European Council

When we gather in places like Babi Yar, Auschwitz or Ponary, to honour the memory of the murdered victims, we helplessly search for the right words and phrases. Some, like Pope Francis, who recently visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, choose silence, which, in his case, was broken only for a short while, for the recitation of Psalm 130.

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!"

It is understandable that in the face of the Holocaust, the living seek consolation in prayer. It is also understandable that we most often choose silence, because silence can be louder than a scream. We look for ways to honour the victims in the most dignified and suitable manner, to move into the shadow, in order to see better and to better understand what happened here, and in other places of Shoah. To better understand what happened with us, with the people and with the world, in the abyss we have found ourselves together with the victims, the perpetrators, and the witnesses. Yes, common silence and common prayer are indeed appropriate in such a place and time. But silence and prayers by themselves will not be enough if we want to avoid the great moral danger, which was, and still is, present in our collective experience. According to Timothy Snyder, a historian of the Holocaust, (and his reflection is still relevant today), "The moral danger after all, is never that one might become a victim but that one might be a perpetrator or a bystander."

This is why, when we stand in silence at this mass grave, we need to remember that it is our daily duty to cry out at the top of our voice, and to act - always - when innocent people are killed, when the strong attack the weak, when children become the target of warplanes and rockets.

Confronted with evil and violence, humankind cannot be divided only into victims, perpetrators and bystanders. We must try to emulate those, who are called the Righteous Among the Nations. If we do not, why should the Lord hear our voice? Why should his ears be attentive to our pleas for mercy?

Tomorrow, we will say our last goodbye to one of those who believed that violence need not dominate in today's world, to Shimon Peres. I know that he is here with us now.  Let his belief, and that of  others, that evil can be overcome only by good, be guidance to us all. Thank you. 

On 30 September 2016, the Council agreed to speed up the process of ratification of the Paris Agreement. This agreement sets the framework for global action on climate change.

The Council decided to go ahead with ratification at EU level. Member states will ratify either together with the EU if they have completed their national procedures, or as soon as possible thereafter.

To open the way for EU ratification, ministers endorsed a Council decision on EU conclusion of the agreement and asked the European Parliament for its consent.

Once the European Parliament gives its green light, the decision on conclusion will be formally adopted by the Council. The EU will then be able to ratify the agreement.

The Slovak Minister for the Environment and president of the Council, László Sólymos said: "Today is an important day not only for our action on climate but also for unity we have demonstrated. This means that EU and its member states will add their weight to trigger the entry into force of the Paris Agreement. Europe has shown leadership in Paris and will participate in its implementation in Marrakesh. Action for climate remains essential for livelihood of our planet and future generations".

The Paris Agreement is a mixed agreement, which means that some of the issues it covers are the responsibility of the EU and others of member states. It therefore has to be ratified by both the EU and all 28 member states.

So far France, Hungary, Austria and Slovakia have completed their national ratification procedures and several others are very close to doing so.

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after the ratification by at least 55 countries accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. So far 61 countries have ratified, accounting for 47.79% of global emissions.

If the threshold is met by 7 October 2016, the agreement will enter into force in time for the beginning of Marrakesh UN climate change conference (COP22) on 7 November 2016. The first meeting of the parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) could therefore be convened during the conference. By ratifying the EU secures its full participation at this meeting.

Place:         Justus Lipsius building, 175 rue de la Loi, Brussels 

All times are approximate and subject to change

+/- 07.30
Arrivals
Live streaming

+/- 08.15 TBC
Doorstep by High Representative Federica Mogherini 

+/- 08.30
Arrival of the Afghan delegation, welcome by High Representative Federica Mogherini 

+/- 09.00       Opening session (roundtable Photo/TV opportunity Group A) 
including statements by:
President of the European Council Donald Tusk
President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Live streaming

+/- 10.30
Family photo (Photo/TV opportunity Group B)

