Det Europæiske Råd den 19. oktober og Det Europæiske Råd (artikel 50) den 20. oktober 2017 - Bilag 8: Hyrdebrev fra formanden for Det Europæiske Råd forud for møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 19-20/10-17

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Implementing the Bratislava Roadmap

October 2017

The Bratislava Roadmap - One Year On

Real solutions to real problems

The Bratislava Roadmap emerged from the Leaders' debate in September 2016. In March

2017, the Rome Declaration broadened the scope and set additional priorities for the

longer term.

One year on, the EU has made significant progress and can demonstrate tangible results.

The Bratislava method is working. The attached table shows that many tasks have been

completed, and many others are on track. Some tasks however have progressed slower

than expected, and a few require a fresh push, including at the highest level.

Det Europæiske Råd den 19. oktober og Det Europæiske Råd (artikel 50) den 20. oktober 2017 - Bilag 8: Hyrdebrev fra formanden for Det Europæiske Råd forud for møde i Det Europæiske Råd den 19-20/10-17

The Bratislava Roadmap - One Year On

= done

= on track

= efforts still needed

= insufficient

THE BRATISLAVA ROADMAP

MEASURES TAKEN AND RESULTS ACHIEVED

STATUS

MIGRATION AND EXTERNAL BORDERS

In Bratislava, Leaders agreed to:

never allow return to uncontrolled flows of

last year and further bring down number of

irregular migrants

ensure full control of our external borders

and get back to Schengen

The numbers of irregular migrants have been cut dramatically - by the end of 2016

arrivals were 72% lower than 2015, and numbers continue to decline in 2017.

The EU and its Member States have undertaken great efforts to ensure full control of the

external borders. The European Border and Coast Guard is now fully operational. The

Entry/Exit system is under way, ETIAS is under negotiation, and systematic border checks

for all persons, including EU nationals, are in place. More work is needed to get fully

back to Schengen.

Much progress has been made on the future of the asylum system, but work on the

application of the principles of responsibility and solidarity is still ongoing.

broaden EU consensus on long term

migration policy and apply the principles of

responsibility and solidarity

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on

The Leaders set out a number of specific measures:



EU-Turkey statement

The statement holds, irregular arrivals to Greece remain low.

Returns from Greece to Turkey however need to be increased.

As of October 2017, 49 projects under the Facility for Refugees in Turkey have

been contracted worth around EUR 1.67 billion, out of which EUR 883 million

has been disbursed. Contracting will reach EUR 3 billion by the end of 2017.

According to current project planning, disbursements will reach EUR 1 billion

in November and EUR 1.6 billion in December.

Over 10 000 refugees have been resettled from Turkey.

a) full commitment to implementing the EU-

Turkey statement as well as continued

support to the countries of the Western Balkans



Western Balkans

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (EBCGA) has deployed officers

in the Western Balkans and the Commission is working on border cooperation

agreements with Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania,

Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, which would allow the deployment

of European Border and Coast teams with executive powers in the territory of

these countries.

The EU has been using all possible tools to help the Western Balkans cope with

the refugee crisis. Since the steep increase of arrivals in summer 2015, this

assistance has amounted to over EUR 100 million allocated mainly through

Special Measures (EUR 65 million), Regional programmes (EUR 13 million) and

Humanitarian aid (EUR 29 million). In addition, over EUR 200 million were

mobilised since 2007 through Pre-Accession programmes supporting reforms,

such as migration and border management in the Western Balkans. Support to

Serbia has also been provided through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on

b) commitment today by a number of Member

States to offer immediate assistance to strengthen

the protection of Bulgaria's border with Turkey,

and continue support to other frontline States



Funding via the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Internal Security

Fund:

Bulgaria:

EUR 170 million in emergency assistance and EUR 97 million under the

national programmes

Greece:

EUR 371 million in emergency assistance and EUR 537 million under the

national programmes

Italy:

EUR 150 million in emergency assistance, and EUR 634 million under the

national programmes



EBCGA and European Asylum Support Office (EASO) deployment:

1032 officers in

Greece

(EBCGA 905, EASO 127)

212 in

Bulgaria

(EBCGA)

455 in

Italy

(EBCGA 393, EASO 62)

147 in

Spain

(EBCGA)



As frontline Member States,

Greece

and

Italy

continue to receive additional support

from the Commission and EU agencies.

) before the end of the year, full capacity for rapid

reaction of the European Border and Coast Guard,

now signed into law

d) migration compacts for cooperation and

dialogue with third countries to lead to reduced

flows of illegal migration and increased return

rates, to be assessed by the December European

Council

EBCGA was launched in October 2016. It assists Member States at the external borders

with over 1 700 border guards, although some shortfalls remain. Rapid Reaction Pools of

staff and equipment are in place, to be deployed in case of emergency.

A dialogue is ongoing with Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia under the Partnership

Framework, as well as with other countries in West Africa and Asia, such as Afghanistan

and Bangladesh.



Operational arrangements and/or agreements on returns have been completed with

several countries. Nevertheless, the coverage remains incomplete and returns and

readmissions continue to remain unsatisfactory.



