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"The European Council in 2012" covers the institution's activities in 2012. Financial stability and growth and jobs in Europe required full attention, as did events in the world – from turmoil in the Middle East to leadership changes in partner countries. At the end of the year, the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Union came as a timely reminder of the EU's ultimate purpose: working together for the sake of peace and prosperity in our continent, and beyond.
In this publication, released today, President Herman Van Rompuy looks back at the European Council's activities in 2012 and provides his personal account of the main decisions taken by European leaders during the past year.
"We will continue to underpin the solidity of the single currency with our work to bring the Economic and Monetary Union to genuine completion – a task that is both urgent and historic. We must tackle these challenges with resolve, knowing that in the end we can only succeed if we answer a fundamental question: how can we secure public support for Europe? … Our Union rests upon the will of the people – as citizens of their country, and citizens of Europe."
For future reference, the publication includes all 2012 European Council conclusions and statements, as well as the text of the Fiscal Compact (TSCG Treaty) and the President's reports on the future of the Economic and Monetary Union.