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18/04/2018 - Business, taxation and competition / Enlargement, external relations and trade
The Commission presented the outcome of negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan and the trade and investment agreements with Singapore to the Council. This is the first step towards the signature and conclusion of these agreements.
17/04/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
The European Commission adopted its annual Enlargement Package, including seven individual reports, assessing the implementation of the European Union's enlargement policy which is based on established criteria and fair and rigorous conditionality.
16/04/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
Foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in Syria, including the aftermath to the targeted US, French and UK airstrikes on chemical weapons facilities.
19/03/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade / International aid, development and cooperation
The High Representative and EU foreign ministers discussed the Salisbury attack. They adopted a statement expressing the EU's unqualified solidarity with the UK and its support, including for the UK’s efforts to bring those responsible for this crime to justice.
07/03/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
Defence ministers met in "PESCO format" for the first time. They adopted a decision formally establishing the list of projects to be developed under PESCO (permanent structured cooperation) and a recommendation on an implementation roadmap.
06/03/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
28/02/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade / Institutional affairs
The draft Withdrawal Agreement consists of six parts – including introductory provisions, citizens' rights, other separation issues such as goods placed on the market before the withdrawal date, the financial settlement, transitional arrangements, and institutional provisions – and a protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland.
28/02/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade / International aid, development and cooperation
26/02/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
At the beginning of their meeting, the High Representative and the EU foreign ministers discussed the situation in Eastern Ghouta, Syria. The Council also spoke about the latest developments in Venezuela, including the dire humanitarian situation in the country and its neighbours.
23/02/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade / Institutional affairs
EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss the long-term EU budget and the institutional issues. Syria, Brexit, and relations with Turkey were also on the agenda.
- Multiannual financial framework: shaping EU expenditure (background information)
- Remarks by President Donald Tusk following the informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government on 23 February 2018
- President Juncker at the informal EU leaders' meeting
- Leaders’ Agenda (background information)
- Brexit (background information)
- Special coverage on Brexit
23/02/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
The International High Level Conference on the Sahel, co-chaired today by the European Union, the United Nations, the African Union and the G5 Sahel group of countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), has mobilised political support for the Sahel region, €414 million to support the Joint security Force of the G5 Sahel whilst reinforcing the coordination of sustainable development efforts in the region.
- Joint Communiqué by the European Union, the G5 Sahel, the African Union and the United Nations
- Opening speech by President Jean-Claude Juncker
- Remarks (doorstep) by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini
- The European Union's partnership with the G5 Sahel countries
- Factsheet 'The EU's partnership with the Sahel'
06/02/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
As President Juncker announced in his 2017 State of the Union address, the Commission adopted a strategy for 'A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans', confirming the European future of the region as a geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values.
22/01/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
Ministers looked at how the EU can help ensure engagement by all relevant players in order to advance the Middle East peace process.
08/01/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade / International aid, development and cooperation
Today, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission adopted a Joint Communication proposing an EU strategy for Iraq in order to address the many challenges the country faces following the territorial defeat of Da'esh.
11/12/2017 - Enlargement, external relations and trade / International aid, development and cooperation
The High Representative and the EU foreign ministers started the day with an informal breakfast with the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. The Council discussed and adopted conclusions on an updated strategy on aid for trade which aims to improve the integration of developing countries into the international trading system.
08/12/2017 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono today announced the successful conclusion of the final discussions on the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
30/11/2017 - Asylum and migration / Enlargement, external relations and trade / International aid, development and cooperation
The AU-EU summit brought together EU and African leaders to define the future direction for cooperation between the two continents.
24/11/2017 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
On the occasion of the Eastern Partnership summit, EU leaders met with their six Eastern partners — Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine — to agree on the future priorities of their partnership.
15/11/2017 - Business, taxation and competition / Enlargement, external relations and trade
Tougher EU rules to fight dumped and subsidised imports from third countries were voted by MEPs on Wednesday. For the first time worldwide, EU trade rules will require trade partners outside the EU to meet international social and environmental standards, so as to prevent dumping.
14/11/2017 - Enlargement, external relations and trade / Security and defence
Foreign affairs ministers and defence ministers discussed on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy in the area of security and defence. The Council then adopted conclusions on security and defence highlighting the progress achieved and looking at the next steps.
