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Europaudvalget 2006-07
EUU Alm.del Bilag 94
Offentligt

„Europe – succeeding together“

Presidency Programme

1 January to 30 June 2007

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

I. A functioning Community – further developing the EU

II. Shaping Europe's economic, social and environmental future

1. Shaping Europe's economic future

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Completing the Internal Market and strengthening the competitiveness of

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Growth and stability-oriented financial and economic policy

European enterprises

PAGE

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Better regulation

supply

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Guaranteeing a secure, environmentally sound and competitive energy

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Promoting environmental technologies

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Promoting research and development

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Modern European transport policy

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Integrated maritime policy

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Strengthening European cooperation in education

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Modern cultural policy and media policy

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Efficient, citizen-oriented administration

2. Safeguarding employment and shaping Europe's social future

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Further developing the European Social Model

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Opportunities and challenges of demographic change

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Strengthening cities, regions and rural areas

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Innovative and preventive health policy

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Promoting equal opportunities and participation in the labour market

3. Safeguarding Europe's natural environment

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Promoting environmental and climate protection

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Modern, competitive and sustainable agricultural and fisheries policy

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III. An area of freedom, security and justice

1. Strengthening security, controlling migration and promoting integration

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Close police cooperation and a united front in the fight against terrorism

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Coherent asylum and migration policy

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Integration and intercultural dialogue

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More effective protection of external borders

2. Strengthening freedom and justice

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Strengthening civil rights

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More legal certainty for citizens and business

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Active consumer protection policy

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Strengthening the justice system and practical cooperation

IV. Shaping common foreign and security policy, external economic policy and

development policy

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Enlarging the EU and expanding the European area of security and

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Multilateral engagement, active crisis management and non-proliferation

stability

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Strengthening the CFSP and the ESDP

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Promoting sustainable development

Appendix: Conference calendar

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Strengthening trade and Europe’s international competitiveness

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Strategic partnerships and an active external economic policy

The programme for the German EU Presidency is based on the 18-month programme

drawn up by the three Presidencies Germany, Portugal and Slovenia. It builds on the

work of the Finnish Presidency and takes account of the Commission’s strategic work

programme for 2007.

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Introduction

Germany will assume the EU Presidency as Europe is preparing to celebrate the 50

anniversary

of the creation of the EEC. A review of the past 50 years reveals an unprecedented success story.

With the accession of Bulgaria and Romania on 1 January 2007, the European Economic

Community, established on 25 March 1957, will become a Union of 27 Member States, which,

following the painful experiences of two World Wars and the ensuing division, now unites the

European continent in peace and guarantees a level of prosperity and stability previously

unknown in the history of this continent. With the Internal Market, a common currency and a

common area of freedom, security and justice, the Member States have created a unique

integration area. In its external relations the Union has emerged as a global trading power and an

influential factor in international politics. European integration is the foundation of our common

future, and its dynamic development must continue.

To commemorate the 50

anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, the EU Heads of State and

Government, as well as the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament,

will gather for a ceremony in Berlin. They will issue a joint declaration calling to mind Europe’s

values and ambitions, and confirm their shared commitment to resolving the tasks ahead.

The advance of globalization, while offering a wealth of opportunities, nonetheless raises

questions concerning the viability and competitiveness of the European economic and social

model. In numerous fields, including global trade, environmental protection and internal and

external security, the individual Member States will be unable to defend their own interests

adequately in tomorrow’s world.

Europe therefore has to prove that it is capable of shaping both its internal and its external policy

in accordance with its values in a globalized world. The European Union intends to incorporate

its vision of a sustainable, efficient and just economic and social order into the process of shaping

globalization and thus preserve the European way of life. Today more than ever before, Europe

can only be strong enough to hold its own on the international stage if it presents a united front.

Only together can Europe succeed.

During its Presidency Germany intends to do its part to ensure that the European Union can

successfully rise to the internal and external challenges it faces. Its priorities will include

continuation of the constitutional process, the viability of the European economic and social

model, the area of freedom, security and justice and expansion of the European area of security

and stability. The European Council meetings (summits) will focus on shaping Europe’s

economic and social future (8 and 9 March) and on the future of the Treaty Establishing a

Constitution for Europe (21 and 22 June).

The draft of a European Constitutional Treaty provides for the internal reforms needed to ensure

the viability of the enlarged European Union. The German Presidency will hold in-depth

consultations with all EU partners and institutions and make a concerted effort to drive forward

the EU reform process in line with the decisions taken at European level.

Europe will only be able to make the most of its influence if it is economically strong and

dynamic. Germany advocates an economic order which is competitive while also upholding

social and environmental responsibility. The German Presidency will appeal for the adoption of a

balanced package of measures to promote competitiveness, growth and employment as well as

social cohesion and a clean environment.

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The Presidency will work to establish a viable Internal Market whose integrating power will have

a positive impact on development throughout Europe. It will give further momentum to the

process of achieving better regulation with the aim of boosting the competitiveness of European

enterprises. It will also highlight the social dimension of European policy and strengthen the role

of research, innovation and knowledge as catalysts for growth and employment.

Climate protection must be intensified worldwide to prevent economic, social and environmental

upheavals. The EU must play a pioneering role at global level in combating climate change. The

German Presidency will therefore press for a common EU position on international climate

protection after 2012. The development of a negotiation package with proposals for emission

reduction goals and ways to involve further major greenhouse gas emitters is particularly

important in this context. This will enable the Union to convince other states of the necessity of

cutting climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions.

A secure, economically viable and environmentally friendly energy supply is a crucial factor for

Europe’s future development. Completing the Internal Market for electricity and gas, boosting

energy efficiency, expanding renewable energies, encouraging closer cooperation with producer,

transit and consumer countries and formulating a development-oriented energy policy will be key

priorities of the German Presidency. The Presidency hopes that an ambitious Energy Action Plan

can be adopted at the European Council meeting in March 2007.

The German Presidency wants to make substantial progress in fighting international terrorism

and cross-border crime, while preserving civil liberties.

In the field of external relations the primary goal is to extend the European area of security and

stability. As well as stabilizing the Western Balkans and drawing the region closer to the EU, the

Presidency will focus on strengthening and developing the European Neighbourhood Policy and

extending relations with Russia and Central Asia. It will also intensify cooperation with the

countries in the Middle East.

A functioning Community – further developing the EU

The draft of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe envisages significant progress

towards a value-oriented and socially just Europe, more civil rights, increased cooperation in the

areas of justice and home affairs, clearer division of responsibilities between the Union and the

Member States, greater national parliament participation and a stronger foreign and security

policy. It makes the European Union more democratic, efficient and transparent and gives it more

scope to act.

In view of the fact that the ratification process for the Constitutional Treaty has faltered, at the

European Council meeting on 15 and 16 June 2006 the German Presidency was given the task of

holding in-depth consultations with the EU Member States in the first half of 2007 and then to

submit a report to the Council. The report should explore possible future developments and serve

as a basis for decisions on how to continue the EU reform process.

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II.

Shaping Europe’s economic, social and environmental future

To preserve growth and employment in Europe in the long term, and in view of advancing

globalization, Europe must regain its economic momentum. To safeguard our economic future

and the foundation of our social systems we must mobilize existing resources, systematically

boost growth and employment and promote a pro-innovation "Europe of knowledge" by stepping

up investment in education and research.

The European Union Member States are rising to this challenge with the Lisbon Strategy for

growth and jobs. Here it is important to find the right balance between measures to boost

competitiveness, growth and employment, and measures to promote social cohesion and a clean

environment. The onus is on the Member States to show determination in implementing the

national reform programmes elaborated on the basis of the Lisbon Strategy. The EU must take

the steps needed to create a genuine European added value.

