Outlook for the European Council of 20-21 October 2016

Briefing 19-10-2016

The 20-21 October 2016 European Council meeting will focus primarily on migration and trade issues, but will also address global economic issues and external relations. On migration, EU leaders will most likely concentrate on progress on the Partnership Framework of cooperation with countries of origin or transit and on protecting the EU's external borders, as well as on the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement. The EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement, the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations with the United States and Japan, and trade defence instruments will be the main trade-related topics. On other global and economic issues, the European Council will probably welcome the ratification of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, the extension of the European Fund for Strategic Investment and the delivery of the various single market strategies. When it comes to external relations, EU leaders are expected to hold a policy debate on relations with Russia, and will possibly address the current situation in Syria.