EUU, Alm.del - 2023-24 - Bilag 426: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet 24-26/3-24 i Bruxelles

Europaudvalget 2023-24
EUU Alm.del Bilag 426
Offentligt

LXXI COSAC

Brussels, 24-26 March 2024

Contribution

The 2019-2024 legislature

(1)

At the end of a European legislature marked by several crises, COSAC wishes to

highlight the progress made by the European Union in building a Union that is

united, economically solid, ecologically viable, and based on solidarity.

(2)

COSAC recalls the priorities of the strategic agenda for the period 2019-2024,

namely: protecting citizens and freedoms; building a strong and dynamic economic

base; building a climate-neutral, green, fair, and social Europe; promoting Europe's

interests and values on the world stage. A great deal of progress has been made,

but these priorities must continue to be pushed forward.

The 2024-2029 strategic agenda

(3)

COSAC welcomes the establishment of the strategic agenda for the 2024-2029

period and the priority areas proposed by the President of the European Council in

his letter of 24 June 2023, namely: consolidating our economic and social base;

meeting the energy challenge; strengthening our security and defence capabilities;

and deepening our cooperation with the rest of the world.

(4)

COSAC supports the key priorities and necessary measures for a strong, dynamic,

competitive, and united Europe as set out in the Granada Declaration of 6 October

2023. These priorities reflect the European Union's current challenges in the

following areas: security and defence, resilience and competitiveness, energy,

migration, global engagement, and enlargement. In view of Russia´s aggression,

COSAC underlines the fundamentally deteriorated security situation in Europe and

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continued support to Ukraine must be of highest concern during the foreseeable

future.

(5)

COSAC recalls the importance of agriculture in Europe, which represents a strategic

resource for Member States and for the food autonomy of the European Union. To

this end, COSAC considers it essential to reduce the burden on the sector, to

strengthen the effectiveness of the Common Agricultural Policy and to promote a

more efficient European response to unfair competition from third countries.

(6)

COSAC encourages the European institutions to continue to listen to European

citizens, in particular through the recommendations adopted by the Conference on

the Future of Europe.

(7)

(8)

In terms of consolidating the economic and social base, COSAC stresses the

importance of the European Union's resilience and competitiveness.

To meet the EU ambitious climate goals, COSAC is encouraging the European Union

to pursue energy efficiency, energy sobriety, resource efficiency, circularity,

decarbonisation, resilience to natural disasters and adaptation to climate change

However, COSAC emphasises that the legislative measures related to the green

transition should comply with the EU Social Pillar and ensure the economic and

social sustainability, taking into account the needs of workers and businesses.

(9)

Regarding security and defence, COSAC stresses the importance of strengthening

the European Union's defence capabilities through investment in its industrial and

technological base, inter alia by including SMEs into defence industry supply chains,

in order to move towards global competitiveness and Union’s readiness in security

and defence. In this context, COSAC encourages the EU and NATO to further

deepen and broaden their cooperation, and to act together against common

security threats as set out in their Joint Declaration of 10 January 2023 with particular

attention to Member States most exposed to military threats.

(10)

The EU-NATO and transatlantic cooperation should also contribute to the

preparedness and resilience in the economy, the society, and the institutions at all

levels in crisis and conflict.

(11)

COSAC notes the publication of the Joint Communication of the European

Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security police on

"A new European Defence Industrial Strategy: Achieving EU readiness through a

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responsive and resilient European Defence Industry" (JOIN(2024) 10 final), and the

European Commission proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of

the Council establishing the European Defence Industry Programme and a

framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence

products (‘EDIP’) (2024/0061 (COD)), both published on 5 March 2024.

(12)

COSAC encourages a debate on European defence bonds to strengthen EU

defence capabilities. COSAC also supports the consideration of any increase of

defence related investments as relevant factor when the Commission assesses the

existence of an excessive deficit in the context of the new European Stability and

Growth Pact.

(13)

As far as international cooperation is concerned, COSAC encourages the

strengthening of relations with actors who promote the values of the European

Union, particularly in terms of democracy and the rule of law.