1. Shaping Europe’s economic future

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Completing the Internal Market and strengthening the competitiveness of European

enterprises

Europe is the largest internal market in the world in terms of economic strength. The potential

of this market must be exploited to boost growth and create new jobs. To this end the German

Presidency will pursue the following agenda:

The first priority will be to take steps to strengthen Europe on the global stage within the

framework of the new Internal Market Strategy, in consultation with the Commission. This

requires us to foster innovative potential and push forward market opening in growth

industries. Specifically, the Presidency aims to move closer to fully liberalizing the European

market for postal services and revising the legal framework for telecommunications, as well as

to establish an efficient and competitive information society (i2010). Germany will push for

the adoption of the Roaming Regulation to reduce the cost of mobile phone use abroad for

calls throughout Europe. The Presidency will also work to achieve a strong and efficient legal

protection system for the awarding of public contracts to advance the development of norms

and standards for products and services as well as to facilitate the free movement of goods

through the principle of mutual recognition. It intends to drive forward the harmonization of

company law and the implementation of the Action Plan on Financial Services by increasing

convergence in supervisory practices, among other things. Work on a modernized Customs

Code and on the E-Customs initiative to create a standardized electronic environment for EU

customs administrations and trade is to continue. At the same time, the Presidency will strive

to improve the European patent system, particularly by making progress with the uniform

patent dispute resolution system called for by the European business community.

Second, framework conditions are to be improved to strengthen the competitiveness of the

industrial sector, the service industry and especially small and medium-sized enterprises. On

the basis of the Commission’s work programme on industrial policy the German Presidency

will drive forward the implementation of horizontal and sectoral initiatives in the Council

bodies and other fora. One focal area is the automobile industry, on which the Commission

has issued a Communication taking account of the High-Level Group’s sector-specific

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recommendations (CARS 21).

In addition, the German Presidency will work with the Commission to formulate precise

recommendations for action and initiatives to improve the competitiveness of other sectors

such as the textile and clothing, engineering, ceramics and biotechnology industries. The

interaction between competitiveness, energy and environmental policy is also to be examined

in this connection. To this end the Commission has launched a High-Level Group on

Competitiveness, Energy and the Environment.

Implementation of the 7

Framework Programme for Research and the new Competitiveness

and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) will ensure from the outset that small and

medium-sized enterprises reap tangible benefit from the support measures. The German

Presidency intends to promote innovation within small and medium-sized enterprises by

further developing the new financing tools and stimulating public demand for innovative

products and services. It will devote particular attention to the challenges facing craft-based

trades. Germany will hold a ministerial conference to underline the significance of tourism as

a growth industry.

Third, the Presidency will continue the discussion on the external dimension of the Union’s

competitiveness on the basis of the Commission Communication and drive forward the

implementation of individual measures in key areas. Most of these are initiatives in the field of

multilateral and bilateral trade relations, as well as measures to strengthen trade protection

instruments, safeguard Europe’s raw material supply sources and improve coordination of

internal and external EU policies (c.f. also Chapter IV).

Last but not least, Germany believes that a single tax base for company taxation would go a

long way towards improving the competitive conditions for European enterprises. This project

is to gain further ground during the German Presidency so that the Commission can submit its

legislative proposal in 2008, as envisaged.

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Growth and stability-oriented financial and economic policy

The enlarged EU needs streamlined and targeted coordination processes for financial and

economic policy. They must be transparent and comprehensible to the public and help raise

awareness of the need for ongoing economic policy reform. The German Presidency intends

to work to achieve effective coordination of financial and economic policy in line with the

planned revision of economic policy principles. Country-specific recommendations must be

designed with the aim of ensuring dynamic and stable economic development and sustainable

public finances in all Member States as well as a high level of coherency in the economic and

monetary union.

Slovenia will be the next Member State to introduce the euro, at the beginning of 2007. The

German Presidency will support other Member States in their preparations for the

introduction of the euro, which requires a high degree of sustainable convergence. It will

ensure that thorough, rapid convergence examinations are conducted on the basis of the

criteria set down in the EC Treaty.

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The quality of public finances is becoming increasingly significant in view of the challenges

of demographic development and globalization. The German Presidency will intensify the

exchange of information and experiences to improve the structure and viability of public

budgets. Discussions will focus on the importance of institutional framework conditions for

the quality of public finances and the improvement of effectiveness and efficiency in the

utilization of public funds.

Success in tackling tax fraud is a key factor in ensuring the sustainability of public budgets.

Securing a fair levying of VAT and guaranteeing a steady source of tax revenue will therefore

be important issues for the German Presidency.

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Better regulation

Better regulation is a key element in improving the framework conditions for European

enterprises and reducing unnecessary administrative burdens. The German Presidency will

therefore actively support the Commission’s work in this area.

In cooperation with the Portuguese and Slovenian Presidencies, Germany will continue the

Better Regulation in Europe initiative run by the previous Presidencies since 2004. A central

issue will be reducing the administrative burden imposed by existing legislation. Germany

wants to see the introduction of concrete reduction targets such as are already in place in the

Netherlands, Denmark and the United Kingdom. To this end a standardized procedure to

measure administrative burdens is to be applied at EU level. The Presidency will drive

forward the process of simplifying current legislation as a priority task of all EU institutions,

paying particular attention to reducing existing administrative costs. Finally, comprehensive

impact assessments for all new projects will be a key element of the German action plan.

These should prevent unnecessary burdens on companies and take account of social impact

and environmental protection in the regulation process.

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Guaranteeing a secure, environmentally sound and competitive energy supply

A secure, environmentally friendly and competitive energy supply is crucial if Europe is to

experience positive economic development. Yet guaranteeing such a supply is becoming

increasingly difficult due to the finite nature of fossil fuels, combined with growing

international demand, persistently high oil and gas prices, mounting instability in certain

regions of the world and the effects of climate change. In view of these challenges, adoption

of the European action plan on energy policy will be a priority of the European Council in

spring 2007.

Completion of the Internal Market for gas and electricity by 1 July 2007 is an important goal

of European energy policy. The German Presidency will work to obtain the complete opening

of the markets for electricity and natural gas on the basis of blanket application of European

legal provisions in all EU Member States. Given the high electricity and gas prices, it is vital

that competition in Europe increases. In early 2007 the European Commission’s report on

implementation of the Second Internal Market Package and its final report on the sector

inquiry will reveal where problems still exist, where the Member States need to do their

homework, and where additional guidelines might be necessary.

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In achieving our trio of goals, namely security of supply, efficiency and environmental

compatibility, we must reduce the need for energy imports by boosting energy efficiency,

saving energy and making greater use of renewable energies (also in the field of

heating/cooling), for example, by increasingly tapping the potential offered by biomass and

biofuels. All EU Member States are called to meet the goals set by 2010. Germany will

promote the development of clear medium and long-term goals for renewable energies.

Efforts to improve energy efficiency will focus on the building sector as a major energy

consumer, as well as on the product sector. The German Presidency will also be involved in

the groundwork for a long-term and coherent EU fuel strategy and push ahead with proposals

on innovative drives. A priority in this context is to safeguard Europe’s technological

leadership in this field. The 7

Research Framework Programme is designed to promote

research and innovation in the energy sector.

Outside its borders the EU must put the energy policy partnership with key producer, transit

and consumer countries on a solid and reliable footing by conducting intensive dialogue as

part of a cooperative approach and involving the Member States more closely. Extending the

energy dialogue with Russia and the United States in particular will play a key role. Energy

issues will also receive greater priority within the European Neighbourhood Policy. In

addition, the German Presidency will put special emphasis on formulating a development-

oriented EU energy policy and devote particular attention to the issues of renewable energies

and energy efficiency in cooperation with newly industrialized and developing countries. The

EU will also push these issues at the 15

session of the UN Commission on Sustainable

Development in May 2007.

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Promoting environmental technologies

The development of resource-saving and energy-efficient technologies bolsters

competitiveness. Environmental technologies are an important catalyst for innovation and

employment. The German Presidency plans to launch an initiative in this area, the subject of

which will form the main focus of an environment ministers’ meeting.

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Promoting research and development

Considerable investment in education, research and development is vital for prosperity and

economic growth. In view of this, the EU has decided that by 2010, a minimum of 3% of

GNP should be channelled into research and development.

The German Presidency intends to follow in the footsteps of the Finnish Presidency and

likewise prioritize the promotion of innovations in the private and public sectors, taking into

account the entire spectrum of the value-added chain, from promoting basic research to

developing new products and services. The launch of the 7

Research Framework

Programme and the European Research Council (ERC) in early 2007 will ensure that this

starts on the right note.