 11.00
Presentation by the Afghan government of the National Peace and Development Framework and the revised Self-Reliance Mutual Accountability Framework
Presentation of the World Bank economic outlook
Live streaming

11.30
Bilateral statements by partner countries and international organisations (part I)
Chaired by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani
Live streaming

12.30
Lunch 

14.00
Afghan civil society joint statement
Live streaming

14.15
Bilateral statements by partner countries and international organisations (part II)
Chaired by Minister of Finance of Afghanistan Eklil Hakimi and European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica
Live streaming

17.30
Closing session
including statements by:
Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah
High Representative Federica Mogherini,
European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica
Live streaming                    

+/- 18.00
Press conference
Live streaming

Place:        Charlemagne building of the European Commission, 170 rue de la Loi, Brussels 

All times are approximate and subject to change                  

+/- 13.30
Signing of the State Building Contract
Live streaming   

Empowered Women, Prosperous Afghanistan
Live streaming

+/- 14.00 
Opening speeches                    

Session 1 - Promoting Afghan Women's Rights                    

+/- 16.15    

Session 2 - Socio-economic Empowerment of Afghan Women     

+/- 17.30 
Closing speeches  

Regional integration and prosperity 

+/- 16.00
Beginning of the event 

Recording of the introductive remarks will be published at +/- 18.00 on EbS

Dear President Rivlin,

Please accept on behalf of the European Union our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Israel on the passing of former President Shimon Peres.

With the death of the former President the world has lost a true champion of peace. An icon on the world stage who will be dearly missed for his unwavering dedication to co-existence in the Middle East and between all peoples. He was instrumental in forging close ties of friendship and cooperation between Israel and other parts of the world, including Europe.

His long career as a senior official, a minister, prime minister and most recently as President was dedicated to building a strong and secure State of Israel. But he also remained convinced that his vision for Israel could only be achieved if the Palestinians were allowed to have a state as well, living in peace and security alongside Israel. Even in the darkest of hours he stuck to the vision of a two-state solution. This will be his enduring legacy.

He was a man of tremendous wit, humour, charm, hard work and dedication. Our hearts go out to Shimon Peres' family, who has lost a father and grandfather. Israel has lost a great statesman and Europe has lost a great friend and partner.

Peres never lost his faith in peace. We must keep his legacy alive by continuing his unflagging efforts for peace, cooperation and coexistence in the Middle East and globally.

Place:        Justus Lipsius building, Brussels
Chair:        László Sólymos, Minister for the Environment of Slovakia

All times are approximate and subject to change

+/- 08.30
Arrivals

+/- 08.35
Doorstep by Minister László Sólymos

+/- 09.30
Beginning of Environment Council meeting (Roundtable)
Adoption of the agenda
- Paris Agreement and EU ratification
- Marrakesh UN climate change conference (COP 22)
Any other business

+/- 12.30
Press conference (live streaming)

Place:        Justus Lipsius building, Brussels
Chair(s):    Peter Žiga, Minister for the Economy of the Slovak republic

All times are approximate and subject to change

INTERNAL MARKET and INDUSTRY

+/- 09.15
Doorstep by Minsiter Žiga

+/- 10.00
Beginning of the Competitiveness Council meeting (roundtable)
Adoption of A Items (public session)

+/- 10.15
Competitiveness "check-up": access to finance for EU companies (debate)

+/- 11.00
European agenda for the collaborative economy (debate)
Any other business: Standardisation package

+/- 14.30
European steel industry (debate)
Any other business:
- Development of an ambitious industry policy in Europe
- Europe's transition to a low-carbon economy
- Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court
- Outcome of conference patents and plant breeders' rights (18 May 2016)
- Review of the supplementary protection certificates system

+/- 16.40
Press conference (life streaming)

The European Union and the government of Afghanistan will co-host the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan on 4-5 October 2016, bringing together more than 70 countries and 20 international organisations and agencies.

