Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2005-06
Bilag 98
Offentligt
COUNCIL OFTHE EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 9 June 2006
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NOTEfrom :to :Subject :
PresidencyCouncilEuropean Council (15 and 16 June 2006)– Draft conclusions
The Presidency submits the following revised draft conclusions of the European Council.
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1.
The meeting was preceded by an exposé by Mr Josep Borrell, President of the EuropeanParliament, followed by an exchange of views.
I.
EUROPE LISTENS
2.
In June 2005 the Heads of State or Government called for a period of reflection during whicha broad debate should take place in all Member States, involving citizens, civil society, socialpartners, national parliaments and political parties, with the contribution of Europeaninstitutions. The European Council welcomes the various initiatives taken in the MemberStates in the framework of national debates, as well as a series of events organised by theAustrian Presidency, in particular the Conference "The Sound of Europe" in Salzburg on27/28 January 2006. The European Council expresses its gratitude to the Commission forhaving contributed to the reflection period in the context of its Plan D and to the EuropeanParliament for having organised together with the Austrian Parliament the joint parliamentarymeeting on the "Future of Europe" on 8/9 May 2006. The European Council welcomes theintention of institutions and Member States to carry on their activities aimed at involvingcitizens in the debate about what Europe should stand for in the 21stcentury. It also welcomedthe Commission's contribution "A Citizen's Agenda for Europe".
3.
The European Council carried out a first assessment of the reflection period. This took placeon the basis of the written report prepared by the Presidency and Council Secretariat drawingon information provided by Member States on their national debates (doc. 9701/1/06 REV 1),the "Plan D" initiative and the White Paper on a European Communication Policy. Whileworries and concerns have been voiced particularly among young people and women duringall public debates, citizens remain committed to the European project. They want to have asay in European policy making. Reinforced dialogue with the citizens requires adequatemeans and commitment. Citizens expect the Union to prove its added value by taking actionin response to the challenges and opportunities facing it: ensuring peace, prosperity andsolidarity, enhancing security, furthering sustainable development and promoting Europeanvalues in a rapidly globalising world.
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4.
The Union's commitment to becoming more democratic, transparent and effective goesbeyond the reflection period. The European Council reaffirms its commitment to a Union thatdelivers the concrete results citizens expect, in order to strengthen confidence and trust, as setout in Part II. The European Council agreed to extend the reflection period, as set out inPart III.
II.
EUROPE AT WORK
(a)
Promoting freedom, security and justice
5.
Progress on measures agreed in the Hague Programme aimed at addressing problems such asillegal immigration, trafficking of human beings, terrorism and organised crime whileguaranteeing respect for fundamental freedoms and rights will be assessed in December 2006.
6.
In the meantime further efforts are required, particularly as concerns:
following the progress made on the Schengen Information System (SIS II) andimplementation of theSchengen acquisin the new Member States, rapid finalisation ofthe legislative measures onborder controlandpolice cooperationand completion ofthe technical preparations at EU and national levels, making operational theSchengenInformation Systemby April 2007 and theVisa Information Systemin 2007, thuspaving the way for the enlargement of the Schengen area, in accordance with the HagueProgramme;
taking work forward rapidly on the Commission's proposal concerning theestablishment ofCommon Application Centresand the collection of biometrics for thepurpose of visas and initiation of a pilot project, as well as taking work forward on aCommunity code of visas;
taking work forward onvisa facilitationandreadmission agreementsbased on theprocess and considerations laid down in the common approach on facilitation startingwith the countries with a European Perspective as referred to in the European Councilconclusions of June 2003 and June 2005;
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further strengthening of practical cooperation in developing a common Europeanasylumsystem, rapid progress on relevant proposals including the amendments to theEuropean Refugee Fund as well as onRegional Protection Programmes(Ukraine,Moldova, Belarus, Tanzania);
achieving further progress on strengthening judicialcooperation inbothcivil andcriminal law,finalisation in particular of negotiations on the procedural rights ofaccused persons in criminal proceedings and on the Framework Decisions on theEuropean Evidence Warrant, the application of the principle of mutual recognition tothe enforcement of custodial sentences and the protection of personal data;
intensifyingpolice cooperation,in particular giving an increased role toEuropoltosupport operations;pursuing the fight againsttrafficking in human beings,based on the EU Action Planand fully utilising Eurojust, Europol and the Task Force of Police Chiefs.
7.
The European Council welcomes the "Vienna Declaration on Security Partnership" agreed byMember States and Neighbouring countries of the EU at the Ministerial Conference in Viennaon 4-5 May 2006, as well as the participation of the Russian Federation and the United Statesof America. It takes note of the first steps made towards such a partnership, e.g. improvingcooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries to combat organised crime,corruption, illegal migration and terrorism. The European Council takes note of the "ViennaInitiative" on possible future tripartite cooperation in the field of justice and home affairsbetween the EU, the Russian Federation and the United States of America and invites futurePresidencies to consider how this initiative might be taken forward. The European Councilcalls for further swift implementation of theStrategy for the external dimension of JHA,with a view to enhancing the coordination and coherence between JHA policies and externalpolicies.
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8.
