Conclusions of the 24/25 October European Council

EU News 451/2013

Brussels, 25 October 2013
European Council
EUCO 169/13
CO EUR 13
CONCL 7

Signs of economic recovery are visible but the EU needs to pursue its efforts to increase growth potential, enhance job creation and boost European competitiveness. Today the European Council focused on the digital economy, innovation and services. These areas have a particular potential for growth and jobs which must be rapidly mobilized. The European Council provided concrete guidance so as to take full advantage of the existing potential.

The European Council also looked at different economic and social policy areas. It took stock of the implementation of the initiatives taken in June in the fight against youth unemployment and the financing of the economy, in particular of small and medium-sized enterprises, and agreed on additional measures. It gave a new impetus to better regulation.

The European Council held an in-depth discussion on completing the Economic and Monetary Union. It focused in particular on enhanced economic policy coordination, strengthening the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union and completing the Banking Union. As decided in June, the European Council will return to all these elements in December with a view to taking decisions.

The European Council looked ahead to the Eastern Partnership Summit which will be held in Vilnius on 28 and 29 November 2013.

The European Council expressed its deep sadness at the recent tragic events in the Mediterranean in which hundreds of people lost their lives and decided to step up the Union's action so as to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

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Annex

STATEMENT OF HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT

The Heads of State or Government discussed recent developments concerning possible intelligence issues and the deep concerns that these events have raised among European citizens.

They underlined the close relationship between Europe and the USA and the value of that partnership. They expressed their conviction that the partnership must be based on respect and trust, including as concerns the work and cooperation of secret services.

They stressed that intelligence gathering is a vital element in the fight against terrorism. This applies to relations between European countries as well as to relations with the USA. A lack of trust could prejudice the necessary cooperation in the field of intelligence gathering.

The Heads of State or Government took note of the intention of France and Germany to seek bilateral talks with the USA with the aim of finding before the end of the year an understanding on mutual relations in that field. They noted that other EU countries are welcome to join this initiative.

They also pointed to the existing Working Group between the EU and the USA on the related issue of data protection and called for rapid and constructive progress in that respect.

Source and additional information:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/139197.pdf

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