Outlook for the European Council of 19-20 March 2015: Pre-European Council Briefing

Briefing 18-03-2015

The Spring European Council will focus on building a European Energy Union. The Heads of State or Government will also exchange views on the economic situation and conclude the first phase of the European Semester for 2015, which includes giving guidance to Member States for the preparation of their national reforms and the stability or convergence programmes.  They are also likely to consider the progress on the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and the state of play in the negotiations with the US on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). On the external relations agenda, the European Council is expected to discuss relations with Russia and the situation in Ukraine, in particular the implementation of the Minsk II Agreement, and agree on possible further steps. The difficult situation in Libya and its security implications for the EU will also be on the agenda. EU leaders are also expected to prepare the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga on 21-22 May 2015.