European Council

On 11 October, Council formally adopted the directive on countering money laundering by criminal law

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

The Council adopted its position on the recast regulation setting new CO2 emission standards for cars and vans.

The Council adopted conclusions on biodiversity in view of negotiations at CBD COP14.

The Council adopted conclusions on climate change in view of negotiations at COP24.

On the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, the Council of Europe and the EU reiterate their strong opposition to capital punishment in all circumstances and for all cases. They underline that the death penalty is an affront to human dignity and that it has no established deterrent effect and makes judicial errors irreversible.

The Council today endorsed a new EU customs action plan to combat infringements of intellectual property rights (IPR).

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

Weekly schedule of President Donald Tusk 6-14 October 2018

The Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs representing the trio of Presidencies of the Council, together with the European Commission met with their counterparts from six Western Balkan partners at the annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home affairs.

The European Union signed an agreement with Albania on cooperation on border management.

President Donald Tusk and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discussed Brexit, Irish backstop and preparation of the October European Council, including cyber security.

President Donald Tusk, President Jean-Claude Juncker and High Representative Federica Mogherini issued a joint statement on the cyber attack on the offices of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The EU issued a declaration on the situation in Nicaragua, which remains of serious concern, five months after the outbreak of social protests.

The Council agreed to allow member states – as a means of preventing VAT fraud – to temporarily apply a generalised reversal of VAT liability.

The Council agreed on adjustments to the EU's VAT rules to fix specific issues pending the introduction of a new VAT system.

The Council adopts a regulation aimed at improving controls on cash entering or leaving the Union.

The Council adopted measures to strengthen administrative cooperation in order to better prevent VAT fraud.

The Council agreed a proposal allowing member states to apply reduced VAT rates to electronic publications, contributing to the digital single market plan.

The Council removed Palau from the list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, bringing the names on the list down to six. It also found Liechtenstein and Peru compliant with commitments on tax cooperation.