Cooperation with Niger has resulted in a significant reduction of migrants transiting

from that country into Libya.



Enhanced support to these efforts is being provided through CSDP missions and

operations in third countries, particularly in Libya and the Sahel region.

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on

e) work to be continued to broaden EU consensus

in terms of long term migration policy, including

on how to apply the principles of responsibility

and solidarity in the future

Common European Asylum System reform

The Council and the EP are close to an agreement on the reform of

EASO

with the

exception of the provisions relating to the

Dublin Procedure

Regulation and

Resettlement.

Trilogues between the co-legislators are also ongoing on the

Eurodac

Regulation and the

Qualifications

Regulation. Trilogues are expected to start on

Reception Conditions

Directive and the new

Resettlement

Framework by the end of the year. On the

Asylum

Procedures Regulation work continues at technical level.

The Council has not reached agreement on the

Dublin system,

notably as regards the

principles of responsibility and solidarity, while progress has been made on other

provisions at technical level.

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on

INTERNAL SECURITY



Work to improve the exchange of information has been a priority over the last year. In

December 2016 the Commission presented a proposal to strengthen the Schengen

Information System (SIS).

a) intensified cooperation and information-

exchange among security services of the Member

States



The reinforcement of Europol's capacities, which, alongside the entry into force of the

new Europol Regulation on 1 May 2017, should further establish the law enforcement

agency as the genuine EU hub for information exchange on serious cross-border crime

and terrorism.



The Commission's proposals on interoperability are expected at the end of 2017.



As a result of an amendment to

the Schengen borders code

adopted in March 2017,

all persons crossing the Union's external borders, including nationals from EU Member

States, are now systematically checked against the relevant databases.



Entry/Exit System

will allow a better detection of document and identity fraud. A

provisional agreement was reached with the European Parliament and should be

confirmed in Plenary in October.

b) adoption of the necessary measures to ensure

that all persons, including nationals from EU

Member States, crossing the Union's external

borders will be checked against the relevant

databases, that must be interconnected



Proposals to extend the existing system on the exchange of criminal records (ECRIS) to

third country nationals and for a stronger mandate for EU-LISA, the agency for

operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and

justice are under active negotiation. An agreement between Member States on the

latter is expected by the end of 2017.



In June 2017 the High Level Expert Group on

information systems and interoperability

made a comprehensive set of recommendations. The Commission was subsequently

invited by the June European Council to put forward proposals based on the work of

the High Level Expert Group. These proposals are near completion.

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on

c) start to set up a Travel Information and

Authorisation System (ETIAS) to allow for advance

checks and, if necessary, deny entry of visa-

exempt travellers

d) a systematic effort against radicalisation,

including through expulsions and entry bans where

warranted as well as EU support to Member

States' actions in prevention

The Council reached a general approach on

ETIAS

in June 2017. Trilogues will start as soon

as the EP mandate is confirmed. The European Council's guidance is to conclude by the

end of 2017.

Various initiatives are in place at EU level and a High Level Expert Group on

radicalisation

has been put in place to coordinate them. The first results of its work are expected by the

end of 2017.



Online radicalisation: in June 2017 the European Council called on industry to improve

the automatic detection and removal of content that incites terrorist acts.



In September 2017, the Commission issued guidelines to encourage online platforms

to be more active in tackling illegal content online.

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on

EXTERNAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE

a) December European Council to decide on a

concrete implementation plan on security and

defence and on how to make better use of the

options in the Treaties, especially as regards

capabilities

European cooperation on Defence has advanced significantly in a number of areas:



The European Council agreed on the need to launch an inclusive and ambitious

Permanent Structured Cooperation

in the area of defence by December 2017.



The military planning and conduct capability (MPCC) has been established, while work

continues on the review of civilian priorities, civilian and military rapid reaction,

including on common costs for the deployment of EU Battlegroups, and on enhancing

intelligence and situational awareness.



Work on the implementation of the

European Defence Action Plan

is ongoing:

The implementation of the

European Defence Fund

is underway in order to

support collaborative research in defence and joint development and acquisition.

A Preparatory Action on defence research has been launched, and the proposal for

European Defence Industrial Development Programme

to support development

efforts is currently being discussed by both the Parliament and the Council.

Work on the implementation of the other strands of the

European Defence Action

Plan

is also ongoing. Additionally,

EIB funding

is being mobilised to support

investments in dual use technology and (cyber)security .

b) start implementing the joint declaration with

NATO immediately

EU-NATO cooperation is advancing on the basis of a list of 42 specific actions related to

hybrid threats, cybersecurity, maritime coordination, strategic communication,

capabilities, exercises and partners' capacity-building. Reports on the progress achieved

and a number of potential additional actions will be presented in December 2017.

The first parallel and coordinated exercise between NATO and the EU in response to a

hybrid scenario took place in late September and early October.

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

YOUTH

a) in December: decision on extension of the

European Fund for Strategic Investment in light of

evaluation

b) Spring 2017 European Council: review progress

as regards delivering on the different Single

Market strategies (including Digital Single Market,

Capital Markets Union, Energy Union)

EFSI has triggered EUR 225 billion in investment and supported over 300 000 jobs.