In addition to the EU Research Framework Programme, other EU financing instruments must

be used to boost investment in research and development. For example, Structural Fund

resources are also to be used to integrate the new Member States more firmly into the

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European Research Area to exploit this tool’s potential to complement the EU Research

Framework Programme, which is dedicated to the principle of excellence. The German

Presidency will support the Commission in drafting guidelines to give the new Member States

practical assistance with issues related to financing research infrastructures by combining

Structural Fund resources with funds from the 7

Research Framework Programme. The aim

is to establish greater transparency and make application of the complicated regulations

simpler and more effective.

Technological and applied research must be strengthened if Europe is to become more

innovative. This requires us to combine the existing potential in universities, other research

institutions and enterprises more effectively.

Improvement in the use of research findings and prevention of an unchecked drain on know-

how are both becoming increasingly crucial issues in the face of global competition. The

German Presidency plans to launch an initiative for a charter on the handling of intellectual

property at public research institutions and universities and thus help improve cooperation

between these institutions and the business sector.

At the joint EU-ESA Space Council meeting scheduled during the German Presidency, the

keystone for a European Space Programme is to be laid, taking account of the shift in the

space industry towards a more user-oriented approach and setting goals and priorities based

on EU and ESA space activities.

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Strengthening European cooperation in education

In the sphere of education Europe can be proud of its centuries-old tradition of top-level

achievement. Nonetheless, in view of outstanding performance levels in other regions of the

world such as North America and Asia, Europeans must focus more strongly on networking

and pooling their skills. Education is crucial to social cohesion in Europe and a central

catalyst for European integration. The creation of a Europe of knowledge remains our

common goal.

The German Presidency will strive for the systematic implementation of the Education and

Training 2010 Work Programme established by the education ministers. Germany intends to

introduce a European Qualifications Framework to facilitate comparison of vocational skills and

thus increase mobility within Europe. Work on adult education and on a system of indicators

for the education sector and education research is also to be driven forward. Germany will

join forces with the Commission to organize the Launch Conference for the Programme for

Lifelong Learning.

In the context of the Bologna process a ministerial conference will perform a critical appraisal

of the recognition of final qualifications, course structures and quality assurance and decide

what the next steps should be. Germany will transform the decisions on vocational training

taken during the Finnish Presidency in the course of the Bruges-Copenhagen process into

concrete measures.

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�½

Modern European transport policy

An efficient, sustainable and secure transport system is needed to improve competitiveness

and boost growth. The field of logistics, a central component in intelligent control of modern

transport processes, has particular strategic significance for Europe’s ability to compete in the

international arena. Building on the work of the Finnish Presidency, the German Presidency

will aim for swift adoption of the European freight logistics action plan.

In the area of air transport, Germany’s goal is to bolster the international competitiveness of

the European aviation industry. Germany is committed to achieving substantial results from

the ongoing air transport negotiations with the United States. The Presidency is striving to

obtain a decision on establishing the joint undertaking SESAR, which is to be used to build a

competitive European flight management system. The first phase of expansion of the remit of

the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is also to be finalized in order to further

improve the safety of aviation operations.

In order to tap the potential of the railway as a competitive alternative within an efficient

transport system, the current barriers and obstacles to access in Europe’s rail system must be

eliminated. The Presidency therefore intends to advance the legislative process to complete

the Single European Railway Area and, specifically, to conclude the consultations on the

Third Railway Package. Germany plans to bring the discussions on the regulation on public

passenger services to a close.

Germany also intends to continue to improve safety on Europe’s roads. It will focus

particularly on moving forward with the e-Safety initiative, which brings together safety-

related innovations in intelligent vehicles.

The Presidency is also called upon to take forward work on the maritime transport safety

proposals submitted by the Commission. In this area it plans to concentrate on a few selected

topics.

Germany will push for the concrete promotion of innovations and future technologies in the

transport sector, particularly in connection with the further development of the satellite

navigation system Galileo as the most significant European technology project of the present.

Here the emphasis will be on carrying forward the concession negotiations with the

concessionaire and identifying additional areas of application.

In the case of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), another significant

technological project which makes use of satellite, air and ground-based technologies, the

Presidency will strive for swift clarification of management structures and financing issues.

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Integrated maritime policy

The EU’s future maritime policy must be geared towards promoting growth and employment

in the maritime sector in the spirit of the Lisbon Strategy, while protecting the marine

environment. This requires an integrated maritime policy which covers all sea-based

economic activities (e.g. port industries, shipbuilding and marine technology, use of marine

resources, fisheries, ocean mining, marine research, sea transport, tourism). The Presidency

will organize a high-level conference to accompany the Commission’s one-year consultation

process.

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�½

Modern cultural and media policy

Cultural and media policy promote Europe’s cultural identity and highlight the continent’s

diversity. Almost seven million people currently work in Europe’s cultural and media

landscape, and the trend is increasing. The German Presidency will call for the elaboration of

joint recommendations on how to tap the growth and employment potential of the cultural

sector more effectively. Priority projects in the cultural sphere are to be collected in a multi-

annual work plan.

The Presidency will continue work on the revision of the Television Without Frontiers

Directive to adapt the legal framework for television services to technological developments,

particularly those involving the Internet.

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Efficient, citizen-oriented administration

A good public administration must be capable of providing high-quality services. Germany

intends to encourage more intensive use of the opportunities provided by e-government and

set transnational standards. The Presidency aims to expand the European Public

Administration Network (EPAN) into a central forum for European social dialogue between

civil service employers and employees. Priorities of the work are to include examination of

the impact of demographic change on the civil service, the sharing of experiences on

performance and mobility as well as the elaboration of guidelines to gauge customer

satisfaction.

2. Safeguarding employment and shaping Europe’s social future

Europe represents more than economic efficiency and a market economy. European

integration also has a social dimension, which for many people is embodied by the EU’s role

in creating jobs and fighting unemployment. In addition, the EU must do its part in

safeguarding and developing the European way of life and identity and the values of a social

order in the age of globalization and rapid demographic change. Intensifying their

cooperation is the primary way in which the Member States and the EU must demonstrate

their commitment to a social Europe. This is crucial if Europe’s citizens are to accept the idea

of integration.

�½

Further developing the European Social Model

The European Social Agenda underlines the fact that social, employment and economic

policy do not have to compete with each other but are mutually complementary. The Agenda

is designed to generate confidence in the face of change. Its goal is to combine the flexibility

required for the labour market with social protection and social security ("flexicurity"). One

focus of the exchange of experiences between the Member States should be on equal

opportunities in the labour market.

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The debate on the European Social Model has to be fleshed out with concrete proposals. A

ministerial conference on the future of the Model will provide a platform to illustrate the

positive effects of interaction between the three policy areas of economy, employment and

social affairs through concrete examples of successful dovetailing.

In future, plans for European legislation should receive a greater public profile and be

examined with regard to their social impact. The Presidency will devote particular attention to

this issue.

To strengthen employee mobility Germany will focus on continuing work on the pensions

portability directive while taking care to protect the long tradition and evolution of national

occupational pension systems.

We will introduce and continue the systematic evaluation of European directives on safety at

work in cooperation with our European partners. It must be clarified whether the goals of

individual regulations have been wisely chosen, whether the tools employed in the regulations

are suitable for attaining the positive impact desired in occupational practice and what steps,

if any, must be taken to improve them. The Presidency will continue work on the Community

strategy on health and safety at work.

�½

Opportunities and challenges of demographic change

Over the coming decades demographic change will pose complex challenges to the societies

of the EU Member States. On the one hand, growing life expectancy among the population

harbours potential for the state, society and families. On the other hand, the proportion of

working people in the population as a whole will fall. Fewer children and young people could

reduce prosperity, decrease momentum, detract from innovation and lower the quality of life.

Against this backdrop, the management of demographic change is a key issue for our

societies. At EU level ideas on how to make more effective use of the potential and

experience of the older generation to benefit the economy and society and how to increase the

involvement of older workers in the workforce in the long term should be shared more

actively. Germany intends to continue the discussion on the economic potential of older

people at European level.

In view of the high levels of unemployment among young people in many parts of Europe,

their integration into the labour market is a top priority. Together with its European partners,

the German Presidency will implement the European Pact for Youth and the European Youth

in Action Programme, which offer a comprehensive framework for the promotion of young

people outside school. The Presidency aims to reach concrete decisions on better social

integration particularly for disadvantaged young people.

