EU leaders gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit last week to discuss the external aspects of migration, with a specific focus on the financial needs to stem the flow of illegal migrants from Africa.
Leaders also spoke on the Brexit, a digital future, security, and defense. On the external aspects of the EU, leaders debated on the recent developments in Turkey. EU leaders did not make any decision on either suspending or ending Turkey's EU membership talks but suggested reducing EU pre-accession funds to the country.
The EU leaders also discussed the current state of the negotiations on Brexit. They concluded that there was "insufficient progress� in Brexit negotiations for the next phase. The main disagreements centered on issues such as citizens' rights, the U.K.'s financial obligation and the post-Brexit border arrangements between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The EU decided to initiate internal preparations for next stage negotiations that involve future relationships and a trade deal if an agreement is reached in December.
The European Court of Justice ruled that the Hungarian tax on Turkish motor vehicles is incompatible with the EEC-Turkey Association Agreement. The decision said the tax on Turkish trucks constitutes a charge equivalent to a customs duty, the imposition of which is prohibited by the agreement.
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council will meet in Luxembourg on Monday. The Council aims to reach a general approach on the directives of ‘posted workers.� Posted workers are employees sent by their employer to carry out a temporary service in another EU member state. For almost two years, member states have debated on the various aspects of posted workers such as their rights, remuneration, fraud, abuses and long-term postings. Ministers are expected to reach a general approach on the coordination of regulations for social security.
The European Parliament will meet in Strasbourg for plenary sessions this week. MEPs will discuss the outcome of the Oct. 19-20 European summit with Council President Donald Tusk and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and start the debate on a roadmap for the future of Europe on Tuesday. MEP’s will also talk about the revised rules on posted workers. Political groups will discuss media freedom and protection for journalists, following the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese journalist noted for her work on the Panama papers and corruption on Tuesday.
MEPs are set to vote on the introduction of an electronic entry/exit system to replace manual passport checks at the Schengen area’s external borders on Wednesday. The new system will register various data on incoming persons from countries outside the EU and share the information with all external border control points to stop illegal entry and track over-stays.
Transport, Telecommunications, and the Energy Council will gather in Luxemburg on Tuesday. The Council will hold a policy debate on the implementation of the digital single market strategy, with a focus on prioritizing and speeding up work. This debate will follow up on discussions at the European Council on Oct. 19-20 and the Tallinn Digital Summit on Sept. 29. The ministers will also hold a policy debate on cybersecurity.