31/3/2017
3/4/2017
Remarks by President Donald Tusk on the next steps following the UK notification |
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Good
morning. First of all I would like to thank Prime Minister Muscat for
his hospitality and the extraordinary job already done by the Maltese
presidency. A steady, solid and superb rotating Presidency of the
Council is even more important in times like these. So thank you again
for your work, Joseph.
The main point on our agenda was obviously Brexit.
Today
my task is to propose the draft negotiating guidelines on Brexit to the
27 EU leaders. To the 27, because from Wednesday, after triggering
Article 50, the United Kingdom is now on the other side of the
negotiating table. We have worked very fast, because, as you know, the
Treaty gives us only two years to reach an agreement.
Allow me to outline the main elements and principles of my proposal. We treat them as fundamental and will firmly stand by them.
Our
duty is to minimise the uncertainty and disruption caused by the UK
decision to withdraw from the EU for our citizens, businesses and Member
States. As I have already said, in essence it is about damage control.
We
need to think of people first. Citizens from all over the EU live, work
and study in the UK. And as long as the UK remains a member, their
rights are fully protected. But we need to settle their status and
situations after the withdrawal with reciprocal, enforceable and
non-discriminatory guarantees.
Second,
we must prevent a legal vacuum for our companies that stems from the
fact that after Brexit the EU laws will no longer apply to the UK.
Third,
we will also need to make sure that the UK honours all financial
commitments and liabilities it has taken as a Member State. It is only
fair towards all those people, communities, scientists, farmers and so
on to whom we, all the 28, promised and owe this money. I can guarantee
that the EU, on our part, will honour all our commitments.
Fourth,
we will seek flexible and creative solutions aiming at avoiding a hard
border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. It is of crucial importance
to support the peace process in Northern Ireland.
These
four issues are all part of the first phase of our negotiations. Once,
and only once we have achieved sufficient progress on the withdrawal,
can we discuss the framework for our future relationship. Starting
parallel talks on all issues at the same time, as suggested by some in
the UK, will not happen.
And
when talking about our future relationship, we obviously share the UK's
desire to establish a close partnership between us. Strong ties,
reaching beyond the economy and including security cooperation, remain
in our common interest.
Let
me conclude by saying that the talks which are about to start will be
difficult, complex and sometimes even confrontational. There is no way
around it. The EU27 does not and will not pursue a punitive approach.
Brexit in itself is already punitive enough. After more than forty years
of being united, we owe it to each other to do everything we can to
make this divorce as smooth as possible.
This
is also why Prime Minister May and I have agreed to stay in close and
regular contact throughout this process. I intend to visit Theresa May
in London before the April European Council. Thank you.
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3/4/2017
International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans |
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The Council adopted conclusions on "International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans".
The Council welcomes the joint communication on international ocean
governance by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy and the European Commission. The Council considers the
communication as a timely and relevant contribution to achieving a
coherent cross-sectoral, rules-based international approach, as well as
better coordination and cooperation between the internal and external
aspects of the EU's ocean-related policies. This will help to ensure
that oceans are safe, secure, conserved and sustainably used and managed. The Council also welcomes the hosting by the EU of the fourth edition of the 'Our Ocean' Conference on 5-6 October 2017 in Malta.
Since 2014, 'Our Ocean' conferences have invited world leaders to look
forward and respond, delivering high-level commitments and transforming
the challenges ahead into an opportunity for cooperation, innovation
and entrepreneurship. The Council looks forward to the voluntary commitments from all participants for safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed oceans.
Conclusions on International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans, 24 March 2017
3/4/2017
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