A successful and sustainable family policy is vital if the growing decline in the birthrate

prevalent in many EU Member States is to be reversed. The Presidency therefore plans to

encourage the exchange of experiences on sustainable family policy at European level and

aims to adopt a European Alliance for Families.

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�½

Strengthening cities, regions and rural areas

Many regions in Europe face similar issues connected with spatial and urban development.

Integrated urban development and greater coordination of spatial and urban development

policy help shape demographic change in the long term as well as fostering a growth-oriented

regional policy. The Presidency will facilitate exchange by means of an informal ministerial

meeting, one of the goals of which will be to identify ways to improve the situation in

disadvantaged urban districts and strengthen the local economy in these areas.

One of the objectives of this meeting is the adoption of a Leipzig Charter on Sustainable

European Cities featuring guidelines for integrated sustainable urban development as well as

a Territorial Agenda of the EU containing guidelines for spatial development with the aim of

strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and making better use of the diversity of the regions.

The Presidency is thus building on the European Council decisions in the field of sustainable

development and applying them specifically to the development of urban districts, cities and

regions.

Demographic change also affects rural areas to a considerable degree. The shift in the focus

of agricultural policy takes account of the greater level of responsibility for regional

development. The Presidency intends to provide impetus for EU-level discussions extending

beyond the field of agriculture at the informal meeting of agriculture ministers and other

conferences in order to drive forward the development of concepts and tools for rural areas.

�½

Promoting equal opportunities and participation in the labour market

During the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007), particular attention will be

given to steps to guarantee equal opportunities to all population groups. The German

Presidency will continue to support the project to create a European equality institute. The

Roadmap for equality between women and men 2006-2010 is to be implemented at European

and national level, and a long-term approach is to be adopted to improve the compatibility of

family and career. Discussion of measures to promote equal opportunities for men and

women in employment and raising families as well as the integration and training for women

from immigrant families is scheduled in the context of an informal ministerial meeting. In

implementing the European Employment Strategy the Presidency will focus particularly on

equal employment opportunities for disadvantaged population groups.

�½

Innovative and preventive health policy

The issue of health continues to gain significance in view of demographic change. From an

international perspective, the health sector has considerable growth potential. For this reason

favourable framework conditions for innovation continue to enjoy a high priority in the field

of health. The Presidency will drive forward and possibly conclude work on the draft

regulation on advanced therapies and the revision of the medical devices directive.

Prevention and promotion of a healthy lifestyle are the key to improving people’s health and

reducing illness-related costs in the health sector. In view of the current worrying increase in

the number of new HIV infections, the Presidency will focus especially on prevention. A

ministerial conference will examine ways to involve and mobilize civil society more

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effectively in HIV/AIDS prevention measures. In addition, it will conduct a more in-depth

analysis of preventive health using exercise and diet-related examples.

The Community framework for reliable, high-quality healthcare services which the

Commission has announced for 2007 will play a key role in the future development of

Europe’s healthcare systems. The goal of the Presidency is to establish greater legal certainty

in the interpretation and application of internal market regulations in the area of health policy.

3. Safeguarding Europe’s natural environment

�½

Promoting environmental and climate protection

The EU will play a leading role in international efforts to combat environmental pollution and

climate change. The Presidency will drive forward international climate protection under the

Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol and on the basis of the

agreed two-degree goal after 2012 to tackle climate change effectively as well as to create

long-term planning security for investment in innovative, energy-saving technologies. The

development of a negotiation package containing proposals on emission reduction targets and

options for incorporating more major greenhouse gas emitters as well as the implementation

and advancement of emissions trading are particularly important in this context. The

Presidency will drive forward Council discussions on the experiences made with emissions

trading to date and introduce the Commission proposal envisaged for the end of 2006 on

integrating air transport into the Council’s work on this topic.

Germany will give priority to the issue of sustainable and environmentally safe mobility. In

this connection it plans to take forward or conclude the consultations on the Commission

proposals to reduce exhaust emissions (EURO 5 and 6 for cars, EURO VI for heavy-duty

vehicles). A further important priority is the development of measures to reduce CO2

emissions from cars and measures involving environmentally safer fuels.

The Presidency will intensify the consultations on soil protection and waste management and

intends to finalize the proposal for a Waste Framework Directive. The German Presidency

plans to bring to an end the deliberations on the Directive on priority hazardous substances in

surface waters and will strive to achieve safer, more efficient chemicals management both at

EU level and globally.

One particular concern is the protection and sustainable use of biological diversity, which is

now declining at an alarming rate. In order to at least slow down this trend by 2010, more

concerted efforts are necessary in areas such as protection of the rainforests, sustainable

forestry, changes in certain fishing practices, creation of a global nature reserve network, the

identification of deep sea conservation areas and the financing of nature conservation

worldwide. The EU’s leading role in this area is to be reinforced through substantial

contributions to the preparations for the 9

Conference of States Parties to the Convention on

Biological Diversity in Germany in 2008.

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�½

Modern, competitive and sustainable agricultural and fisheries policy

For people involved in agriculture and those who live in the rural areas of the European

Union, it is vital that the Common Agricultural Policy be reliable, practice-oriented and

citizen-friendly. With this in mind, EU law and the control regulations in this area are to be

simplified and transparency increased. Germany also intends to merge the existing

21 Common Market Organizations into one standardized organization and drive forward

reform of the CMOs for wine and for fruit and vegetables.

Sustainable development of rural areas requires additional attention if they are to experience a

surge of progress following the concentration and realignment of support measures. Further

diversification is to help secure and create jobs in rural areas. This includes tapping the

potential of innovations, particularly in the use of non-food crops as raw materials and fuel.

Food safety and healthy nutrition are two of the Presidency’s priorities. Consumers in Europe

rightly expect a high level of protection, for example with regard to protection against BSE,

implementation of the Action Plan on Animal Welfare and the roadmap for an animal health

strategy 2007-2013. In the field of plant protection and plant health, too, the Presidency

supports further harmonization while maintaining the same high level of protection.

With the goal of making management of fisheries resources more sustainable, multi-annual

management plans are to be adopted and fisheries management modernized.

III.

An area of freedom, security and justice

Creating an area of freedom, security and justice remains a central task for European

policymakers. Europe’s citizens expect the EU to take decisive action to preserve their

freedom and security, particularly in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. Only

through intensive police and judicial cooperation between the Member States can public

safety in a space without internal borders still be guaranteed in the future. The goal is to

improve security notwithstanding open internal borders, as well as to strengthen civil rights

and generate more legal certainty.

Another central challenge is illegal migration. The EU must pay equal attention to the south,

the southeast and the east, and develop innovative concepts which combine preventive

cooperation with countries of origin and transit with increased Community development

assistance. At the same time, protection of the Union’s external borders must be improved. A

key tool in fighting illegal migration and international terrorism will be the European Visa

Information System (VIS).

Integration of immigrants is one of the great political and social challenges in Europe.

Successful integration of immigrants benefits our societies and fosters cohesion. Intercultural

and/or interfaith dialogue is not only a crucial aspect of a successful integration policy, but

also serves to prevent and quell anti-Semitism, extremism and xenophobia.

If a common European area of justice cannot be achieved in the field of civil and criminal law,

the European Internal Market will remain incomplete. The increase in the movement of

persons and the growth in cross-border economic activity require simple and non-

discriminatory access to justice. Mutual recognition of court orders protects citizens from

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cross-border legal problems. However, it also presupposes confidence in other Member

States’ legal systems, which in turn depends on the safeguarding of civil rights.

1. Strengthening security, controlling migration and promoting integration

�½

Close police cooperation and a united front in the fight against terrorism

International terrorism, organized crime and drug and human trafficking must be tackled with

intensive cross-border police cooperation in an area of freedom, security and justice. One

priority of the Presidency is to strengthen Europol. This involves improving practical

cooperation and, building on this, elaborating possibilities for developing the legal framework

and extending the scope of the organization’s responsibility.

Furthermore, the Presidency attaches great importance to cooperation between the national

police forces. This includes specifically the transfer of executive powers to police officers

from other Member States and the right of hot pursuit within the Schengen area. Germany

will work to incorporate into the EU framework the Treaty of Prüm, which was signed on

27 May 2005 by seven Member States and focuses on intensifying cross-border cooperation,

particularly in combating terrorism, international crime and illegal migration (primarily

access to DNA, fingerprint and vehicle databases).

