Political reflection on the future of the European Union

EU heads of state or government met in Rome, Italy, on 25 March 2017, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties. This was an occasion to reflect on the state of the European Union and look at the future of the integration process.

In the Rome Declaration, adopted at the end of the celebrations, the leaders set out a joint vision for the years to come. They pledged to work towards:  

• a safe and secure Europe: where all citizens can move freely; with secured external borders and an efficient migration policy
• a prosperous and sustainable Europe: promoting sustained and sustainable growth, with a strong single market
• a social Europe: fighting unemployment, discrimination, social exclusion and poverty
• a stronger Europe on the global scene: developing existing partnerships and building new ones, committed to strengthening its common security and defence

The Rome Declaration concluded the political reflection process that had started in Bratislava on 16 September 2016, following the results of the UK referendum in June 2016.

EU heads of state or government met in Rome, Italy, on 25 March 2017, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties. This was an occasion to reflect on the state of the European Union and look at the future of the integration process. 

At the end of the celebrations the leaders adopted and signed the Rome Declaration setting out a joint vision for the years to come. "We have united for the better. Europe is our common future," they said in the Declaration.

Leaders declared that, aware of the concerns of the EU citizens, they commit to the Rome Agenda, and pledged to work towards: 

• a safe and secure Europe
• a prosperous and sustainable Europe
• a social Europe
• a stronger Europe on the global scene

• 60th anniversary of the Rome treaties, 25/03/2017

The document was published by the European Commission ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. It sets out five scenarios, each offering a glimpse into the potential state of the Union by 2025 depending on the choices Europe will make. 

The scenarios look at how Europe will change in the next decade, from the impact of new technologies on society and jobs, to doubts about globalisation, security concerns and the rise of populism.

• White Paper on the future of Europe

The informal summit, hosted by the Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and chaired by European Council President Donald Tusk, was an occasion for the 27 leaders to prepare for the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties on 25 March 2017.      

The discussions built upon the political reflection on the future of the EU with 27 member states, launched immediately after the UK voted to leave the European Union on 23 June 2016 and continued in Bratislava on 16 September 2016.  

• Informal meeting of EU heads of state or government in Malta, 03/02/2017

"United we stand, divided we fall", said Donald Tusk ahead of the Malta summit.  

In his letter sent to the 27 heads of state or government, President of the European Council identified three main threats, which threaten the stability of Europe. These include:  

• new geopolitical situation: an increasingly assertive China, Russia's aggressive policy towards Ukraine and its neighbours, wars, terror and anarchy in the Middle East and in Africa (with radical Islam playing a major role) and "worrying declarations" by the new American administration all make our future highly unpredictable
• internal situation: a rise of the nationalist, increasingly xenophobic sentiment in the EU itself
• state of mind of the pro-European elites: decline of faith in political integration, submission to populist arguments and doubt in the fundamental values of liberal democracy  

In the letter, President Donald Tusk called on the leaders to stay united. 

"It must be made crystal clear that the disintegration of the European Union will not lead to the restoration of some mythical, full sovereignty of its member states, but to their real and factual dependence on the great superpowers: the United States, Russia and China. Only together can we be fully independent", Tusk said.  

• "United we stand, divided we fall": letter by President Donald Tusk to the 27 EU leaders on the future of the EU

The Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) agreed on the Council's negotiating position on a proposal to modernise the EU's trade defence instruments.  

The proposed regulation amends current anti-dumping and anti-subsidies regulations to better respond to unfair trade practices. The purpose is to shield EU producers from damage caused by unfair competition, ensuring free and fair trade. 

• Trade defence instruments: Council agrees negotiating position

The Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) approved a compromise text agreed with the European Parliament on an amendment to the Schengen Borders Code to reinforce checks against relevant databases at external borders.  

• Schengen Borders Code: agreement to reinforce checks at external borders

The rapid reaction pool is made of 1 500 officers committed by EU member states and Schengen associated countries. In a crisis situation, they will be put at the immediate disposal of Frontex, which can deploy them within five working days.

