Konklusioner ved DER-formanden fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 22.-23. juni 2017

EUCO 8/17
EN
Delegations will find attached the conclusions adopted by the European Council at the above
meeting.
European Council
Brussels, 23 June 2017
(OR. en)
EUCO 8/17
CO EUR 8
CONCL 3
COVER NOTE
From: General Secretariat of the Council
To: Delegations
Subject: European Council meeting (22 and 23 June 2017)
– Conclusions
Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2016-17
UPN Alm.del Bilag 286
Offentligt
Conclusions – 22 and 23 June 2017
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Today the European Council focused on strengthening Europe and protecting its citizens through
effective measures to fight terrorism and develop its common security and defence, to ensure its
economic development in a globalised world, to tackle migration and to protect its external
borders. A strong and determined Union is the best way to promote our values and interests,
support a rules-based multilateral system and mobilise partners for a positive climate policy. It will
also help shape globalisation in order to reap the benefits of open markets while protecting against
unfair practices and promoting the social, environmental, health and consumer standards that are
central to the European way of life. The European Council paid tribute to Helmut Kohl, Honorary
Citizen of Europe, who passed away on 16 June 2017.
I. SECURITY AND DEFENCE
Internal security and the fight against terrorism
1. The European Council strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks and stands united and
firm in the fight against terrorism, hatred and violent extremism. These acts have strengthened
our resolve to cooperate at EU level so as to enhance our internal security: we will fight the
spread of radicalisation online, coordinate our work on preventing and countering violent
extremism and addressing the ideology, thwart the financing of terrorism, facilitate swift and
targeted exchanges of information between law enforcement authorities, including with
trusted partners, and improve the interoperability between databases.
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2. Industry has its own responsibility to help combat terrorism and crime online. Building on the
work of the EU Internet Forum, the European Council expects industry to establish an
Industry Forum and to develop new technology and tools to improve the automatic detection
and removal of content that incites to terrorist acts. This should be complemented by the
relevant legislative measures at EU level, if necessary. It calls for addressing the challenges
posed by systems that allow terrorists to communicate in ways that competent authorities
cannot access, including end-to-end encryption, while safeguarding the benefits these systems
bring for the protection of privacy, data and communication. The European Council considers
that effective access to electronic evidence is essential to combating serious crime and
terrorism and that, subject to appropriate safeguards, the availability of data should be
secured.
3. The agreement on the Entry/Exit System, which is expected shortly, and the finalisation
before the end of the year of a European Travel Information and Authorisation System
(ETIAS) will pave the way for their rapid implementation, thus enhancing external border
control and internal security while taking into account specific situations in Member States
which still do not fully apply the Schengen acquis. In that context, the European Council
invites the Commission to prepare, as soon as possible, draft legislation enacting the proposals
made by the High Level Expert Group on interoperability.
4. We need to accelerate our collective efforts to share knowledge on foreign terrorist fighters as
well as home-grown radicalised individuals and take forward policy and legal measures to
manage the threat.
5. The European Council underlines the importance of providing support to the victims of terror
acts.
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External security and defence
6. The European Council reiterates its commitment to strengthening EU cooperation on external
security and defence so as to protect the Union and its citizens and contribute to peace and
stability in its neighbourhood and beyond. Together with all its diplomatic and civil
capabilities, the EU brings a unique mix of possibilities to this enterprise. As reflected in the
Council conclusions of 18 May and 19 June 2017, significant progress has been achieved in
implementing the EU Global Strategy in the area of Security and Defence and the Joint
Declaration signed in Warsaw by EU and NATO leaders. The transatlantic relationship and
EU-NATO cooperation remain key to our overall security, allowing us to respond to evolving
security threats, including cyber, hybrid and terrorism. The European Council welcomes the
establishment in Helsinki of a European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats.
The high-level conference on security and defence held in Prague on 9 June 2017 underlined
both the complementarity between the EU and NATO and the need to step up European
efforts to strengthen our defence related research, capabilities and operations.
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7. The joint development of capability projects commonly agreed by Member States to fill the
existing major shortfalls and develop the technologies of the future is crucial to fulfil the level
of ambition of the EU approved by the European Council in December 2016. The European
Council welcomes the Commission’s communication on a European Defence Fund,
composed of a research window and a capability window, and is looking forward to its swift
operationalisation. It calls for rapid agreement on the proposal for a European Defence
Industrial Development Programme with a view to its swift implementation, before more
comprehensive programmes can be envisaged in the medium term. The European Council
calls on Member States to identify suitable capability projects for the European Defence Fund
and for the European Defence Industrial Development Programme. The European Council
invites the Member States to further work on options for the joint procurement of capabilities
within the European Defence Fund based on sound financing mechanisms. The objective is to
deliver capabilities, ensure a competitive, innovative and balanced basis for Europe’s defence
industry across the EU, including by cross border cooperation and participation of SMEs, and
to contribute to greater European defence cooperation, by exploiting synergies and mobilising
EU support in addition to Member States’ financing. European defence industrial
development will also require EU support for SME and intermediate (mid-cap) investments in
the area of security and defence. In this respect, the European Council recalls its invitation to
the European Investment Bank to examine steps with a view to supporting investments in
defence research and development activities.