It is vital that Member States' police and security authorities have access to comprehensive

and up-to-the-minute information. The European information network is to be expanded with

this in mind. All police and security authorities involved in fighting terrorism and serious

international crime should have access to EU information systems (SIS, VIS, EURODAC,

CIS) to the extent that their tasks require it. National databases should be made available to

all Member States as well as Europol and Eurojust as necessary.

To fight terrorist threats the Presidency will press for a form of cooperation between all

security authorities involved in Internet surveillance in the Member States, in consultation

with Europol. In addition, Germany will support the European Commission in its efforts to

clamp down harder on the distribution of bomb-building instructions via the Internet.

�½

Coherent asylum and migration policy

The German Presidency intends to assist the European Commission in developing the Visa

Information System (VIS) and turning it into an important cooperative tool in combating

illegal migration and visa abuse. The VIS should also be an asset in fighting international

terrorism. Furthermore, Germany will drive forward harmonization in the use of biometric

data for visas as well as for residence permits, passports and ID cards.

The Presidency intends to push for expansion of the common readmission policy and

particularly for the conclusion of relevant agreements. It also plans to extend practical

cooperation on the repatriation of third-country nationals.

The Presidency will focus intensively on the global approach to migration issues. This

requires a coherent policy which includes analysis of causes of flight, development and

humanitarian cooperation, poverty eradication measures and the readmission obligations of

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countries of origin and transit. Illegal migration and its related problems, such as crimes

involving clandestine immigration networks and moonlighting, must be tackled. The EU is to

continue dialogue with the countries of origin and transit and intensify talks particularly with

its eastern and southeastern neighbours. At the same time, Germany will seek to improve

practical cooperation between the Member States’ asylum authorities to help standardize the

application of European refugee law.

The Presidency will continue the discussion on Community-wide regulations in the field of

legal migration prompted by the Commission Communication on a strategy for this area. The

planned directive for highly qualified personnel will play a key role in this connection. In

general, deliberations on establishing European regulations in this area should take account of

the different labour market situations in the individual Member States and allow a high level

of flexibility for national regulations.

�½

Integration and intercultural dialogue

Migrant integration is a prerequisite for the peaceful co-existence of people with different

national, linguistic and religious backgrounds. Improving integration of the growing number

of new migrants and foreigners already living in the EU should help prevent radicalization

processes and extremism. Intercultural dialogue is a key tool in strengthening our pluralistic

and democratic society.

The findings from ongoing bilateral integration policy initiatives are to be used to develop a

European dialogue in this area. Germany will take advantage of a meeting of the ministers

responsible for integration issues to move forward work to develop a coherent approach to

integration policy and intensify the exchange of experiences in this area. One focal topic will

be dialogue with Islam. The Presidency also intends to strive to counteract intolerance, racism,

anti-Semitism and xenophobia in all their manifestations. Intercultural dialogue can also play

a key role in this area.

�½

More effective protection of external borders

The dispensation with border controls within the European Union is providing citizens and

enterprises with direct experience of the benefits and opportunities of European unification.

To be able to do away with checks on persons at the borders to the new Member States, and

in the interests of security, an adequate level of protection must be guaranteed on the EU’s

external borders. This is an effective way of tackling illegal immigration and human

trafficking, for which launching SIS II is a vital prerequisite. Germany will therefore do

everything in its power to bring the launch of the system as close as possible.

Germany will also work to strengthen the European External Borders Agency FRONTEX.

The Member States must provide the agency with enough personnel to allow the long-term

deployment of joint teams of experts at illegal migration hotspots and all major border

crossings. To this end a pool of border police experts is to be formed at FRONTEX, and

officers from other Member States are to be granted executive powers for joint border

controls.

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�½

Strengthening civil rights

2. Strengthening freedom and justice

Safeguarding civil rights is as vital to creating an area of freedom, security and justice as

ensuring protection for its citizens. The German Presidency will therefore strive for

predictability and transparency in state activity, for example by agreeing on minimum

standards in criminal proceedings. It will only be possible to enforce the principle of mutual

recognition throughout Europe if people have sufficient confidence in the legal systems of

other Member States. For this reason Germany supports efforts to formulate a framework

decision to define minimum requirements for the rights of defendants and the accused. Its

goal is to conclude these negotiations.

Germany will call for a minimum definition of listed offences, as was agreed in connection

with the adoption of the Framework Decision on the European Evidence Warrant. The

definition of the actions which do not require verification of dual criminality under the

principle of mutual recognition of court decisions is also relevant to other legislative projects

relating to cooperation on criminal matters.

The Presidency plans to resume the stalled negotiations on drafting a framework decision on

combating racism and xenophobia and to drive the project forward. The goal must be to

achieve a minimum level of harmonization in the penal provisions of the EU Member States,

particularly with regard to criminal liability for disseminating racist and xenophobic ideas.

�½

More legal certainty for citizens and business

Europe’s citizens must be able to move within a secure and predictable legal framework when

they travel to or settle in other Member States. This requires measures ranging from improved

cross-border enforcement of maintenance orders, through clear regulations on which law

applies in the case of divorce, better protection of intellectual property, up to improving

consumer protection. Germany, together with the subsequent Presidencies Portugal and

Slovenia, will therefore take up the proposals on the applicable law in maintenance, divorce

and inheritance matters and seek to bring them to a conclusion. The German Presidency plans

to drive forward as far as possible the work on a regulation on applicable law in matters of

contractual obligation, and finalize the parallel regulation on applicable law in matters of non-

contractual obligations, e.g. in road traffic accidents.

Germany will support the work on the planned European Private Company statute, designed

to give small and medium-sized enterprises better and less complicated access to the Internal

Market, and push forward the negotiations on the directive on cross-border transfers of

company seats.

Germany supports the goal of the European Commission to examine the provisions of

Community private law, particularly consumer contract law, for consistency and coherence.

The objective is to establish a European frame of reference containing instructions for

consolidating existing legislation and for future legislation. The Presidency will organize a

conference on European contract law, providing a discussion platform for legal policymakers,

academics and legal practitioners.

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�½

Strengthening the justice system and practical cooperation

Fast and effective information transfer between judicial authorities is a central component of

judicial cooperation. The top priority is to eliminate practical obstacles which hamper

application of the instruments for mutual recognition of judicial decisions (European arrest

warrant, enforcement of fines, recognition of freezing and confiscation orders). Notifications

of convictions should be as rapid and complete as possible.

The Presidency intends to push forward with the networking of criminal records on the basis

of the pilot project launched by France, Spain, Belgium and Germany. The goal is for all

Member States to participate in this exchange of information on criminal convictions.

Germany will drive forward the E-Justice Project in order to improve application of this

information technology in cross-border judicial proceedings in Europe and to structure the

work on European standards. The Presidency will also press for mutual recognition and

supervision of probation imposed in another Member State.

�½

Active consumer protection policy

As consumers, Europe’s citizens are entitled to a maximum degree of safety, transparency and

freedom of choice. Consequently the Presidency will push for the implementation of the EU

Consumer Policy Strategy and the related Community Programme for Health and Consumer

Protection 2007-2013. In this context it will focus particularly on the security of new

technologies in communication, purchasing goods and handling bank and insurance

transactions.

IV.

Shaping common foreign and security policy, external economic policy and

development policy

In the area of external relations particularly, the Member States are called upon to cooperate

more closely to guarantee prosperity and security. In recent years the European Union has

created a comprehensive range of conflict management and peacebuilding tools, spanning a

broad spectrum from prevention to post-conflict care. We must build on this.

The European Security Strategy was adopted in 2003 against the backdrop of international

crises, terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, failing

states and organized crime. The German Presidency will work to establish a more efficient

and coherent foreign policy and more intensive cooperation with partners, in line with the

Strategy’s provisions. In addition, the Presidency aims to take further steps towards military

cooperation with the long-term goal of a common European defence.

Europe’s prosperity and political weight in the world rest largely on the successes of

European enterprises on the global markets. With a 20% share of global trade, the EU is the

world’s largest trading partner and as such enjoys a measure of influence which far exceeds

the opportunities of individual Member States. International trade boosts our competitiveness

and economic growth. The ongoing development of fair multilateral rules to further

strengthen European competitiveness is a crucial factor for this.