• European Border and Coast Guard Agency launches rapid intervention pool

The Council agreed its stance on a proposal to extend the lifespan of the European fund for strategic investments (EFSI), the EU's flagship initiative under its 'investment plan for Europe'.  

The agreed compromise involves extending the EFSI in terms of both duration and financial capacity, mobilising at least half a trillion euros of investments by 2020. It also introduces a number of operational improvements to take account of lessons learned from the first year of implementation. 

• Investment plan for Europe: EFSI extension agreed by Council

The Council adopts conclusions on the Implementation of the EU-NATO Joint Declaration, endorsing 40 proposals in the 7 areas. These proposals are endorsed on the same day by the North Atlantic Council. 

• EU-NATO cooperation: Council adopt conclusions to implement Joint Declaration

EU foreign and defence ministers discuss the implementation plan on security and defence under the EU global strategy. They set out the level of ambition and  the way forward on the future development of EU security and defence policy.

• Council conclusions on security and defence, 14 November 2016
• Implementation plan on security and defence

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council,  Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, and  Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada met in Brussels for the 16th EU-Canada summit. They signed the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and issued a joint declaration on the EU-Canada partnership.

• EU-Canada summit, 30 October 2016, Brussels

Leaders took stock of the state-of-play regarding the Bratislava Roadmap.  Prime Minister Fico briefed them on the results so far, including the Paris Agreement ratification and the launch of the European Border and Coast Guard.

• European Council, 20-21 October 2016 (meeting page)

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency was officially launched on 6 October 2016. The launch event took place at the Kapitan Andreevo Border Checkpoint at the Bulgarian external border with Turkey. 

"We are creating a new reality at our external borders. This is a tangible outcome of the joint commitment agreed in the Bratislava Roadmap, as well as a practical display of unity among member states," said Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia and holder of the rotating Presidency of the Council. "It will help us to get back to Schengen," he added. 

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency will closely monitor the EU's external borders and work together with member states to quickly identify and address any potential security threats to the EU's external borders. 

• Securing Europe's external borders: Launch of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency

The EU officially ratified the Paris Agreement, which also triggered its entry into force. Representatives of the Council presidency and the European Commission deposited the official documents for ratification with the UN's Secretary-General.

The agreement enters into force 30 days after the ratification by at least 55 countries accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This threshold was achieved after the ratification by the EU and 7 of its member states.

The entry into force will take place before the beginning of the Marrakesh climate change conference  on 7-18 November 2016. 

• Timeline - Paris Agreement
• Paris Agreement infographic
• Environment Council, 30 September 2016

The heads of state or government of the 27 met in Bratislava to begin a political reflection on further development of an EU with 27 member countries.

Leaders agreed on the Bratislava Declaration and Roadmap, which set out the objectives for the coming months: 

• restoring full control of the external borders
• ensuring internal security and fighting terrorism
• strengthening EU cooperation on external security and defence
• boosting the single market and offering better opportunities for  young Europeans

• Informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government
• Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the Bratislava summit

In August and September 2016 President Tusk consulted all the EU leaders ahead of the meeting in Bratislava. 

"I have no doubt that the three main challenges are uncontrolled irregular migration, terrorism, and the fears of globalisation," said President Tusk before his meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven in Stockholm. "My ambition is that in Bratislava we can agree on the main priorities and what we need to do about them in the next few months." 

On 8 September, President Tusk also travelled to London to exchange views with British Prime Minister Theresa May.  

The 27 leaders met informally to discuss the way forward after the referendum in the UK on 23 June 2016.

"We are determined to remain united and work in the framework of the EU to deal with the challenges of the 21st century and find solutions in the interest of our nations and peoples," they said in the joint statement. 

Leaders agreed on the following principles: 

• there can be no negotiations with the UK before the notification of Article 50
• in the future, UK should be a close partner of the EU
• agreements will have to be based on a balance between rights and obligations
• access to the single market requires acceptance of all four freedoms

 The 27 leaders agreed to meet again in September 2016 to continue talks on the future of the EU. 

• Informal meeting at 27 - Brussels, 29 June 2016 - Statement
• Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the informal meeting of 27 EU heads of state or government