Luxembourg Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, will be attending the European Council taking place on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 February 2016 in Brussels.
Chaired by Donald Tusk, the European Council is due to discuss two major issues, namely the migrant and refugee crisis and the UK's plans for a referendum on whether to remain in or leave the European Union.
Concerning the former, the Council will review the implementation of decisions already taken and prepare the groundwork for the decisions to be taken at the next meeting in March. The debates will be dominated by issues relating to humanitarian assistance, management of external borders, the implementation of the EU-Turkey plan of action and the operation of 'hotspots'.
Regarding the referendum on the UK's EU membership, which could take place as early as June 2016, heads of state and government will discuss the proposal of Council President Donald Tusk to adopt a new arrangement for the UK in the European Union.
In addition, the European Council will further discuss the recommendations on economic policy in the euro area.
To preapre the discussions of the European Council, Xavier Bettel will be participating in the first meeting of Luxembourg's 2016 Benelux Presidency with his Belgian and Dutch counterparts, Charles Michel and Mark Rutte.
The Luxembourg Prime Minister is also due to attend a meeting of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats of Europe (ALDE) ahead of the European Council.
Photo by European Union (L-R: President of the European Council, Donald Tusk; Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel)
