European Council in brief

How to tax better

In a statement issued at the end of the summit, the leaders of the member states called for renewed efforts to improve the efficiency of tax collection. They called for agreements with foreign countries on taxing assets held by EU citizens abroad and for rapid progress in dealing with VAT fraud. They pledged to co-ordinate their positions on future international standards to prevention the erosion of the tax base and profit-shifting, standards that are to be developed with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the G20 group of leading and emerging economies. They called for work to advance on open EU tax issues such as proposals on energy taxation, on a common consolidated corporate-tax base, and on revising the savings-tax directive.

Youth unemployment

The leaders called for the continuation of work on the EU’s youth employment initiative, which they had agreed at their meeting in February. The European Commission has proposed making it operational from January 2014. In the meantime, the leaders said, member states can use funding from existing structural funds to fight youth unemployment. A youth guarantee adopted by the Council of Ministers on 28 February offering employment, education or training should be rapidly implemented, the leaders said.

Single market

The European Council called for the rapid conclusion of pending legislative work on Single Market Act proposals, such as accounting, professional qualifications, public procurement, the posting of workers and e-signature. It said that the European Commission should present remaining proposals from the Single Market Act II without delay so they can be adopted by 2014, when the current legislative term ends.

Themes for future European Councils

The EU leaders adopted themes for future European Councils: energy (May), innovation and digital agenda (October), defence (December), industrial competitiveness and policy (June 2013 and February 2014).

Strategic partners

The leaders briefly discussed relations with ‘strategic partners’, including Russia and Japan.

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