On Friday morning, the European Council will reconvene to discuss climate and energy followed by external relations. In particular leaders will address the EU's relations with Africa ahead of the 4th EU-Africa Summit in Brussels on 2 and 3 April 2014.

 

Leaders will hold a first policy debate at Heads of State or government level on a framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030. They will also address issues such as energy prices (also much linked to industrial competitiveness), Europe's high energy dependence and energy efficiency. Leaders are equally expected to reconfirm the objectives of completing the internal energy market by 2014 and developing interconnections so as to put an end to any isolation of member states from European gas and electricity networks by 2015.

 

Following that, the European Council will discuss preparations for the 4th EU-Africa summit, which is to take place in Brussels on the 2-3 April under the theme "Investing in people, prosperity and peace". In this context the leaders will have an in-depth policy debate on EU-Africa relations, with a special emphasis on peace and security.

 

Live broadcast will be available here from 08:00 (CET)