The Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Union will have several foreign policy issues on the table at their summit on 10 and 11 December.
The thorniest one, which will be discussed over dinner on Thursday, will be relations with Turkey. At their October summit (see EUROPE 12572/1), the leaders had given Ankara a deadline to cease its illegal actions against Cyprus and Greece.
Two months later, Europeans agree that the situation has not improved (see EUROPE 12617/35), according to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. But the EU27 still seem divided on how to respond. “Not all Member States are on the same wavelength on how to deal with the Eastern Mediterranean”, acknowledged one source. According to her, on Wednesday 9 December, the negotiations were still ongoing. “There are different proposals on the table [...], we are trying to find a balance in the relationship [with Turkey], a balance between the Member States”, which do not all have the same interests towards Turkey, explained this source, who recalled that this was “a difficult subject and difficult negotiations”.
One diplomat said that the European Council’s objective was twofold: to set limits and therefore to hold a discussion among leaders on the adoption of sanctions, and to remain seized of the issue and continue, “through its meetings, to examine the nature of the relationship between the EU and Turkey, again with a view to adopting measures if Turkey persists on the current path”.
Leaders could therefore decide to add names to the list of persons and entities sanctioned by the EU in connection with unauthorised Turkish drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, and to broaden the scope of the measures, according to an EU source. These sanctions, which date from 2019 and currently affect two persons, pertain exclusively to drilling not authorised by Cyprus (see EUROPE 12435/4).
According to a draft statement seen by Reuters, the leaders also reportedly ask the European Commission and the High Representative to prepare “options on how to proceed” for the March European Council.
Strengthening transatlantic relations
The leaders will also discuss the future of transatlantic relations on Thursday evening as US voters formally elect Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on 14 December.
“After the elections, our relations with the United States will enter a new phase and we should lay the foundations for a strong and equal partnership”, explained the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in his letter of invitation to European leaders.
In their conclusions, they should recall “the importance of a strong strategic transatlantic partnership based on common interests and shared values”. Such a partnership is particularly important, in their view, given the need to address pressing global challenges. “The EU looks forward to working with the US, in particular to strengthen the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic, tackle climate change, foster economic recovery, cooperate on digital and technological matters, strengthen mutual trade, resolve trade disputes and reform the WTO, promote multilateralism and peace and security”, the conclusions state. Unlike their Ministers on Monday, the leaders are not expected to emphasise the EU’s desire for strategic autonomy, which would strengthen the transatlantic partnership (see EUROPE 12617/1).
The leaders should also underline their readiness to discuss shared priorities with the new President of the United States. In a telephone conversation on 23 November, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, invited Mr Biden to a special meeting with the members of the European Council in Brussels in 2021 (see EUROPE 12607/7).
Renewing sanctions against Russia
As at every European Council meeting in June and December, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will review the implementation of the Minsk agreements, and the European Council will be called upon to decide whether or not to extend the economic sanctions against Russia for 6 months (see EUROPE 12516/26). These measures, introduced in 2014 as a result of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and renewed ever since, run until 31 January 2021.
Relaunching the partnership with the Mediterranean countries
Finally, on Friday, the leaders are expected to discuss the EU’s relations with its Southern Neighbourhood, “a region that is essential to our strategic interests”, according to Mr Michel, who wants the Council of the EU to examine ways of “reviving” and giving a new dimension to the EU’s partnership with this region.
The leaders should therefore underline their willingness to relaunch, enhance and develop this partnership in their conclusions (see EUROPE 12618/5). To this end, the EU Council intends to develop a new agenda based on shared priorities and focusing on specific Mediterranean responses in particular, as well as shared management in areas such as environment, connectivity, education and culture and natural resources. The fight against Covid-19, strengthening the resilience of economies and societies, opportunities for young people, preserving collective security and issues of mobility and migration are subjects for cooperation mentioned in the draft conclusions.
For the European Council, the future joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union on a renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood should trigger “a new level of political dialogue throughout the Mediterranean” and lead to enhanced cooperation. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with editorial staff)