Det Europæiske Råd den 22.-23. juni 2017 - Bilag 10: Konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd 22-23/6-17

Europaudvalget 2016-17
Det Europæiske Råd 22-23/6-17 Bilag 10
Offentligt

European Council

Brussels, 23 June 2017

(OR. en)

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CO EUR 8

CONCL 3

COVER NOTE

From:

To:

Subject:

General Secretariat of the Council

Delegations

European Council meeting (22 and 23 June 2017)

–

Conclusions

Delegations will find attached the conclusions adopted by the European Council at the above

meeting.

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Conclusions

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Today the European Council focused on strengthening Europe and protecting its citizens through

effective measures to fight terrorism and develop its common security and defence, to ensure its

economic development in a globalised world, to tackle migration and to protect its external

borders. A strong and determined Union is the best way to promote our values and interests,

support a rules-based multilateral system and mobilise partners for a positive climate policy. It will

also help shape globalisation in order to reap the benefits of open markets while protecting against

unfair practices and promoting the social, environmental, health and consumer standards that are

central to the European way of life. The European Council paid tribute to Helmut Kohl, Honorary

Citizen of Europe, who passed away on 16 June 2017.

SECURITY AND DEFENCE

Internal security and the fight against terrorism

The European Council strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks and stands united and

firm in the fight against terrorism, hatred and violent extremism. These acts have strengthened

our resolve to cooperate at EU level so as to enhance our internal security: we will fight the

spread of radicalisation online, coordinate our work on preventing and countering violent

extremism and addressing the ideology, thwart the financing of terrorism, facilitate swift and

targeted exchanges of information between law enforcement authorities, including with

trusted partners, and improve the interoperability between databases.

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Industry has its own responsibility to help combat terrorism and crime online. Building on the

work of the EU Internet Forum, the European Council expects industry to establish an

Industry Forum and to develop new technology and tools to improve the automatic detection

and removal of content that incites to terrorist acts. This should be complemented by the

relevant legislative measures at EU level, if necessary. It calls for addressing the challenges

posed by systems that allow terrorists to communicate in ways that competent authorities

cannot access, including end-to-end encryption, while safeguarding the benefits these systems

bring for the protection of privacy, data and communication. The European Council considers

that effective access to electronic evidence is essential to combating serious crime and

terrorism and that, subject to appropriate safeguards, the availability of data should be

secured.

The agreement on the Entry/Exit System, which is expected shortly, and the finalisation

before the end of the year of a European Travel Information and Authorisation System

(ETIAS) will pave the way for their rapid implementation, thus enhancing external border

control and internal security while taking into account specific situations in Member States

which still do not fully apply the Schengen acquis. In that context, the European Council

invites the Commission to prepare, as soon as possible, draft legislation enacting the

proposals made by the High Level Expert Group on interoperability.

We need to accelerate our collective efforts to share knowledge on foreign terrorist fighters as

well as home-grown radicalised individuals and take forward policy and legal measures to

manage the threat.

The European Council underlines the importance of providing support to the victims of terror

acts.

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External security and defence

The European Council reiterates its commitment to strengthening EU cooperation on external

security and defence so as to protect the Union and its citizens and contribute to peace and

stability in its neighbourhood and beyond. Together with all its diplomatic and civil

capabilities, the EU brings a unique mix of possibilities to this enterprise. As reflected in the

Council conclusions of 18 May and 19 June 2017, significant progress has been achieved in

implementing the EU Global Strategy in the area of Security and Defence and the Joint

Declaration signed in Warsaw by EU and NATO leaders. The transatlantic relationship and

EU-NATO cooperation remain key to our overall security, allowing us to respond to evolving

security threats, including cyber, hybrid and terrorism. The European Council welcomes the

establishment in Helsinki of a European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats.

The high-level conference on security and defence held in Prague on 9 June 2017 underlined

both the complementarity between the EU and NATO and the need to step up European

efforts to strengthen our defence related research, capabilities and operations.

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The joint development of capability projects commonly agreed by Member States to fill the

existing major shortfalls and develop the technologies of the future is crucial to fulfil the level

of ambition of the EU approved by the European Council in December 2016. The European

Council welcomes the Commission’s

communication on a European Defence Fund,

composed of a research window and a capability window, and is looking forward to its swift

operationalisation. It calls for rapid agreement on the proposal for a European Defence

Industrial Development Programme with a view to its swift implementation, before more

comprehensive programmes can be envisaged in the medium term. The European Council

calls on Member States to identify suitable capability projects for the European Defence Fund

and for the European Defence Industrial Development Programme. The European Council

invites the Member States to further work on options for the joint procurement of capabilities

within the European Defence Fund based on sound financing mechanisms. The objective is to

deliver

capabilities, ensure a competitive, innovative and balanced basis for Europe’s defence

industry across the EU, including by cross border cooperation and participation of SMEs, and

to contribute to greater European defence cooperation, by exploiting synergies and mobilising

EU support in addition to Member States’ financing. European defence industrial

development will also require EU support for SME and intermediate (mid-cap) investments in

the area of security and defence. In this respect, the European Council recalls its invitation to

the European Investment Bank to examine steps with a view to supporting investments in

defence research and development activities.