The aim of the conference is to endorse a realistic programme of reforms to bring about the Afghan government's vision and to ensure continued international political and financial support for political and economic stability, state-building and development over the coming four years.

The conference is taking place under the patronage of President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani, who will open the event.

Securing financial support over the course of the next four years and increasing the effectiveness of aid, on the basis of a new national development framework, is crucial for the stabilisation of the country. Development and security remain interdependent challenges and need to be underpinned by genuine political support. This will involve the international community, and in particular Afghanistan's neighbours, building on an emerging regional consensus oriented towards peace and cross-border economic cooperation. 

"The Afghans need peace and stability, and we all, the European Union included, have a strong interest in supporting them", said the High Representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy, Federica Mogherini. "Afghanistan has shown its determination, in the face of considerable challenges, to continue on the path to democracy and development. The international community, starting with our European Union, needs to keep supporting the efforts of the Afghan people towards prosperity and peace, not only financially but also politically. Our conference is the moment to do just that."

The High Representative will co-chair the conference on behalf of the EU along with Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for Development Cooperation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin Rabbani and Minister of Finance Eklil Hakimi will co-chair on behalf of Afghanistan. Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah will also be present. Minister Eklil Hakimi said "The Government of Afghanistan is looking forward to sharing our plans to achieve self-reliance for our people with our international partners. We are also pleased to let them know about our achievements since 2014. The Brussels Conference is an opportunity for Afghanistan and its partners to reaffirm their commitments to a shared vision of peace, stability and prosperity for Afghanistan."

High level events focusing on women's empowerment and regional integration will take place on the margins of the conference, on 4 October.  

The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk received the letters of credentials of the following Ambassadors:

H.E. Mr Bojan ŠARKIĆ, Ambassador, Head of the Mission of Montenegro to the European Union
H.E. Mr Urs BUCHER, Ambassador, Head of the Mission of the Swiss Confederation to the European Union
H.E. Mr Kazuo KODAMA, Ambassador, Head of the Mission of Japan to the European Union

The Council suspended the application of EU restrictive measures against the 'Fuerzas armadas revolucionarias de Colombia' ('Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia') known as 'FARC' on 27 September 2016. This decision follows the official signing on 26 September 2016 of the Colombia peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC.

The organisation has been listed since June 2002 under the so-called "EU terrorist list", which established a list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts and subject to restrictive measures. Set down in common position 2001/931/CFSP, these measures impose an asset freeze on persons, groups and entities considered as involved in terrorist acts. It also prohibits EU persons and entities to make funds and economic resources available to them. 

The Colombian government and the FARC reached agreement on a peace deal to end more than 50 years of armed conflict on 25 August 2016. The signature ceremony takes place on 26 September 2016 in Cartagena.

The decision to suspend the sanctions against the FARC was adopted by the Council by written procedure. The legal acts are published in the Official Journal of 27 September 2016.

Since the first days of the migration crisis I have had no doubt that the main key to its resolution is restoring effective control of the EU's external borders. Obviously, an essential precondition for achieving this goal is close cooperation with our partners in the Balkans and in Turkey.

Today we should discuss how to improve the effectiveness of our actions. We need to confirm, politically and in practice, that the Western Balkan route of irregular migration is closed for good. This is why I am happy that Chancellor Kern took the initiative and organised this meeting.

Saturday 24 September 2016
Vienna
11.30 Participation in the summit on migration along the Balkan route

Tuesday 27 September 2016
10.30 Presentation of letters of credentials of ambassadors

Wednesday 28 September 2016
Kiev
Dinner with President Petro Poroshenko

Thursday 29 September 2016
Kiev
(local time)
ttbc Meeting with Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman
15.00 Participation in the commemorative ceremony of the 75th anniversary of Babyn Yar

Last year I stood here to assure you that isolationism will never be Europe's policy. And I haven't changed my mind even though the last twelve months have been difficult, not least for the European Union. Europe will always stand for a free and open world governed by the rule of law, where nations can trade and grow together, instead of living in conflict, mistrust and intrigue. We treat the values upon which the European Union is founded in all seriousness. And we have the determination to seek those values on the international arena. If we fail, the world will descend into greater disorder, whose first victims are always the weakest and the poorest.

