European Council

The Council today agreed its position on the establishment of a European Labour Authority (ELA). The aim of this new body is to support Member States in implementing EU legislation in the areas of cross-border labour mobility and social security coordination, including free movement of workers, posting of workers and highly mobile services.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

European Council President Donald Tusk congratulated Xavier Bettel on his reappointment as Prime Minister of Luxembourg.

The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the EU budget for 2019.

The EU is modernising company law rules in order to make them fit for purpose in the digital era. Member state ambassadors meeting today in Coreper agreed on new rules which will facilitate the use of digital tools and online processes in a company's contacts with public authorities throughout its lifecycle.

EU ambassadors today endorsed an agreement reached with the European Parliament on a new framework of rules on how to prevent, prepare for and manage electricity crisis situation.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

On 4 December, the Council endorsed the agreement reached with the Parliament on key risk reduction measures in the banking sector, implementing reforms agreed internationally after the 2007-08 financial crisis.

The Council today adopted a directive which will bring the enforcement of competition rules in line with the digital age and tackle illegal competition practices in the EU. This adoption follows an agreement reached with the European Parliament at first reading.

The EU is setting up a new funding programme, Digital Europe, to be launched in 2021 to support the digital transformation of Europe's societies and economies.

Rapid 5G roll-out, cutting-edge innovation and stronger consumer protection are part of the EU's new telecoms rules.

The Council adopted adjustments to the EU's VAT rules to fix specific issues pending the introduction of a new VAT system.

The Council adopted conclusions on an action plan to better tackle money laundering and terrorist financing.

By 2030, the EU will have to get 32% of its energy from renewable sources and reach an energy efficiency headline target of 32.5%.

On 4 December 2018, the Eurogroup adopted a report on EMU deepening ahead of the Euro Summit of 14 December 2018.

Remarks by President Centeno following the Eurogroup meeting of 3 December on draft budgetary plans, Greece, Spain, Cyprus and EMU reform.

On 3 December, the Eurogroup adopted a statement on draft budgetary plans of euro-area member states for 2019.

The EU is working to transfer long-distance freight from lorries to greener means of transport such as barges, ships and trains.

The EU is working on a key reform of the road transport sector, which includes drivers' working conditions, special posting rules for drivers and access to the haulage market.

Decarbonisation, digital transformation and building smoother mobility – all these are part of the Connecting Europe Facility.