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To strengthen Europe's security and defence in today's challenging geopolitical environment

and to help reach the level of ambition of the EU expressed in the EU Global Strategy, the

European Council agrees on the need to launch an inclusive and ambitious Permanent

Structured Cooperation (PESCO). A common list of criteria and binding commitments, fully

in line with Articles 42(6) and 46 TEU and Protocol 10 to the Treaty - including with a view

to the most demanding missions - will be drawn up by Member States within three months,

with a precise timetable and specific assessment mechanisms, in order to enable Member

States which are in a position to do so to notify their intentions to participate without delay.

This work has to be consistent with Member States’ national defence planning and

commitments agreed within NATO and the UN by Member States concerned. Concrete

collaborative projects and initiatives should also be identified in support of PESCO's common

goals, commitments and criteria.

To strengthen the EU's rapid response toolbox, the European Council agrees that the

deployment of Battlegroups should be borne as a common cost by the EU-managed Athena

mechanism on a permanent basis. It also urges the Council to speed up its work on greater

responsiveness of the civilian crisis management.

10.

The European Council will come back to these issues at one of its next meetings.

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II.

11.

THE PARIS AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The European Council strongly reaffirms the commitment of the EU and its Member States to

swiftly and fully implement the Paris Agreement, to contribute to the fulfilment of the climate

finance goals, and to continue to lead in the fight against climate change. The Agreement

remains a cornerstone of global efforts to effectively tackle climate change, and cannot be

renegotiated. The Agreement is a key element for the modernisation of the European industry

and economy. It is also key to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

the recent adoption of the new European Consensus on Development, while pursuing a

broader agenda, will also contribute to this objective. The EU and its Member States will

enhance cooperation with international partners under the Paris Agreement, in particular with

the most vulnerable countries, thereby demonstrating solidarity with future generations and

responsibility for the whole planet. The European Council calls on the Council and the

Commission to examine all means to achieve these goals. The EU will continue to work

closely with all non-State actors, building on the successful example provided by the Global

Climate Action Agenda.

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III. JOBS, GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS

12.

Europe needs jobs, growth and competitiveness. The return of economic growth to all 28

Member States is a positive development that needs to be consolidated. The European

Council discussed how to best use the potential of the Single Market and of trade and industry

to that effect, while ensuring that these developments benefit all parts of society.

Single Market

13.

The European Council reiterates the importance of a well-functioning Single Market with its

four freedoms in fostering growth, creating jobs and promoting investments and innovation.

Co-legislators have made it possible to achieve significant progress towards the shared

objective of completing and implementing the various strategies by 2018. There are

nevertheless still gaps which require further attention. The European Council therefore

emphasises that further efforts are needed from the EU and its Member States to achieve the

level of ambition as reflected in the June 2016 conclusions for the Single Market, including

on services, the Digital Single Market, the Capital Markets Union and the Energy Union,

including interconnections. In this context it welcomes the Commission's mid-term review of

the Digital Single Market and of the Capital Markets Union Action Plan. Timely

implementation and better enforcement of existing legislation are also key to reaping the

benefits of Europe's Single Market. The Council will report to the June 2018 European

Council on progress in deepening, implementing and enforcing the Single Market in all its

aspects. In order to look beyond the finalisation of the different Single Market strategies and

evolve towards a future-proof and fair Single Market, the European Council calls on the

Commission to pursue its reflections on innovative ways to address new opportunities,

challenges and remaining barriers.

14.

The European Council takes stock of the progress made on the European Fund for Strategic

Investments and calls on the legislators to rapidly agree on the extension and reinforcement of

the Fund.

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15.

Building on the Council conclusions of May 2017, which call for a future industrial policy

strategy, the European Council underlines the essential role of industry as a major driver for

growth, employment and innovation in Europe. In line with its own earlier conclusions, it

calls for concrete action to ensure a strong and competitive industrial base of the Single

Market.

Trade

16.

The EU will pursue a robust trade policy upholding an open and rules-based multilateral

trading system, with a central role for the WTO. Firm in the belief that trade contributes to

creating wealth and jobs, it will keep markets open and fight protectionism. It will actively

promote an ambitious free trade agenda on the global scene. To this end, it will seek to foster

a truly level playing field, while remaining vigilant concerning the respect and promotion of

key standards, including social, environmental, health and consumer standards that are central

to the European way of life.

17.