Provisional agreement on its extension was reached between the co-legislators in

September 2017.

The Spring 2017 European Council reviewed progress on all single market strategies, and

since then has regularly reverted to the issue.



On the

Digital Single Market,

the co-legislators have reached a deal on the release of

the

700 MHz band

- critical for the future of wireless connectivity, especially the roll-

out of 5G.

Roaming

surcharges for EU citizens also ended by the agreed date of 15

June 2017.

Cross-border portability

is now ensured, making it easier for European

citizens to access their films, e-books and other subscribed online content when they

travel abroad. By implementing the

Marrakesh Treaty,

the EU has also improved

access to published works for people who are blind or visually impaired. And the

newly-adopted

wifi4EU initiative

seeks to provide free Wi-Fi hotspots in local

communities across the EU.



The European Council in June 2017 broadened the DSM strategy to "Digital

Europe"

which seeks to fully capture the variety of issues that need to be addressed in our

digital transformation. In September 2017, Leaders held an informal meeting in

Tallinn

dedicated to Digital Europe,

giving new impetus to work in this area.



Despite many achievements, a number of complex and important files are still being

negotiated and will require careful attention if the 2018 deadline is to be respected

(for instance on geo-blocking, on contract law reform, on copyright and on e-Privacy).

An additional Telecommunications Council will be held on 24 October to accelerate

progress. In addition, the Commission's very recent proposals (for instance on the free

flow of non-personal data and on cybersecurity) will require sustained work in order to

advance swiftly.

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on



In relation to the

Capital Markets Union,

the EU adopted a number of essential

elements for its completion including the

Prospectus

Regulation, which protects

investors while improving access to debt capital markets across the EU; rules on

securitisation,

which aim to free up capital for economic growth through a simple,

transparent and standardised securitisation market, and revamped rules on

European

Venture Capital Funds and European Social Entrepreneurship Funds,

as part of efforts

to stimulate venture capital investments in the EU and improve access to finance for

small and growing companies and social enterprises.



In addition, in June 2017 the Commission adopted the mid-term review of the Capital

Markets Union and identified new initiatives to drive forward the objectives of the

Capital Markets Union, including the Review of the European Supervisory Authorities,

adopted in September 2017.



The EU has also advanced in its ambition to build an

Energy Union.

Most significantly,

it has ratified the Paris Climate Agreement. It has also reinforced the

security of its gas

supply,

also thanks to the Decision on inter-governmental agreements. This will enable

the Union to deal more quickly and efficiently with any gas supply crises.



Measures to increase energy efficiency are expected to be agreed with the EP in early

2018, while the other elements in the clean energy package should be in place before

next summer.



Negotiations on the review of the

emissions trading system

(ETS) are in their final

stages; trilogues are starting on

LULUCF

and are to due to start on

effort-sharing.

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on

c) October European Council to address how to

ensure a robust trade policy that reaps the

benefits of open markets while taking into account

concerns of citizens



The EU has agreed on a new

antidumping

methodology in order to fight dumping in

important sectors, including steel. In parallel, work is on-going on modernising the

EU's trade defence instruments.



In September 2017 the Commission proposed a Regulation to screen Foreign Direct

Investment that would threaten security and public order in the EU.



While the EU's ambition to agree on TTIP has not been realised, after considerable

efforts to accommodate a variety of concerns, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade

Agreement (CETA) with Canada was adopted and is being provisionally applied since

21 September 2017.



Trade talks have been concluded with

Vietnam;

an agreement in principle has been

reached with

Japan,

and talks are moving forward with

Mercosur.

Trade talks with

Mexico

are also picking up pace, and negotiations on trade and investment

agreements continue with a number of partners. The EU should soon be opening

negotiations for the establishment of a

Multilateral Investment Court

and for FTAs

with

New Zealand

and

Australia.

The Bratislava Roadmap one year on

d) in December - decisions on EU support for

Member States in fighting youth unemployment

and on enhanced EU programmes dedicated to

youth



In December 2016 the European Council called for the

Youth Guarantee

to continue;

welcomed the increased support for the

Youth Employment Initiative

and called for

work to be taken forward on initiatives relating to youth mobility, education, skills

development and the

European Solidarity Corps.



In the framework of the MFF mid-term review, the co-legislators added another

EUR 1.2 billion to the Youth Employment Initiative, which was matched by

EUR 1.2 billion from the European Social Fund.



The co-legislators are currently reviewing the proposal for a Regulation on the

European Solidarity Corps.



Work is ongoing in the Council to adopt Recommendations on:

the tracking of graduates to improve

long-term knowledge

of their career paths;

a European Framework for

Quality and Effective Apprenticeships

to establish

clear criteria for quality apprenticeships and raise the attractiveness of vocational

education and training.



The Commission adopted in December 2016 a package on

Investing in Youth

followed

in May 2017 by two Communications on the modernisation of Higher education and

on improving and modernising school education and supporting continued national

reforms of education and training systems.