European Union

The Turkish leadership has sought rapprochement with two states with which it was in conflict. A reconciliation agreement with Israel is aimed at ending the six-year freeze in diplomatic relations between the two countries triggered by an Israeli military operation against a Gaza aid flotilla in 2010. And in a letter to Putin Erdoğan expressed regret for the shooting down of a Russian fighter jet seven months ago. What is the goal of this new charm offensive?

A year ago, at the height of the Greek crisis, the government in Athens introduced capital controls to prevent a bank run which would lead to the banks' collapse. The controls have been eased but not entirely lifted. The Greek media are still at odds over their effectiveness.

We, the Heads of State or Government of 27 Member States, as well as the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, deeply regret the outcome of the referendum in the UK but we respect the will expressed by a majority of the British people. Until the UK leaves the EU, EU law continues to apply to and within the UK, both when it comes to rights and obligations.

Good afternoon. Today 27 EU leaders discussed the consequences of the British referendum for Europe. It was a calm and serious discussion, as it is a serious moment in our common history. Certainly one issue is clear from our debate. Leaders are absolutely determined to remain united and work closely together as 27.

We reconfirmed that Britain's withdrawal from the European Union must be orderly and there will be no negotiations of any kind until the UK formally notifies its intention to withdraw. We hope to have the UK as a close partner in the future. It is up to the British government to notify the European Council of the UK intentions to withdraw from the EU. Leaders made it crystal clear today that access to the single market requires acceptance of all four freedoms, including the freedom of movement. There will be no single market "à la carte".

We also discussed the fact that too many people in Europe are unhappy with the current state of affairs and who expect us to do better. Many recalled that for decades Europe was bringing hope and that we have a responsibility to return to that.

As you know it was a first exchange of 27 leaders after the British referendum and so it would be too early to draw conclusions. This is why we have started a political reflection on the future of EU with 27 states and will meet on 16 September in Bratislava to continue talks. Thank you.

EU leaders resume their meeting this morning with one conspicuous absentee. David Cameron is locked out of deliberations – the first time in more than 40 years that a UK prime minister has been excluded. Better get used to it.

Last night saw one of the more awkward dinners in recent diplomatic history, as Mr Cameron tried to explain the meaning of Brexit to his sombre European counterparts.

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The EU needs to update its long-term spending plan to cope with unforeseen crises such as mass migration, terrorism and youth unemployment, says the Budgets Committee in a resolution voted on Wednesday. The text is intended as an input to the forthcoming EU Commission’s proposal to revise the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. The update should also tackle the recurring backlog of overdue EU payments, and look beyond 2020, add MEPs.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The EU needs to update its long-term spending plan to cope with unforeseen crises such as mass migration, terrorism and youth unemployment, says the Budgets Committee in a resolution voted on Wednesday. The text is intended as an input to the forthcoming EU Commission’s proposal to revise the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. The update should also tackle the recurring backlog of overdue EU payments, and look beyond 2020, add MEPs.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Kossowski
DFON
Fresh proceedings may be brought against a suspect in a Schengen State where previous criminal proceedings in another Schengen State were terminated without a detailed investigation

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EU leaders resume their meeting this morning with one conspicuous absentee. David Cameron is locked out of deliberations – the first time in more than 40 years that a UK prime minister has been excluded. Better get used to it.

Read more

Before anything else, let me express my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of tonight's attacks at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul. In times like these we should all be united.  

As you can imagine this was very much a British European Council. And not only because of Brexit. Most of the other issues discussed were also "British".

Leaders took important decisions on the single market, the digital market, the capital markets union, on stemming irregular migration and on closer cooperation with NATO.

We agreed to step up work with African countries on returns of irregular migrants, and on measures that would stabilise the situation in Libya. EU- NATO co-operation was discussed in the presence of Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the Warsaw Summit and we agreed to enhance our relationship given unprecedented challenges from the South and East. We decided on steps to deepen the Single Market further, especially when it comes to the digital market. We will also continue to develop the capital markets union despite the recent turmoil.

Most importantly, Prime Minister Cameron outlined the results of Thursday's referendum. Respecting the will of the British people, we all recognized that a process of orderly exit was in everyone's, and especially, in the UK's interest. Prime Minister Cameron undertook that the decision to trigger Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union be taken by the new leadership in Britain. Our discussions were calm and measured. Leaders understand that some time is now needed to allow the dust to settle in the UK. But they also expect the intentions of the UK government to be specified as soon as possible. This was a very clear message which I believe Prime Minister Cameron will take back to London.

We also considered the post-Brexit economic situation in the presence of the European Central Bank President, who reassured us about the good and constant cooperation of central banks. However, it was also made clear that Brexit means substantially lower growth in the UK, with a possible negative spillover all over the world.

Finally, let me thank Prime Minister Rutte, who is finalising his presidency. Mark, thank you for your professional and hard work on migration and particularly on our deal with Turkey, but also for your key role in making the single market move forward. Talking about referendums and the Netherlands I would like to mention that the European Council also discussed the ratification of the DCFTA (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area) for Ukraine. Leaders agreed to do their best to find a legally-binding solution that would allow Prime Minister Rutte to proceed with this ratification.

Tomorrow we will launch a discussion, in fact, a reflection process to give an impulse on the future of the EU. It will be our first informal meeting without the UK, among the 27 States. Thank you.

 

General : The choice made by the British people in the EU referendum needs to be implemented "as soon as possible” with Parliament’s full involvement, European Parliament president Martin Schulz said on 28 June at the EU summit in Brussels following the UK referendum. “A spell of prolonged uncertainty would be in no-one’s interest," he said, adding that the EU itself should also reform.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP