European Council, 19-20/03/2015 - Energy Union & external relations
The European Council agreed to set out the first steps of an Energy Union. EU leaders are committed to build affordable, secure and sustainable energy within the EU.
At their meeting, their discussion focused on energy security and transparency in gaz contracts. All gas contracts must be in line with EU law, more transparent and should not negatively impact Europe's energy security.
EU leaders also agreed to:
develop innovative strategies for a new generation of renewable energies and increase energy efficiency
step-up the EU climate diplomacy for a successful Paris climate summit in December 2015
European Council conclusions on Energy Union, 19 March 2015
External relations
Eastern partners
EU leaders agreed on the objectives of the Eastern Partnership Summit, which will take place in Riga on 21-22 May 2015. The European Council repeated its commitment to the eastern partners and set as a priority to strengthen the democratic institutions to the east.
Relations with Russia and Ukraine
Leaders decided to align existing sanctions regime to the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Economic sanctions will remain enforced until the end of 2015 when the last point of the peace plan is to be implemented: Ukraine regaining control over its borders in the east.
EU leaders also stressed the need to challenge Russia's ongoing campaign of public disinformation about the conflict in Ukraine. High Representative, Federica Mogherini, will prepare an action plan on strategic communication for the June European Council.
European Council conclusions on Ukraine and relations with Russia, 19 March 2015
Invitation letter and background note
Invitation letter by President Tusk to the European Council meeting on 19-20 March 2015
Tripartite social summit
On 19 March, ahead of the European Council meeting, Donald Tusk joined Jean-Claude Juncker and Laimdota Straujuma, Prime Minister of Latvia to chair the summit, a forum for dialogue between the EU institutions and the European social partners.
The spring social summit's theme was 'Investing in growth and creating jobs: stepping up the contribution of the social partners.'
President Tusk at the press conference of the tripartite social summit
Tripartite Social Summit, 19 March 2015
Friday 20th March 2015: indicative programme