EPC Update – The final summit of a turbulent year: Outcomes and next steps
YouTube, 12.12.2023
Online Briefing
This EPC Update and Post-summit Briefing analysed the results and discussions of the European Council meeting on 14-15 December. The focus of the summit – and thus of our Update – was on Ukraine, the Middle East, enlargement, the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, as well as security and defence.
Did the EU27 reiterate and reinforce their support for Ukraine? How might the conflict in the Middle East impact this? Did EU leaders struggle to agree on a common position on the war in Gaza, and what role might the Union play in helping to end the immediate conflict, and shape and implement any future peace initiatives?
Additionally, which decisions did the summit take on EU enlargement? Did EU leaders link them to plans for a credible and ambitious roadmap for reforming the Union? And – following the arguments at the October summit – were leaders able to agree with the Commission on how to adapt the MFF 2021-2027 to the coming years' financial needs? Finally, which decisions were taken on deepening cooperation in security and defence?
Speakers: Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive, European Policy Centre; Janis A. Emmanouilidis, Director of Studies, European Policy Centre
Moderator: Jacki Davis, Senior Adviser, European Policy Centre
Link to video on YouTube here
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