European Council, 19-20/10/2017 - Media information - Main contents

Agenda highlights

EU leaders will look at a number of the most pressing issues, including migration, defence, foreign affairs and digitalisation.

"We should preserve the unity that we have managed to develop over the past year. We need this unity in order to solve the migration crisis, to tackle unfair aspects of globalisation, to deal with aggressive third countries, to limit the damage caused by Brexit as well as to preserve the rules-based international order in these difficult times."

President Donald Tusk in his invitation letter ahead of the meeting

Invitation letter by Donald Tusk for the members of the European Council, 17 October 2017

Leaders' Agenda

On Friday morning, leaders will have an informal breakfast to discuss the Leaders' Agenda. This is a concrete work programme to guide EU action until June 2019. It was prepared by President Tusk in consultation with all the EU member states.

Leaders' Agenda (background information)

Migration

The European Council will take stock of the measures taken to control illegal migration flows on all routes.

Leaders are expected to decide on any additional measures needed to support frontline member states, and to strengthen cooperation with UNHCR and IOM as well as with countries of origin and transit.

In addition, the European Council will call for progress on the reform of the common European asylum system.

Finding solutions to migratory pressures (background information)

Digital Europe

The European Council will examine how the EU can seize the opportunities and address the challenges of digitalisation, building on the discussions at the Digital Summit of 29 September.

Leaders will also take stock of the implementation of the Digital single market.

Digital single market for Europe (background information)

Defence

Heads of state or government will resume discussions on the permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) on defence. At the June European Council, leaders agreed on the need to launch PESCO.

EU cooperation on security and defence (background information)

External relations

In light of recent events, EU leaders will review specific foreign policy issues, including relations with Turkey.

They will also discuss the latest developments regarding the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in relation to the Korean peninsula and Iran.

Brexit negotiations

The European Council (Article 50), in an EU 27 format, will review the latest developments in the negotiations following the United Kingdom's notification of its intention to leave the EU.

European Council (Art.50), 20/10/2017

Brexit (background information)

Programme