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�½

Enlarging the EU and expanding the European area of security and stability

The German Presidency will continue the enlargement process, taking into consideration the

EU’s capacity to absorb new members, in accordance with the conclusions of the December

2006 European Council. Germany will support the ongoing accession negotiations with

Turkey and Croatia in line with the candidates’ progress in fulfilling their obligations.

Within the European neighbourhood the main focus of the Presidency’s commitment will be

on stabilizing the Western Balkans in accordance with the European Security Strategy

adopted by the European Council on 12 December 2003, particularly by supporting the

Kosovo status negotiations or implementing the outcome if an agreement has been reached by

then. To achieve this the EU will conduct its largest civilian ESDP mission to date,

concentrating on justice and the police.

The stabilization of the Balkans depends heavily on upholding and concretizing the prospect

of EU accession through the stabilization and association process, while adhering strictly to

the criteria of the Commission’s four-stage plan and taking account of the EU’s capacity to

absorb new members. This applies particularly to Serbia in view of the expected political

change in Kosovo and Montenegro’s attainment of independence. The negotiations on the

EU’s Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and

Herzegovina could be concluded during Germany’s Presidency.

The European Neighbourhood Policy plays an important role in promoting stability and

democracy. The European Union should make the most of its scope to act and present its

neighbouring partners with an attractive and broad-based cooperation proposal. The German

Presidency plans to take the initiative and submit concrete proposals on developing the

Neighbourhood Policy further.

At the same time the partnership with Russia is to be intensified in the context of the four

Common Spaces, and negotiations on the successor to the Partnership and Cooperation

Agreement will commence. Economic relations with Russia are to be deepened, particularly

in the energy sector. Cooperation in international crisis management is to be extended.

The Presidency will pay particular attention to the strategically significant region of Central

Asia. The EU plans to adopt a strategy on Central Asia defining its interests and objectives.

Political dialogue with the region is to be expanded.

�½

Multilateral engagement, active crisis management and non-proliferation

The United Nations remains the central institution for effective multilateralism. The German

Presidency will devote particular attention to intensifying cooperation between the EU and

the UN in the area of crisis management as well as working to ensure that the EU members of

the UN Security Council keep the other Member States fully informed pursuant to Article 19

of the Treaty on European Union.

The Presidency will work towards further stabilization of the situation in Lebanon and,

together with its partners in the EU and the Middle East Quartet, actively seek ways to arrive

at a comprehensive peace solution for the Middle East conflict. Another of the most urgent

challenges will be to continue efforts to find a peaceful solution to the dispute concerning the

Iranian nuclear programme. The Presidency will elaborate proposals on intensifying its

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partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council. It will continue to support the political, social

and economic reconstruction process in Iraq. With regard to Afghanistan, Germany will call

for an increase in EU commitment within the Afghanistan Compact programme.

Germany will work to strengthen the role of the African Union, particularly in conflict

prevention and resolution. The situations in Sudan, in Somalia and in the Democratic

Republic of the Congo in the wake of the elections will be at the top of the EU’s African

agenda.

In the area of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, the strategic goal is to further

strengthen multilateral regulations. The Presidency will devote particular attention to

preparing the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of

Nuclear Weapons as well as to other concrete steps to improve international transfer controls

for small arms.

�½

Strengthening the CFSP and the ESDP

Measures to improve coherence between CFSP and European Community instruments are to

be adopted in all areas of EU external relations on the basis of the work of the Finnish

Presidency, for example, for cooperation between the High Representative and the

Commission.

One way in which the EU’s capacity to deploy civilian and military crisis prevention and

management tools is to be strengthened is through the Headline Goal processes (Headline

Goal 2010 for the armed forces, Civilian Headline Goal 2008). Particular attention will be

given to the European rapid response battlegroups, which will be available for operations in

crisis areas from 1 January 2007. Civil-military cooperation in the planning and

implementation of ESDP operations is to be bolstered to improve the ESDP’s scope for

independent action. The operations centre, which will be ready from early 2007, will be

activated when needed. Finally, the strategic partnership between the EU and NATO is to be

expanded by intensifying political dialogue and cooperation in the fields of deployment and

the development of capabilities.

�½

Strategic partnerships and an active external economic policy

The German Presidency will press for the strengthening of transatlantic relations on the

political and economic stage. One summit with the United States and one with Canada will be

held. The intensified dialogue and cooperation with the United States will centre around

selected topics such as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, the fight against terrorism and

energy security. Germany will aim to reach an agreement on cooperation between the EU and

the United States in the area of civilian crisis management. The implementation of the

Transatlantic Economic Initiative will focus on regulatory cooperation, innovation and

technology, trade and security, capital markets, energy and the protection of intellectual

property.

The Presidency will continue to develop the political and economic dimension of relations

with Asia. The negotiations on a framework agreement between the EU and China are to be

brought forward in this context. In extending economic relations, the Presidency will

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concentrate on the voluntary transfer of technology, improving legal certainty for the

protection of intellectual property, opening the Chinese markets more widely for services and

removing distortions of competition in the field of raw materials. Focal topics of the EU-

Japan Summit will be regional cooperation and integration in Northeast Asia as well as

discussion of the situation in North Korea and continuation of the dialogue on future issues.

The strategic partnership with India is to be deepened through systematic implementation of

the EU-India Joint Action Plan. Relations between the EU and ASEAN will be extended and

the ASEM process reinforced by means of a stronger focus on trade policy and an action plan

identifying foreign and security policy priorities.

The Presidency will drive forward the EU-Africa strategy, in consultation with its African

partners, acknowledging Europe’s own interest in peace and stable development on that

continent.

Relations with Latin America and the Caribbean are to be further intensified. Negotiations on

an association agreement with Mercosur are to be concluded. Negotiations on an agreement

with the Central American countries and the Andean Community will be opened.

�½

Strengthening trade and Europe’s international competitiveness

Growth, employment and quality of life in Europe depend to a large extent on the ability of

European enterprises to hold their own on the global market. The German Presidency

supports initiatives to boost the competitiveness of European business outside the EU.

Germany will maintain its efforts to further open the international markets for European

goods, services and investments and continues to attach great importance to a successful

conclusion to the Doha Development Round. However, bilateral or biregional trade

agreements with selected partners could also feasibly complement multilateral regulations.

Ongoing negotiations are therefore to be intensified or completed, and further consideration

will be given to bilateral and biregional options. The Presidency aims to adopt a revised EU

market access strategy on the basis of a Commission Communication expected in early 2007.

The same conditions for competing enterprises and adherence to recognized rules must also

be guaranteed on third markets. The individual Member States do not by themselves have

sufficient clout to ensure fair competition – that can only be achieved by the EU as a whole.

The German Presidency will take a decisive stand against anticompetitive behaviour and

unfair trading practices such as dumping, illegal subsidies, the violation of intellectual

property rights and forced technology transfer. The second phase of the EU initiative on the

enforcement of intellectual property rights and the open revision of certain trade policy

mechanisms (e.g. trade protection instruments and public procurement) must be driven

forward.

�½

Promoting sustainable development

The German Presidency falls in a strategically significant period for the future development

cooperation of the EU, the most important international donor. The EU is called upon to do

its part in fostering sustainable development, eliminating poverty and achieving the

Millennium Development Goals. Key elements of the Presidency's work include

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implementing the European Development Consensus, increasing the level, impact and

efficiency of cooperation, improving the coherence of Community policy in the interests of

development and strengthening the role of women in the development process, in close

dialogue with civil society. The refinement of the EU’s new financing mechanisms

(Development Cooperation Instrument, 10

European Development Fund) will define

operational cooperation with the partner countries over the coming years.

The agreements from the Paris Declaration concerning more effective division of labour

between the Commission and the Member States must be put into practice and operational

guidelines elaborated. The annual Monterrey follow-up report will examine the status of

implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly the plan to gradually

increase official development assistance and the qualitative commitments. Regarding the

implementation of the EU-Africa strategy, the Presidency will focus particularly on initiatives

in the areas of energy and governance and the issue of HIV/AIDS.