Conclusions – 22 and 23 June 2017
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8. To strengthen Europe's security and defence in today's challenging geopolitical environment
and to help reach the level of ambition of the EU expressed in the EU Global Strategy, the
European Council agrees on the need to launch an inclusive and ambitious Permanent
Structured Cooperation (PESCO). A common list of criteria and binding commitments, fully
in line with Articles 42(6) and 46 TEU and Protocol 10 to the Treaty - including with a view
to the most demanding missions - will be drawn up by Member States within three months,
with a precise timetable and specific assessment mechanisms, in order to enable Member
States which are in a position to do so to notify their intentions to participate without delay.
This work has to be consistent with Member States’ national defence planning and
commitments agreed within NATO and the UN by Member States concerned. Concrete
collaborative projects and initiatives should also be identified in support of PESCO's common
goals, commitments and criteria.
9. To strengthen the EU's rapid response toolbox, the European Council agrees that the
deployment of Battlegroups should be borne as a common cost by the EU-managed Athena
mechanism on a permanent basis. It also urges the Council to speed up its work on greater
responsiveness of the civilian crisis management.
10. The European Council will come back to these issues at one of its next meetings.
Conclusions – 22 and 23 June 2017
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II. THE PARIS AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
11. The European Council strongly reaffirms the commitment of the EU and its Member States to
swiftly and fully implement the Paris Agreement, to contribute to the fulfilment of the climate
finance goals, and to continue to lead in the fight against climate change. The Agreement
remains a cornerstone of global efforts to effectively tackle climate change, and cannot be
renegotiated. The Agreement is a key element for the modernisation of the European industry
and economy. It is also key to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
the recent adoption of the new European Consensus on Development, while pursuing a
broader agenda, will also contribute to this objective. The EU and its Member States will
enhance cooperation with international partners under the Paris Agreement, in particular with
the most vulnerable countries, thereby demonstrating solidarity with future generations and
responsibility for the whole planet. The European Council calls on the Council and the
Commission to examine all means to achieve these goals. The EU will continue to work
closely with all non-State actors, building on the successful example provided by the Global
Climate Action Agenda.
Conclusions – 22 and 23 June 2017
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III. JOBS, GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS
12. Europe needs jobs, growth and competitiveness. The return of economic growth to all 28
Member States is a positive development that needs to be consolidated. The European
Council discussed how to best use the potential of the Single Market and of trade and industry
to that effect, while ensuring that these developments benefit all parts of society.
Single Market
13. The European Council reiterates the importance of a well-functioning Single Market with its
four freedoms in fostering growth, creating jobs and promoting investments and innovation.
Co-legislators have made it possible to achieve significant progress towards the shared
objective of completing and implementing the various strategies by 2018. There are
nevertheless still gaps which require further attention. The European Council therefore
emphasises that further efforts are needed from the EU and its Member States to achieve the
level of ambition as reflected in the June 2016 conclusions for the Single Market, including
on services, the Digital Single Market, the Capital Markets Union and the Energy Union,
including interconnections. In this context it welcomes the Commission's mid-term review of
the Digital Single Market and of the Capital Markets Union Action Plan. Timely
implementation and better enforcement of existing legislation are also key to reaping the
benefits of Europe's Single Market. The Council will report to the June 2018 European
Council on progress in deepening, implementing and enforcing the Single Market in all its
aspects. In order to look beyond the finalisation of the different Single Market strategies and
evolve towards a future-proof and fair Single Market, the European Council calls on the
Commission to pursue its reflections on innovative ways to address new opportunities,
challenges and remaining barriers.
14. The European Council takes stock of the progress made on the European Fund for Strategic
Investments and calls on the legislators to rapidly agree on the extension and reinforcement of
the Fund.
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15. Building on the Council conclusions of May 2017, which call for a future industrial policy
strategy, the European Council underlines the essential role of industry as a major driver for
growth, employment and innovation in Europe. In line with its own earlier conclusions, it
calls for concrete action to ensure a strong and competitive industrial base of the Single
Market.
Trade
16. The EU will pursue a robust trade policy upholding an open and rules-based multilateral
trading system, with a central role for the WTO. Firm in the belief that trade contributes to
creating wealth and jobs, it will keep markets open and fight protectionism. It will actively
promote an ambitious free trade agenda on the global scene. To this end, it will seek to foster
a truly level playing field, while remaining vigilant concerning the respect and promotion of
key standards, including social, environmental, health and consumer standards that are central
to the European way of life.
17. The European Council is convinced that trade and investment can only be free if it is also fair
and mutually beneficial. The European Council therefore calls on the co-legislators to swiftly
agree on modern, WTO-compatible trade defence instruments, which will reinforce the ability
of the EU to effectively tackle unfair and discriminatory trade practices and market
distortions. It calls on the Commission to ensure their swift and effective application through
non-legislative implementing measures to make the EU trade practices and defence
instruments more reactive and efficient and to propose, if necessary, complementary
measures. It also calls on the Commission and the Council to deepen and take forward the
debate on how to enhance reciprocity in the fields of public procurement and investment. In
this context, it welcomes the Commission's initiative to harness globalisation and, inter alia, to
analyse investments from third countries in strategic sectors, while fully respecting Members
States' competences. The European Council will revert to this issue at one of its future
meetings.