(14)

COSAC supports the enlargement process as a geostrategic investment in peace,

security, stability and prosperity. COSAC welcomes finalisation of proposals by the

Commission for the draft Negotiating Frameworks with Ukraine and the Republic of

Moldova, subject to the approval by the Council, and calls for working towards

opening accession talks with Georgia, in line with the merit-based approach. It urges

the candidates for membership to intensify, with the assistance of the European

Union, their reform efforts, particularly in the field of the rule of law, in accordance

with the Copenhagen criteria. At the same time, the necessary reforms must be

undertaken to ensure that an enlarged European Union can continue to function

effectively in the interests of the citizens of the EU.

(15)

In order to involve the citizens of the EU as much as possible, COSAC insists on the

consultation, or possibly participation, of national parliaments in drawing up the

strategic agenda.

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Open strategic autonomy: competitiveness and resilience

(16)

As stated at its meeting in Madrid, COSAC considers the issue of open strategic

autonomy to be one of the key elements of the European Union's current and future

work towards a sovereign Europe that is more resilient by sustaining its long-term

competitiveness, basing it more on innovation.

(17)

COSAC reaffirms the need for the Union to strengthen its economic and industrial

base, as well as the resources and capabilities necessary to ensure its strategic

autonomy and cooperation with partners in an increasingly competitive and

complex world, without abandoning its social market economy and the advantages

of an open global economy.

(18)

COSAC welcomes the fact that the concept of open strategic autonomy, initially

more closely linked to security and defence, now makes economic sense. The

recent conclusions and declarations of the leaders during the year 2023, several of

which were made under the Spanish Presidency, contribute to this. The Resilient

EU2030 document presented at the informal European Council in Granada also

contributes to this.

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Ukraine

(19)

COSAC reiterates the statements made at its meetings in Prague, Stockholm, and

Madrid strongly and unequivocally condemning Russia's unprovoked, unjustified

and illegal invasion of Ukraine, its war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the

accomplice role of Belarus in conducting it, and the temporary occupation and

attempted annexation of parts of Ukrainian territory, which constitutes a flagrant

violation of the United Nations Charter.

(20)

COSAC reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional cessation of

Russia's illegal military actions, the withdrawal of all its forces and military

equipment from Ukrainian territory, within its internationally recognised borders,

and demands the immediate cessation of the use of force or any other form of

aggression against Ukraine.

(21)

COSAC once again expresses its unwavering support for the independence,

sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia within

their internationally recognised borders, as well as Ukraine's inherent right to self-

defence against Russian aggression.

(22)

COSAC calls on the European Union and its Member States to continue to provide

strong political, diplomatic, economic, military, technical, and humanitarian support

to Ukraine and its people for as long as necessary to put an end to Russia's war of

aggression and to restore Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. As far as

military support is concerned, COSAC supports the idea of continuing military

assistance through bilateral channels the European Peace Facility and also through

supplies from partners outside the European Union, in particular by speeding up

the supply of missiles and munitions as part of the initiative to supply one million

artillery munitions and air defence systems to protect the Ukrainian people and their

critical and energy infrastructures. This does not prejudice the specific character of

the security and defence policy of certain Member States.

(23)

COSAC supports Ukraine's efforts to build a self-sufficient defence industrial

complex, in particular by significantly strengthening defence industry cooperation

with EU Member States.

(24)

COSAC stresses the importance of maintaining unity and strengthening

international cooperation to ensure Ukraine's victory in its struggle against the

Russian Federation's war of aggression.

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(25)

COSAC reiterates its appreciation and support for European and international efforts

to restore, recover and rebuild Ukraine. It calls on the EU institutions and Member

States to accelerate efforts to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's

recovery and reconstruction.

(26)

COSAC welcomes the diplomatic efforts made to ensure the broadest possible

international support for the fundamental principles and objectives of the Ukrainian

peace formula. It underlines its support for the implementation of the peace formula

and for the organisation of a World Peace Summit, recalling that a comprehensive,

just, and lasting peace in Ukraine must be based on full respect for its

independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, within its internationally

recognised borders. Achieving this objective would make a significant contribution

to strengthening international peace and security.

(27)

COSAC welcomes the recent adoption by the European Parliament and the Council

of the regulation establishing the Ukraine Facility, following the European Council's

agreement on the revision of the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework. The

Ukraine Facility will support Ukraine, its recovery, and its path towards EU

membership, with up to €50 billion in grants and loans provided over the years 2024

to 2027.

(28)

COSAC considers it necessary to hold the Russian leadership and their accomplices

fully accountable for the war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as for the

massive damage caused by its war, and all those who participated in or committed

war crimes or other serious crimes, and fully supports the International Criminal

Court's investigation in Ukraine, as well as all other initiatives aimed at preventing

such crimes from going unpunished, including the creation of an international

criminal tribunal to try the crime of aggression against Ukraine and the

establishment of a future compensation mechanism.