This body is in the process of choosing new leadership. This gives us an  opportunity to reflect frankly on the kind of international system we have today, and the one we want for the future. As a historian, I know why the League of Nations failed in its mission to protect peace and international security. It was paralysed by inertia, fatalism and, finally, by cowardice. As a politician, I can see similar phenomena everywhere today. This is due to the rise of fear. Fear of war, fear of terrorism and the fear of strangers. Globalisation makes fear more contagious and more potent. It dangerously links together the anxieties of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and America. Take one example that can stand for others: the radical Islam of  Da'esh that spreads terror from Jakarta to Nice; from Tunis to Brussels, from Sirte to Orlando.

When fear takes over, nations increasingly turn away from each other. What we need to do here and now is to regain a sense of security, which is a fundamental need for every human being, as important as the need for freedom.

No challenge shows this so clearly as the issue of refugee protection and the mass displacement of persons across borders. In the last months, Europe has been confronted by the refugee crisis to a particularly large degree. Nevertheless, in all our actions aimed at solving the problem of refugees, the European Union is driven by empathy and the readiness to offer help to those in need, even if the world turns its back and pretends not to see. And still today, when we restore order on our external borders and take back control from the smugglers, the readiness to assist refugees in their plight remains our top priority.

This is why we have spent billions of euros to fund humanitarian assistance and are willing to spend much more in the months and years to come. It is our hope and expectation that global solidarity will now kick in to provide health, education and jobs for millions of people currently displaced, and to scale up resettlement. In light of this, we support the work that has now begun under the New York Declaration to find a sustainable and fair rulebook for global migration. This declaration gives us hope that the principles which have been at the heart of our response, will also form the foundation of the global response to the refugee crisis.

Europe is, and will be active everywhere where war is imminent or is already raging. And our main goal will always be peace. This is as true for civil wars in the Middle East or Africa as it is for nuclear testing and territorial disputes in Asia. It is true also on our own borders, where Ukraine has been attacked by Russia. Further afield, what we are now concerned with are conflicts in Syria, Libya and Afghanistan, where the very statehood of these countries is in danger. We fully support and stand ready to engage in the work of the United Nations, to bring parties to the negotiating table in Syria and in Libya. And in a few weeks, together with the Afghan government, the European Union will host an international conference in Brussels. This is a unique opportunity for the rest of the world to show that it cares about supporting a stable Afghanistan and the stability of the region as a whole.

This year we have also witnessed a rising wave of terror worldwide, also against the people of Europe, carried out by many terrorist organisations, in particular by Daesh. Building a global strategy and network against terrorism is key, including in preventing radicalisation and confronting the issues of foreign fighters and terrorist financing. Europe is working with partners from Asia to the Gulf and the Sahel on building up global capacities against violent extremism. We are upgrading our borders to ensure that terrorists cannot pass, or re-enter, and are working with communities to prevent young people from becoming infected with hatred. This threat will touch all of us sooner or later, which is why we should make better use of the United Nations to fight it together.

The European Union is the world's largest donor of development and humanitarian aid, and that will not change. The Sustainable Development Goals can drive reform of the international system by offering an opportunity to address many problems in one process: namely insecurity, poverty, under-development, climate change and uncontrolled migration. And, ultimately, we seek a system that ensures that everybody gets his or her fair share of the benefits of globalisation.

Lastly, I would like to say a word about the fight against climate change, to which the EU is fully committed. Europe has had a comprehensive climate change policy in place for years. Right now we are developing the laws which will allow us to reach our ambitious target for 2030, and our ratification of the Paris agreement will be completed soon. The fact that the two biggest global emitters have ratified the agreement early, is a positive sign. It shows that the readiness to take responsibility for our common future is not limited only to Europe. I am hopeful that this trend becomes contagious.

