European Council

Majestades, Premiados, Autoridades, Señoras y Señores

I am happy that thanks to the decision of the Princess of Asturias Foundation, I am receiving tonight the Award for Concord European Union. And at the same time I am very proud that the same award - for Literature - is being received today also by a Pole, a great poet, Adam Zagajewski.

We met forty years ago, even if he doesn't know about it. I was still a student when I read his brilliant poem about censorship, in the time of the Communist dictatorship in Poland. Together with my friends, we printed this poem in our illegal printing house in several hundred copies. With time, Zagajewski became for my generation a symbol of the freedom of speech, of the independence of thought, and of our longing for Europe - not in the geographical sense, but in political, intellectual and axiological ones.

We both participated in the mass “Solidarity” movement, together with millions of our compatriots. We were beaten, thrown to jail, forced to go on exile. But we never gave up on a few simple principles: that violence doesn't solve anything, that dialogue is always better than conflict, that law should be respected by all the actors of the public life, and that harmony is better than chaos.

For all those years we both dreamt about a united Europe, where concord and truth prevail. And today, here in Oviedo, I want to underline that to me concord is a synonym of unity. And today we are in fact receiving the award of Concord, at the same time bearing in mind that there is no genuine concord without the truth.

In many parts of our world, people feel that they are surrounded by lies, manipulation and fake news.

But I deeply believe that truth is invincible. And that this ceremony is also an expression of this invincibility.

In fact one of the most beautiful poems by Adam Zagajewski talks about the truth. Together with my friends we have translated a fragment into Spanish:

El territorio de la verdad es claramente reducido,
estrecho como un sendero al borde de un precipicio.
¿Eres capaz de no salirte de él?
Acaso ya lo has abandonado.

Thank you very much.

Tuesday 24 October 2017
Strasbourg
09.00 Report to the European Parliament on the European Council meetings on 19-20 October and presentation of the Leaders' Agenda
Brussels
15.00 Meeting with the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Čović

Wednesday 25 October 2017
12.00 Meeting with the President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov

Today we discussed the Leaders' Agenda for our work in the next two years, and I am happy to have received univocal support of all the EU leaders to go ahead with this plan. This is not an easy task, as the ambition of the Leaders' Agenda is to deal with the most contentious issues, by which I mean the Eurozone reform, migration crisis, internal security, trade and the future financing of the EU. That is why I also proposed a new work method, perhaps somewhat more direct, but at the same time more informal. It will mean confronting the areas where European cooperation does not work well and being honest about the reasons why. Confrontation is healthy as long as it is respectful and helps us move forward. And this is the spirit of our work ahead. But what I am very pleased about today is that none of the leaders questioned the fact that we must work united, hand-in-hand, with all the Member States on board.

After Prime Minister May's intervention last night, and our discussion about Brexit this morning, my impression is that the reports of the deadlock between the EU and UK have been exaggerated. And while progress is not sufficient, it doesn't mean there is no progress at all. Today the Council has agreed to start internal preparatory discussions in relation to the framework for the future relationship and on transitional arrangements. It is clear that this would not be possible without the new momentum given by the Florence speech of Prime Minister May. I would like to reassure our British friends that in our internal work we will take account of proposals presented there. So the negotiations go on, and we will continue to approach them positively and constructively. And as we are all working actively on a deal, I hope we will be able to move to the second phase of our talks in December.

Finally, as a result of our discussion last night on Turkey, we tasked the Commission to reflect on whether to cut and re-orient pre-accession funds. It was a substantive discussion, we want to keep the door open to Ankara, but the current reality in Turkey is making this difficult. It was also stressed that Turkey needs to respect all Member States in its relations with the EU, including when it comes to the implementation of the existing Customs Union agreement. And furthermore, we have listened to the concerns raised by President Anastasiades regarding Turkey's actions vis-à-vis the Greek Cypriots and Maronites.

