Brussels, 18 October 2019
I. MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK
1. Further to a presentation by the Presidency, the European Council exchanged views on key issues of the next Multiannual Financial Framework such as the overall level, the volumes of the main policy areas, the financing, including revenues and corrections, as well as the conditionalities and incentives. In the light of this discussion, it calls on the Presidency to submit a Negotiating Box with figures ahead of the European Council in December 2019.
II. THE NEXT INSTITUTIONAL CYCLE
2. 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. It took note of the report presented by the Finnish Prime Minister on the follow-up to the Strategic Agenda undertaken in the Council.
3. The European Council also adopted a decision appointing Christine Lagarde President of the European Central Bank.
III. CLIMATE CHANGE
4. The European Council welcomes the outcome of the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 on ambition, action and solidarity. The existential threat posed by climate change requires enhanced ambition and increased climate action by the EU and at global level. The European Council is determined that the EU will continue to lead the way in a socially fair and just green transition in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, in line with its June 2019 conclusions. It supports the COP25 priorities including attention to the link between oceans and climate. The European Council recalls that it will finalise its guidance on the EUʼs longterm strategy on climate change at its December meeting with a view to the adoption and submission of the EUʼs long-term strategy to the UNFCCC in early 2020.
IV. ENLARGEMENT
5. The European Council will revert to the issue of enlargement before the EU-Western Balkans summit in Zagreb in May 2020.
V. TURKEY
6. The European Council endorses the Council conclusions of 14 October 2019 on North East Syria.
7. 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. The European Council notes tonightʼs US-Turkey announcement on a pause for all military operations. It again urges Turkey to end its military action, to withdraw its forces and to respect international humanitarian law. Following the Council conclusions of 14 October 2019, it recalls that Member States have decided to halt arms export licensing to Turkey.
8. The European Union remains engaged in its efforts towards effectively addressing the serious humanitarian and refugee crisis in the light of evolving needs, including by supporting those Member States that are facing the most serious challenges in terms of migratory flows in the Eastern Mediterranean.
9. The European Council will remain seized of this matter.
VI. ILLEGAL DRILLING ACTIVITIES
10. The European Council also endorses the Council conclusions of 14 October 2019 on Turkeyʼs illegal drilling activities in Cyprusʼ Exclusive Economic Zone and reaffirms its solidarity with Cyprus.
11. The European Council will remain seized of this matter.
VII. MH17
12. With reference to the conclusions of 20 June 2019, the European Council reiterates its 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 calls on all States to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2166.
Original document published at: European Council conclusions, 17-18 October 2019 (PDF)
