European Council

Weekly schedule of President Donald Tusk 1-7 April 2019

The EU is modernising and reinforcing its consumer protection laws. Member states' ambassadors meeting in the Council's Permanent Representatives Committee today approved a deal reached between the Romanian presidency and the European Parliament on a draft directive which amends four existing EU directives protecting consumers' interests.

The EU introduces a new regulation imposing enhanced safety standards for car manufacturers in a bid to significantly reduce the number of road casualties and injuries. Member states' ambassadors meeting in the Council's Permanent Representatives Committee today approved the provisional deal reached between the Romanian presidency and the European Parliament on a draft regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles and the protection of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users.

The Council extended the mandate of EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia for six months.

The EU's future framework programme for research and innovation is taking shape. Member states' ambassadors meeting in the Council's permanent representatives' committee today confirmed the common understanding reached between the Romanian presidency of the Council and the European Parliament on the majority of the operative provisions of Horizon Europe, the next EU framework programme on research and innovation for the years 2021 to 2027.

The EU issue a declaration reaffirming that it does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.

A new directive creates an EU-wide framework which will enable banks to more easily sell or outsource the servicing of bad loans.

EU ambassadors endorsed the common understanding reached by the Romanian presidency and the Parliament on InvestEU, the new EU programme to support investment and growth.

The EU wants to eliminate unjustified barriers to EU companies' freedom of establishment in the single market. Member states' ambassadors sitting in Coreper today endorsed a deal reached with the European Parliament on 13 March on a draft directive that facilitates EU companies' cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions.

In Strasbourg, President Donald Tusk addressed the plenary session of the European Parliament on the discussions held during the European Council meetings, which focused mainly on relations with China and Brexit

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/96 of 21 January 2019 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The EU issued a declaration on the increasing tension on the rule of law democracy in Guatemala, following the latest developments in the country.

The 21st bilateral summit between the EU and China will take place on 9 April in the Europa building in Brussels.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2019/87of 21 January 2019 implementing Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria.

Weekly schedule of President Donald Tusk 25-31 March 2019

The EU is ensuring continuity of train services between the EU (France and Ireland) and the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

At the press conference held at the end of the March European Council meetings, President Tusk presented the results of the discussions on economy, climate change, disinformation, China and Brexit.

The European Council adopted conclusions on jobs, growth and competitiveness, climate change, external relations, as well as securing free and fair elections and fighting disinformation.

The European Council (Article 50) adopted a decision formalising the political agreement reached on 21 March 2019 on extending the period under Article 50.

The European Council appointed today Mr Philip R. Lane as a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank for a non-renewable term of 8 years.