We have just concluded our discussion about migration and the need to help Italy manage the Central Mediterranean route. Leaders agreed to offer Prime Minister Gentiloni stronger support for Italy's work with the Libyan authorities. We have a real chance of closing the Central Mediterranean route. That is why we decided that Member States will provide sufficient finances for the North Africa window of the Trust Fund for Africa, while the Commission ensures that this money is channelled to stem illegal migration. We should see concrete results within the next few weeks. Additionally, leaders decided to come back to the issue of Dublin reform in December, with a view to reaching a consensus in the first half of 2018. This timeframe and method correspond to what I proposed in the Leaders' Agenda.

And a second remark on the Leaders' Agenda. The objective of this plan is to move forward in Europe on key issues, like security or migration, while keeping our unity. And I would like to state very clearly that as long as I am here, I will be the guardian of European unity. It is not only my formal role as the President of the European Council, but - above all - it is my true belief. Because unity is, in fact, our most important strength.

The Council today reinforced EU passenger ship safety by adopting three directives which revise  passenger ship safety rules and standards, digitalise the registration of ship passengers and create a clear framework for the inspection of ro-ro ferries and high-speed passenger craft. An informal agreement with the European Parliament on these proposals was reached in June this year. 

"These new rules will improve the safety of people travelling on our seas. But they will also simplify and speed up procedures for shipping companies, including through digitalisation, and this is good news for businesses and our economy as a whole," said Kadri Simson, the Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure. "I would like to thank the Maltese presidency and the European Parliament for all their work on these files." 

The 'general' directive on passenger ship safety rules and standards contains the most extensive rules on passenger ship safety in the EU, applicable to vessels travelling on domestic routes. The text sets out detailed technical requirements for ships with regard to areas such as construction, stability and fire protection. 

The directive on the registration of persons on board passenger ships requires shipping companies to digitalise the registration of ship passengers, so that the exact number of passengers and other information will be immediately available for search and rescue services in the event of an accident. 

The third directive - a revised inspection regime for ro-ro ferries and high-speed passenger craft - eliminates overlaps and closes regulatory gaps arising from the application by member states of different inspection regimes for these vessels. 

The three directives are part of a comprehensive review of passenger ship safety which aims to improve the safety of sea travel while simplifying the current rules and cutting administrative costs. 

Today's final vote by the Council concludes the procedure at first reading for all three dossiers. The European Parliament voted on 4 October 2017. The legal acts will be signed by both institutions in November and published in the EU Official Journal a few weeks later. They will enter into force 20 days after publication, and member states will then have two years to incorporate the new rules into their national law.

At the "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region" Conference in Brussels on 4-5 April 2017, the international community and the governments of refugee hosting countries came together to reaffirm commitments to help millions of affected civilians in Syria as well as Syrian refugees and the communities generously hosting them.

The international community pledged US$6 billion in funding to support humanitarian, stabilisation and development activities in 2017 in Syria and the region, and a further US$3.7 billion for 2018-20. International financial institutions and donors also announced almost US$30 billion in loans. The Brussels conference co-chairs (the EU, Germany, Kuwait, Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Nations) published today a report on progress against these pledges.

In the light of today's incident in the Europa building, it has been decided, as a precautionary measure, that the European Council of 19-20 October will take place in the Justus Lipsius building.

The programme and schedule remain unchanged.

An updated media advisory will follow with all practical details. 

I cannot start our conference today without first paying tribute to the journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, killed in a car bomb in Malta on Monday. I am convinced that the Maltese authorities will do everything in their power to investigate and bring to light all the circumstances of this hideous crime. In this extraordinary moment, we remember all the journalists who have lost their lives realising their mission. I have been a journalist myself for many years and this is why I know what you feel today. Let us observe a minute's silence for Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Turning to our work today. Yet again, our Tripartite Social Summit took place in the context of positive economic news. The European economy has finally woken up. GDP growth in the European Union is above 2 per cent, unemployment has fallen to below 8 per cent. The euro area is recording its fastest growth rate since 2011. In fact, the European recovery is no longer a recovery but a European economic expansion. In short, the economic success story of 2017.

