Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:18. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the European Council meeting of 10 and 11 December 2020. [43541/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 16 December 2020
Ceisteanna (18)
Freagraí scríofa
I attended a meeting of the European Council on 10/11 December, which was followed by a meeting of the Euro Summit on 11 December.
At the European Council, we discussed Covid-19, in particular the authorisation and roll out of vaccines.
We reached agreement on the conditions in which Rule of Law measures in the MFF and recovery package can be invoked, enabling the Council and the European Parliament to formally adopt the historic MFF and Recovery Package we agreed in July.
We endorsed a binding EU target of a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 of at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels – a crucial step towards a climate-neutral EU by 2050. This target will now be sent to the UN as the EU’s Nationally Declared Contribution under the Paris Process.
We reiterated our condemnation of recent terrorist attacks in Europe and agreed on the need for ongoing cooperation to tackle terrorism and violent extremism both online and offline.
We emphasised the need for strengthened political dialogue with the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood.
We discussed Turkey’s ongoing unauthorised drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean. We invited the Council to adopt further listings under the decision on sanctions of 11 November. We also agreed to return to this issue in the first quarter of 2021.
We agreed on the importance of a strong strategic transatlantic partnership and looked forward to close cooperation on shared challenges.
We emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of the Belarusian nuclear power plant at Ostrovets. We welcomed the adoption by Foreign Ministers of an EU global human rights sanctions regime. We also agreed that sanctions on Russia should be rolled over on 31 January.
On the morning of 11 December, President von der Leyen provided a brief update on the then state of play in the negotiations with the UK.
The meeting of the Euro Summit on 11 December was briefed on economic developments by President of the ECB, Christine Lagarde, and Minister Paschal Donohoe, in his capacity of President of the Eurogroup. We also took stock of progress on banking and capital markets union and we welcomed the agreement reached in the Eurogroup on the reform of the European Stability Mechanism.
Questions Nos. 19 to 22, inclusive, resubmitted.