In the light of the increased cooperation with third countries of origin and transit in migrationissues in particular in the regions neighbouring the Union, namely the eastern, south easternand Mediterranean regions, the European Council recalls the importance of a balanced andcomprehensive approach. Developing theGlobal Approach to Migrationagreed inDecember 2005 is a fundamental priority for the Union. Recent events reinforce thisassessment. In this context the European Council looks forward to the forthcoming report bythe Commission on the Hampton Court follow-up to migration and security to be presented atits December 2006 meeting. In the meantime the European Council:
welcomes the concrete cooperation measures taken by the Commission, Frontex andsome Member States in the wake of recent events in the Canary Islands and in theMediterranean. It calls for enhanced efforts on maritime operational cooperation with aview to developing adequate surveillance capacities at the sea borders as well as on theestablishment of Rapid Border Intervention Teams;
underlines the priority of enhancing cooperation on migration with African andneighbouring countries and calls for a balanced dialogue on migration with AfricanStates, regional organisations and the African Union through a pan-African conferenceon migration and development;
welcomes the Euro-African Ministerial Conference in Rabat, as well as otherconferences with a specific regional focus, as steps to a regular comprehensive dialoguewith African countries as well as the launching of a EU-ACP (African, Caribbean andPacific) dialogue on migration (on the basis of Article 13 of the Cotonou Agreement);
recalls the Barcelona Action Plan engagement to hold a EUROMED MinisterialMeeting on Migration Management;looks forward to the presentation by the Commission of a communication on futurepriorities in the field of illegal immigration and follow-up action;calls on implementation of AENEAS funded projects on migration, providing financialand technical assistance to third countries in support of their efforts to ensure moreeffective management of all aspects of migration flows;
recognises the importance of the forthcoming UN High Level Dialogue on InternationalMigration and Development and the need for an EU common position that integrates thedevelopment aspects of migration in a coherent manner;
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calls for discussions to be taken forward on the Commission's Policy Plan on LegalMigration.
9.
The European Council calls for the implementation of the action plans agreed under the EUCounter TerrorismStrategy, including the strategy against radicalisation and recruitment, tobe accelerated. Work must also be sped up on the protection of critical infrastructure. TheEuropean Council awaits the Commission's first programme in this connection as well asconcrete proposals on detection technologies. The Council and the Commission are alsoinvited to develop measures to combat the misuse of the internet for terrorist purposes whilerespecting fundamental rights and principles.
10.
In the context of the review of the Hague Programme, the European Council calls upon theincoming Finnish Presidency to explore, in close collaboration with the Commission, thepossibilities of improving decision-making and action in the area of Freedom, Security andJustice on the basis of existing treaties.
11.
[The European Council welcomes the political agreement reached on the setting up of theEuropean Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.The agreement is an important sign ofthe EU’s commitment to human rights. By providing advice and expertise to EU institutionsand Member States when implementing Community and Union law the Agency forFundamental Rights will play an important role in enhancing the coherence and consistencyof the EU human rights policy.]
12.
Improving the Union'sresponsiveness to emergencies, crises and disastersinside andoutside the Union remains a political imperative. When such emergencies occur, citizensrightly expect a swift and effective response. While Member States are responsible formanaging emergencies on their territory or assisting their citizens abroad, the European Unioncan, in a spirit of active solidarity, play a role by coordinating a political response and byhelping to organise and coordinate available assets when requested to do so.
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13.
The European Council endorses the Presidency report on "Reinforcing the Union's emergencyand crisis response capacities" (doc. 9630/1/06) which sets out the many practical steps anddecisions taken to improve coordination and delivery of available assets; to get assistancequickly where it is needed; and to provide more effective consular protection to EU citizens inthird countries. Furthermore, the European Council welcomes the report submitted byMichel Barnier in May 2006 as an important contribution to the debate.
14.
Building on work carried out under the Austrian Presidency, priority must now be given to:
rapid implementation of agreed steps and decisions taken as set out in the Presidencyreport. These include the EU Emergency and Crisis Coordination Arrangements, whichset up an ad hoc Crisis Steering Group in Brussels and should be operational as of1 July 2006, and the recommendations by the Secretary-General/High Representativepertaining to the identification and coordination of Member States’ military transportassets in support of disaster response;
exercising these procedures and capabilities and learning lessons from these exercisesand actual operational experience to improve disaster response;the further developing the European Union’s rapid response capability based on meansthat Member States make available, including civil protection modules, which should beidentified and coordinated in order to make this response efficient and capable ofensuring a high level of protection for the European citizen;
adoption of the recast of the Community's civil protection mechanism and on theestablishment of a rapid response and preparedness instrument by the end of the year;closer consular cooperation among EU Member States, including mutual consularassistance points in pre-identified regions. To this end, a joint report by the Secretary-General/High Representative and the Commission is requested in the second half of2006.
15.
The Council is invited to take work forward on the basis of the suggestions contained in thePresidency report, building on further input from the Commission and theSecretary-General/High Representative. The incoming Presidency will report to theDecember 2006 European Council on progress achieved across the board.
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(b)
Promoting the European way of life in a globalised world
16.
The European Council took stock of progress in several of the areas discussed at HamptonCourt and at the last Spring European Council, aimed at promoting the European way of lifein the face of globalisation and demographic trends.
17.
