EU Leaders Summit started in Brussels

EU Council President Antonio Costa announced that the summit has started in his statement on the social media platform of US-based company X.

Stating that they will start the summit with the agenda of "One Europe, Single Market", Costa said, "We are turning our commitments into concrete steps. We must maintain our determination and move faster in line with our goals. Our goal is to provide more employment, stronger businesses and a better life for Europeans." he said.

European Parliament (EP) President Roberta Metsola, in her statement to the press before the summit, pointed out that Russia had increased its attacks on Ukraine and said, "The worst thing Europe can do now is to turn its attention to another direction." made his assessment.

Metsola argued that sanctions against Russia should be increased and expanded.

Underlining that there are energy costs and access to energy problems that challenge all member countries in Europe, Metsola said that they should strengthen relations and increase cooperation to ensure stability in energy markets.

Speaking about the possibility of Britain becoming a member of the EU again, Metsola emphasized that they would welcome this with great pleasure.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden also stated that Europe started to diversify its energy sources after Russia's attacks on Ukraine, but that it should continue its efforts in this direction to strengthen energy security.

Frieden said, "We need to diversify both geographically and in terms of the types of energy we use. Therefore, we need to accelerate the production of renewable energy. Many countries, including my country, are doing this." He stated that Europe should consider all geographically possible options in energy supply.

In the next session, where the rise in energy prices will be discussed, possible measures to reduce the effects of the recent increase in oil and natural gas prices on citizens and businesses will be discussed.

In the afternoon of the first day of the summit, the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2028-2034 will be focused on.

At the working dinner to be held in the evening, the leaders will discuss the EU's expansion policy and the reforms needed to prepare the Union for future memberships from a strategic perspective.

The talks on the second day of the summit will start with a session on Ukraine. Then, at the meeting where the developments in the Middle East will be evaluated, the latest situation in Yemen, Lebanon, Iran and Syria, as well as Gaza and the West Bank, will be discussed.

At the working lunch of the second day, the issue of migration will be on the agenda of the leaders.