To facilitate the integration of partner countries into the global economy, the Economic

Partnership Agreements between the EU and ACP states (EU partners in Africa, the

Caribbean and the Pacific) must be concluded in good time so that they can enter into force as

planned at the beginning of 2008. Germany will ensure that the agreements, which are

intended to guarantee the ACP states access to the EU Internal Market after 2007, are

oriented towards development policy. In addition, the Presidency will oversee the

implementation of the EU’s voluntary commitment to Aid for Trade.

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Appendix: Conference calendar

Start date

15.01.2007

Finish date

16.01.2007

Complete official title of the event

National launch event : the 7

Research Framework Programme –

Europe on its way to the top.

15.01.2007

16.01.2007

Conference: Future Prospects for

Health Services in Europe

18.01.2007

28.01.2007

International Green Week Berlin

(kick-off event with Commission

President Barroso)

29.01.2007

30.01.2007

Conference: ESDP: From Cologne

to Berlin and beyond. Operations,

institutions, capabilities

29.01.2007

31.01.2007

European Renewable Energy Policy

Conference

Federal Ministry for the

Environment, Nature

Conservation and Nuclear

Safety

30.01.2007

31.01.2007

Kick-off event for the Year of Equal

Opportunities for All

Federal Ministry for

Family Affairs, Senior

Citizens, Women and

Youth

01.02.2007

High-level meeting within the

framework of the IST Information

Day

01.02.2007

02.02.2007

Conference: Job – Chance –

Internet. Women Shape the Future

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Bremen

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Cologne

Berlin

Brussels

Federal Ministry of Food,

Agriculture and Consumer

Protection

Federal Foreign Office

Berlin

Federal Ministry of Health

Potsdam

Ministry

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Location

Bonn

01.02.2007

02.02.2007

Workshop: Promoting Environment

and Resource Conservation in the

European Security Strategy

Federal Ministry for the

Environment, Nature

Conservation and Nuclear

Safety

Berlin

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Start date

05.02.2007

Finish date

Complete official title of the event

Conference: Food Quality Schemes

Ministry

Federal Ministry of Food,

Agriculture and Consumer

Protection

Location

Brussels

08.02.2007

09.02.2007

Ministerial Conference on the

European Social Model: Joining

Forces for a Social Europe

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Nuremberg

12.02.2007

14.02.2007

Symposium: Time to Adapt:

Climate Change and the European

Water Dimension. Vulnerability –

Impacts – Adaptation

Federal Ministry for the

Environment, Nature

Conservation and Nuclear

Safety

Federal Ministry of Justice

Berlin

20.02.2007

22.02.2007

Seminar: Minimum Standards in

Criminal Proceedings

Berlin

21.02.2007

23.02.2007

European Conference on

Digitalization (and NRG Meeting):

Europe's Cultural and Scientific

Heritage in a Digital World

Federal Government

Commissioner for Culture

and the Media

Berlin

22.02.2007

23.02.2007

EU Policy Workshop on Offshore

Wind Power Deployment

Federal Ministry for the

Environment, Nature

Conservation and Nuclear

Safety

Berlin

25.02.2007

27.02.2007

Conference: Prevention through

Federal Ministry of Health

Badenweiler

Healthy Diets and Physical Activity / Federal Ministry of Food,

Agriculture and Consumer

Protection

26.02.2007

28.02.2007

Kick-off event: European Research

Council (ERC)

01.03.2007

Expert conference: E-Government

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry of the

Interior

01.03.2007

02.03.2007

Conference on European Contract

Law

Federal Ministry of Justice

Stuttgart

Berlin

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Start date

05.03.2007

Finish date

06.03.2007

Complete official title of the event

Meeting of the Bologna Follow-Up

Group

Ministry

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Location

Berlin

05.03.2007

06.03.2007

Conference: Renewable Resources – Federal Ministry of Food,

New Opportunities for Rural Areas

Agriculture and Consumer

Protection

Munich

05.03.2007

06.03.2007

Conference on the implementation

of Article 7 of EU Framework

Directive 89/391/EEC, specifically

in SMEs

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Dortmund

07.03.2007

EU research event: Today is the

Future

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry of Health

Brussels

12.03.2007

13.03.2007

Ministerial Conference: Partnership

and Responsibility – Together

Against HIV/AIDS

Bremen

14.03.2007

Metropolitan Regions Conference

Federal Ministry of

Transport, Building and

Urban Affairs

Berlin

14.03.2007

15.03.2007

Conference: Developing

Intercultural Competences to

Combat Racism and Xenophobia

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Lübeck

14.03.2007

15.03.2007

Conference: Opportunities and

Federal Ministry of Food,

Berlin

Risks of the Digital World, the Role Agriculture and Consumer

of Consumer Policy

16.03.2007

Social Partners Conference for the

Euromed Region

Protection

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs in

conjunction with the

Federal Foreign Office

22.03.2007

"Safe Start!" – concluding event of

the European Week for Safety and

Health at Work 2006

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Bilbao

Berlin

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Start date

22.03.2007

Finish date

23.03.2007

Complete official title of the event

Workshop: Fiscal Policy challenges

in Europe

Ministry

Federal Ministry of

Finance

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Location

Berlin

26.03.2007

27.03.2007

European Conference on Security

Research – SRC 07

Berlin

26.03.2007

27.03.2007

Conference: European Competition

Day

Munich

27.03.2007

Conference: Innovation and Market

Viability through Standardization

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Berlin

28.03.2007

31.03.2007

Conference: Knowledge for Action.

Research Strategies for an

Evidence-Based Education Policy

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Frankfurt am

Main

28.03.2007

Seminar: Action Plan on the

Protection and Welfare of Animals

Federal Ministry of Food,

Agriculture and Consumer

Protection

Brussels

29.03.2007

30.03.2007

Conference on Patent Law

Federal Ministry of Justice

Federal Foreign Office

Berlin

End of March / Beginning of Conference on Regional Approaches

April 2007

to Transfer Control of Small Arms

and Light Weapons

02.04.2007

07.04.2007

Conference of Computer

Applications and Quantitative

Methods in Archaeology (CAA)

13.04.2007

16.04.2007

Youth Event: Equal Opportunities

and Social Participation For All

Young People

Federal Foreign Office

Berlin

Federal Ministry for

Family Affairs, Senior

Citizens, Women and

Youth

Cologne

15.04.2007

16.04.2007

Expert Conference: Collection

Mobility: Long-Term Loans and

Fees

Federal Government

Commissioner for Culture

and the Media

Munich

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Start date

15.04.2007

Finish date

17.04.2007

Complete official title of the event

Symposium: The Development of

European Border-Police

Cooperation

Ministry

Federal Ministry of the

Interior

Location

still open

16.04.2007

Information Day: Joint Research

Centres

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry for

Family Affairs, Senior

Citizens, Women and

Youth

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Berlin

17.04.2007

18.04.2007

International Conference:

Demographic Change: Recognizing

Opportunities – Tapping Potential –

Fostering Growth

Berlin

17.04.2007

18.04.2007

Meeting of the Bologna Follow-Up

Group

Berlin

18.04.2007

19.04.2007

Conference: Gender in Research –

Innovation Through Equal

Opportunities

Berlin

20.04.2007

21.04.2007

European Library Conference on

Long-term Archiving

Federal Government

Commissioner for Culture

and the Media

Frankfurt am

Main

23.04.2007

24.04.2007

Conference: Environment and

Agriculture

Federal Ministry for the

Environment, Nature

Conservation and Nuclear

Safety

Bonn

24.04.2007

26.04.2007

European Conference on Archiving:

Federal Government

Berlin

International Structural Standards in Commissioner for Culture

Archiving

25.04.2007

27.04.2007

Symposium marking the 10

anniversary of the founding of the

Organization for the Prohibition of

Chemical Weapons

26.04.2007

27.04.2007

European Forum for Architectural

Policy

Federal Ministry of

Transport, Building and

Urban Affairs

Hamburg

and the Media

Federal Foreign Office

Berlin

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Start date

26.04.2007

Finish date

28.04.2007

Complete official title of the event

European Conference on Cultural

Diversity

Ministry

Federal Foreign Office

Location

Essen

26.04.2007

27.04.2007

Congress of the Social Sector:

