Informal European Council: stepping up the fight against terrorism

The members of the European Council agreed to reinforce the EU's fight against terrorism and discussed Ukraine, Greece and the Economic and Monetary Union.

Joint press conference of Jean-Claude Juncker i and Donald Tusk i

The members of the European Council adopted yesterday (12 February) a statement in which they commit to further reinforce action against terrorist threats, in full compliance with human rights and the rule of law. They agreed various measures to ensure the security of citizens, preventing radicalisation and safeguarding values and to cooperate with the EU's international partners.

In this context President Juncker confirmed that the European Commission will present in April its proposal, announced already in December, on a European Agenda on Security for 2015- 2020. It will address several aspects such as identifying policy tools to prevent and address radicalisation, stepping up the fight against terrorism financing, strengthening cooperation between Europol and other European agencies and reinforcing the fight against arms trafficking.

On Ukraine, leaders expressed their support to the results of the Minsk meeting, while stressing their expectation that the cease-fire is fully respected and implemented with the aim of a peaceful solution.

President Juncker, at the final press conference, also announced that the Commission will re-launch the trilateral gas talks with Russia and Ukraine immediately to avoid new problems in winter 2015. He also said that the Commission will study in depth the difficult issue of the interface of what we are doing on trade matters in Europe and what is happening in the context of the Eurasian Union.

On Greece, the members of the European Council met with the new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras i and took stock of the situation in the country. A technical assessment is now being carried out in order to establish common ground before the Eurozone finance ministers meet next Monday.

On Economic and Monetary Union, President Juncker presented to the Heads of States and government an "Analytical Note " on the state of the play of the EU Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), possible next steps as well as a number of questions for public discussion. At the June European Council, a Report of the Four Presidents will be presented.