Let me say one more thing at the end: I feel that ordinary people sense a great change is coming. We should listen. We should understand. We should anticipate, not only react. Our job is to bring back a sense of direction, to bring back confidence, to bring back a sense of order. Globalisation needs credible rules to make it stable and fair, whether we talk about trade, migration or security. Thank you.

First of all, allow me also to join others in expressing appreciation for President's Obama initiative to call this meeting.

In Europe, we are in no doubt, that today, one of the most urgent actions the international community must undertake, is the strengthening of the common response to the refugee crisis.

In comparison to other states who are present here today, the European Union stood out in 2015 as unable to effectively protect its external borders. This time of uncontrolled migration is coming to an end, and it won't repeat itself. The final goal we are aiming at, is that the refugees will get asylum in EU member states through resettlement, and not by embarking on a risky often tragic journey organised by smugglers.

Our determination to protect the EU's external border does not change the fact that Europe will remain the most open continent in the world. And the EU countries together with the United States will continue to make up the backbone of world humanitarian efforts.

Let me highlight the most significant actions the European Union is currently undertaking. Our humanitarian assistance to refugees worldwide has increased, from 1.35 billion euros in 2015 to 1.7 billion euros in 2016. And here I am only talking about the EU budget and not the national budgets of our 28 member states. Part of this funding is helping children to go to school in emergency settings. We provide significant financial and technical support to those countries who host most of the Syrian refugees, notably Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Our Compacts with those countries will help both refugees and people living in host communities to access education and to find a job. With regard to the Syrian crisis specifically, the EU has provided over 6.2 billion euros, which includes 3 billion euros pledged from the Union's budget at the "Supporting Syria" conference in London last February.

And finally, we are determined to strengthen the economic resilience of the countries affected by the refugee crisis, and the European Investment Bank will play its role in this respect.

Let me invite all international partners and stakeholders to step up their contributions. Only working hand in hand can we succeed in handling the refugee crisis. Thank you.

July's events in South Sudan continue to loom large.   During the fighting in July, hundreds lost their lives and atrocious acts of sexual violence were committed.  Those responsible must be brought to justice.  The EU calls for investigations to be opened into all crimes committed during the most recent fighting with a view to the prosecution of those responsible.  In this context, the EU reiterates its call for the rapid establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.

The EU welcomes UN Security Council Resolution 2304 (2016) which extended the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until 15 December 2016 and authorised the deployment of a regional protection force, as part of UNMISS, with the responsibility of providing a secure environment.  Swift deployment of this force is an important step to help ensure peace and stability in South Sudan. 

The EU welcomes the spirit of co-operation demonstrated by the Transitional Government of National Unity of South Sudan in the joint communiqué issued after the visit of the UN Security Council to Juba on 2-4 September.  The commitments made in the joint communiqué, including to work with UNMISS and with the regional protection force, must be fully implemented by the Transitional Government.

The EU commends the continuous engagement on this issue by the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the responsible stance of neighbouring countries during recent events.  The EU reiterates its call on all South Sudanese parties to implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in good faith.  The EU remains ready to impose sanctions against any individual responsible for undermining the peace process in South Sudan, and - noting that the EU has long maintained an arms embargo on South Sudan - supports the UN Security Council's willingness to consider additional measures, including an arms embargo, should obstruction of UNMISS continue.

The EU recalls that humanitarian action is independent and neutral, and is provided solely on the basis of the immense needs of the most vulnerable South Sudanese. The EU urges the Transitional Government of National Unity to adhere to its obligations under International Humanitarian Law to facilitate rapid and unimpeded relief to all South Sudanese affected by the conflict, regardless of ethnic, tribal or political affiliations and to ensure full respect for all organisations providing humanitarian relief and their staff.

On 20 September 2016, the Council adopted a legal framework  which, for the first time, will allow the EU to apply sanctions autonomously to ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida and persons and entities associated or supporting them. Until now sanctions could only be applied to persons and entities listed by the United Nations or by EU member states acting individually.

