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European Council Council of the European Union

EU-Ukraine summit supports reforms and visa-free travel

EU-Ukraine summit highlights
24/11/2016

Video highlights of the EU-Ukraine summit held in Brussels, 24 November 2016

EU and Ukraine leaders met in Brussels on 24 November.  

They focused their discussions on reforms in Ukraine. Since 2015 the country has worked on an ambitious reform agenda with strong EU support. The summit confirmed a further €104 million in support for public administration reform. The two sides also signed:

  • a financing agreement 'EU Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine' (€15 million support)
  • a Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Energy Partnership between the EU and Ukraine

The meeting was also an occasion to welcome recent steps towards visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens when travelling to the EU and vice versa. 

Furthermore EU and Ukraine leaders discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

EU-Ukraine summit supports reforms and visa-free travel

EU-Ukraine summit highlights
24/11/2016

Video highlights of the EU-Ukraine summit held in Brussels, 24 November 2016

EU and Ukraine leaders met in Brussels on 24 November.  

They focused their discussions on reforms in Ukraine. Since 2015 the country has worked on an ambitious reform agenda with strong EU support. The summit confirmed a further €104 million in support for public administration reform. The two sides also signed:

  • a financing agreement 'EU Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine' (€15 million support)
  • a Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Energy Partnership between the EU and Ukraine

The meeting was also an occasion to welcome recent steps towards visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens when travelling to the EU and vice versa. 

Furthermore EU and Ukraine leaders discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Meetings

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Press releases

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The European Council

The European Council consists of the heads of state or government of the EU's member states, together with its President and the European Commission President. It defines the EU's general political direction and priorities.

The Council of the EU

The Council of the EU represents the member states' governments. Also known informally as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.

The roles of the European Council and the Council of the EU
06/05/2015

The role of the European Council and the Council of the EU explained

What is the Council?

The European Council and the Council of the EU are two very closely linked institutions. They have similar names and share the same buildings and staff - the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC). However, they have very different roles and membership. 

Policies

The Council of the EU and the European Council work on a wide range of issues, such as:

Documents & Publications

In focus

Council bans unjustified geo-blocking

Geo-blocking
28/11/2016

Geo-blocking is a practice that restricts access to content based on the user's location.

On 28 November 2016, the Council agreed on a draft regulation to ban unjustified geo-blocking between member states. Geo-blocking prevents customers from accessing and buying products or services from an online shop based in another member state. 

The draft regulation is intended to remove discrimination based on customers' nationality, place of residence or place of establishment and to boost e-commerce.

This includes:

  • equal access for customers to goods and services
  • no unjustified discrimination for customers regarding means of payment
  • no unjustified discrimination when accessing the online interface of e-commerce websites

Negotiations on the regulation will start between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission once the Parliament agrees its position.

In focus

Council bans unjustified geo-blocking

Geo-blocking
28/11/2016

Geo-blocking is a practice that restricts access to content based on the user's location.

On 28 November 2016, the Council agreed on a draft regulation to ban unjustified geo-blocking between member states. Geo-blocking prevents customers from accessing and buying products or services from an online shop based in another member state. 

The draft regulation is intended to remove discrimination based on customers' nationality, place of residence or place of establishment and to boost e-commerce.

This includes:

  • equal access for customers to goods and services
  • no unjustified discrimination for customers regarding means of payment
  • no unjustified discrimination when accessing the online interface of e-commerce websites

Negotiations on the regulation will start between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission once the Parliament agrees its position.