Main results
The European Council met on 17 and 18 October 2019 to discuss a number of important issues including Brexit, the EU's long-term budget, EU enlargement, Turkey, climate change and priorities for the next five years.
- European Council conclusions, 17-18 October 2019
- European Council (Art. 50) conclusions on Brexit, 17 October 2019
- Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the European Council meeting on 18 October 2019
Brexit
The European Council, in an EU 27 format, endorsed the withdrawal agreement and approved the political declaration which were both agreed on 17 October at the level of EU and UK negotiators. This deal would allow an orderly departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
- European Council (Art. 50), 17 October 2019
- European Council (Art. 50) conclusions, 17 October 2019
- Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the meeting of the European Council (Art. 50), 17 October 2019
- Brexit (background information and timeline)
Long-term EU budget
EU leaders exchanged views on the multiannual financial framework (MFF) - the EU's long-term budget. They focused on issues such as the overall level, the volumes of the main policy areas and the financing. In the light of this discussion, the European Council called on Finland's presidency to submit a negotiation box with MFF figures ahead of the next European Council meeting in December 2019.
Strategic agenda and the next institutional cycle
The European Council exchanged views with President-elect Ursula von der Leyen on the Commissionʼs contribution to the implementation of the EUʼs priorities as set out in the strategic agenda. The Finnish Prime Minister reported on the follow-up to the strategic agenda undertaken in the Council.
The European Council also adopted a decision appointing Christine Lagarde as President of the European Central Bank.
- The strategic agenda 2019-2024
- Christine Lagarde appointed President of the European Central Bank (press release)
- Nomination process for new heads of EU institutions in 2019
Climate change
EU leaders welcomed the outcome of the UN Climate Action Summit. The European Council remains determined to ensure that the EU will continue to lead the way to a socially fair and just green transition in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. EU leaders supported the priorities of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference, to be held in Santiago de Chile in December.
The European Council will finalise its guidance on the EUʼs long-term strategy on climate change at its December meeting.
EU enlargement
Leaders discussed the opening of accession talks with Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia. They agreed to revert to the issue before the EU-Western Balkans summit in Zagreb in May 2020.
Turkey
EU leaders discussed relations with Turkey, including in the light of Turkey's military action in north-east Syria. They endorsed the Council conclusions of 14 October 2019, condemning Turkey's unilateral military action and urging Turkey to end it, to withdraw its forces, and to respect international humanitarian law.
"The EU condemns Turkeyʼs unilateral military action in North East Syria which causes unacceptable human suffering, undermines the fight against Daʼesh and threatens heavily European security."
European Council conclusions
The European Council noted the US-Turkey announcement of 17 October on a pause for all military operations. Leaders recalled the member states' decision to halt arms export licensing to Turkey.
EU leaders stressed that the EU is continuing its efforts to address the serious humanitarian and refugee crisis, including by supporting those member states that are facing the most serious challenges in terms of migratory flows in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Illegal drilling
The European Council also endorsed the Council conclusions of 14 October 2019 on Turkeyʼs illegal drilling activities in Cyprusʼ Exclusive Economic Zone and reaffirmed its solidarity with Cyprus.
MH17
EU leaders reiterated their full support for all efforts to establish truth, justice and accountability for the victims of the downing of MH17 and their next of kin and called on all states to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2166.