European Council 19-20 June

20 June 2008

The Council discussed issues ranging from Ireland's referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon, to the current high food and oil prices, to the future EU candidacy of countries in the Western Balkans.

The meeting of the European Council concluded on Friday after wide-ranging discussions on issues ranging from Ireland's referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon, to the current high food and oil prices, to the future EU candidacy of countries in the Western Balkans.

 

In regard to the outcome of the referendum in Ireland on the Lisbon Treaty, the European Council agreed that more time was needed to analyze the situation. The Irish government will actively consult with its internal constituencies as well as the other Member States to suggest a common way forward, and the issue will be revisited at the October 2008 meeting of the European Council.

 

As food prices skyrocket, the European Council recognized the importance of enabling EU farmers to better respond to market signals, while ensuring fair competition and fostering sustainable agriculture across the EU.

 

To address the rapid rise in oil and gas prices, the European Council noted that further efforts to increase energy efficiency and energy savings and diversify the EU energy supply are essential.

 

The European Council also stressed that by making solid progress in economic and political reform and by fulfilling the necessary conditions and requirements, the remaining potential candidates in the Western Balkans should achieve candidate status, according to their own merits, with EU membership as ultimate goal.

 

European Council Presidency Conclusions

 

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