Sustainable developmentmeans meeting the needs of the present generation withoutcompromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a fundamentalobjective of the European Union. Sustainable development is about safeguarding the earth'scapacity to support life in all its diversity. It is based on democracy, gender equality,solidarity, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights. While positive achievementshave been made since the Gothenburg European Council, many challenges remain. TheEuropean Council therefore adopts an ambitious and comprehensive renewed EU Strategy forSustainable Development (doc. 10117/06). The implementation of this Strategy will beclosely monitored and followed up by the European Council on a regular basis.
18.
The European Council takes note of the Commission's Green Paper on a future MaritimePolicy for the Union and welcomes the launching of a broad debate.
19.
Climate changeis a global problem requiring global solutions. The European Counciltherefore looks forward to a successful continuation of the discussions in the framework ofthe UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and under the Kyoto Protocolto arrive at a timely post-2012 arrangement consistent with meeting the Council's objective ofa maximum global temperature increase of 2�C above pre-industrial levels. The Council willtherefore push in all relevant multilateral fora, including with all Parties to the UNFCCC, fora full and open dialogue on future action and on agreeing an international goal. In addition,the European Council calls on the Commission to submit without delay a report to theEuropean Parliament and the Council on the experience of implementing the directiveestablishing a scheme for green house gas emission allowance trading within the Community,taking into consideration the situation of SMEs, and accompanied by proposals asappropriate.
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20.
The re-launchedLisbon Strategyhas already been refocused on those issues of mostimportance to the citizens, jobs and growth, in full coherence with the SustainableDevelopment Strategy; special emphasis has been laid on investment in knowledge andinnovation, business potential, especially of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), andemployment of priority categories.
21.
The European Council in particular:welcomes the agreement reached in the Council on theServices Directiveand calls fora swift conclusion of the legislative process;recalls the importance of a simple, transparent and easy-to-applyregulatoryenvironmentand of strengthening consumer and business confidence in theinternalmarket;underlining the importance of theSingle Market,welcomes the Commission's intentionto launch a general review thereof, to be followed by concrete proposals for completingthe internal market and ensuring its effective functioning; an interim report will bepresented before the March 2007 European Council;stresses the importance of thesocial dimensionof the Union's action. It welcomes theEuropean Commission's intention to take stock of social realities in the EU and invitesthe Commission to issue an interim report before the European Council of March 2007;the Commission, the Council and the Parliament should pay particular attention to thesocial impact of European legislation, including a gender perspective, as set out in thePact for Gender Equality, within the integrated impact assessment;encourages the Commission to accelerate work on the initiatives outlined in itscommunication onindustrial policywith a view to taking stock of progress in the firsthalf of 2007;underlines the need for investment inknowledge and innovation,welcomes the finalagreement on the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme and calls for the rapidadoption of the 7th Framework Programme, as well as the EIB risk-sharing financefacility to support innovation and R&D;
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calls for a follow up to the Commission's communication on the challenges ahead foruniversitiesand encourages the Member States to promote excellence and fostermodernisation, restructuring and innovation in the higher education sector in order tounlock its potential and to underpin Europe's drive for more growth and jobs;
reaffirms that theEuropean Institute for Technology(EIT), based on a bottom-upapproach, building on existing national institutions, will be an important step to fill theexisting gap between higher education, research and innovation together with otheractions that enhance networking and synergies between excellent research andinnovation communities in Europe. It looks forward to receiving the Commission’sformal proposal for its establishment, to be presented in autumn 2006, followingconsultation with the European Research Council, Member States and stakeholders;
stresses the importance of addressing issues of direct concern to citizens such asfoodsafety and consumer protection,and in this context welcomes the amendedCommission proposal for a decision establishing a programme of Community action inthe field ofconsumer policy(2007-2013);
emphasises the added value of joining forces in combatingrare diseases.It welcomesresearch activities in the context of the 7th Framework Programme in view ofdeveloping preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and invites theCommission to support the efforts of Member States by making full use of the relevantEU instruments especially in the field of research and public health.
22.
In its conclusions of March 2006 the European Council called for anEnergy Policy forEuropeand invited the Commission and the Council to prepare a set of actions with a cleartimetable enabling it to adopt a prioritised Action Plan at its meeting in Spring 2007.
23.
The external aspects of energy security will constitute an important part of such an overallpolicy and will need to be included within the Action Plan. The European Council thereforewelcomes the joint paper by the Commission and High Representative, which is a sound basisfor an external policy conducted in a spirit of solidarity and intended to ensure reliable,affordable and sustainable energy flows into the Union. It invites the Commission to take itinto due account when it draws up the Strategic Review. It underlines the importance of usingall the available policies and instruments to support external action in this area.
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24.
Meanwhile, since there is a continuing need for the EU to respond to the worldwidecompetition for access to increasingly scarce sources of energy, the European Council invitesthe Presidency, the Commission and the High Representative to take forward work on thedevelopment and implementation of an external energy policy in a coherent and coordinatedmanner. This should include the development of strategic partnerships with the mainproducer, transit and consumer countries and concentrate initially on the following priorities:
invite the Commission to set out elements for further dialogue with Russia on energy;extend the EU's internal market in energy to its neighbours (including the expansion ofthe Energy Community Treaty);make better use of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) mechanism to further theEU's energy policy objectives;conclude negotiations of the Energy Charter Transit protocol and secure the ratificationof the Energy Charter Treaty by all signatories to the Charter;give full support to infrastructure projects aimed at opening up new supply routes with aview to diversifying energy imports;integrate the EU's energy objectives fully into its trade policy and pursue these throughthe WTO, as appropriate;pay particular importance to energy in the context of the Union's relations generallywith major third country partners.
