Page:European Council conclusions, 18-19th February 2016.pdf/11

Conclusions – 18 and 19 February 2016 Recalling in particular that the United Kingdom is entitled under the Treaties:
 * not to adopt the euro and therefore to keep the British pound sterling as its currency (Protocol No 15),
 * not to participate in the Schengen acquis (Protocol No 19),
 * to exercise border controls on persons, and therefore not to participate in the Schengen area as regards internal and external borders (Protocol No 19),
 * to choose whether or not to participate in measures in the area of freedom, security and justice (Protocol No 21),
 * to cease to apply as from 1 December 2014 a large majority of Union acts and provisions in the field of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters adopted before the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty while choosing to continue to participate in 35 of them (Article 10(4) and (5) of Protocol No 36),

Recalling also that the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union has not extended the ability of the Court of Justice of the European Union or any court or tribunal of the United Kingdom to rule on the consistency of the laws and practices of the United Kingdom with the fundamental rights that it reaffirms (Protocol No 30),

Determined to exploit fully the potential of the internal market in all its dimensions, to reinforce the global attractiveness of the Union as a place of production and investment, and to promote international trade and market access through, inter alia, the negotiation and conclusion of trade agreements, in a spirit of mutual and reciprocal benefit and transparency,

Determined also to facilitate and support the proper functioning of the euro area and its long-term future, for the benefit of all Member States,