TIRANA, October 17/ATA/-The European Council will meet on 17 and 18 October 2019 to discuss a number of important issues, including Brexit, enlargement, Turkey, long-term EU budget and priorities for the next five years.
The summit will start on Thursday 17 at 15.00 with an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli.
Leaders will meet then in EU27 format to discuss Brexit.
Following this working session there will be a press conference by President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of the Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.
In the evening, the heads of State or Government will discuss the opening of accession talks with Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia.
In June 2019, the Council agreed to revert to the issue of opening accession talks with these two countries with a view to reaching a clear and substantive decision as soon as possible and no later than October 2019. These conclusions were endorsed by the European Council.
Following the discussions on the matter at the General Affairs Council earlier this week, the Finnish presidency issued procedural conclusions noting that the Council will revert to the issue after the European Council.
Leaders will also exchange views on relations with Turkey in the light of recent developments, in particular Turkey’s military action in north-east Syria. //a.i/