(29)

COSAC expresses its full support to the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention on

International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of the Crime of

Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and Other International Crimes,

and calls on all Member States to sign it.

(30)

COSAC supports measures to weaken Russia's ability to wage its war of aggression,

including sanctions adopted by the European Union, and calls for their full and

effective implementation and for intensified efforts, in cooperation with partners, to

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block any attempt to circumvent these sanctions. It welcomes the adoption of the

sanctions package on 23 February 2024 aimed at further restricting Russia's

access to military technologies such as drones, and at adding new companies and

individuals to the list of companies and individuals participating in Russia's war

effort.

(31)

COSAC condemns the military, material, and other support that certain countries

and proxy forces continue to provide to Russia's war against Ukraine and urges them

to cease these actions.

(32)

COSAC reiterates its strong condemnation of the deportations and illegal transfers

of Ukrainian children and other civilians to Russia and Belarus, a crime for which the

International Criminal Court issued an international arrest warrant against the

Russian President on 17 March 2023, and calls on these countries to guarantee their

immediate and safe return.

(33)

COSAC condemns Russia's deliberate attacks on Ukrainian civilian and critical

infrastructure, including grain export facilities, as well as actions to impede freedom

of navigation in the Black Sea, which show that Russia continues to use food as a

weapon, thereby endangering global food security. COSAC welcomes Ukraine's

decisive action to open an alternative sea route to maintain grain exports following

Russia's unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. COSAC supports

all efforts to facilitate the export of grain, particularly to the poorest countries in

Africa and the Middle East, and to increase the capacity of EU solidarity corridors

and other Ukrainian grain export routes. It is also important to promote the resilience

of agriculture in Africa.

(34)

COSAC condemns the attempt by the Russian Federation to illegally annex the

temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol,

as well as parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and

Zaporizhzhia. It also condemns the organisation of presidential elections in the

temporarily occupied territories. The results

of these illegal elections will be null and

void. COSAC takes note of the serious and ongoing deterioration of the political

conditions in Russia manifested among others by the death of Alexsei Navalny and

a presidential election characterised by a lack of conditions for free and fair elections.

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(35)

COSAC condemns Russia’s politically motivated persecution of EU citizens. It invites

the Commission and the High Representative to take the necessary steps to prevent

the execution by third countries of arrest warrants issued by Russia in such cases.

(36)

COSAC reiterates its condemnation of the inhumane detention and death of Alexsey

Navalny, and the peaceful demonstrations in his memory, as well as the holding of

elections without the minimum requirements of international organisations, in

particular the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

(37)

COSAC reiterates its support for the ongoing accession process of Ukraine, Moldova

and Georgia to the EU, based on the fulfilment of the conditions required for the

enlargement process in accordance with the European Commission's enlargement

package for 2023. COSAC reaffirms its support for the need to advance on the

accession to the EU of the Western Balkans countries, in accordance with the

Copenhagen criteria.

(38)

COSAC supports the European Council's focus on security and defence in its

conclusions of the 1

of February 2024, including the need for Europe to increase its

overall defence preparedness and further strengthen its defence industrial and

technological base.

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The Middle East

(39)

COSAC reiterates the statements made at its meeting in Madrid and expresses its

support for the firm declaration of condemnation of Hamas adopted, by consensus,

by the European Council at its meeting on 15 October 2023 and reiterated on 26

October 2023, for the attacks committed by this terrorist organization in various

parts of Israel.

(40)

COSAC insists on Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with and within the

limits imposed on it by international law and international humanitarian law. It

reiterates its call on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any

preconditions.

(41)

COSAC also urges Israel to stop its disproportionate military response, which has

resulted in the death of civilians on an unprecedented scale. COSAC recalls the

provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice in its Order of 26

January 2024, which create international legal obligations. International law must be

the only valid compass in this conflict.

