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have a long dinner ahead of us, so I will be brief. While expecting the US decision on exempting the EU from the proposed tariffs on steel and alu…

PRESS European Council    22/3/2018 | STATEMENTS AND REMARKS Remarks by President Donald Tusk on the European Council meeting of 22 March 2018 We have a long dinner ahead of us, so I will be brief. While expecting the US decision on exempting the EU from the proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium, I had decided to move the trade discussion to later this evening. We will present the EU's approach in more detail tomorrow, following the leaders' debate. Today, we had a frank discussion on taxation. The digital economy is a challenge for our tax systems. Most importantly, the discussion confirmed all leaders' desire to work further towards an effective and fair solution. We will return to this issue in June. In the meantime, Ministers will start working on the latest Commission's proposals. We also discussed the economic environment with the ECB President, Mario Draghi. The situation is good, but it doesn’t mean that all our problems are solved. First, we need to avoid protectionism at the global level. This is a major risk for jobs, not only in Europe. In this respect, dialogue with the US is key. Secondly we must prepare our Single Market for the future. To make it happen, leaders have asked the Commission to present, by December, the implementation report on the internal market strategies, namely: Digital, Capital markets and the energy union. Leaders will monitor this process, as we want this to be completed before the European Parliament elections. Finally, we also discussed recent developments concerning Facebook and Cambridge Analityca. It was clear to all the leaders that citizens’ privacy and personal data must be fully protected. We take this issue very seriously. The EU and national legislation must be respected and enforced. Thank you. 22/3/2018 | CONCLUSION European Council conclusions on jobs, growth and competitiveness, as well as other items (Paris Agreement and Digital Europe), 22 March 2018 The European Council on 22 March 2018 adopted conclusions on jobs, growth and competitiveness, as well as other items (Paris Agreement and Digital Europe). European Council conclusions on jobs, growth and competitiveness, as well as other items (Paris Agreement and Digital Europe), 22 March 2018

European Council

22/3/2018 | PRESS RELEASE

	Luis de Guindos appointed as Vice President of the European Central Bank
	The European Council appointed today Luis de Guindos as Vice-President of the European Central Bank for a non-renewable 8-year term. The new Vice President will replace Vítor Constâncio as of 1 June 2018. The decision was taken after having consulted both the European Parliament and the European Central Bank's Governing Council. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council on 20 February issued a recommendation to the European Council, confirming the nomination of Luis de Guindos as vice-president of the European Central Bank, after the Eurogroup gave its support to the candidacy a day before. Background: Article 283(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union specifies that appointments to the ECB executive board are made "by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, from among persons of recognised standing and professional experience in monetary or banking matters, on a recommendation from the Council, after it has consulted the European Parliament and the Governing Council of the European Central Bank." The ECB executive board is responsible for implementation of eurozone monetary policy, as laid down by the ECB governing council. It is composed of the President, the Vice President and four other members, all appointed for non-renewable eight-year terms. The governing council is composed of the six executive board members and the governors of the national central banks of the eurozone member states. Curriculum Vitae of Luis de Guindos European Council    22/3/2018 | STATEMENTS AND REMARKS Letter of congratulations from President Donald Tusk to Peter Pellegrini on his appointment as Prime Minister of Slovakia On behalf of the European Council, I wish to convey my congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic and on the formation of your government. Given the difficult time at which you take up your duties, I wish you all the best in responding to your citizens’ expectations. As the leader of Slovakia, a country of key importance in building EU unity, I count on your continued engagement in strengthening the European Union. I look forward to working with you, and to welcoming you at the European Council today. Prajem Vám veľa úspechov pri výkone Vašich funkcií a teším sa na spoluprácu. Letter of congratulations from President Donald Tusk to Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini Council of the European Union    22/3/2018 | PRESS RELEASE Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU to commemorate the World Water Day, 22 March 2018 Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right but is still a challenge in many parts of the world. On World Water Day, the European Union reaffirms that all States are expected to fulfil their obligations regarding access to safe drinking water, which must be available, accessible, safe, acceptable, and affordable for all without discrimination, and recalls that the right to safe drinking water is a human right essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights. The EU also stresses the importance of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, and calls on all states to collaborate with the current rapporteur. Across the world, human rights defenders protecting and promoting the rights to safe drinking water and sanitation are often subjected to prosecution, threats and violence. Today, the European Union pay special tribute to those brave individuals who stand up every day for fundamental rights and the protection of the environment. Climate change is taking a toll on the drier areas of the planet. Already, one of Africa’s largest lakes, Lake Chad, has decreased by 90 per cent as a result of climate change, over use of water and extended drought. The reduction has destroyed livelihoods and led to the loss of invaluable biodiversity. The UN Security Council has also recognized the adverse effects of climate change and ecological changes among other factors on the stability of the Lake Chad region. As the 2017 Report of the Global High Level Panel on Water and Peace has acknowledged, water is not only a driver of social and economic development but also of peace and security. The availability of water is one of the key factors that can lead to conflicts and mass displacements.  As cooperation increases resilience and stability by preventing conflicts and consolidating peace, the EU will continue to promote global accession to the UNECE Water Convention, and share with its partners its long experience in the sustainable management of shared water resources. The EU also reiterates its commitment to the Paris Agreement and the Marrakech Action Proclamation which reaffirmed the world's determination to fight climate change and to help address the impacts of climate change on the environment, including on water. The EU will continue to support sustainable water management through its cooperation with key partner countries in policy dialogues, development cooperation, multi-stakeholder partnerships and through a strategic approach to regional development. Promoting and protecting access to fundamental resources means promoting and protecting the rights and the security not only of the present, but also of the future generations.