It is our common task now to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared as widely as possible. And this is why in our meeting today we discussed, in very concrete terms, how the social partners can be better involved in national policy-making. I remain convinced that only by taking the views of social partners into account can we make real progress. This is especially important in today's digital age, where citizens, young and old, need to be equipped with the right skills to prosper. This is what I discussed not only with the social partners today but also with the European leaders at the Digital Summit in Tallinn. And at the meeting of the European Council tomorrow, the spirit of Tallinn will drive our political decisions.

The leaders will also discuss migration. As you all know, the Italian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Gentiloni has effectively begun stemming the high flows on the Central Mediterranean we have witnessed since 2014. Thanks to Italy, the numbers of irregular migrants and deaths at sea are finally coming down. But we cannot only remain grateful to Italy. The European Union must now step up its efforts to help. Our Member States should be ready to commit more money to the Trust Fund for Africa. And the European Commission, which is managing this Fund, should make sure that the money is well targeted on stemming irregular migration. I will invite a frank and serious debate among the leaders, so that we sort out this problem once and for all.

On Friday, the European Council will be meeting at 27 to discuss Brexit. I have worked for a balanced message to come out of this meeting. There is clearly not the "sufficient progress" that we had hoped for. So we cannot yet proceed to the second phase of negotiations. However, while progress is not sufficient, there is promising progress, especially following the speech by Prime Minister May in Florence. I will therefore recommend the EU27 to begin internal preparations for talks on the transition and the future relationship.

Last night, I circulated to EU leaders a new agenda to guide the work of the European Union up to June 2019. This is the result of a full round of one-to-one consultations with leaders since our meeting in Tallinn a few weeks ago. From all quarters, there is now a new willingness to energise and enrich our work, draw on new ideas, maintain our unity and increase the dynamism of the EU. I will be calling on leaders to work together according to a strict timetable on the issues we have identified as the most pressing, from migration to EMU reform, where we are deadlocked and where the Gordian knot needs to be cut.

Unity is the objective of the Leaders' Agenda. Because it is my firm belief that unity is a value in itself and that ambition should not be an excuse for division. So the starting point will always be EU27 or, where appropriate, EU28. However, unity cannot be a synonym for stagnation either.

The social dimension will be an important part of this new agenda. And already in a month from now, at the Göteborg Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth, leaders will have the opportunity to discuss social issues. Today's summit with the social partners was an excellent beginning in this regard. Thank you.

On 14 September 2017, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/1560[1]. 

The Council Decision extends the existing restrictive measures, imposed by the Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693, until 31 October 2018. 

The Candidate Countries the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro* and Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with these Council Decisions. 

They will ensure that their national policies conform to these Council Decisions.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

[1] Published on 15.9.2017 in the Official Journal of the European Union no. L 237, p.71.
* The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

Place:
European Convention Center Luxembourg (ECCL)

Chair:
Urve Palo, Estonia's Minister for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology 

All times are approximate and subject to change

from 09.00
Arrivals 

+/- 10.00      
Doorstep by Minister Urve Palo 

+/- 10.30      
Beginning of Council meeting (Roundtable)
Adoption of the agenda 
Digital Single Market strategy (public session)

+/- 12.30
Working lunch debate on 5G connectivity and investment

+/- 14.30
Any other business (public session):
- 5G connectivity
- Tallinn eGovernment Declaration
- Eastern Partnership Digital Ministerial meeting

+/- 14.50
Cybersecurity 2.0

+/- 16.30      
Press conference (live streaming)

Place:
European Convention Center Luxembourg (ECCL)

Chairs:
Jevgeni Ossinovski, Minister for Health and Labour
Kaia Iva, Minister for Social Protection

All times are approximate and subject to change   

from 08.00   
Arrivals 

+/- 08.30     
Doorstep by Minister Ossinovski

+/- 09.30      
Beginning of Council meeting (Roundtable)
Adoption of the agenda 
Adoption of legislative A items (public session)
Adoption of non-legislative A items

+/- 09.45
European Pillar of Social Rights (public session)

+/- 11.00
Posting of workers directive (public session)

+/- 13.30
Working lunch debate - Improving cooperation in cross-border labour mobility to fight fraud and abuse

+/- 15.30
Any other business (Roundtable):
- European Institute for Gender Equality (public session)

