Outcome of the European Council of 15 October 2015: Post-European Council Briefing

Briefing 22-10-2015

The one-day European Council meeting held on 15 October 2015 again focused on the issue of migration, as indicated in the EPRS Pre-European Council Briefing. While assessing the state of implementation of the migration 'orientations' agreed upon by the informal European Council on 23 September 2015, EU Heads of State or Government concentrated on working to secure the European Union's external borders. The main decisions taken in this respect were: the agreement to work on an integrated border management system, and also the enhancement of Frontex's mandate in relation to the development of a European Border and Coast Guard System. The European Council also considered further cooperation with third countries regarding migration issues, welcomed the agreement of an EU-Turkey joint action plan, and looked at how to best 'respond to the influx of refugees in Europe and ensuring returns'. Other agenda points addressed by Heads of State or Government were the situations in both Syria and Libya, the 'Presidents' report' on completing Europe's Economic and Monetary Union and the state of play concerning the UK referendum on EU membership.