Managing Europe’s Social Affairs;

Values – Competition – Finance

Federal Ministry for

Family Affairs, Senior

Citizens, Women and

Youth

Magdeburg

27.04.2007

Annual Congress of the European

Board of National Archivists

Federal Government

Commissioner for Culture

and the Media

Berlin

April 2007

Conference: Energy Efficiency

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology/ Federal

Ministry of Transport,

Building and Urban Affairs

Berlin

April 2007

Expert Conference: Global

Monitoring for Environment and

Security (GMES)

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology / Federal

Ministry of Transport,

Building and Urban Affairs

Munich

02.05.2007

03.05.2007

Conference: Work Quality – the

Key to More and Better Jobs

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Berlin

03.05.2007

04.05.2007

Conference: Research and

technology Organizations in the

European Research Area:

Innovation and Competitiveness in

an Enlarged Europe

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Munich

03.05.2007

04.05.2007

Expert Conference: Green Paper on

Maritime Policy

Federal Ministry of

Transport, Building and

Urban Affairs

Bremen

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Start date

03.05.2007

Finish date

04.05.2007

Complete official title of the event

Cultural and Creative Economy in

Europe – Coherent Policies in a

Global World

Ministry

Federal Foreign Office

Location

Berlin

04.05.2007

06.05.2007

Workshop: Dual career: Balancing

Top-level Sport, Education and

Occupational Career

Federal Ministry of the

Interior

Stuttgart

04.05.2007

05.05.2007

Conference: 6

European Meeting

of People Experiencing Poverty

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Brussels

06.05.2007

07.05.2007

European Launch Conference for

the Programme for Lifelong

Learning

Berlin

07.05.2007

08.05.2007

High Level Committee on Public

Health

Federal Ministry of Health

Berlin

07.05.2007

08.05.2007

Conference: Limits for Chemical

Substances in the Workplace –

Healthy Working Conditions in the

Global Economy

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Dortmund

07.05.2007

11.05.2007

15th European Biomass Conference

Federal Ministry for the

Environment, Nature

Conservation and Nuclear

Safety

Berlin

08.05.2007

10.05.2007

Conference: Neighbourhood for

Sustainability – with Research from

Lisbon to Leipzig

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Leipzig

09.05.2007

11.05.2007

Expert Conference:. More

Confidence in Content – the

Potential of Co-Regulation and Self-

Regulation in the Digital Media

Federal Government

Commissioner for Culture

and the Media

Leipzig

09.05.2007

Kick-off event: Structural Fund

Support 2007 – 2013

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Hof

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Start date

10.05.2007

Finish date

11.05.2007

Complete official title of the event

Integration Conference

Ministry

Federal Ministry of the

Interior

Location

Berlin

11.05.2007

12.05.2007

Conference on Equal Opportunities

– a Challenge for Education

Legislation and Education Policy

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Potsdam

14.05.2007

15.05.2007

Conference: European Researchers

of Tomorrow – Crossing the border

of Academia and Industry

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Stuttgart

15.05.2007

16.05.2007

Conference: Forest Based Sector

Technology platform (FTP) – 4th

Conference 2007

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research/

Federal Ministry of Food,

Agriculture and Consumer

Protection/ Federal

Ministry of Economics and

Technology

Hanover

15.05.2007

16.05.2007

International Taxation Conference

Federal Ministry of

Finance

Berlin

15.05.2007

Tourism Conference

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Berlin

21.05.2006

22.05.2006

Conference: European Construction

Network

Federal Ministry of

Transport, Building and

Urban Affairs

Berlin

23.05.2006

9th Conference of National Ethics

Committees (COMETH)

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Foreign Office

Berlin

23.05.2006

25.05.2006

9th Forum of National Ethics

Councils (NEC-Forum)

Berlin

24.05.2006

25.05.2006

Conference: Education for

Sustainable Development in Europe

Berlin

26.05.2007

03.06.2007

Euro-Mediterranean Youth

Parliament

Berlin

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Start date

29.05.2007

30.05.2007

Finish date

31.05.2007

Complete official title of the event

E-Justice Conference

Biotechnology Conference: En

Route to the Knowledge-Based Bio-

Economy

Ministry

Federal Ministry of Justice

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Location

Bremen

Cologne

31.05.2007

01.06.2007

Conference: Culture – Economy –

Tourism: The Significance of

Culture for a Society's Prosperity

Federal Government

Commissioner for Culture

and the Media

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Hamburg

May 2007

European Shipbuilding Conference

German

shipyard

location

Trier

03.06.2007

06.06.2007

Conference of the European Judicial Federal Ministry of Justice

Network in Criminal Matters

03.06.2007

05.06.2007

Conference: European Sustainability

Berlin 2007 – ESB07

Federal Chancellery

Berlin

04.06.2007

05.06.2007

European Vocational Training

Conference: Realizing the European

Learning Area

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Munich

04.06.2007

06.06.2007

Policy Forum on Entrepreneurship

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Hanover

04.06.2007

05.06.2007

Expert Symposium: Gender

Budgeting – Distribution is the Key

– Equality and Social Justice

through Gender-Sensitive Budgets

Federal Ministry for

Family Affairs, Senior

Citizens, Women and

Youth

Frankfurt am

Main

04.06.2007

05.06.2007

IT Security Conference

Federal Ministry of the

Interior

Berlin

04.06.2007

05.06.2007

Conference on the European Charter

for Small Enterprises

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Berlin

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Start date

05.06.2007

Finish date

06.06.2007

Complete official title of the event

European Conference on

Research Infrastructures

Ministry

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry of

Transport, Building and

Urban Affairs

Location

Hamburg

05.06.2007

06.06.2007

Expert Conference on Transport:

E-Safety

Berlin

06.06.2007

10.06.2007

Conference: The Spirit of Europe –

Europe's Diversity, Identities,

Interconnections

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Leipzig

07.06.2007

08.06.2007

Federal Congress on Cultural

Policy: culture.makes.europe –

europe.makes.culture

Federal Foreign Office /

Federal Government

Commissioner for Culture

and the Media

Berlin

10.06.2007

11.06.2007

Expert Conference: Collection

Mobility – Building Up Trust and

Networking

Federal Government

Commissioner for Culture

and the Media

Federal Ministry of Health

Bremen

11.06.2007

12.06.2007

Pharmaceutical Innovation –

Individualized Medicine

Bonn

11.06.2007

12.06.2007

European Conference on the

Integration of People with

Disabilities

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Berlin

11.06.2007

13.06.2007

General Meeting of the European

Judicial Training Network -EJTN

Federal Ministry of Justice

Trier

12.06.2007

13.06.2007

European Digital Switchover

Conference

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Berlin

13.06.2007

14.06.2007

Conference: Increasing Success

through Efficient Regulation

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Federal Foreign Office

Bonn

13.06.2007

14.06.2007

Cultural Tourism: Conference of

Europe's UNESCO World Heritage

Sites

Lübeck

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Start date

18.06.2007

Finish date

20.06.2007

Complete official title of the event

15th European Social Services

Conference: Opportunity for All: the

challenge for social and health

services in a diverse Europe

Ministry

Federal Ministry for

Family Affairs, Senior

Citizens, Women and

Youth

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Location

Berlin

19.06.2007

21.06.2007

EuroNanoForum 2007

Düsseldorf

23.06.2007

27.06.2007

ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary

Assembly

Federal Ministry for

Economic Cooperation and

Development

Wiesbaden

24.06.2007

25.06.2007

Conference: Responsible Science in

Europe / Science and its Publics

Federal Ministry of

Education and Research

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Federal Ministry for

Family Affairs, Senior

Citizens, Women and

Youth

Munich

25.06.2007

26.06.2007

Expert Conference: Radio

Frequency Identification (RFID):

Towards the Internet of Things

Berlin

26.06.2007

28.06.2007

Expert Congress: Children and

Young People in Social Hotspots –

New Cohesion Strategies

Leipzig

28.06.2007

29.06.2007

Conference: 50 Years of the

European Social Fund – Investment

in People – Review and Prospects

Federal Ministry of Labour

and Social Affairs

Potsdam

June 2007

Combined EU-G8-Conference:

Energy Efficiency

Federal Ministry of

Economics and

Technology

Berlin