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Council of the European Union      18/11/2017 2018 EU budget: Agreement reached On 18 November 2017, the Council and the European Parliament reached agreement on an EU budget for 2018 that strongly reflects the EU's main policy priorities. Total commitments are set at €160.1 billion and payments at €144.7 billion. "We have strived this year to maximise the impact of EU spending, whilst maintaining sufficient leeway to be able to react to unforeseeable needs", said Märt Kivine, deputy finance minister of Estonia and chief Council negotiator for the 2018 EU budget. "The 2018 budget focuses strongly on priorities such as boosting economic growth and job creation, strengthening security and addressing the challenges posed by migration." The Parliament and the Council now have 14 days to approve the joint text. 17/11/2017 Statement following the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs ministerial meeting On 17 November 2017, the EU-U.S. ministerial meeting on Justice and Home Affairs took place in Washington, D.C. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of the long standing partnership between the United States of America and the European Union in addressing common threats to security, and of practical outcomes of this cooperation.  The European Union was represented by the Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos, the Commissioner the Security Union Julian King,  Estonia's Minister of Justice, Mr.  Urmas Reinsalu, and the Minister of Interior, Mr. Andres Anvelt on behalf of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.  The United States of America, hosting the meeting, was represented by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine C. Duke.  The European Union and the United States of America discussed their shared efforts to combat terrorism. The discussion focused specifically on the importance of operational cooperation and effective information sharing. The two sides noted the importance of collecting, using, and sharing airline passenger information, including Passenger Name Record (PNR) data, to detect and disrupt threats, and discussed the state of play of the implementation of the EU PNR framework, which will be in place by May 2018. Further, the two sides discussed progress in the implementation of joint measures to address threats from terrorism to aviation security and to raise the baseline for global aviation security. The issue of U.S.-EU cooperation in combating terrorism financing and money laundering, including within the Financial Action Task Force, was also emphasised. The EU side gave an update on its rules on beneficial ownership transparency, in line with G20 conclusions.  The two sides exchanged views on action to jointly counter the misuse of the internet for terrorist purposes, in cooperation with multiple stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society. The European Union provided updates regarding increased efforts to counter the use of the internet for terrorist purposes under the umbrella of the EU Internet Forum. The European Union and the United States of America agreed on the need to jointly address cybersecurity and counter cybercrime and in this context took note of the conclusions of the 14 November EU-US Cyber Dialogue.  The two sides discussed the importance of ensuring swift cross-border access by law enforcement authorities to electronic evidence, in line with their respective legal provisions. In that respect, the two sides agreed to continue their regular dialogue, in order to update each other on legislative and judicial developments.  The European Union and the United States of America reaffirmed the need to counter the production and trafficking of cocaine and illicit opioids, including fentanyl and its analogues. Both sides noted good examples of joint EU-U.S. operations in this area, and welcomed their practical results.  The European Union and the United States of America noted the progress in cooperative discussions towards reciprocal and secure visa-free travel under their respective legal frameworks.  Underlining the progress made and the continued need to face terrorism and crime together, the European Union and the United States of America remain committed to continue common work and meet again in the first half of 2018 in Sofia, Bulgaria. 17/11/2017 Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the informal meeting of EU heads of State or government in Gothenburg First of all, warm thanks to our host, Prime Minister Löfven, for the initiative to discuss the social dimension here in Gothenburg. Sweden is probably the best place in Europe to discuss social issues. Not only because you have the highest employment rate in the EU, but above all Sweden is a global champion in social justice, inclusion and equality. That is why we all want to use your positive example while building more equality and solidarity among European citizens. And I will personally make sure that the outcome of today's summit is reflected in our December European Council conclusions.  Let me turn to education and culture. It was our first debate under the Leaders' Agenda. We had a constructive discussion about eight concrete ideas, which were suggested not by Brussels, not by the institutions, but by Member States. One example is to make the Erasmus programme more inclusive, so that an increasing number of Europeans benefit from getting to know each others' cultures, while living and studying in another EU country. The second example is the European Student Card, which started out as a cooperation between France and Italy. It was later expanded to cover Germany and Ireland. Now the idea is to extend the geographical scope of this initiative and to offer cardholders access to cultural sites and activities across Europe.  During our meeting today, we established political support for these ideas. And in line with our new working method, I will make sure that this support is included in the conclusions of the European Council. The financial aspect of our plans will have to be reflected in the next multiannual budget discussion.  Before concluding let me make a short assessment of the Brexit talks, which I shared with Prime Minister May earlier today.  In October, the EU27 started internal preparations on the second phase of negotiations, namely transition and the future relationship. And we will be ready to move-on to the second phase already in December. But in order to do that we need to see more progress from the UK side. While good progress on citizens' rights is being made, we need to see much more progress on Ireland and on a financial settlement. In order to avoid any ambiguities about our work calendar, I made it very clear to Prime Minister May that this progress needs to happen at the beginning of December at the latest. If there is no sufficient progress by then, I will not be in a position to propose new guidelines on transition and the future relationship at the December European Council. We agreed to meet again next Friday to assess the situation in more detail.  