Special EUCO: Zelenskyy in Brussels, Migration Policy and the economy

On 9-10 February, EU heads of state and government met in Brussels for a special European Council summit to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and measures of EU support. Furthermore, EU leaders focused on the Union’s economic situation in the context of the recent geopolitical situation and on EU migration policy. The aim of the summit is to indicate the EU’s political direction and priorities in the above domains.

It is especially notable that leaders personally exchanged their views on Russia’s war of aggression in person with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This European Council meeting takes place following the 24^th EU-Ukraine summit earlier this month, which was the first one after the outbreak of the war and since the EU granted candidate status to Ukraine in June 2022. Thursday morning, the European Parliament greeted Zelenskyy with a standing ovation as he arrived on his first visit to Brussels since Russia’s invasion. Addressing the European Council, Zelenskyy highlighted the need for artillery, munitions, modern tanks, long-range missiles and fighter jets. He also demanded stricter sanctions on Moscow.  Western countries that supported Ukraine with arms previously refused to send warplanes. This might change after yesterday’s discussion.

Regarding economic matters, EU leaders discussed the recently announced Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age. The plan includes targets for industrial capacity, lower regulatory burdens and a relaxation of subsidy rules across the EU. Across member states, the opinions towards this matter diverge. Consequently, leaders turned out to be less keen to talk about the issue in detail. The conclusions of Thursday’s meeting note that the European Council will revert to this topic at its upcoming meeting, which will be held on 23-24 March. Overall, EU leaders support the plan but left the specifics to the Commission. So far, the following conclusions were found:

• Leaders expressed their commitment to ensuring a level playing field both internally and globally, noting the importance of fair access to financial means.
• Concerning state aid, The European Council calls for EU instruments, such as the important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs), to be implemented effectively by increasing transparency and streamlining procedures. 
• The European Council supports the Commission’s call for a simple, predictable and clear framework for investment in the EU and notes on the European Sovereignty Fund, which the Commission plans to propose in the upcoming months.
• Leaders stress the importance of a decarbonised and efficient energy system.
• The summit reflected the Commission’s idea to prioritise the development of skills.

In the domain of migration, leaders showed commitment to limiting human trafficking, expanding the protection of EU borders, and allowing faster deportations. The matter of financing fences at the EU borders is not explicitly addressed in the summit’s conclusions. Yet, more EU money is to be mobilised for infrastructure at the external borders. This matter was pushed for by several member states including Austria and Greece. Two projects were encouraged by EU leaders in the field of migration. They address electronic surveillance systems and a faster registration and repatriation of asylum seekers. The European Council, further, agreed to exercise more pressure on countries that do not cooperate concerning the readmission of rejected asylum seekers, for example, through instruments such as trade policy. 

Besides the above points, the European Council also examined the recent earthquake in Türkiye and Syria and the tensions in north Kosovo.