SPEAKERS

Annika Hedberg, Head of Sustainable Proseprity for Europe Programme, European Policy Centre

Marta Pilati, Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre
 
Janis A. Emmanouilidis, Director of Studies, European Policy Centre
 
Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive, European Policy Centre (Moderator)

EU leaders will meet in Brussels for the European Council meeting on 12-13 December. In line with the June conclusions, the heads of state and government will, once again, discuss the Union’s long-term strategy on climate change. They will aim to finalise their guidance for the adoption and submission of the EU’s long-term strategy to the UN Climate Change Conference in early 2020. In this context, the European Council will focus particularly on the target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The Summit will also feature the first substantial debate on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. Now that the Finnish Presidency has presented its Negotiating Box, the pressure is on to find an agreement on the MFF. Finally, leaders might also have a first debate about their plans for the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is scheduled to begin in 2020.
 
EU27 leaders will also meet for a Euro Summit on 13 December, focussing on the reform of the Economic and Monetary Union. They will take stock of progress made since June, including on the revision of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Treaty, the new budgetary instrument for convergence and competitiveness (BICC), and the technical work on the strengthening of the banking union. Last but not least, one day after the election in the United Kingdom, there will be a special European Council in the Article 50 format to discuss Brexit and the preparations for the negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU after its withdrawal from the Union.
 
At this Post-Summit Briefing, Annika Hedberg, Head of the EPC Sustainable Prosperity for Europe Programme, Janis A. Emmanouilidis, EPC Director of Studies, and EPC Chief Executive Fabian Zuleeg will analyse the outcome of the December Summit and look ahead to potential future developments. Their presentations will be followed by a question and answer session with the audience.