2016 - Infographics and summary of issues - Hoofdinhoud

Met dank overgenomen van Europese Raad i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 16 december 2016, 1:23.

Agenda highlights

The European Council will in December discuss the most pressing issues, including migration, security, economy and youth, and external relations.

"Our aim is clear: to strengthen Europe's security in a challenging geopolitical environment, and to better protect our citizens," said President Donald Tusk in his invitation letter ahead of the meeting.

Annotated draft agenda, European Council,15 December 2016

Invitation letter by President Donald Tusk to the members of the European Council

Migration

The leaders will:

look at the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement

assess progress on the compacts signed with the selected African countries and set orientations for further work

assess the legislative progress on the External Investment Plan and encourage swift adoption by co-legislators - to reinforce the implementation of the Valletta Action Plan and the migration compacts

discuss the reform of the Common European Asylum System, and how to apply the principles of responsibility and solidarity in the future

Finding solutions to migratory pressures

Security

The European Council will reaffirm its commitment to the European Union Internal Security Strategy. It will also address the strengthening of EU cooperation on external security and defence. In particular, the heads of state or government will focus on the three priorities:

the EU Global Strategy in the area of security and defence

the European Defence Action Plan

implementation of the common set of proposals which follow up on the EU-NATO Joint Declaration signed in Warsaw in July 2016

In their joint op-ed issued in December, Presidents Donald Tusk, Jean Claude-Juncker and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of the cooperation of the two organisations.

"More than ever in a changing world, soft power alone is not enough. Security begins at home and that is why the EU is committed to doing more to protect and defend its citizens, and to help those member states who are Allies to play their full part in NATO," they wrote.

"Taking EU-NATO cooperation to a new level"

EU cooperation on security and defence

Economy, social development, youth

The leaders will take stock of progress as regards:

investment (the extension of the European Fund for Strategic Investment)

Single Market Strategies

youth-related initiatives

fight against youth unemployment

External relations

The European Council is expected to exchange views on:

situation in the Netherlands in the context of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement

Russia and the conflict in Syria

Ahead of the European Council, President Donald Tusk met with Brita Hagi Hasan, President of the local Council of Eastern Aleppo.

"No-one is indifferent in the EU. I am talking about people, institutions, politicians. There are some global limitations and problems, but this is what we want to do, to be more effective when it comes to protection and assistance. We should and we will try to do everything we can to help you and the civilians in Aleppo," said President Tusk during the meeting.

He also invited Brita Hagi Hasan to address the European Council.

Remarks by President Donald Tusk during his meeting with Brita Hagi Hasan, President of the local Council of Eastern Aleppo

Informal meeting of the 27 leaders

An informal meeting of the 27 leaders will be held in the margins of the December European Council. The objective is to set out how the Brexit process will be handled by the EU 27 once the UK has notified.

Programme

15/12/2016 11:30