European Council

On 21 February 2020 the European Council issued a declaration on the situation in Idlib, Syria.

European Council President Charles Michel spoke to the press before the special meeting of the European Council. Leaders will aim to agree on the EU’s long-term budget for 2021-2027, the multiannual financial framework (MFF).

The Council adopted conclusions setting out its priorities for the 2021 EU budget.

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

On 18 February 2020, the Council approved the following recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area for the year 2020.

The Council adopted and published a revised EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Four new jurisdictions were included in the list.

The Council today adopted new rules to facilitate detection of tax fraud in cross-border e-commerce transactions.

The Council today adopted a reform of the VAT rules applicable to small businesses.

The Council adopted a decision authorising the opening of negotiations between the EU and Japan for an agreement on the transfer and use of passenger name record (PNR) data.

The Eurogroup agreed today on a report covering the need, the content, the modalities and considerations on the size of a possible inter-governmental agreement on the basis of which external assigned revenues could top up the budget envelope of the BICC.

Remarks by Mário Centeno following the Eurogroup meeting on economic situation, euro area recommendation, priorities for the EMU and the euro area budgetary instrument.

The Eurogroup appoints Tuomas Saarenheimo as President of the EWG for a two-year term, as of 1 April 2020.

Discours du président Charles Michel à la conférence "Together for Albania"

The Council added eight businessmen and two entities to the list of those subject to sanctions against the Syrian regime and its supporters.

Council adopts conclusions on Zimbabwe and renews its arms embargo and targeted assets freeze against one company.

The Council adopted conclusions establishing the priorities to be followed by the EU in UN human rights fora in 2020.

The Council prolonged the restrictive measures against Belarus until 28 February 2021.

European Council President Charles Michel did a doorstep upon his arrival and highlighted the importance of the EU-Western Balkans partnership.

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel 16-22 February 2020

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