outlook: Outlook for the informal European Council meeting of 12 February 2015 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2015/547539/EPRS_BRI%282015%29547539_REV1_EN.pdf

European Council: Speech/15/75, 25.02.15: Speech by President Tusk to the European Parliament on February European Council http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/05/150225-speech-president-tusk-european-parliament/

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