+/- 16.00
European Semester 2018 (public session)

+/- 16.30
Revision of Regulations on Coordination of Social Security systems (public session)

+/- 16.35
Any other business:
- Tripartite Social Summit
- Tallinn Digital summit
- New Skills Agenda for Europe

+/- at the end of the meeting      
Press conference (live streaming)

This Autumn Social Summit was devoted to "Shaping Europe's future: strengthening resilience and promoting economic and social progress for all". Three sub-themes fed into this discussion: The social dimension of Europe; The involvement of the social partners in policies and reforms at national level - progress made and ways to improve; and Investing in learning in a digital economy and society.

In his statement, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said that: "It is our common task now to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared as widely as possible. And this is why in our meeting today we discussed, in very concrete terms, how the social partners can be better involved in national policy-making. I remain convinced that only by taking the views of social partners into account can we make real progress. This is especially important in today's digital age, where citizens, young and old, need to be equipped with the right skills to prosper. Because in the digital age, the quickest way to go backward is to stand still. This is what I discussed not only with the social partners today but also with the European leaders at the Digital Summit in Tallinn. And at the meeting of the European Council tomorrow, the spirit of Tallinn will drive our political decisions."

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker underlined: "A fair and more social Europe is key in shaping our Union's future. This is what citizens rightly expect. I want the EU to stand up for the rights of its citizens in a fast-changing world. This is what the European Pillar of Social Rights is all about. I trust that we will be able to proclaim it at the Social Summit in Gothenburg on 17 November."

From the side of the rotating presidency, Estonia's Prime Minister, Jüri Ratas, said that "Less than three weeks ago I had the honour to host the first ever European Union Digital Summit in Tallinn. One of the topics was the future of the economy and society. EU leaders realise that a major shift is under way in society and that the social partners have an important role to play in this context. Indeed, their support for maintaining well-functioning EU labour market and welfare systems is vital. We already live in a digital society and we have to adapt rapidly in order to seize the economic opportunities that digitalisation presents, without leaving anybody behind. We have to provide the right skills as well as social protection to all people, whether they work in traditional companies or have cutting-edge jobs in the digital economy. The social partners have looked at these issues in depth. We are all committed to reviewing EU and national laws and policies in order to make sure they are fit for the digital age".

BusinessEurope's President, Emma Marcegaglia, representing employers (BusinessEurope, CEEP, UEAPME) said “Europe is one of the best places to live, work, and do business in the world. The European project made this possible. We should take full advantage of the current momentum - with unity backing the European project and an improved economic situation - to ensure that EU and national reforms necessary to modernise European economies and societies are put in place. The renewed focus on industrial policy is an important step. We now need to feed the strategy through a structured way forward. The EU needs to become more attractive for investment and to maintain a fair and ambitious trade agenda opening new markets and creating sustainable growth and new business opportunities for enterprises of all sizes. As regards the social dimension of Europe, the key challenge is to set in motion a partnership for reforms for improved employment outcomes. The EU should act where there is a shared understanding of its added value, respecting subsidiarity and social partner autonomy.”

"The European trade unions want to convince the EU member states to adopt, and the European Commission to follow up vigorously to fully implement, an ambitious and strong European Pillar of Social Rights” said Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). “We need more concrete measures to make a real difference in the lives of working people. Many working people are yet to feel any recovery, and need hard evidence that the EU is committed to social justice and social progress. The EU needs to make up for the lost years of crisis, and also to manage the changes that decarbonisation and digitalisation will bring so no worker is left behind."

The views cited in this text are those of the individual / organization concerned and do not collectively constitute the point of view of the Council or the European Council.

It is a true pleasure to be here at our first summit together in New Delhi. Thank you for your warm welcome and friendship.

India and the European Union are two of the world's largest democracies. This carries with it the great responsibility to uphold freedom, democracy, human rights and a credible rules-based global order. Not least in times of uncertainty and change. The best way to face these challenges is to cooperate more and better. By strengthening our strategic partnership.

So, I am happy that today we have agreed to further develop the political dimension of our relationship; that we have agreed to develop our dynamic trade and investment relations; and that we have agreed to step up cooperation on global and regional issues.