(42)

COSAC reaffirms the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all

times, in accordance with international humanitarian law. It condemns the October

7 massacres committed against Israelis civilians including the systematic sexual

and gender-based violence against women. It deplores all loss of civilian lives from

both sides, with the majority of them being women and children. COSAC recalls that

the International Court of Justice, in its order of 26 January 2024, considered that a

real and imminent risk of irreparable harm being caused to the rights that it has

Declaration of the German delegation of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat: “The German

delegation of the Bundestag and Bundesrat regrets that it cannot support the Middle East section

of the contribution. This is in view of the Presidency's draft text, which does not sufficiently reflect

the delegation’s view of this sensitive subject, in part because of the high bar the Rules of Procedure

set out for the adoption of amendments. In practice, this meant that it was not possible for the

majority of the Conference to acknowledge in the text Israel's unbreakable right to exist and right to

self-defence, alongside the recognition in the text of the suffering of the civilian population in the

Gaza Strip.”

The Czech delegation from the

Poslanecká sněmovna

joins the concerns expressed by the German

Bundestag and Bundesrat.

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deemed plausible and therefore indicated certain measures to be implemented to

protect these rights.

(43)

COSAC condemns the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and

particularly in Rafah, where the UN is warning of the risk of widespread famine.

COSAC calls for continuous, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and

for aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures, including safe

humanitarian corridors and an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a

sustainable ceasefire to meet humanitarian needs. COSAC also expresses its strong

support for Operation “Amalthia” delivering much needed humanitarian aid to Gaza

through a maritime route from Cyprus. COSAC underlines that the International

Court of Justice has demanded that the State of Israel take "immediate and effective

measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and

humanitarian assistance" in Gaza in its order of 26 January 2024.

(44)

COSAC stresses that international humanitarian law states that hospitals, medical

supplies and civilians inside hospitals must be protected, and at the same time must

not be used for military operations, also according to Article 8 of Rome Statute of

the International Criminal Court. COSAC further stresses that international law also

states that hospitals should not be used to shield military objectives from attack.

Hospitals must also receive the most urgent medical supplies immediately, and

patients in need of urgent medical care must be evacuated safely. In this context, it

urges Israel to exercise the utmost restraint to ensure the protection of civilians.

(45)

COSAC is also concerned about the increase in violence against the Palestinian

civilian population in the West Bank, for which 2023 has been the deadliest year

since UN records began.

(46)

COSAC reiterates the need to avoid regional escalation and to engage with all

relevant partners in this regard, including the Palestinian Authority. COSAC deplores

that the Palestinian Authority has to this day not condemned the October 7 attacks.

COSAC strongly condemns Iran-controlled Hezbollah for having fired since October

8 some 5,000 missiles against Israel, forcing some 80,000 Israelis to flee their

homes, becoming internally displaced. In view of the dramatic situation in Gaza, all

appropriate diplomatic and economic levers must be envisioned with regard to

both parties to the conflict.

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(47)

COSAC is ready to contribute to relaunching a political process based on the two-

state solution, living side by side in peace and mutual security. It welcomes

diplomatic initiatives for peace and security and supports the forthcoming

international peace conference.

(48)

COSAC stresses the crucial role of UNRWA's work, both with regard to the

humanitarian response in Gaza as to the general stability in the region. It calls on

UNRWA to continue its cooperation in addressing the allegations that a few of its

staff members were involved in the terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023.

(49)

COSAC welcomes the launch of the maritime security Operation Aspides under the

common security and defence policy, as a necessary step to address the maritime

security situation from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden also contributing to ensure

the freedom of navigation in the wider European and Indo-Pacific area.

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Gender policy and the representation of women and men in parliament

(50)

COSAC welcomes the promotion of transparency within democratic institutions

through statistics on the representation of women and men, regular evaluation of

gender equality policies and reporting on progress. According to the Gender

Equality Index of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), gender equality

in the European Union reached an average of 70.2 points in 2023. This means that

the Equality Index has exceeded 70 points for the first time, showing a growth of 1.6

points since 2022. The increase in the European Union's overall score is the biggest

year-on-year rise since the first edition of the Index in 2013.

(51)

COSAC also points out that according to the EIGE, in 2023, the proportion of women

in the national parliaments of the European Union has risen to 33 points (idem 2022

and 2021).

(52)

COSAC welcomes the declaration of the presidency of the trio of Member States

holding the consecutive presidency of the Council of the EU (Spain, Belgium and

Hungary) on gender equality, adopted on 26 and 27 February 2024 at the informal

meeting of EU gender equality ministers, and that the issue will also be addressed

in the European Commission's report on the rule of law.

