Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council ahead of their meeting on December 10-11, 2020
Dear Members
At this week’s European Council meeting we will have to tackle many important issues. We will start with our traditional exchange of views with President Sassoli.
On the COVID-19 pandemic, we welcome the positive developments on vaccines. This does not however mean that the pandemic is over. We can now step up our preparations for the deployment and distribution of vaccines. We must sustain our efforts to coordinate on testing and the lifting of restrictions, including for travel, when the epidemiological situation allows it.
I am confident that we can find an agreement on a common package to allow for the swift implementation of both the Multiannual financial framework and the Recovery fund.
Our afternoon session will be dedicated to climate change. An agreement on an enhanced emissions reduction target of at least 55 percent by 2030 is within our grasp. Work on the best way to get to this ambitious target is well under way. This would be a major achievement and would underpin our claim to play a leading role in fighting climate change.
Over dinner, I would like us to tackle our important international agenda. After the elections, our relations with the US will enter into a new phase and we should set the basis for a strong and equal partnership. As agreed in October we will also return to relations with Turkey.
On Friday morning, we will address the Southern Neighbourhood. It is a key region for our strategic interests and we should examine how to revive it and lend it a new dimension.
We will then turn to our security. The terrorist attacks of the past few weeks have only strengthened our resolve to work together against terrorism, radicalisation and violent extremism. We will focus in particular on operational measures that further reinforce our cooperation.
At the end of our meeting, we will be joined by the Presidents of the ECB and the Eurogroup for a Euro Summit in inclusive format. This will be an opportunity for us to discuss the economic situation and to give further guidance on the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union.
When it comes to relations with the UK, negotiations are on-going based on our common mandate. It is not the intention to plan a discussion on the matter. The President of the Commission will debrief us on the state of play.
I look forward to seeing you in Brussels.
President Charles Michel
