At European summit, Iohannis voices support for implementation of Digital Single Market objectives

AGERPRES special correspondent to Brussels, Belgium, Madalina Cerban reports:

At the European Council meeting in Brussels on Friday, Romania's President Klaus Iohannis reaffirmed support for the implementation of the Digital Single Market objectives.

"The President of Romania reaffirmed support for the implementation of the Digital Single Market objectives, showing that its completion is a major priority at European level and expressed support for stepping up efforts in the areas of research, technological development and innovation in order to strengthen the capabilities of the Union European industry to produce and use knowledge," the Romanian Presidential Administration said in a press statement released at the end of the European summit that took place Thursday and Friday.

The agenda of the meeting included migration, European security and defence, jobs, growth and competitiveness, including trade policy and the EU position on US imposing taxes on imports from third countries, and other aspects of the union's external relations.

At the same time, the European Council took note of the proposals for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 advanced by the European Commission and endorsed the EU Council meeting's conclusions on the process of enlargement, stabilisation and association, as well as the extension of economic sanctions on Russia, the statement said.

The European leaders also reiterated the need for a comprehensive approach to migration challenges.

"The need for increased attention to all migration routes on order to also discourage the creation of new routes was highlighted. In addition, the need for enhanced support for African countries, both home and transit states, including financial support, was reiterated as well as for the Western Balkans and Spain amidst intensifying migration movements on the eastern and western Mediterranean routes. The European Council also agreed on launching the second tranche of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey," the statement said.

The European Council called on the council and the European Commission to swiftly explore the concept of regional disembarkation platforms, in close cooperation with relevant third countries and organisations. At the same time, it was agreed that migrants who are saved on the EU territory, according to international law, should be taken charge of, on the basis of a shared effort, through the transfer in controlled centres set up in member states, only on a voluntary basis.

"President Klaus Iohannis underscored the need for solutions to be identified to improve migration management and strengthen security at the external borders of the EU, including by stepping up dialogue with home and transit states and by streamlining the return policy for migrants whose asylum applications are rejected."

At the same time, the European Council welcomed the progress made with implementing the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).

Iohannis urged for strengthening EU-NATO cooperation, noting the importance of counteracting the false perception of a competitive relationship between the EU and NATO. At the same time, the president stressed the importance of the transatlantic relationship in the area of security and defence, as well as on other plans.

With reference to jobs, growth and competitiveness, the European Council endorsed the integrated country-specific recommendations as discussed by the council, thus allowing the conclusion of the 2018 European Semester. Ensuring fair and effective taxation remains a key priority, according to the conclusions of the summit, and in that context, the fight against tax avoidance, evasion and fraud must be vigorously pursued both at global level and within the EU.

The EU heads of state or government also underlined the importance of preserving and deepening the rules-based multilateral system multilateral trading system and strengthening the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as an institution, including in its transparency and surveillance function. At the same time, in reaction to the United States' decision to impose tariffs on the EU for steel and aluminium products, which cannot be justified on the grounds of national security, the European Council fully supports the rebalancing measures, potential safeguard measures to protect its own markets, and the legal proceedings at the WTO, as decided on the initiative of the European Commission.

In the innovation and digital area, the leaders acknowledged that the EU needs a stronger, inclusive innovation ecosystem to foster breakthrough and market-creating innovation and provide comprehensive support for businesses, including SMEs, with disruptive potential to successfully enter global markets.

On the other hand, the European Council strongly welcomes and supports the agreement reached between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece on the name issue and endorses the conclusions on enlargement and stabilisation and association process adopted by the Council on June 26, 2018.

At the European Council meeting in the EU-27 format, EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier, presented the latest developments in the EU-UK negotiations. "Over the past few months, new articles have been agreed on in the draft UK withdrawal agreement, but a number of issues remain to be addressed, mainly the border issue between Ireland and Northern Ireland, to allow for an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on March 29, 2019, "the statement said.

President Iohannis also appreciated the progress made in approving the withdrawal agreement, reiterating the need to maintain the unit at of the EU 27 in support of the steps taken by the EU chief negotiator.

At the same time, Iohannis stressed the importance of following the EU negotiating principles, such as maintaining a unitary approach to fair competition, integrity of the internal market and the indivisibility of the four freedoms. He also voiced support for a correct implementation of the withdrawal agreement, including the administrative procedures for obtaining the "new status" for the EU citizens who want to stay in the UK after Brexit. AGERPRES (RO - editor: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)