Outlook for the European Council meeting on 22-23 June 2017 and the European Council (Article 50) meeting on 22 June 2017

Briefing 20-06-2017

At their meeting on 22-23 June 2017, EU leaders will focus on internal security, including, most probably, the fight against terrorism, as well as external security, when they will assess progress made in European defence cooperation. They will also review progress on deepening and modernising the Single Market, and endorse the country-specific recommendations under the European Semester process. In addition, migration, external relations and the Paris Agreement on climate change are to be discussed. Although not on the draft agenda, EU leaders will probably address current issues related to trade. Finally, EU-27 leaders will meet in a separate formal European Council (Article 50) without the United Kingdom, to discuss the latest developments following the UK’s formal notification of its withdrawal from the EU.