25.
The European Council welcomes the conclusion of the Inter-Institutional Agreement on theFinancial Perspectives 2007-2013 providing the Union with the means to carry through itspolicies and stresses the importance of rapidly adopting the necessary legal instruments.
26.
Dialogue is an essential element of the European way of life. This includes the dialogue withthe churches and religious communities that have their place in Europe. The EuropeanCouncil therefore welcomes the meeting with leading representatives of churches andreligious communities organized by the Presidency and the European Commission in Brusselson 30 May 2006.
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Recent events have also demonstrated the importance of a substantial dialogue betweencultures and civilizations. The European Union will continue to actively promote this dialoguethrough all existing mechanisms, including the Barcelona Process and the Anna LindhFoundation. The European Council invites the Presidency, assisted by the SecretaryGeneral/High Representative and the Commission to continue to look into ways of workingwith partners and other international actors in the Muslim world, including the Organizationof the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Arab League, to foster tolerance as well as respectfor religious and other beliefs and convictions. Particular emphasis will be given to the rolethat free media and NGOs can play in this regard.
(c)
Improving the efficiency, coherence and visibility of the Union’s external policies
27.
The European Council reaffirms the commitment of the Union and the Member States to usetheir substantial international influence as effectively as possible to protect and promote theinterests of their citizens. The growing challenges facing the Union make it even moreimportant to improve the efficiency, coherence and visibility of its external policies, as well asthe consistency between its external and its internal policies. In this regard, the EuropeanCouncil welcomes the paper "Europe in the World", presented by the President of theCommission and the internal measures being implemented by the Commission.
The European Council invites the Council, the Secretary-General/High Representative and theCommission to examine other measures in the light of the paper “Europe in the World” with aview to improving i.a. strategic planning, coherence between the Union's various externalpolicy instruments as well as cooperation between the EU institutions and between the latterand the Member States.
The European Council agrees that a first stocktaking in relation to the implementation of thesemeasures will be made at the end of the Finnish Presidency.
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(d)
Improving the functioning of the Union
28.
The European Council agreed on a number of measures intended to enhance the functioningof the Union making full use of the possibilities offered by existing treaties. This includesopening up the work of the Council and bringing more clarity to the respective responsibilitiesof the various actors in the work of the Union.
29.
Providing citizens with first hand insight into EU activities is a pre-requisite for increasingtheir trust and confidence in the European Union. The European Council therefore agrees tofurther open up the work of the Council and adopts anoverall policy on transparency(Annex I). In particular, all Council deliberations under the co-decision procedure shall nowbe public. It requests the Council to take the measures necessary to ensure implementation ofthe new policy.
30.
In view of the importance of the principles ofsubsidiarity and proportionality,theEuropean Council welcomes the initiative taken by the Austrian Presidency to hold aconference on subsidiarity in St. Pölten on 18/19 April 2006, as a follow-up to last year'sconference in The Hague. The ideas developed at these conferences should be examined andfuture Presidencies are encouraged to carry this work forward.
The European Council notes the inter-dependence of the European and national legislativeprocesses. It therefore welcomes the Commission's commitment to make all new proposalsand consultation papers directly available to national parliaments, inviting them to react so asto improve the process of policy formulation. The Commission is asked to take into accountcomments by national parliaments – in particular with regard to the subsidiarity andproportionality principles – to acknowledge receipt and to offer a reasoned response within anacceptable timeframe. National parliaments are encouraged to strengthen cooperation withinthe framework of the Conference of European Affairs Committees (COSAC) whenmonitoring subsidiarity. Threshold values are an important example to define the principle ofsubsidiarity in European legislation, notably in the area of public procurement.
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The European Council further recalls that the confidence of citizens in the European projectcan benefit from European legislation reflecting more strongly the added value of EU action.It therefore invites the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission todraw up a standard subsidiarity and proportionality check list that shall be applied in theEuropean legislative process.
31.
[The European Council equally welcomes the positive outcome of discussions between theEuropean Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the comitology reform, which willprovide for a horizontal and satisfying solution. The newly agreed provisions will enhancescrutiny by the legislator with regard to the Commission's implementing powers in areassubject to co-decision, thus improving thecomitologyprocedures.]
32.
Progress has been made since its last meeting in all fields ofBetter Regulationand allinstitutions and Member States are urged to implement their respective commitments as setout in the 2003 Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Lawmaking. The European Councilcalls on the Member States to take initiatives at national level, including through their nationalreform programmes, in order to reduce administrative burdens on enterprises. It invites theCommission to report on the progress made at national and Community levels by early 2007.The Spring European Council should draw conclusions on further steps to be taken.Priority should be given to reducing unnecessary administrative burdens, which pose asignificant barrier to a more innovative and knowledge-intensive economy and areparticularly detrimental to SMEs. In this context and as a first step, the European Councillooks forward to ambitious, measurable reduction targets in selected areas to be set byearly 2007, in time for the Spring European Council.
33.
The European Council welcomes:
the further embedding of the use of globalintegrated impact assessmentsin decision-making in the work of all institutions as a crucial element in the policy-making process;
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the implementation of the Commission'sprogramme to simplify existing legislation.It looks forward to receiving a Commission report on implementation in the second halfof 2006 and requests that relevant Council formations give priority to specificsimplification proposals. It also stresses the importance of extending the simplificationprogramme to all relevant branches of the European economy;
the successful conclusion of the Commission's 2005screening exerciseand invites theCommission to continue to screen pending proposals.
III. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
(a)
p.m. Constitutional process
(b)
Enlargement
34.
The European Council takes note of the initial discussions on enlargement held at theinformal Foreign Ministers meeting in Salzburg on 11 March and in Klosterneuburg on27 / 28 May 2006. It agreed to continue and deepen this general discussion during the secondhalf of 2006.
35.
Enlargement has proved a historic opportunity contributing to ensure peace, security, stability,democracy, the rule of law as well as growth and prosperity in the European Union as awhole. Enlargement is equally helping the EU to become a more competitive and dynamiceconomy and be better prepared to meet the challenges of a globalised and changing world.The European Council welcomes in this context the Commission’s report on the economicsuccess of the Union’s historic fifth enlargement, which will be completed with the accessionof Bulgaria and Romania.
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Bulgaria and Romania
36.
It is the Union’s common objective to welcome Bulgaria and Romania in January 2007 asmembers of the Union if they are ready. On the basis of the Commission’s Monitoring Reportof May 2006 the European Council confirms this position. While commending both countriesfor the reform efforts undertaken lately, the European Council calls on Bulgaria and Romaniato rigorously step up their efforts to tackle decisively and without delay the remaining issuesof concern as mentioned in the commission’s May 2006 report. The European Councilremains convinced that, with the necessary political will, both countries can overcome thedeficits stated to reach the envisaged date of accession on 1 January 2007. It thereforewelcomes the intention of the Commission to present its next monitoring reports by earlyOctober at the latest. It encourages Member States to complete the ratification of theAccession Treaty on time.
General questions of future enlargement
37.
With regard to enlargement the European Council emphasized that every effort should bemade to protect the cohesion and the effectiveness of the Union. It will be important to ensurein future that the Union is able to function politically, financially and institutionally as itenlarges, and to further deepen Europe’s common project. Therefore the European Councilwill, at its meeting in December 2006, have a debate on all aspects of further enlargements,including the Union’s capacity to absorb new members and further ways of improving thequality of the enlargement process. It recalls in this connection that the pace of enlargementmust take the Union’s absorption capacity into account. The Commission is invited to providea special report covering all relevant aspects pertaining to the criterion of the Union’sabsorption capacity, at the same time as it presents its annual progress reports on enlargementand the pre-accession process. This analysis should also cover the issue of present and futureperception of enlargement by public opinion within the Union and should take into accountthe need to explain the enlargement process adequately to the public within the Union.
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Turkey
38.
The European Council reviewed progress made in the acquis screening and welcomes the startof substantive accession negotiations with Turkey. Turkey is expected to share the values,objectives and the legal order set out in the treaties. The Union is committed to supportTurkey in its efforts to comply with the Unions standards and membership obligations,including the Copenhagen criteria. The European Council recalls, in line with previousconclusions, that the current negotiations are based on each country’s own merits and thattheir pace will depend on each country’s progress in preparing for accession measured againstthe requirements set out in the Negotiating Framework. This includes the fulfilment ofTurkey’s obligations under the Association Agreement and under its Additional Protocol, fullimplementation of which will be evaluated in 2006 as agreed in the Declaration of theEuropean Union and its Member States of 21 September 2005, as well as the implementationof the revised Accession Partnership. The European Council calls on Turkey to intensify thereform process and to implement it fully and effectively, so as to ensure its irreversibility andsustainability as well as to progress towards the complete fulfilment of the Copenhagenpolitical criteria.
Croatia
39.
The European Council reviewed progress made in the acquis screening and welcomes the startof substantive accession negotiations with Croatia. Croatia is expected to share the values,objectives and the legal order set out in the treaties. The Union is committed to supportCroatia in its efforts to comply with the Union’s standards and membership obligations,including the Copenhagen criteria. The European Council recalls, in line with previousconclusions, that the current negotiations are based on each country’s own merits and thattheir pace will depend on each country’s progress in preparing for accession measured againstthe requirements set out in the Negotiating Framework. This includes the fulfilment ofobligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement as well as the implementationof the Accession Partnership. The European Council encourages Croatia to continue itsreform efforts and to achieve sustainable progress towards the fulfilment of EU standards.
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(c)
Western Balkans
40.
The European Council reconfirmed the European perspective of the Western Balkans as setout in the Stabilisation and Association Process, the Thessaloniki Agenda and the SalzburgDeclaration of March 2006. In this respect, the European Council confirmed that the future ofthe Western Balkans lies in the European Union. Each country’s progress towards theEuropean Union will continue to depend on individual merits in meeting the conditions andrequirements set forth in the Copenhagen criteria and in the Stabilisation and AssociationProcess, including full cooperation with the ICTY. All Western Balkan countries have in thelast year made significant steps along their road towards the EU, with EU membership asultimate goal in conformity with the Thessaloniki Agenda. The Council welcomed the initialprogress made in the implementation of the Commission’s Communication “The WesternBalkans on the Road to the EU: consolidation stability and raising prosperity”. The EuropeanUnion will continue assisting the Western Balkan countries through practical measures tomake the European perspective more tangible and is looking forward to concrete results in thenear future notably in areas such as regional free trade and visa facilitation in line with thecommon approach. The Council requests the Commission and the European Investment Bankto put forward proposals for a joint EU budget - EIB Group finance facility for the WesternBalkans.