(53)

COSAC calls for the European Commissioner for Equality to publish an annual report

on the representation of women in decision-making bodies. This report could be

the subject of an exchange of views in national parliaments. Indeed, COSAC stresses

the need to promote gender equality and the active participation of women in

decision-making processes, as well as in national parliaments.

(54)

COSAC considers that the structures and functioning of national parliaments should

be more gender-sensitive. It refers to the EIGE toolboxes that can be used to make

an institution more gender-sensitive, in particular by means of a self-assessment, a

rating system or an interpretation of a parliament's gender sensitivity. Taken

together, these steps make it possible to objectively measure the policies and

interventions aimed at strengthening equality between women and men in a

parliament.

(55)

COSAC notes that, based on the replies to the Questionnaire for the 41

COSAC Bi-

annual Report, in most of the national parliaments of the European Union, women

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are in the minority, not only as members of parliament, but also in positions of

responsibility and in the parliamentary administration.

(56)

COSAC welcomes the fact that a majority of national parliaments already organise

specific arrangements for members and/or staff with children, such as

breastfeeding facilities, childcare or the possibility of following meetings online. It

encourages the necessary legislative or regulatory measures to be taken to ensure

a balance between private and political life, regardless of gender.

(57)

COSAC welcomes the fact that almost one in two national assemblies has a specific

committee to deal with gender issues or deals with these issues within one or more

other committees.

(58)

COSAC also welcomes the fact that national parliaments are drafting and adopting

action plans on gender equality, as well as guidelines for gender-sensitive and

gender-neutral language.

(59)

COSAC welcomes the active promotion of gender equality in all spheres of political

life through the balanced representation of women and men in decision-making

bodies, political organs and positions of responsibility. It recognises that gender

equality can only be achieved through proactive actions and targeted policies

aimed at eliminating structural and cultural barriers that limit women's participation

in political life.

(60)

COSAC supports the introduction of concrete measures to ensure equitable access

to political office by promoting gender parity in electoral lists, candidacies and

appointments to political positions.

(61)

(62)

COSAC calls for the gender dimension to be taken into account, in all areas, when

drafting and implementing legislation and when drawing up budgets.

COSAC encourages the elimination of discrimination and obstacles to women's

political participation through the adoption of promotion and mentoring policies

and reinforcing access to political training. This may include the creation of

networks and platforms enabling women to share their experiences, help each

other, and strengthen their collective voice.

(63)

COSAC encourages the fight against gender stereotypes in politics by promoting a

diverse representation of women and men, valuing their skills and ideas, and

encouraging their active participation in political debates and decision-making. It is

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necessary to reject all forms of discrimination, sexism or harassment in politics and

to work towards the creation of safe, respectful, and inclusive political environments

for all individuals.

(64)

COSAC calls for equal and meaningful participation of women and men at all levels

of governance by encouraging their presence in decision-making bodies,

committees and consultative bodies. In addition, gender balance in parliamentary

delegations on missions abroad should also be encouraged.

(65)

COSAC welcomes the collaboration between parliamentary institutions and with

civil society organisations, research institutes and gender experts to strengthen

knowledge, exchange good practice, and improve policies on gender equality in

politics.

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The future of democracy and the rule of law in Europe

(66)

COSAC notes that in recent years the rule of law has been called into question in

some Member States and stresses that the rule of law and democracy are the

foundation of the European Union and that the rule of law must be fully respected

by all Member States and the EU, as well as candidate countries, as it ensures the

effective application of Union law and plays a crucial role in the functioning of the

Union.

(67)

COSAC recognises the important role of parliaments to promote a stronger

European culture of the rule of law and welcomes the fact that the European

Commission's annual report on the rule of law contains recommendations to all

Member States, urging them to implement the necessary rule of law reforms.

(68)

COSAC wishes to encourage contacts between the European Commission and

governments/parliaments to organise reforms, when necessary, aimed at

improving the rule of law in the Member States. In this context, COSAC recommends

that national parliaments examine the annual report in committee and/or plenary

session, drawing on the expertise of an independent national institution specialising

in the rule of law and democracy.

(69)

COSAC believes that regarding the rule of law, all Member States should be judged

in the same way. The fundamental principles and values of the European Union are

non-negotiable, and the rule of law should be better protected, in particular by

applying the conditionality mechanism and reflecting on the extension of the

concept of the rule of law to social rights, and by strengthening guarantees with

regard to gender equality within the Union. Furthermore, COSAC considers that the

regulation on conditionality linked to the rule of law is of the utmost importance to

protect the EU budget. COSAC also wishes to strengthen the section devoted to the

difficulties encountered by civil society organisations in the European Union.

