European Council summit

On 28 and 29 June, EU Heads of State or Government met to discuss the most pressing issues including: migration, security and defence, jobs, growth and competitiveness, innovation and digital Europe, the long-term EU budget (MFF) and external relations. EU leaders also addressed Brexit (in an EU 27 format). They welcomed the further progress made on parts of the legal text of the Withdrawal Agreement. The European Council took note, however, that other important aspects still need to be agreed, including the territorial application of the Withdrawal Agreement, notably as regards Gibraltar (see also quote of the week).

On migration, EU Heads of State or Government called for further measures to stem illegal migration and prevent a return to the uncontrolled flows of 2015. Leaders agreed that this is a challenge not only for a single member state but for Europe as a whole. They also discussed the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes, regional disembarkation platforms, the Facility for Refugees in Turkey and the reform of EU asylum rules among other things.

Before the summit, the Commission tabled a set of strategic discussion papers on migration, economic and monetary union and the EU budget.

Conclusions on the Article 50 negotiations discussions

Conclusions on migration, security and defence, jobs, growth and competitiveness, innovation and digital and other issues

European Commission and four online marketplaces sign a product safety pledge to remove dangerous products

On 25 June, four major online marketplaces, Alibaba (for AliExpress), Amazon, eBay and Rakuten – France signed a commitment for faster removal of dangerous products sold on their online marketplaces. The companies guaranteed to respond to notifications on dangerous products from member state authorities within two working days and to take action on notices from customers within five working days. Online sales represented 20% of total sales in the EU in 2016 (Eurostat). More and more of the dangerous products notified via the Rapid Alert System are sold online. This shows the need for all online marketplaces to step up their efforts to remove dangerous products.

More information here

All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here