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EXTERNAL RELATIONS
41.
The European Council reiterates the importance it attaches to theEuropean NeighbourhoodPolicyas a means to strengthen cooperation with its neighbours and expand prosperity,stability and security beyond the borders of the European Union. The EuropeanNeighbourhood Policy seeks to support the political and economic reforms of neighbouringcountries on the basis of partnership and building on shared values. The Union is determinedto strengthen and further develop its Neighbourhood Policy, thus offering an increasinglyclose relationship and substantial support, as neighbouring countries fulfil their commitmentsto reform.
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42.
The European Council attaches great importance to a fruitful co-operation between theEuropean Union and theCouncil of Europeand encourages them to overcome the remainingdifficulties in the ongoing negotiations on a memorandum of understanding. It expresses itsappreciation to Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker for his report on the future relationsbetween the Council of Europe and the European Union, which deserves furtherconsideration.
43.
The European Council adopted declarations on theWestern Balkans(Annex II),Iran(Annex III),Iraq(Annex IV), theMiddle East Peace Process(Annex V),Africa(Annex VI) andLebanon(Annex VII).
44.
The European Council endorses the Presidency report onESDP(doc. XXX), whichcomprises the mandate for the incoming Presidency.
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ANNEX I
AN OVERALL POLICY ON TRANSPARENCY
With a view to further increase openness, transparency and accountability, the European Councilagrees on the following measures aiming at a stronger involvement of citizens in the work of theUnion:
All Council deliberations on legislative acts to be adopted by co-decision shall be open to thepublic as shall the votes and the explanation of votes by Council Members. The Council orCoreper may decide in individual cases that a given deliberation should not be open to thepublic.
The Council's first deliberations on legislative acts other than those adopted by co-decision,which given their importance are presented orally by the Commission in a Council session,shall be open to the public. The Presidency may decide in individual cases that the Council'ssubsequent deliberations on a particular act shall be open to the public, unless the Council orCoreper decide otherwise.
The Council shall regularly hold public debates on important issues affecting the interests ofthe Union and its citizens. Such debates will be held further to a decision by the Council orCoreper, acting by qualified majority. Implementation of this commitment shall start duringthe incoming Presidency, which would submit proposals for such public debates taking intoaccount the importance of the matter and its interest to citizens.
The General Affairs and External Relations Council's deliberations on the 18 monthprogramme shall be public, as shall other Council formations' deliberations on their priorities.The Commission's presentation of its five year programme, of its annual work programme andof its annual policy strategy, as well as the ensuing debate, shall be public.
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All public deliberations shall be broadcasted in all languages through video-streaming andthere shall be an obligation for a recorded version to remain available for at least a month onthe Council's internet site.
The incoming Presidency is invited, together with the General Secretariat of the Council, todevelop new means of giving more publicity to public deliberations, in particular through theCouncil's web site and mailing list, an easily accessible and constantly updated list offorthcoming debates, appropriate background material, as well as direct communication totarget audiences. They will work closely together to provide the media and citizens with anopen, rapid and technically advanced communication service.
The General Secretariat of the Council shall inform the public in advance of the dates andapproximate time on which public debates will take place and shall take all practical measuresto ensure proper implementation of the rules of transparency.
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ANNEX II
Draft Declaration on the Western Balkans
The European Council reaffirmed its full support for the agenda set out at the Thessaloniki Summitin 2003 and for the Stabilisation and Association Process.
A peaceful and prosperous Serbia fully integrated into the family of European nations is veryimportant for the stability in the region. The European Council, therefore, recalls that the EuropeanUnion is willing to resume negotiations with Serbia on a Stabilization and Association Agreementas soon as full cooperation of Serbia with the ICTY is achieved.
The Union maintains its support to the ongoing talks about the future status of Kosovo led by UNEnvoy Martti Ahtisaari. It calls on all parties to engage constructively in the status process andrecalls the crucial importance of moving forward on the implementation of standards in Kosovo. Inclose consultation with key international actors, the European Union stands ready to enhance itsrole in Kosovo following a status determination, in particular in the areas of police, rule of law andthe economy.
The European Union and its Member States have already agreed to develop their relations withMontenegro as a sovereign, independent State. The European Council calls on both Serbia andMontenegro to pursue a direct and constructive dialogue on their future relations.
The European Union will continue to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in ensuring stability andprogress on key reforms. It urges the Bosnian authorities to ensure real and tangible progress in theimplementation of police reform in order to maintain momentum in the Stabilisation andAssociation Process. The European Council underlines the importance of proceeding withconstitutional reform.
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The European Council calls on all parties in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to ensurethat the parliamentary elections on 5 July are conducted in line with international standards.
The European Council welcomes the signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement withAlbania and calls on Albania to push ahead with its reform agenda.
The European Council strongly encourages regional cooperation including through the South EastEuropean Cooperation Process (SEECP). It welcomes the initiative for a regional free-trade arealaunched in Bucharest on 6 April, as well as the signing of the agreement on a European CommonAviation Area with the countries of the region on 9 June, and progress made in the ratificationprocess of the Energy Community Treaty for South-East Europe.