Let me briefly touch on some of these topics.

We adopted a joint declaration on counterterrorism in which we agree to counter violent extremism and radicalisation, particularly on-line, and to deal effectively with the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, terrorist financing and arms supply.

We decided to step up cooperation on maritime security in the Indian Ocean and beyond, which I hope will lead to enhanced military cooperation. We welcome the resumption of tactical exercises in the Gulf of Aden between the EU's Naval Force Operation ATALANTA and the Indian Navy and look forward to more such opportunities including India's participation in escorting World Food Programme vessels.

We also discussed the global migration and refugee crisis and agreed to coordinate closely. Through our EU-India Common Agenda for Migration and Mobility. And within the United Nations. Your engagement, Prime Minister, is appreciated and needed. The European Union continues to assume its responsibilities by receiving people in need of protection and by assisting host countries close to the conflict zones. The international community has a responsibility to crack down on human smugglers that exploit vulnerable people and violate sovereign borders.

We addressed the situation in Myanmar and the Rohingya refugee crisis. We want to see a de-escalation of tensions and a full adherence to international human rights obligations in Myanmar, as well as full humanitarian access so the aid can reach those in need. The Rohingya people must be able to return voluntarily, in safety and dignity. We call for the implementation of the recommendations of the international Rakhine Advisory Commission to tackle the root causes of this crisis. As a neighbour, India stands first in line to respond.

Turning to North Korea, the European Union, India and the whole international community have a responsibility to act with resolve for a peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. The DPRK must abandon its nuclear weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and immediately cease all related activities. The 11 September resolution unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council is increasing the pressure on the North Korean regime. It sends a strong signal, showing the unity of the international community. The European Union is implementing the resolution and is working on adopting EU additional sanctions to increase the pressure on North Korea.

As regards Ukraine, the European Union remains strong and united in its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty. That is why we insist on the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements and encourage all our partners to join us in this.

Let me conclude on our trade talks and the gap between each side's expectations. I will not enter into the details as this is for Commission President Juncker but let me just make a political observation. Free and fair trade agreements are not only economically important for our companies and citizens to prosper. Above all, they strengthen and defend the rules-based international order and our way of life. The democracies of the world can be the ones to set ambitious global standards, but only if we cooperate.

Rabindranath Tagore said 'one cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water'. I am confident we can 'swim' better for this ambitious and strategic cause.

Prime Minister, thank you again for the hospitality and for the discussions today.

At the 14th EU-India summit in New Delhi, India, on 6 October 2017, the leaders adopted a joint statement, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen the EU-India strategic partnership. 

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, represented the EU. The Republic of India was represented by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Joint statement of the EU-India summit, New Delhi, 6 October 2017

EU-India leaders also adopted joint declarations on  specific issues:

EU-India joint declaration on counter-terrorism, 6 October 2017
EU-India joint declaration on climate and energy, 6 October 2017
EU-India joint declaration on a partnership for smart and sustainable urbanisation, 6 October 2017

A number of other documents were also agreed during the summit:

• Implementing Arrangement between the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) and the European Research Council (ERC)
• New €500 million EIB loan agreement for Bangalore Metro Phase-II Project
• Joint Declaration between the Interim Secretariat of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) aimed at mobilising investments for broad-based deployment of affordable solar energy applications across the 121 prospective member countries of the ISA

Monday 2 October 2017
15.30 Phone call with Prime Minister of Spain Mariano Rajoy

Wednesday 4 October 2017
(Luxembourg)
08.30 Meeting with Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel
(Brussels)
15.00 Meeting with Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel (Lambermont)
20.00 Meeting with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte

Friday 6 October 2017
New Delhi
EU-India Summit
(local time)
10.15 Courtesy visit of Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj
10.55 Wreath laying ceremony at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial
11.25 Arrival and welcome by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
11.30 Restricted meeting
12.15 Plenary meeting
13.00 Working lunch
14.00 Exchange of bilateral agreements and press statements

On 4 October, the Council (EU ambassadors) agreed on a negotiating position on a decision repealing the standardised reporting directive (directive 91/692/EEC) and amending 6 related legal acts. This decision is essential for ensuring legal clarity, enhancing transparency and reducing the administrative burden in the field of environmental reporting.

