Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Sibiu, 09/05/2019 - Main results - Main contents
The informal European Council brought together EU heads of state or government in Sibiu, Romania on 9 May 2019. EU leaders focused on strategic plans for the Union in the coming years. They also agreed to meet again on 28 May 2019 in Brussels to discuss the outcome of the European Parliament elections.
“We talked both about internal affairs as well as global challenges, bearing in mind that the world around us is becoming increasingly changeable and unpredictable”
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council
EU strategic agenda for 2019-2024
EU leaders discussed the EU’s next strategic agenda for the period 2019-2024. They exchanged views on the challenges and priorities for the EU for the years to come. The discussions in Sibiu were based on the Leaders’ Agenda note prepared by President Tusk and were divided in two parts: one on the external dimensions and one on the internal dimensions.
“The result of this discussion will come in June, when - as the European Council - we will adopt the EU’s priorities for the next five years, also known as the strategic agenda”
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council
The strategic agenda will be used to plan the work of the European Council, and form the basis for the work programmes of the other EU institutions.
The current agenda was agreed in June 2014 by the European Council. It focuses on five priority areas.
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-jobs, growth and competitiveness
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-empowering and protecting citizens
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-energy and climate policies
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-freedom, security and justice
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-the EU as a strong global actor
EU leadership nominations
In the context of the upcoming European Parliament elections EU leaders decided to meet on 28 May 2019 in Brussels. They will discuss the outcome of the vote and start the nomination process for the heads of the EU institutions.
“Naturally, this process will follow the rules set down in the Treaties. It should reflect geographical balance as well as demography, so that both large and smaller countries are represented in the highest positions in the EU”
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council
President Tusk stressed he would like the European Council to nominate the new EU leaders in June 2019.
The Sibiu Declaration
As the summit took place on Europe Day, the heads of state or government adopted the Sibiu Declaration as a sign of their unity and confidence in the future of the EU.
We reaffirm our belief that united, we are stronger in this increasingly unsettled and challenging world. We recognise our responsibility as leaders to make our Union stronger and our future brighter, while recognising the European perspective of other European States
The Sibiu Declaration
Situation in Cyprus
President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, informed the leaders about the Turkish drilling activities within the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus.
“The European Union stands united behind the Republic of Cyprus and expects Turkey to respect sovereign rights of the EU member state. The European Council will continue to follow these developments closely“
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council
The summit was hosted by Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council. The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, chaired the meeting. European Commission President Juncker and European Parliament President Tajani were also present.
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