The European Council is convinced that trade and investment can only be free if it is also fair

and mutually beneficial. The European Council therefore calls on the co-legislators to swiftly

agree on modern, WTO-compatible trade defence instruments, which will reinforce the ability

of the EU to effectively tackle unfair and discriminatory trade practices and market

distortions. It calls on the Commission to ensure their swift and effective application through

non-legislative implementing measures to make the EU trade practices and defence

instruments more reactive and efficient and to propose, if necessary, complementary

measures. It also calls on the Commission and the Council to deepen and take forward the

debate on how to enhance reciprocity in the fields of public procurement and investment. In

this context, it welcomes the Commission's initiative to harness globalisation and, inter alia, to

analyse investments from third countries in strategic sectors, while fully respecting Members

States' competences. The European Council will revert to this issue at one of its future

meetings.

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18.

The European Council encourages progress on all ongoing negotiations, including with

Mexico, Mercosur and the Asian-Pacific region, for ambitious and balanced free trade

agreements, with reciprocity and mutual benefits as guiding principles. The European Council

welcomes the progress achieved recently in the negotiations with Japan, which could pave the

way for a political agreement.

European Semester

19.

The European Council generally endorses the integrated country-specific recommendations as

discussed by the Council, thus allowing the conclusion of the 2017 European Semester.

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IV. MIGRATION

20.

The European Council remains committed to the Union's comprehensive approach to

migration, effective control of external borders to stem and prevent illegal flows and the

reform of the Common European Asylum System, and the full and non-discriminatory

implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement in all its aspects and towards all Member States.

Vigilance on all migration routes, including the Western Balkans route, will continue. We will

continue to strengthen and make full use of the operational capacities of the European Border

and Coast Guard and other agencies. Effective external border control should allow for the

lifting of temporary internal border controls.

21.

Loss of life and continuing migratory flows of primarily economic migrants on the Central

Mediterranean route is a structural challenge and remains an issue of urgent and serious

concern. The EU and its Member States will have to restore control to avoid a worsening

humanitarian crisis. To this end they have to act decisively now by stepping up coordination

and delivery on all the elements contained in the Malta Declaration, the Partnership

Framework and the Joint Valletta Action Plan, underpinned by sufficient financial resources.

This also implies continued and enhanced cooperation with countries of origin and transit,

including strengthening regional cooperation in Search and Rescue activities, which remains a

high priority. Training and equipping the Libyan Coast Guard is a key component of the EU

approach and should be speeded up. The IOM and the UNHCR will remain important

partners, including to facilitate voluntary returns and improve reception conditions.

Cooperation with countries of origin and transit shall be reinforced in order to stem the

migratory pressure

on Libya’s

and other neighbouring countries' land borders. The European

Council underlines in this context the importance of supporting the G5 Sahel Joint force.

There, as elsewhere, the disruption of the business models of human smugglers and traffickers

remains a key objective, including by better controlling the trade in equipment used by them.

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22.

Further efforts shall also be made to achieve real progress in return and readmission policy.

Building on the Renewed Action Plan on Return, well-functioning readmission agreements

and pragmatic arrangements with third countries shall be put in place at EU level without any

further delay by using all possible levers, including by reassessing visa policy towards third

countries, as needed. Bilateral arrangements of Member States with third countries also

contribute to this objective.

23.

The European Council reaffirms its previous conclusions on the reform of the Common

European Asylum System (CEAS). Thanks to the progress made under the Maltese

Presidency, there is a common understanding that the reformed CEAS needs to strike the right

balance between responsibility and solidarity and that it needs to ensure resilience to future

crises. The system has to be efficient, be able to withstand migratory pressure, eliminate pull

factors as well as secondary movements, in compliance with international law, fight abuse and

provide adequate support to the most affected Member States. The Commission is invited to

explore possible solutions to alleviate the burden on frontline Member States. In order to

enhance cooperation with third countries and prevent new crises, the 'safe third country'

concept should be aligned with the effective requirements arising from the Geneva

Convention and EU primary law, while respecting the competences of the EU and the

Member States under the Treaties. In this context, the European Council calls for work on an

EU list of safe third countries to be taken forward. This will be part of a future overall

agreement on the CEAS. The European Council invites the Council to continue negotiations

on this basis and amend the legislative proposals as necessary, with the active help of the

Commission. The European Council will revert to these issues.

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24.

DIGITAL EUROPE

Looking ahead at the work programme for the second half of the year, and in particular the

Digital Summit in Tallinn on 29 September 2017, the European Council highlights the

overarching importance of an ambitious digital vision for Europe, its society and economy. A

holistic approach to digital is necessary to face up to the challenges of and use the

opportunities flowing from the 4

industrial revolution. This requires the implementation of

the Digital Single Market strategy in all its elements. At the same time, we should take a

broader look at markets, infrastructure, connectivity, societal and cultural aspects, including

the digital divide, norms and standards, content and data, investment, cybersecurity, e-

government and research & development. In order to meet current and future cyber-security

challenges, the European Council welcomes the Commission's intention to review the

Cybersecurity Strategy in September and to propose further targeted actions before the end of

the year.

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