Conclusions – 22 and 23 June 2017
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18. The European Council encourages progress on all ongoing negotiations, including with
Mexico, Mercosur and the Asian-Pacific region, for ambitious and balanced free trade
agreements, with reciprocity and mutual benefits as guiding principles. The European Council
welcomes the progress achieved recently in the negotiations with Japan, which could pave the
way for a political agreement.
European Semester
19. The European Council generally endorses the integrated country-specific recommendations as
discussed by the Council, thus allowing the conclusion of the 2017 European Semester.
Conclusions – 22 and 23 June 2017
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IV. MIGRATION
20. The European Council remains committed to the Union's comprehensive approach to
migration, effective control of external borders to stem and prevent illegal flows and the
reform of the Common European Asylum System, and the full and non-discriminatory
implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement in all its aspects and towards all Member States.
Vigilance on all migration routes, including the Western Balkans route, will continue. We will
continue to strengthen and make full use of the operational capacities of the European Border
and Coast Guard and other agencies. Effective external border control should allow for the
lifting of temporary internal border controls.
21. Loss of life and continuing migratory flows of primarily economic migrants on the Central
Mediterranean route is a structural challenge and remains an issue of urgent and serious
concern. The EU and its Member States will have to restore control to avoid a worsening
humanitarian crisis. To this end they have to act decisively now by stepping up coordination
and delivery on all the elements contained in the Malta Declaration, the Partnership
Framework and the Joint Valletta Action Plan, underpinned by sufficient financial resources.
This also implies continued and enhanced cooperation with countries of origin and transit,
including strengthening regional cooperation in Search and Rescue activities, which remains a
high priority. Training and equipping the Libyan Coast Guard is a key component of the EU
approach and should be speeded up. The IOM and the UNHCR will remain important
partners, including to facilitate voluntary returns and improve reception conditions.
Cooperation with countries of origin and transit shall be reinforced in order to stem the
migratory pressure on Libya’s and other neighbouring countries' land borders. The European
Council underlines in this context the importance of supporting the G5 Sahel Joint force.
There, as elsewhere, the disruption of the business models of human smugglers and traffickers
remains a key objective, including by better controlling the trade in equipment used by them.
Conclusions – 22 and 23 June 2017
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22. Further efforts shall also be made to achieve real progress in return and readmission policy.
Building on the Renewed Action Plan on Return, well-functioning readmission agreements
and pragmatic arrangements with third countries shall be put in place at EU level without any
further delay by using all possible levers, including by reassessing visa policy towards third
countries, as needed. Bilateral arrangements of Member States with third countries also
contribute to this objective.
23. The European Council reaffirms its previous conclusions on the reform of the Common
European Asylum System (CEAS). Thanks to the progress made under the Maltese
Presidency, there is a common understanding that the reformed CEAS needs to strike the right
balance between responsibility and solidarity and that it needs to ensure resilience to future
crises. The system has to be efficient, be able to withstand migratory pressure, eliminate pull
factors as well as secondary movements, in compliance with international law, fight abuse and
provide adequate support to the most affected Member States. The Commission is invited to
explore possible solutions to alleviate the burden on frontline Member States. In order to
enhance cooperation with third countries and prevent new crises, the 'safe third country'
concept should be aligned with the effective requirements arising from the Geneva
Convention and EU primary law, while respecting the competences of the EU and the
Member States under the Treaties. In this context, the European Council calls for work on an
EU list of safe third countries to be taken forward. This will be part of a future overall
agreement on the CEAS. The European Council invites the Council to continue negotiations
on this basis and amend the legislative proposals as necessary, with the active help of the
Commission. The European Council will revert to these issues.
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V. DIGITAL EUROPE
24. Looking ahead at the work programme for the second half of the year, and in particular the
Digital Summit in Tallinn on 29 September 2017, the European Council highlights the
overarching importance of an ambitious digital vision for Europe, its society and economy. A
holistic approach to digital is necessary to face up to the challenges of and use the
opportunities flowing from the 4th
industrial revolution. This requires the implementation of
the Digital Single Market strategy in all its elements. At the same time, we should take a
broader look at markets, infrastructure, connectivity, societal and cultural aspects, including
the digital divide, norms and standards, content and data, investment, cybersecurity, e-
government and research & development. In order to meet current and future cyber-security
challenges, the European Council welcomes the Commission's intention to review the
Cybersecurity Strategy in September and to propose further targeted actions before the end of
the year.


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Bilag Sagsnummer Kontor
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KONKLUSIONER
Det Europæiske Råd den 22.-23. juni 2017
Til underretning for Folketingets Europaudvalg vedlægges konklusioner
ved DER-formanden fra mødet i Det Europæiske Råd den 22.-23. juni
2017.
Anders Samuelsen
Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2016-17
UPN Alm.del Bilag 286
Offentligt