The EU will be able to impose a travel ban on individuals and an asset freeze on individuals and entities that are identified as being associated with ISIL (Da'esh)/ Al-Qaida. This means that all their assets in the EU will be frozen and that EU persons and entities will also be prohibited from making any funds available to listed persons or entities.

The individuals and entities targeted include those who have participated in the planning or perpetrating of terrorist attacks or have provided ISIL (Da'esh)/ Al-Qaida with financing, oil or arms, or have received terrorist training from them. Persons or entities could also be listed for activities such as recruiting; inciting or publicly provoking acts and activities in support of these organisations, or being involved in serious abuses of human rights outside the EU, including abduction, rape, sexual violence, forced marriage and enslavement of persons.

The EU will also be able to impose restrictive measures on individuals travelling or seeking to travel both outside the EU, and into the EU, with the aim of supporting, ISIL (Da'esh)/Al-Qaida or receiving training from them. Such measures will target particularly the so-called "foreign fighters". As a result the EU will be able to list any person who  meets the criteria - including EU nationals who have supported these organisations outside the EU and who then return. The travel ban will prevent listed persons from entering any EU member state. In the case of a listed EU national, the travel ban will prevent the listed person from travelling to any EU member state other than the member state of which that person is a national. 

Upon agreement on listing proposals from member states, persons and entities will be listed through a Council decision and a Council regulation adopted unanimously.

The Council adopted the "country and regional issues" part of the EU annual report on human rights and democracy in the world in 2015 which complements the thematic part of the report published on 20 June 2016. 

In 2015, the EU continued defending and promoting human rights, inclusive and democratic societies. The 2015 annual report sets out the efforts of the EU, through the High Representative Federica Mogherini, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis and the EU global network of delegations, to promote the universality of human rights across the world. The "country and regional issues" section of the report provides a short overview of the human rights situation and covers EU policy support on the ground on a country by country basis.

 The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1.             On 15 February 2016, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Dragan Čović, presented the application of Bosnia and Herzegovina for membership of the European Union. The Council decided to implement the procedure laid down in Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union. Accordingly, the Commission is invited to submit its opinion. 

2.             Recalling the renewed consensus on enlargement as expressed in the conclusions of the European Council of 14/15 December 2006, the Council reaffirms that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union. It reiterates that each country's progress towards the European Union depends on its individual efforts to comply with the Copenhagen criteria and the conditionality of the Stabilisation and Association Process. 

3.             Reiterating previous Council conclusions, in particular those of 15 December 2015, and its unequivocal commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU perspective as a single, united and sovereign country, the Council welcomes the meaningful progress in the implementation of the Reform Agenda which has been agreed by the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities at all levels. The Council calls on Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue its efforts to ensure effective implementation of the Reform Agenda in line with the schedule of the action plan agreed by the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities, to the benefit of its citizens and in close cooperation with the European Union, international financial institutions and international partners, as well as civil society. This should continue to include, as well as socio-economic reforms, reforms in the area of rule of law and public administration. The Council invites the Commission to further report on the implementation of the Reform Agenda including the coordination mechanism. When preparing its opinion on the membership application of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council asks the Commission to pay particular attention to the implementation of the Sejdić-Finci ruling.

 4.             The Council welcomes the initialling of the Protocol on the adaptation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement to take account of Croatia's accession to the European Union. The full implementation of the SAA, including its adaptation, is an important element of the country's commitment to the EU integration process. 

5.             The Council further welcomes the agreement on establishing a coordination mechanism on EU matters. It calls on all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure its effective implementation, as an important step towards improving functionality and efficiency."

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

The European Union welcomes this ambitious initiative, as no other global problem is more urgent today than the ongoing migration of millions of people. The United Nations still needs to strengthen its tools and find the money to deal with the humanitarian needs and other problems triggered by this unprecedented wave of migration. There is a lot of catching up to do. We hope that today's declaration will mark a new pragmatic approach and a shift towards a global system of more orderly movement, where the responsibility is shared and where no one will bear the burden alone.

