The EU at the G20 summit in Antalya: Presidents Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker set out the EU's agenda

The President of the European Council Donald Tusk and the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, who are representing the European Union at the G20 summit in Antalya (Turkey) from 15 to 16 November 2015, have set out the EU's agenda in a joint letter sent to EU Heads of State or Government.

Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, responsible for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs will accompany the two Presidents to the G20. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President Federica Mogherini will also be present in Antalya to take part in an informal meeting of Foreign Ministers of G20 countries.
The following six key issues are expected to be discussed: 

1. A collective response to the refugee crisis

The G20 must rise to the challenge and lead a coordinated and innovative response to the crisis that recognises its global nature and economic consequences and promotes greater international solidarity in protecting refugees. 

2. A jobs, growth and investment agenda

The main deliverable for Antalya should be the updated G20 growth strategies and corresponding employment plans. The EU supports the 2% growth ambition agreed in Brisbane last year. The EU also welcomes the G20 investment agenda which represents a useful complement to the Investment Plan for Europe. It is also important to keep financial regulation high on the G20 agenda. The G20 should take the collective decisions that are necessary to prevent another crisis such as the one from which we are emerging. 

3. Youth employment and social inclusion

Youth employment remains a top priority for the EU and we will support the adoption of a G20 target to reduce by 15% by 2025 the share of young people who are most at risk of being left permanently behind in the labour market. 

4. Moving forward the G20 work on tax transparency

In Antalya, there should be an ambitious agreement to take further global actions necessary to tackle cross-border tax avoidance and tax evasion, including on the finalisation and implementation of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting action plan (BEPS). The G20 should in particular show political leadership on the issue of harmful tax competition and the exchange of information on cross-border tax rulings to enhance transparency. The EU has shown leadership with its June Action Plan on Corporate Taxation and its proposal on the exchange of information on cross-border tax rulings of 18 March on which EU Finance Ministers have reached agreement on 6 October. 

5. A political momentum for trade opening

In Antalya, the G20 must instruct negotiators to find a solution at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi on a meaningful set of issues to the benefit particularly of least-developed countries as well as on continuing work after Nairobi through new approaches on those issues that remain outstanding. The G20 should also better explain the benefits of trade to citizens. 

6. Towards  a strong outcome in the UN negotiations on climate change

This year is pivotal for international action on development and climate change. The EU will urge the G20 to work together closely with our partners to implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and maintain its efforts towards global food security. The G20 will have to show particular determination to conclude at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris a robust, ambitious and inclusive agreement to govern collective climate action after 2020. To put the right incentives in place to meet the EU's goal of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, the EU will also push for a phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies. Finally, the EU will seek closer cooperation within the G20 on renewable energy and energy efficiency. 

Background

The Antalya summit is the 10th edition of the G20 leaders' meeting. Together, the G20 members represent around 90% of global GDP, 80% of global trade and two-thirds of the world's population. This year, Turkey holds the rotating Presidency of the G20. It has invited Spain as a permanent invitee; Zimbabwe as the 2015 chair of the African Union; Malaysia as the 2015 Chair of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN); Senegal, representing the New Partnership for Africa's Development; Azerbaijan; and Singapore. The 11th edition of the G20 summit will be hosted by China in Hangzhou, in 2016. 

The G20 leaders' process has been co-initiated in 2008 by the European Union in response to the global financial crisis. The G20 members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. 

The European Union thus is a full member of the G20 and is represented at G20 summits by the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council. 

Press briefings

Tuesday 10 November 2015 at 10:30 (exact time tbc): Pre-summit briefing (off the record) by the EU's G20 Sherpa in the Berlaymont press room. 

Sunday, 15 November 2015 at 10:30 (exact time tbc): Joint pre-summit briefing of President Tusk and President Juncker in the International Media Centre in Antalya. Available on EbS and EU Council TVNewsroom.