European Council

The EU is streamlining its regulatory framework on seafarers' training and certification.

Remarks by President Centeno following the Eurogroup of 11 February on Philip Lane's candidacy as ECB executive board member, post-programme surveillance for Ireland and Portugal, the Commission's winter forecast and discussions on an euro-area budgetary instrument.

The Eurogroup gave its support to the candidacy of Philip Lane for the position to become a new member of the ECB's executive board.

Weekly schedule of President Donald Tusk 11-17 February 2019

EU ambassadors gave a mandate to the Council Presidency to start negotiations with the European Parliament on an amendment to the gas directive.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

President Tusk received the letters of credentials from two new ambassadors to the European Union.

EU ensures new maritime connections between Ireland and the other EU countries on the Trans-European transport network in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The EU is streamlining its ship reporting systems by creating a European maritime single window, which will bring together all reporting formalities associated with a port call.

Better working conditions: Presidency and European Parliament reach provisional agreement

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/2054 of 21 December 2018 amending Decision 2013/184/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Myanmar/Burma

Vast amounts of data held by the public sector will be more quickly and easily available for the creation of new products and services and the development of data-based society in general.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/2078 of 21 December 2018 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.

With 50 days until the UK is to leave the EU, President Donald Tusk and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discussed the Brexit situation, including the issue of the border on the island of Ireland and a potential no-deal scenario.

The third Brussels conference on Supporting the future of Syria and the region will be held from 12 until 14 March 2019.

The Romanian presidency and the European Parliament reach a preliminary agreement on a simplified framework for financial derivatives to reduce costs and enhance transparency and access to clearing.

President Tusk received the letters of credentials from two new ambassadors to the European Union.

The Romanian presidency of the Council and the European Parliament reach a preliminary agreement on removing existing barriers to the cross-border distribution of investment funds.

Easier information sharing will improve security, allow for more efficient checks at external borders and contribute to prevent and combat illegal migration.

Lyudmila Petkova becomes the new chair of the Council working group overseeing the implementation of the EU's code of conduct on business taxation.