The standardised reporting directive is the main piece of legislation currently in place which aims at streamlining the reporting obligations of all EU environmental legislation. However, it does not set out all reporting requirements, and over the years most of its provisions have become obsolete.

Specifically, the directive refers to a total of 28 environmental acts. Other legislative acts make use of the directive as well. Of them, one regulation, 9 directives and 23 decisions remain in force despite lacking any legal effect.

"This is an important step towards making environmental reporting clearer and more efficient. Reducing the administrative burden is one of our overarching goals and outdated legislation has no place in the EU legal system. We must ensure that all our legislation is "fit for purpose" and to that end, will move swiftly together with the European Parliament to reach an agreement on this file."

This decision is part of the standardised reporting directive “repeal package” presented by the Commission in 2016. It includes two other initiatives which will also contribute to the clean-up of unnecessary legislation. 

Overall, the Council supports the proposed decision and agrees on the main elements put forward by the Commission. In terms of content, the proposal aims at adapting the comitology provisions of a number of acts to the Treaty of Lisbon and the current interinstitutional agreement.

The positions of the two co-legislators are very close, and the Council looks forward to negotiations with the European Parliament with a view to reaching a quick and smooth first reading agreement.

Negotiations will start in the near future given that the European Parliament already agreed its position on the file during the plenary of 13 September 2017, following the vote of the ENVI Committee on 11 July 2017. A trilogue is likely to be scheduled for November.

Upon the deal's closure and its acceptance by both institutions, the decision will enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, as specified on its provisions. Nevertheless, in order to ensure full consistency and avoid legal gaps, the actual publication of this decision will be put on hold so that it enters into force at the same time as the legislative acts of the Waste package, which are currently being discussed by both legislators.

In its 2014 communication on the regulatory fitness and performance programme (REFIT), the Commission pledged to work on concrete proposals to remove obsolete legislation related to environmental reporting. 

Over the next two years, the Commission adopted a communication on better regulation in May 2015 and launched a REFIT fitness check for environmental monitoring and reporting in its work programme for 2016, which is ongoing.

As a result of those commitments, the Commission proposed a standardised reporting directive “repeal package” on 15 December 2016, consisting of three initiatives, the third of which is this decision. The first takes the form of a Commission communication identifying a series of superfluous implementing acts and the second proposes the repeal of two implementing decisions.

The European Council will take place on 19 and 20 October 2017 in the Europa building in Brussels. The press centre remains located in the Justus Lipsius building.

Please note that due to the current security situation in Belgium, specific security measures have been put in place for last minute accreditation requests. Media representatives applying for the first time or who have not been screened recently will be the subject of a comprehensive and detailed verification by our security service. Considering the time and resources needed for these verifications, not all requests may be processed. Media are therefore advised to avoid sending representatives falling into these categories.

If this is your first registration, please make sure you have a recent ID-size photograph in JPEG format (.jpg) and the number of your passport or identity card ready before starting the online process.

You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt by email. Please read it carefully as it includes the list of original documents you will be asked to provide when collecting your badge. Depending on your profile, the requested documents will include: Passport or ID card, press card and/or an original letter in paper copy from your editor-in chief as well as the signed original of your authorisation for security screening (only for media representatives of Belgian nationality or resident in Belgium). The press centre may contact you to request additional information if necessary. No accreditation badge will be issued if you cannot provide all required documents. 

Trainees with media organisations who do not possess a press card are not entitled to request accreditation. 

Journalists holding a 6-month badge (01.07.2017 - 31.12.2017) do not need to register

6-month badges can be collected at the accreditation centre of the LEX building during summits. Please ensure that you have all the required documents when collecting your badge.

Accreditation badges must be collected in person from the LEX building (145 rue de la Loi, Brussels)  

• Wednesday 18 October, from 09.30 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00
• Thursday 19 October, from 08.30 to 20.00
• Friday 20 October, from 08.00 to the end of the final press conference (max. 22.00)

Practical information on the press centre and the media programme will follow.

