Det Europæiske Råd den 22.-23. marts 2018 - Bilag 14: Konklusioner fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd 22/3-18

Europaudvalget 2017-18
Det Europæiske Råd 22-23/3-18 Bilag 14
Offentligt

European Council

Brussels, 23 March 2018

(OR. en)

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CO EUR 1

CONCL 1

COVER NOTE

From:

To:

Subject:

General Secretariat of the Council

Delegations

European Council meeting (22 March 2018)

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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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22 March 2018

JOBS, GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS

Single Market

The European Council calls for increased efforts to deliver, before the end of the current

legislative cycle, on the Single Market strategy, the Digital Single Market strategy, the Capital

Markets Union Action Plan and the Energy Union, including through the swift examination of

recent Commission proposals. Decisions already taken must be implemented effectively.

Looking beyond the completion and implementation of the strategies, the EU needs to keep

working towards a future-proof and fair single market that is fit for the digital age and an

enabler for competitiveness, innovation and sustainability. The European Council therefore

invites the Commission to present to the Council, before the Leaders' Agenda discussion in

December 2018, a state of play regarding the implementation, application and enforcement of

existing legislation that is key for the functioning of the Single Market and an assessment of

remaining barriers to and opportunities for a fully functioning Single Market. To reap the

maximum benefits of the Single Market the EU needs a strong industrial policy.

Trade

The European Council reaffirms its commitment to an open and rules-based multilateral

trading system with the WTO at its core, firm in the belief that free and fair trade is one of the

most powerful engines for growth, supporting millions of jobs and contributing to prosperity.

The European Council encourages progress on all ongoing negotiations for ambitious and

balanced free trade agreements, in particular with Mexico and Mercosur. It looks forward to

the signature and conclusion of the agreements reached with Japan and Singapore. The

Commission will examine how to strengthen the enforcement of commitments undertaken by

third countries. The EU will continue to pursue a robust trade policy, to promote its values

and standards globally and to seek a level playing field. In this context, the European Council

calls on the co-legislators to make progress on the pending legislative proposals in the fields

of investment and public procurement.

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Conclusions

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The European Council regrets the decision by the United States to impose import tariffs on

steel and aluminium. These measures cannot be justified on the grounds of national security,

and sector-wide protection in the US is an inappropriate remedy for the real problems of

overcapacity, on which the EU already has offered the US its full cooperation in multiple fora,

including the Global Forum. It takes note that shipments of steel and aluminium from the

European Union have been temporarily exempted from such measures, and calls for that

exemption to be made permanent. The European Council strongly supports the steps taken by

the Commission to ensure that the interests of the EU are fully protected and to reserve its

rights, in compliance with World Trade Organisation rules, to respond to the US measures as

appropriate and in a proportionate manner. The European Council recalls its commitment to

strong transatlantic relations as a cornerstone of the security and prosperity of both the United

States and the European Union, and underlines its support for a dialogue on trade issues of

common concern.

European Semester

The European Council endorses the policy priority areas of the Annual Growth Survey and

invites Member States to reflect them in their forthcoming National Reform Programmes and

Stability or Convergence Programmes. The European Council also endorses the draft Council

recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area.

Social issues

Delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights is a shared political commitment and

responsibility of the EU and its Member States. Its implementation will be monitored with

due regard to the respective competences of the Union and Member States. The European

Council invites the Council to examine the initiatives presented by the Commission under the

Social Fairness package, including the proposal on a European Labour Authority.

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Conclusions

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22 March 2018

II.

OTHER ITEMS

Paris Agreement

The European Council invites the Commission to present by the first quarter of 2019 a

proposal for a Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reduction in accordance

with the Paris Agreement, taking into account the national plans.

Digital Europe

Social networks and digital platforms need to guarantee transparent practices and full

protection of citizens' privacy and personal data. EU and national legislation must be

respected and enforced. This important issue, together with other issues relating to Digital

Europe, including the adoption of all the legislative instruments establishing the Digital Single

Market in 2018, and the promotion of research and innovation, such as artificial intelligence

and the means to support breakthrough innovation and the development of digital skills, will

be discussed by the Heads at their informal meeting in Sofia in May.

Western Balkans

Against the background of the Commission Communication of 6 February 2018, the

European Council:



looks forward to the EU-Western Balkans Summit to be held in Sofia on 17 May 2018,

which is expected to focus on reaffirming the European perspective of the region,

launching concrete and visible initiatives to improve the physical and human

connectivity within the region and with the EU, and addressing how to better engage

together on shared challenges such as security and migration;



confirms that enlargement will be addressed by the Council in June.

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Conclusions

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Salisbury attack

The European Council condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent attack in

Salisbury, expresses its deepest sympathies to all whose lives have been threatened and lends

its support to the ongoing investigation. It agrees with the United Kingdom government's

assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible and that there is

no plausible alternative explanation. We stand in unqualified solidarity with the United

Kingdom in the face of this grave challenge to our shared security.

10.

The use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons under any

circumstances, is completely unacceptable, must be systematically and rigorously condemned

and constitutes a security threat to us all. Member States will coordinate on the consequences

to be drawn in the light of the answers provided by the Russian authorities. The European

Union will remain closely focused on this issue and its implications.

11.

Against this background, the European Union must strengthen its resilience to Chemical,

Biological, Radiological and Nuclear-related risks, including through closer cooperation

between the European Union and its Member States as well as NATO. The European Union

and its Member States should also continue to bolster their capabilities to address hybrid

threats, including in the areas of cyber, strategic communication and counter-intelligence. The

European Council invites the European Commission and the High Representative to take this

work forward and report on progress by the June European Council.

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Conclusions

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Actions by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea

12.

The European Council strongly condemns Turkey's continued illegal actions in the Eastern

Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea and underlines its full solidarity with Cyprus and Greece.

13.

Recalling its conclusions of October 2014 and the Declaration of 21 September 2005, the

European Council urgently calls on Turkey to cease these actions and respect the sovereign

rights of Cyprus to explore and exploit its natural resources in accordance with EU and

International Law.

14.

In this context, it recalls Turkey's obligation to respect International Law and good

neighbourly relations, and normalize relations with all EU Member States including the

Republic of Cyprus.

15.

The European Council expressed its grave concern over the continued detention of EU

citizens in Turkey, including two Greek soldiers, and calls for the swift and positive

resolution of these issues in a dialogue with Member States.

16.

The European Council will remain seized of these matters.

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