The Heads of Government and State of the 27 EU members met in Brussels on 17 and 18 of October on the occasion of the European Council. During the 2-day meeting they discussed several issues, including Brexit, climate change, EU enlargement and Turkey. With regards to the ongoing Turkish military operation in the North of Syria, the Council endorsed the conclusions adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 October, condemning the action and calling on Turkey to stop all military operations, withdraw its troops and respect international humanitarian law. It also recalls that several Member States have decided to halt arms exports to Turkey. Under the same item of the conclusions, the EU Heads of state also renew their commitment to support those member states that are facing the most serious migration challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean. Besides, the Council also reaffirms its solidarity with Cyprus in the context of the illegal drilling operations carried out by Turkey in Cypriot territorial waters. Amid a heated debate on French positions regarding North Macedonia and Albania, the European Council also discussed the opening of accession negotiations with the both countries. On Brexit, EU and UK negotiators announced that they have reached an agreement to proceed with the exit as scheduled on 31 October. Internal aspects of climate change were also on the agenda, as a follow-up to the UN Climate Action Summit and ahead of the Climate Conference in Chile.