EU 21st Century: European Council Summit Ends--Future of EU-Turkey Relations Still Unclear

UPDATE 20 OCT 14:00 (Ankara Time)

The European Council Summit (‘EUCO’) has now ended. The heads of government or state have given separate press conferences to the media in attendance in Brussels.

Brexit

The main theme of today’s breakfast meeting and round table discussion was Brexit. There has been very little progress in the negotiations, as the parties’ positions still differ widely on Britain’s financial obligations to the EU. Brussels claims 60 billion Euros, while London evaluates its total commitments until March 2019 to 20 billion.

Here is an excerpt from Theresa May’s (Britsh PM) Q & A with the press:

May: "We will review commitments line by line"

Turkey

The relationship with Turkey was discussed during Thursday night’s working dinner, but no details have transpired. The representatives of the 28 member states have not agreed on how to handle Ankara, with many proposing to stop or reduce the substantial financial aid Turkey receives annually for structural improvements. It seems that there was, in the end, consensus among the 28 to ask the Commission to figure out how it could limit EU’s contribution to measures that enhance the respect for the rule of law by the Turkish government. The member states also agreed to be very vague on this matter in their official communiqué at the end of the Summit.

"guten Appetit!"

"Breakfast at Tiffany's?"

The day of the EUCO Summit began with a breakfast—of Franco-German inspiration, if one judges from the content of the dishes: croissants, cheese, ham, boiled eggs. In the official video clip it can be noticed that very few among the guests are touching the food. This is because almost all already had proper breakfast through room service! Working breakfasts are one of the most hateful (and unhealthy) chores in the routine of executives and politicians.

Berlin-Paris Axis Still Strong

One, Two Three--Merkel Sets the Tone for Gentiloni (IT) and Macron (FR)

Emmanuel Macron was again the star of the Summit. He shook the hands of the 30 top EU politicians (28 heads+2 institution presidents). He and Angela Merkel displayed the usual Franco-German friendship and common position on Union affairs.

Nouvelle Vague PR Specialist

The 28 discussed a recommendation by some members to change the decision-making of the EUCO from unanimity/consensus to majority voting. Angela Merkel in her press conference admitted that there had been discussion, but the proposal was not agreed. The matter will, however, return to a future EUCO agenda and will be limited to decisions concerning the member states of the Eurozone only. French President Macron has been pushing since September 2017 for letting poorer member states to adopt the common currency, but some members are blocking such initiative using the EUCO current decision-making process.