Thank you. 17/11/2017  Joint statement after the 2nd meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council between the European Union and Kosovo* The Stabilisation and Association Council (SA Council) between the European Union and Kosovo* held its second meeting on 17 November 2017. The SA Council recalled that the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is at the core of the relationship between the EU and Kosovo. It provides the contractual framework within which the EU and Kosovo will intensify their co-operation and take stock of developments in their relationship. Kosovo* underlined its firm commitment to deliver swiftly on key SAA reforms, as identified in the European reform agenda, in close coordination with EU institutions, with a view of continued progress on its European path. The SA Council reviewed recent key developments relating to the fulfilment of the political criteria, as well as the state of play concerning the economic criteria, financial cooperation and the implementation of the SAA. It noted the results of the Stabilisation and Association committee held on 5 October. The meeting discussed reform priorities under the SAA, in areas including rule of law and judicial reforms, respect for fundamental rights, public administration reform, economic development, education and employment. The jointly agreed European reform agenda should serve as a guideline for concrete deliverables. The meeting underlined the importance of continuous engagement in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade and of the implementation of all agreements already reached without delay. It welcomed the most recent progress made in this direction, and underlined the necessity for all agreements reached in the dialogue to be implemented without further delay. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, and co-chaired by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, while Commissioner Johannes Hahn represented the European Commission. Minister Behgjet Pacolli, Minister Dhurata Hoxha and Minister Abelard Tahiri also participated.  * - References to Kosovo are without prejudice to positions on status. They are in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/1999 and the opinion by the International Court of Justice on the Kosovo declaration of independence. 16/11/2017 Joint statement of the Estonian Presidency and the European Commission on behalf of the EU at COP23 UN Climate Change Conference Siim Kiisler, Minister for the Environment of the Republic of Estonia I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the European Union and its 28 Member States.  Two years ago in Paris, we made a promise to the world: to protect the planet from climate change. This promise cannot be taken back, it is irreversible and non-negotiable.  The days of doubting are over, we are witnessing the impacts of climate change with our own eyes. It is abundantly clear that we need to act. We have agreed on our goals, and it’s now about making sure we deliver. People’s lives and livelihoods depend on it.  The negotiations at this COP may not make the same headlines as those in Paris, but they are no less important. Every agreement is only as good as its implementation, and what we promised only has value if it translates into real action.  The Paris work programme has to be adopted next year in Katowice. But to get there, we need to leave this COP with real results.  We must also agree here how we will continue the conversation with all our partners, how to build trust and to learn. The Talanoa Dialogue beautifully captures the essence of what we need to do. When we inspire and encourage each other, we can go further, faster, together.  At the same time, pre-2020 action is of utmost importance for all of us. We walk the talk on acting at home. In the EU, we take our commitments seriously. We are exceeding our 2020 target to reduce emissions by 20% from 1990. By last year, we had already cut them by 23%, and we are on course for a 26% reduction.  Let me now turn to the Doha amendment, I am pleased to announce that the EU and its Member States intend to deposit their ratification instruments of the Doha amendment latest by the end of this year.  Miguel Arias Cañete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, European Commission  We came here to Bonn with only two options: to make progress, or make excuses. True, progress cannot come without any struggle.  But this COP, led by a small island state, can’t be remembered for excuses. It must go down as a defining moment forward.  The scale of human impact on our planet is changing the course of the Earth’s history. And not for the better. But in Paris, we chose to re-write this history.  The Paris Agreement is a global pledge to hand over a healthier planet to future generations. Now, the time has come to show that we will honour this pledge.  Climate change is already dramatically impacting our lives, most of all those in small islands and other vulnerable communities.  The world must listen and respond to their calls for urgent action. The EU is listening and we are responding.  Pre-2020, we are on track to overachieve our emissions target under the Kyoto Protocol. We will deposit the ratification instrument of the Doha amendment to the Kyoto Protocol by the end of this year.  And also the public climate finance provided by the EU and its Member States to developing countries grew to over 20 billion euros last year. This represents more than 50% of the total public finance granted by the developed countries to the developing countries.  And our support will not stop here. We welcome the newly announced contributions to the Adaptation Fund at this COP, by several of our member states.  This COP, the first to be hosted by a small island state, has put the focus on countries that are most vulnerable to climate change, and the loss and damage associated with it. So, we are pleased that the Warsaw International Mechanism has begun to deliver results.  We must continue to build on the momentum of this COP and deliver the Paris work programme in Katowice.  We look forward to working with all Parties over the coming year, so that we achieve this.  I want to sincerely thank you – President, your team and the entire country of Fiji – for making us understand and feel what climate change means for island states, for places that are affected the most.  We still have a chance. This is the only planet we have. We must honour our Paris Agreement commitments.