(70)

COSAC believes that promoting the rule of law is synonymous with a better life for

European citizens. COSAC wishes to stress the importance of the European Citizens'

Initiative as a central instrument of participatory democracy in the European Union.

A strong culture of the rule of law and citizen involvement is essential. An annual

conference on the state of the rule of law in the EU should be organised with the

involvement of citizens.

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(71)

COSAC also believes that strengthening democratic values requires recognition of

the role of national parliaments. In line with the Report on the final outcome of the

Conference on the Future of Europe, that the European Parliament should have the

right of legislative initiative and that the EU should review the mechanism allowing

national Parliaments to assess whether new legislative proposals at the European

level do not intrude on their legal competences and to be granted the possibility to

suggest a legislative initiative to the European level. If an EU-citizens’ initiative can

ask the European Commission to take action, a similar power should be conferred

on national parliaments. In this way, the green card initiative, which could be

formalised, is a step towards strengthening the rights of parliamentarians and their

participation in the European legislative process. COSAC calls on the European

Council to follow-up on the implementation of the conclusions of the Conference

on the Future of Europe and to examine the proposals set out in the European

Parliament resolution of 22 November 2023 on proposals of the European

Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties (2022/2051(INL)) and reflected in the

Annex thereto in line with its obligation under Article 48 (3) of the Treaty on European

Union.

(72) COSAC welcomes the Action Plan for European Democracy, the negotiations on the

creation of a European body to deal with ethical issues, as well as the new regulation

on the transparency and targeting of political advertising, which represents a step

forward in the fight against disinformation by promoting media independence and

pluralism, and by giving the European Union a greater role in cyber security, and in

the fight against corruption that is to be strengthened in all areas.

(73)

COSAC stresses that the values and principles enshrined in the EU Treaties and in

the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union must be all the more

protected now that the European continent is plunged into a context of war. COSAC

invites the EU institutions and the Member States to launch an open debate on the

establishment of a qualified majority vote for the activation of the Treaty on the

European Union in order to react in the event of serious and persistent violations of

the fundamental values of the European Union by a Member State. COSAC looks

forward to the outcome of the Council's discussions on the importance and

strengthening of the rule of law in the context of future enlargements.

Version: Final

Date: 26/03/2024

EUU, Alm.del - 2023-24 - Bilag 426: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet 24-26/3-24 i Bruxelles

Version: Final

Date: 26/03/2024

EUU, Alm.del - 2023-24 - Bilag 426: Referat, bidrag og konklusioner fra COSAC-mødet 24-26/3-24 i Bruxelles

Access to information on the Council's decision-making process

(74)

COSAC encourages the Council to take all possible measures to ensure access to

information for national parliaments throughout the legislative process and takes

note of the Council Secretariat's decision to suspend access for national

parliaments to the delegates' portal and calls for a dialogue with a view to a

concerted solution.

(75)

COSAC wishes to emphasise the importance of Articles 4 and 12 of the Treaty on

European Union and Protocol (no. 1) to the Treaty on the Functioning of the

European Union.

(76)

COSAC takes into account the European Parliament resolution of 17 January 2024

on the implementation of the Treaty provisions relating to national parliaments

(2023/2084(INI)), stating that the active involvement of national parliaments in

European affairs and the enhanced scrutiny of national governments by national

parliaments are essential to ensure the democratic accountability and legitimacy of

the institutional system of the European Union, stressing that parliamentary scrutiny

can be facilitated by greater transparency within the Council and that, in addition,

access to documents of the other EU institutions enables national parliaments to

exercise appropriate scrutiny.

(77)

Taking into account a request for greater transparency made by a large majority of

the presidents of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs,

COSAC calls on the Council to ensure access to information for national parliaments

in a manner consistent with the above-mentioned resolution.

(78)

COSAC reminds that the accountability of national governments to national

parliaments as acknowledged by Article 10(2) of the Treaty on European Union is

the keystone of the role of national parliamentary chambers in the European Union.

It considers that national parliaments are partners in maintaining the EU institutional

balance.

(79)

COSAC invites the Council Secretariat to consult with national parliaments and

national governments on ways to increase security of information sharing efficiently.

Version: Final

Date: 26/03/2024