Europaudvalget 2019-20
EUU Alm.del Bilag 204
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Contribution of the LXII COSAC
Helsinki, 1
–
3 December 2019
Appointment and work programme of the von der Leyen Commission
(1) COSAC congratulates President Ursula von der Leyen and the members of the college on the
appoi t e t of the e Europea Co
issio . COSAC o siders that Preside t o der Le e ’s
political guidelines contain a comprehensive and balanced agenda for the future. COSAC observes
that a of the age da’s ite s are urge t, a d COSAC’s e er Parlia e ts look for ard to
starting a constructive scrutiny of
the Co
issio ’s o rete proposals i the ear future.
Conference on the Future of Europe
(2) With respect to the Conference on the Future of Europe, COSAC observes that both the European
Parliament and the national Parliaments, as the democratic foundation of the European Union
and because of their respective institutional competences, need to be fully involved. COSAC notes
that the European Parliament and national Parliaments still have to formulate their positions, but
all expect a role in defining the objectives, organising and implementing the Conference on the
Future of Europe.
(3) COSAC expects that the European Parliament and all national Parliaments in the EU have an
adequate number of representatives with full rights of participation in the Conference on the
Future of Europe, including the right to make proposals.
Multi-annual Financial Framework
(4) COSAC calls for the timely and satisfactory approval of the 2021
–
2027 Multiannual Financial
Framework (MFF), recalling that late adoption means delayed implementation of the European
U io ’s strategi targets.
Critical policy challenges such as climate change and migration call for
collective and coordinated action, as no Member State can face them alone. COSAC stresses the
need for significant progress at the December 2019 European Council.
(5) COSAC observes that all Member States
ha e a stake i the U io ’s
strategic targets, which are
competitiveness, the encouragement of innovation, climate policy and biodiversity. A constructive
approach to the MFF requires that all Member States’
o i al udget targets are ala ed agai st
the expected benefits of mutually agreed investments in the future. COSAC recalls that agricultural
and cohesion spending are part of these agreed strategic targets and calls for proper attention to
policy detail to ensure expenditure levels
that safeguard the U io ’s ohesio , i ludi g its
outermost regions.
(6) COSAC
o ser es that adoptio of the MFF i ol es fi di g agree e t o a re ie of the EU’s o
resources system.
(7) COSAC stresses the need for new, objective mechanisms to protect the financial interests of the
Union when they are jeopardised by disrespect for the rule of law or where there is a systemic
threat to the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union. The new mechanisms
should conform to the Treaties, add value to and not duplicate existing arrangements. COSAC
stresses that the European Union is a community, where mutually respectful dialogue is the rule
and sanctions are only a last resort for when dialogue and preventive mechanisms fail.
Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law
(8) COSAC recalls that 2019 marks the tenth anniversary of the Treaty of Lisbon, and the entry into
direct legal effect of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Recalling that the Union is founded on
 EUU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 204: Bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet i Helsinki 1-3/12-19
(9)
the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect
for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, COSAC reaffirms that
these values are normative for all European Union policies. The rule of la
is, i COSAC’s ie
fu da e tal to the EU’s legiti a i the e es of its itize s.
COSAC commends the work of the
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and endorses a strong role for the Agency in
ensuring respect for fundamental rights in the regular
e er ise of the EU’s fu tio s.
COSAC o ser es that ai te a e of the EU’s alues
requires constant vigilance. COSAC considers
that as all Member States have committed, through the Treaty on European Union, to uphold the
rule of law, they all should accept transparent and impartial monitoring and peer review of the
condition of the rule of law in the Member States. Such monitoring already applies to candidate
countries. COSAC affirms that where deficiencies in the rule of law jeopardise the functioning of
the single market or the implementation of European policies, the Union and its Member States
have legitimate grounds for concern and appropriate action.
A Winning Climate Strategy for Europe
(10) COSAC takes note of the conclusions of the Inter-parliamentary Conference on Climate Change on
6-7
O to er
9 i Helsi ki reiterati g the EU’s o
it e t to the goals of the Paris Agree e t
and stressing the urgency of the climate challenge. COSAC notes with concern the conclusions of
the IPCC’s Spe ial Report No 5, stati g that glo al ar i g ust e o tai ed at ,5 degrees to
prevent irreversible environmental damage. COSAC notes that a proactive climate policy will be
vital for the Union’s
future i dustrial o petiti e ess a d its a ilit to sustai so ial a d regio al
cohesion throughout
the i e ita le adaptatio of Europe’s e o o i
odels.
COSAC notes that
implementing such a climate policy requires significant investment throughout the Union and
appropriate measures to mitigate possible hardship caused by the transition to a climate smart
economic model.
(11) COSAC calls upon the European Commission and the European Council to
ai tai the EU’s
established role as a front-runner in climate policy by continuing to play a leading role and to step
up the EU’s a itio le el
in global climate policy. COSAC notes with satisfaction the European
Cou il’s o
it e t to li ate eutralit , hi h i COSAC’s ie should e rei for ed
committing to a target date in 2050.
(12) COSAC suggests that the European Commission explores using the European Semester mechanism
as a tool for encouraging effective implementation of climate targets as well as the sustainable
development objectives of the United Nations’
Age da
.
(13) COSAC regrets the decision of the United States to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accords and
calls on the Commission and Council to take necessary steps to assure a level playing field for
European enterprises while maintaining an ambitious European climate policy.
The European Union’s Future Relationship with the United Kingdom
(14) COSAC notes with regret
oth the U ited Ki gdo ’s i
i e t departure fro the Europea U io
and the fact that we have no certainty of an orderly Brexit on mutually agreed terms. COSAC hopes
that the U ited Ki gdo
ill, after this o th’s ele tio s, e i a positio fi all to
adopt a national
position that permits going forward. COSAC observes with concern that the transitional period
following Brexit day that was agreed by the European Commission and the UK Government leaves
little time to negotiate the future relationship between the EU and the UK. COSAC calls on all parties
to proceed with the maximum of efficiency and good will. COSAC remains committed to supporting
the closest possible future relationship between the UK and EU that is compatible with both the
integrity of the Union and the interests of both parties.