You have to know that today the European Union has a clear objective to restore order on  its external borders. As a result, this will lead to the further reduction of the irregular flows to the EU. There will be no repeat of the year 2015 with more than 1 and a half million irregular migrants.

At the same time, we are ready to increase humanitarian and development assistance for refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities. Our new initiatives are already underway.

We are finalising Compacts with Jordan and Lebanon with an aim to provide an appropriate and safe environment for refugees and displaced persons from Syria, in exchange for additional EU funds. We are also setting up new partnership agreements with African countries. Moreover, we are determined to continue our cooperation with Turkey and with the Western Balkans countries.

In all the above-mentioned issues, the strengthening of EU's external borders and increasing financial assistance for those in need, I want to underline that the EU Member States stand united, which was confirmed by our meeting in Bratislava three days ago.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Global migration will accompany us in the future. And it is in our power to decide whether our future in this context will be orderly, stable and safe; or disorderly, unstable and unsafe. We need the political will, responsibility sharing and practical co-operation of all players, and not two years from now but here and now. Our discussion today gives me hope that we can make it happen. Thank you very much.

Place:        Justus Lipsius building, Brussels
Chair:        Ivan Korčok, Minister for the EU of the Slovak Republic 

All times are approximate and subject to change

 +/- 08.30 
 Arrivals (live streaming) 

+/-  09.20
Doorstep by Delegated Minister for the EU Ivan Korčok 

+/- 10.00
Beginning of Council meeting (roundtable)
Adoption of the agenda
Adoption of legislative A items (public session)
Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 (public session) 
Adoption of non-legislative A items
Preparation of the European Council on 20-21 October 2016
European Council follow-up
Legislative programming                     

+/- 13.00
Press conference (live streaming)              

On 20 September 2016, the Council issued a recommendation calling on the eurozone member states to establish national productivity boards. 

The boards will  analyse developments and policies that can affect productivity and competitiveness. They will provide independent analyses and reinforce policy dialogue at the national level.

This will help reforms aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth and convergence.

Potential economic growth in the euro area and the EU as a whole has slowed considerably since the turn of the century. This trend is due in particular to a decline in total factor productivity. Since 2008, growth has been further weakened by a drop in investment. 

Looking forward, economic growth will depend on increasing productivity. This requires well-balanced policies aimed at supporting innovation, increasing skills, reducing rigidities in labour and product markets and allowing a better allocation of resources. 

Research and analysis carried out by the productivity boards will encourage developments that should help the smooth functioning of the EU's economic and monetary union. 

Five presidents' report

The recommendation is part of the Commission's October 2015 package of measures giving substance to the so-called five presidents' report on the further development of the EU's economic and monetary union (EMU). 

It was endorsed by the European Council on 28 June 2016. 

The five presidents' report was prepared by the president of the Commission, in close cooperation with the presidents of the European Council, the Eurogroup, the European Central Bank and the European Parliament. It was submitted to the European Council in June 2015.

Tasks

The draft recommendation calls on each member state to set up a national board responsible for: 

• diagnosis and analysis of productivity and competitiveness developments; 
• independent analysis of policy challenges in this field. 

Addressed to the eurozone countries, the recommendation encourages other member states to set up similar bodies. It calls for productivity boards to engage in dialogue and the exchange of best practices, and where appropriate produce joint analyses. 

Communication and information

The recommendation foresees that the boards will operate separately from public authorities as concerns public communication, procedures for nominating board members and access to information. As a rule, their analyses should be made public. 

The independent expertise provided by the boards, including through the presentation of annual reports, will be used by the member states and the Commission in the context of the "European Semester" annual policy monitoring process. 

The recommendation was adopted at a meeting of the General Affairs Council, without discussion.