Brussels, 12 December 2012
BACKGROUD1
EUROPEA COUCIL
in Brussels
The European Council will discuss President Herman Van Rompuy's roadmap for the completion
of the economic and monetary union.
It will adopt conclusions covering this and other issues, in particular the annual growth survey
which will be discussed in March 2013 and defence items which are on the agenda of the European
Council in December 2013.
Indicative programme:
Thursday: 17.00
17.30
17.45
20.00
followed by
Friday:
10.00
Followed by
Exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament
Family photo
First working session
Working dinner
Press conference
Second working session
Press conference
Full media programme:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/134134.pdf
Invitation letter by President Van Rompuy:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/134230.pdf
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Media accreditation: http://european-council.europa.eu
Press conferences by video streaming: http://video.consilium.europa.eu/
Video coverage in broadcast quality (MPEG4): http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu
This note has been drawn up under the responsibility of the press office
Council of the European Union
General Secretariat - Press office
[email protected]
Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 63 19 - Fax: +32 (0)2 281 80 26
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Completing economic and monetary union
The European Council will discuss a roadmap prepared by President Herman Van Rompuy, in close
cooperation with the presidents of the Commission, the eurogroup and the European Central Bank,
on the further development of economic and monetary union (EMU)2
In June, the European Council called on the four presidents to develop a "specific and time-bound
roadmap" for completing EMU. The roadmap on the table builds on an interim report discussed at
the October European Council and on ideas put forward during informal consultations held with the
member states and the European Parliament. It outlines work to be done during three stages (end
2012-2013; 2013-2014; post 2014) in order to establish an integrated financial framework, an
integrated budgetary framework and an integrated economic policy framework, and to strengthen
democratic legitimacy and accountability.
Annual growth survey
The European Council will take note of the annual growth survey3 submitted by the Commission
and task the Council to examine it in order to provide the March 2013 European Council with its
views.
The annual growth survey outlines priority actions to be taken by member states in order to ensure
better-coordinated and more effective policies for fostering sustainable economic growth. In order
to maintain a reform momentum, the Commission recommends focusing on the same five priorities
that were identified in last year's survey:
Pursuing differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation;
Restoring normal lending to the economy;
Promoting growth and competitiveness;
Tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis;
Modernising public administration.
Defence
The European Council will adopt conclusions in order to launch preparatory work for the December
2013 European Council which will hold an in-depth discussion on defence issues.
Elements to be addressed include, inter alia, increasing effectiveness of missions and operations
undertaken under the Common Security and Defence Policy, enhancing the development of defence
capabilities and strengthening Europe's defence industry.
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2
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/134069.pdf
3
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/12/st16/st16669.en12.pdf
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