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Agenda of the European Council, 19 December 2024 (updated 18/12)

19 December

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, the EU in the world, the Middle East, resilience and preparedness, migration and foreign policy issues.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is invited to come to Brussels on the occasion of the meeting of the European Council.

Invitation letter sent by President António Costa to the members of the European Council, 7 December 2024

Background brief

 

The EU-Western Balkans summit will take place ahead of the European Council meeting.

EU-Western Balkans summit, 18 December 2024

 

Ukraine

EU leaders will discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in all its dimensions, including the latest developments on the ground, and continued comprehensive support for Ukraine and its people. To date, the EU and its member states have provided over €130 billion in support for Ukraine.

The EU is committed to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and to the principle that no initiative regarding Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine.

We need to stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary and do whatever it takes for Russia’s invasion to be defeated and international law to prevail.

President of the European Council, António Costa, 7 December 2024

In terms of military support, the leaders will review progress on the delivery of air defence systems, ammunition and missiles as well as the provision of necessary training and equipment to Ukrainian soldiers.

To help Ukraine prepare for the winter and beyond, the leaders will discuss how to strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector and other civilian infrastructure which Russia has deliberately and increasingly been targeting.

The EU is ready to increase pressure on Russia and third countries supporting Russia, including by ensuring the full and effective implementation of sanctions and through further measures to counter their circumvention.

Solidarity with Ukraine (background information)

Ukraine (background information)

EU sanctions against Russia (background information)

 

Middle East

EU leaders will discuss the fast-evolving situation in the Middle East, including how the EU can best contribute to de-escalation efforts, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon and the latest developments in Syria.

The EU is deeply alarmed by the dramatic military escalation in the Middle East and calls on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, put an end to hostilities and fully abide by international law and international humanitarian law.

The EU is also committed to continuing to provide its needs-based assistance to the people in the Middle East, with particular attention to the most vulnerable, and to scale up its humanitarian engagement.

EU position on the situation in the Middle East (background information)

Syria (background information)

EU humanitarian support for Palestinians (background information)

 

The EU in the world

EU leaders will hold a strategic discussion on how the EU can consolidate its role on the international stage and defend our interests and promote our positions.

Looking beyond our continent, we need to acknowledge the challenges and grasp the opportunities of a plural, multipolar, diverse world.

President of the European Council, António Costa, 7 December 2024

The discussion will focus on the way forward in a multipolar landscape and how to ensure mutually beneficial strategic relationships. In this context, the leaders will discuss:

  • how to foster a wider and deeper network of partners at global level
  • EU-US relations
  • EU-UK relations

Post-Brexit agreements (background information)

 

Resilience and preparedness

EU leaders will discuss how to strengthen the EU’s resilience, preparedness, crisis prevention and response capacities, based on the report prepared by Sauli Niinistö for the European Commission.

In this context, they will discuss the impact of an evolving threat landscape and the increasing number of natural disasters due to climate change.

How the Council coordinates the EU response to crises (background information)

Safer together: strengthening Europe’s civilian and military preparedness and readiness (report by Sauli Niinistö, European Commission, 30 October 2024)

 

Migration

EU leaders will take stock of progress in implementing past conclusions on migration. When they met on 17 October 2024, the leaders discussed how to:

  • strengthen control of the EU’s external borders
  • cooperate with third countries of origin and countries of transit to address root causes, fight trafficking and smuggling and prevent loss of life and irregular departures
  • increase and speed up returns from the EU

EU migration and asylum policy (background information)

European Council, 17 October 2024

 

Foreign affairs

In the light of specific events, EU leaders may address specific foreign policy issues, including developments in Georgia and Moldova.

Georgia (background information)

Moldova (background information)

 

Practical information
  • Location: Brussels
  • Time (indicative): 10:30

 

Preparatory documents

Provisional agenda

Background brief

Outcome documents

List of participants

Press releases

Invitation letter by President António Costa to the members of the European Council

 

 

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Details

Date:
19 December
Event Categories:
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Venue

European Council

Organizer

European Council