PRESS
Council of the EU
DA
PRESSEMEDDELELSE
785/18
12.12.2018
Invitation letter by President Donald Tusk to the members of
the European Council ahead of their meetings on 13 and 14
December 2018
We will meet on Thursday and Friday for the last European Council this year.
Given the seriousness of the situation in the UK, let me start with Brexit. The intention is that we will listen to the UK Prime
Minister's assessment, and later, we will meet at 27 to discuss the matter and adopt relevant conclusions. As time is running out,
we will also discuss the state of preparations for a no-deal scenario.
Apart from Brexit, we will have a discussion about the EU's budget for 2021-2027 (the Multiannual Financial Framework). Over the
past months work has progressed speedily, and I propose that we aim for a deal next autumn.
As regards the Euro Summit we must deliver the concrete decisions we promised last June. Building on the outcome of the
Eurogroup meeting we should endorse the decisions on ESM reform and the Banking Union. In order to keep strengthening the
EMU, I propose we instruct finance ministers to work on a euro area budgetary instrument.
After the exchange of views with European Parliament President Tajani at 15.00 on Thursday, Chancellor Kurz will give an
overview of progress in implementing conclusions. We will then discuss the Multiannual Financial Framework and adopt
conclusions. At the end of the afternoon session, Prime Minister May will update us on Brexit. Following the break to brief the
press we will discuss external relations and adopt foreign policy conclusions, including on the escalation in the Sea of Azov and
the EU-League of Arab States summit. Chancellor Merkel and President Macron will report on the implementation of the Minsk
Agreements with a view to rolling over the sanctions. After dinner, we will meet in the Article 50 formation to adopt Brexit
conclusions.
On Friday, we will resume as EU28 to adopt the conclusions on the Single Market, climate change, migration, disinformation, the
fight against racism and xenophobia, and citizens' consultations. Finally, we will be joined by European Central Bank President
Draghi and Eurogroup President Centeno for the Euro Summit in an inclusive format.
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