The European Council has tasked the permanent representatives of the member states, “respecting the competences of the relevant institutions”, to advance the work on the recommendations of the Joint Communication by the High Representative and the Commission on EU - Turkey relations, in a “phased, proportionate and reversible manner”, and “subject to additional guidance from the European Council”, according to the conclusions on EU - Turkey relations adopted on Wednesday night by the summit of the 27 leaders of the EU in Brussels.