The European Union will continue to back its policies for the Western Balkans with commensuratefinancial assistance, particularly through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance to beintroduced next year.
The European Council is conscious that the question of visa facilitation is particularly important forthe people of the countries of the region. The European Union therefore hopes to adopt negotiationmandates for visa facilitation and readmission agreements in the course of this year, in line with thecommon approach to the development of the EU policy on visa facilitation agreed in December2005, so that negotiations can be concluded as soon as possible, ideally in 2007.
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ANNEX III
Draft Declaration on Iran
The European Council underlines the importance of the understandings reached among the EUHigh Representative, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and China,the Russian Federation and the United States in Vienna on 1 June 2006. These understandings offerthe chance for a negotiated agreement with Iran based on a cooperative approach. The EuropeanCouncil gives its full support to the balanced approach incorporated in the Vienna understandings.
The European Council welcomes the contact between the EU High Representative supported byrepresentatives of France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom and Iranian authorities inTehran on 6 June, and the constructive atmosphere in which this took place. The European Councilurges Iran to respond positively to this far-reaching initiative.
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ANNEX IV
Draft Declaration on Iraq
The European Council welcomes the formation of the new Iraqi national unity government on 20May, now completed with the appointment of Ministers of Defence, Interior and National Security.This is a major and important step continuing the transformation of Iraq into a democratic country.The European Union reiterates its strong condemnation of terrorist acts and deplores the continuingcampaign of violence against the Iraqi people and their constitutionally elected government. It callson all Iraqi citizens to avoid sectarian strife and refrain from using violence, prolonging thesuffering of the Iraqi people. The European Union stands ready to renew its engagement with thenew Iraqi government and Iraqi citizens in their efforts to bring peace, stability and prosperity to anindependent and sovereign Iraq.
The European Council welcomes the new government's programme for its commitment toupholding the rule of law, promoting national unity and reconciliation, protecting and developingIraq's resources and using them for the benefit of all the Iraqi people.
The European Union looks forward to rapid and early political dialogue with the new government.
The European Council welcomes the Commission Communication and the joint letter from SG/HRSolana and Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner. The European Council looks forward to pursuingenhanced engagement with the new government at all relevant levels. For example, it is the EU'sintention to support Iraq in the following areas:
Endorse a model of democratic government that overcomes divisions, e.g. through support tonational reconciliation and the constitutional review process in close cooperation with the UN.In this context, the European Council welcomed the United Nations Multi-Party Dialogue onthe Iraqi bill of rights in Vienna from 6 to 8 June.
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Contribute towards the rule of law and a culture of respect for human rights, e.g. throughCommunity assistance in these areas. In this context, the European Council notes theagreement to extend the Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq, EUJUST LEX, for another18 months after the expiration of the current mandate in response to Iraqi needs and requests.
Support national and regional authorities in improving the delivery of basic services and inpromoting job creation.
Support Iraq’s economic recovery and prosperity, e.g. by launching the negotiations of aTrade and Cooperation Agreement and by commencing a technical dialogue on energy.
Promote the development of an effective and transparent administrative framework.
Stepping up its presence in Iraq through the imminent appointment of the Head of theEuropean Commission Delegation in Iraq.
The European Council encourages enhanced international engagement and underlines the EU'swillingness to continue supporting the UN's role in Iraq.
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ANNEX V
Draft Declaration on the Middle East Peace Process
The European Union remains committed to working within the Quartet towards the goal of a just,viable and lasting solution based on existing agreements, the relevant UNSC resolutions and theprinciples laid down in the Roadmap.
In view of the urgent need to re-launch the process towards a negotiated two-state solution whichwould bring peace to both the Israeli and the Palestinian people, the European Council calls for anearly engagement between the Israeli Prime Minister and the President of the Palestinian Authority,who was elected on a platform of peace. It reiterates its expectations from both parties to respectexisting agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.
As set out by the Quartet, the Hamas-led Palestinian Government needs to meet and implement thethree principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel’s right to exist and acceptance of existingagreements and obligations.
The European Council remains concerned by the security situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Itcalls on all parties to exercise restraint and calls on the Palestinian Authority to take action toimprove security and prevent terrorist attacks on Israel.
The European Council welcomes the efforts by the main Palestinian political forces to engage in anational dialogue aimed primarily at putting an end to inter-Palestinian confrontation andestablishing law and order. It calls on the Palestinian government to cooperate with the President ofthe Palestinian Authority to achieve this, including through the disarmament of groups engaged inviolence and terror.
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The European Council calls on Israel to desist from any action that threatens the viability of anagreed two-state solution and from acts that are contrary to international law. Of particular concernare settlement activities, the construction of the barrier on Palestinian land and activities in andaround East Jerusalem as well as in the Jordan Valley. The European Union will not recognize anychange to the pre-1967 borders other than those agreed to by both sides.
The European Council urges Israel to resume transfers of withheld Palestinian tax and customsrevenues which are essential in averting a crisis in the Palestinian territories.
The European Council stresses the need for a coordinated international response to the deteriorationof the humanitarian, economic and financial situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The European Council endorses the proposal for a temporary international mechanism to channelassistance directly to the Palestinian people, which has been drawn up by the Commissionfollowing consultations within the EU as well as with Quartet members, major donors,international financial institutions and partners in the region. The European Council appreciatesthe Commission’s work so far and requests it to continue urgently establishing the mechanism, inconjunction with key international partners and the PA President’s Office.
