PRESS
Council of the EU
EN
PRESS RELEASE
908/20
09/12/2020
Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members
of the European Council ahead of their meeting on 10-11
December 2020
At this week's European Council meeting we will have to tackle many important issues. We will start with our traditional exchange
of views with President Sassoli.
On the COVID-19 pandemic, we welcome the positive developments on vaccines. This does not however mean that the pandemic
is over. We can now step up our preparations for the deployment and distribution of vaccines. We must sustain our efforts to
coordinate on testing and the lifting of restrictions, including for travel, when the epidemiological situation allows it.
I am confident that we can find an agreement on a common package to allow for the swift implementation of both the Multiannual
financial framework and the Recovery fund.
Our afternoon session will be dedicated to climate change. An agreement on an enhanced emissions reduction target of at least
55% by 2030 is within our grasp. Work on the best way to get to this ambitious target is well under way. This would be a major
achievement and would underpin our claim to play a leading role in fighting climate change.
Over dinner, I would like us to tackle our important international agenda. After the elections, our relations with the US will enter into
a new phase and we should set the basis for a strong and equal partnership. As agreed in October we will also return to relations
with Turkey.
On Friday morning, we will address the Southern Neighbourhood. It is a key region for our strategic interests and we should
examine how to revive it and lend it a new dimension.
We will then turn to our security. The terrorist attacks of the past few weeks have only strengthened our resolve to work together
against terrorism, radicalisation and violent extremism. We will focus in particular on operational measures that further reinforce
our cooperation.
At the end of our meeting, we will be joined by the Presidents of the ECB and the Eurogroup for a Euro Summit in inclusive format.
This will be an opportunity for us to discuss the economic situation and to give further guidance on the Banking Union and the
Capital Markets Union.
When it comes to relations with the UK, negotiations are on-going based on our common mandate. It is not the intention to plan a
discussion on the matter. The President of the Commission will debrief us on the state of play.
I look forward to seeing you in Brussels.
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