European Council

The EU institutions have taken steps to strengthen their cooperation against cyber-attacks by establishing a permanent Computer Emergency Response Team.

The EU is developing new rules to allow non-personal data to move freely across national borders.

The presidency reached agreement with the European Parliament on strengthened EU rules to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing

The EU wants to improve cross-border parcel delivery services to boost e-commerce.

On 20 December 2017, EU ambassadors agreed on a mandate to improve the rules of circulation of fertilising products in the internal market.

On 20 December 2017, EU ambassadors gave their support to the political agreement reached between the presidency and the European Parliament on a proposal to modernise the EU's trade defence instruments.

On 20 December 2017, EU ambassadors confirmed an agreement between the Estonian Presidency of the Council and the European Parliament on the reform of type-approval and market surveillance for motor vehicles.

On 19 December, the Estonian presidency reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a revised directive concerning the energy performance of buildings

Erik Høeg was appointed as new Head of mission for the monitoring mission in Georgia, EUMM Georgia.

On 18 December, the Council agreed its negotiating position (general approach) on a regulation establishing the framework for an internal electricity market across the EU.

On 18 December, the Council agreed on a general approach (negotiating position) on a regulation setting out the system for the governance of the Energy Union which integrates, climate and energy planning into a single framework.

On 18 December 2017, the Council adopted its position on a directive promoting the use of renewable energy across the EU.

On 18 December, the Council reached a general approach (negotiating position) on a directive setting out common rules to ensure that the internal electricity market in the EU is competitive, consumer-centred, flexible and non-discriminatory.

President Donald Tusk congratulates Sebastian Kurz on his appointment as Federal Chancellor of Austria.

On 18 December 2017, the Council adopted conclusions on eco-innovation which will enable the vitally important transition towards a circular economy.

The Council renewed for five years Elke König's term of office as chairperson of the EU's single resolution board for unviable banks.

In the early hours of 18 December 2017, the Estonian presidency reached a provisional agreement with representatives of the European Parliament on all four legislative proposals of the waste package.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

On 15 December 2017, EU ambassadors agreed a mandate for the monitoring and reporting rules for CO2 emissions and fuel consumption that will apply to new heavy-duty vehicles.

On 15 December 2017, EU ambassadors were debriefed on the provisional deal reached with the European Parliament on a new Europass framework.