The European Council agrees that, in order to achieve an immediate impact, the mechanism willfocus on essential supplies and running costs for social services and health, supply of utilitiesincluding fuel, and social allowances. Other donors, including Arab states, are invited to providefunding and to consider early and substantial contributions. The Community stands ready tocontribute a substantial amount to the international mechanism.1
It furthermore underlines the importance of freedom of movement and urges both parties to takeconcrete steps to implement their obligations under the Agreement on Movement and Access, inorder to alleviate the worsening situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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The European Council reiterates the importance of preserving and pursuing the democraticfunctioning of the institutions of the Palestinian Authority whose continuity is crucial for a futureindependent, democratic and viable Palestinian state based on the rule of law.
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ANNEX VI
Draft Declaration on Africa
The European Union remains committed to contribute to the African efforts to achieve theMillennium Development Goals, with a view to making the African continent stable andprosperous, laying emphasis on the principles of partnership, responsibility and ownership, goodgovernance, rule of law and respect for human rights. In this context, it reiterates the importance ofenhanced EU-Africa Political Dialogue, including holding a second EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon assoon as possible. The EU is implementing the Africa Strategy adopted in December 2005 as thecomprehensive framework of its activities, and will continue its efforts to transform the EU Strategyfor Africa into a Joint Strategy. The strategy puts particular emphasis on the EU's engagement forpeace and security in Africa, as a basis for lasting development, as well as regional and economicintegration and development assistance provided to the African partner countries. In this context,the EU welcomes the decision taken by the EU and the ACP partners at the Joint Council ofMinisters on 2 June regarding the Financial Protocol for 10thEDF (European Development Fund,covering 2008-2013) and has decided on a short-term replenishment of the funds available underthe African Peace Facility and to continue this instrument in the period 2008 to 2010. The EUreiterates furthermore its support to the Economic Partnership Agreements as instruments fordevelopment, aiming at enhanced regional economic integration and contributing to reducingpoverty in the ACP countries. In addition, the EU stresses the importance of current and futureinitiatives to put in place an EU-Africa partnership on migration and development. The EU alsorecalls the importance of the conclusion of ambitious action plans, in the framework of theEuropean Neighbourhood Policy, with its Mediterranean partners.
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In Sudan, the EU will work for the full and rapid implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement(DPA) as a precondition for lasting peace and security in Darfur and an end to the suffering ofmillions of people in Darfur. The EU continues to be deeply concerned by the situation of humanrights in Darfur and calls upon the government in Khartoum to end impunity by bringing theperpetrators to justice for crimes committed in Darfur and to stop the violence against internallydisplaced persons, especially sexual violence against women and girls. Together with otherpartners in the international community, the EU will continue to provide support to the AfricanUnion Mission in Sudan (AMIS), taking into account the new tasks arising from the DPA, and theneed to ensure a smooth transition to a UN led operation in Darfur.
The EU calls upon all political forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to continuepursuing their path of peaceful and democratic change in the run-up of the elections, starting onJuly 30. Building on the EU's longstanding engagement in the DRC, the EU will deploy themilitary operation EUFOR RD Congo, in response to a request from the United Nations, designedto provide support to MONUC in certain situations. For the same purpose, the EU’s police missionin Kinshasa (EUPOL Kinshasa) will be reinforced. The EU will continue to support the ongoingSecurity Sector Reform through its mission EUSEC RDC, as well as new initiatives to ensure goodgovernance, transparency and a sound post-transition and reconstruction strategy. The ongoingprocess of securing regional stability through the early holding of the second Summit of the GreatLakes Conference has the full support of the EU.
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ANNEX VII
Draft Declaration on Lebanon
The European Council reaffirms the importance it attaches to the sovereignty, territorial integrity,unity and independence of Lebanon and reiterates its call for Security Council Resolution 1559 tobe implemented in full. It welcomes the adoption of Resolution 1680 and calls for its fullimplementation, particularly as regards the delineation of the Syrian-Lebanese border. In thiscontext, it calls upon Syria to grasp the hand offered by the Lebanese government following theagreements emerging from the Lebanese national dialogue. It is pleased that this national dialoguehas been opened and encourages the parties to continue it.The European Council reaffirms its full support for the work of the International IndependentInvestigation Commission into the assassination of Rafik Hariri and his escort, and for the action ofits head, Mr Serge Brammertz. It welcomes the Investigation Commission's fourth interim report,takes note of its conclusions and renews its call for all parties to cooperate fully with theCommission.The European Council welcomes the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1664 and expressesthe hope that negotiations will progress rapidly with a view to the actual setting up of theinternational tribunal provided for in that Resolution.The European Council strongly condemns the serious incidents which took place on the Blue Linearound 28 May, appeals to all parties to exercise restraint and reminds them of their obligation tostrictly respect the Blue Line, including the respective airspaces. The European Council stressesonce again the need for the Lebanese State to restore its sovereignty over the whole of its nationalterritory and to exercise the sole right to the use of force on that territory.The European Council reaffirms its support for the Lebanese government and urges it to undertakethe economic and political reforms agreed, so that the international conference to support Lebanoncan be held as soon as possible. The implementation of the action plan concluded in the frameworkof the European Neighbourhood Policy will assist the reform process in the country.
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