For more details on the meeting of the European Council,  see the meeting page.

Good evening. Let me start by thanking Prime Minister Ratas for hosting the Tallinn Digital Summit. It was indeed a very special event about the future of Europe. And many thanks to all the Estonians for your great hospitality and for inspiring Europe with your "digital" spirit.

We held this summit because Europe must use the opportunities created by huge advances, in everything from robotics to artificial intelligence. We need to actively shape our future and manage the risks posed by the digital revolution to our societies and democracies. That is why the leaders focused on how the EU could successfully navigate the opportunities, as well as the risks. We will now work together with Prime Minister Ratas to  prepare the conclusions for the October European Council, based on our discussions.

Now, let me make a comment on the last night's dinner. As you know, the leaders had an informal debate on the situation of Europe and on our future work in the European Council. I was mandated to translate this good debate  and the visionary speeches we have heard recently, into a concrete work programme. Therefore, I have already started bilateral consultations. In addition to my meeting with Prime Minister Ratas, today I also met the Prime Ministers of Bulgaria, Croatia and the Chancellor of Germany. And during the next two weeks I will consult all Member States.

Based on those consultations,  I will present a very concrete working plan with a number of decisions that need to be taken by the leaders in the next year. Something I could call the “Leaders Agenda 2017/18”. This means further development and enrichment of the programme that I have presented in my Tallinn letter. It will include, inter alia, the launch of the  permanent defence cooperation by the end of 2017, a Euro Summit in December to further deepen the Economic and Monetary Union, with a special focus on the completion of the Banking Union, or a Western Balkans' Summit during the Bulgarian presidency in the EU.

Our guiding principles are clear and I hope will not change. First and foremost, I will do everything in my power to keep the unity of the EU. Secondly, I will  concentrate on finding real solutions to real problems of our citizens, who are concerned about security, migration or unemployment. And finally, we will all make sure that Europe is making progress.

Good morning. Yesterday evening we had a good and constructive debate. I will use this debate to build what I could call the leaders' agenda 2017 and 2018, of course in consultation with all the Member States and I will present this political agenda in two weeks time.

In this process I will respect as always three key principles:

• one, the need to find real solutions to real problems,
• two, the need to make progress step-by-step, issue-by-issue
• three, and above all, the need to keep the unity of the 27 Member States, also in the context of the new ideas.

And there have been plenty. But even though some may think it is a kind of a Eurovisions' contest, and perhaps it is, I am personally convinced that together, we will make good use of it, if we sing unisono.

In view of the continuing instability and gravity of the situation in Libya, the Council has extended the duration of the sanctions against Libya, targeting three persons for a period of six months.

On 1 April 2016, the Council imposed restrictive measures against Libya on three persons: Agila Saleh, president of the Libyan Council of Deputies in the House of Representatives; Khalifa Ghweil, prime minister and defence minister of the internationally unrecognised General National Congress; and Nuri Abu Sahmain, president of the internationally unrecognised General National Congress. These persons are viewed as obstructing the implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) of 17 December 2015 and the formation of a Government of National Accord in Libya.

The Council last adopted conclusions on Libya on 17 July 2017. The Council reiterated its firm support to the Libyan Political Agreement and to the Presidency Council and Government of National Accord led by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj established under it as the sole legitimate government authorities in the country. 

The Council reaffirmed its commitment to existing restrictive measures. It reiterated its readiness to repeal them if the conditions for their application are no longer met and to introduce new measures against individuals who threaten the peace, security or stability of the country by, for instance, impeding or undermining the successful completion of Libya's political transition. 

The EU called on all armed groups to refrain from violence, to commit to demobilisation and to recognise the authorities entrusted through the Libyan Political Agreement as the only authorities invested with the right to control Libya's defence and security forces. Violence threatens Libya's stability: the EU believes there is no solution to the Libyan crisis through the use of force.

The Council also warmly welcomed the appointment of Ghassan Salamé as the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, who will play a central mediation role helping to promote an inclusive political settlement based on the Libyan Political Agreement.