Belgium, Brussels, 20 October 2017 – Heads of state or government of the European Union confirmed on the second day of the European Council that they wish to manage the resolution of Europe’s key issues more efficiently in the future. The discussion also included the state of the negotiations for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union.





"The main aim of the leaders' agenda presented by Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, is to preserve Europe as a united, complete space of values, and to focus on solving people's problems. At the same time, we must also focus on meeting strategic long-term goals, such as taking advantage of the digital revolution and overcoming demographic problems. It is obvious that to make progress on these matters, leaders must have a chance to discuss them directly and they should be able to explain these issues to the people of Europe. We made a joint decision that from now on, we will meet more often for political discussions, which includes jump starting topics that have been stalled for some reason," Prime Minister Ratas said.





At the European Council, Michel Barnier, the EU's Chief Negotiator with the United Kingdom, gave an overview of the state of the negotiations. According to Prime Minister Ratas, exit negotiations are complicated because 27 member states agree that the exit conditions of the UK must first be agreed on, before the European Commission can begin discussions on future relations. "Hopefully, we can move on with that in December. Two months should be enough to make progress in the negotiations," Ratas said.





There are two European Union agencies currently located in the United Kingdom: the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority. Prime Minister Ratas, representing the Estonian Presidency, outlined the developments of relocating these agencies. "The moving conditions were agreed on in June. By now, 19 countries have applied to become the new location for the European Medicines Agency and 8 states have applied for hosting the European Banking Authority. The applications have been examined in terms of how they meet the criteria and on 20 November, the General Affairs Council will determine to which countries these agencies will be relocated," said Ratas.





Photos (Triin Oppi and Tauno Tõhk / Government Communication Unit): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n20co4kn305ng2j/AACpJhPervFOrkfNW9P8IOHra?dl=0

The first day of the European Council: https://www.valitsus.ee/et/uudised/peaminister-ratas-ulemkogul-liigume-d...