PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

Europaudvalget 2005-06
Det Europæiske Råd 15/6-16/6 06 Bilag 3
Offentligt

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 30 May 2006

9858/06

LIMITE

POLGEN 70

NOTE

from :

to :

Subject :

Presidency

COREPER

European Council (15 and 16 June 2006)

– Draft conclusions

Further to the discussions held in Coreper on 23 May 2006 and at Klosterneuburg, the Presidency

submits the following revised draft conclusions of the European Council. This text will continue to

be updated in the light of work underway elsewhere. In particular, section II (a) will need to be

updated in the light of the outcome of the forthcoming JHA Council.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

The meeting was preceded by an exposé by Mr Josep Borrell, President of the European

Parliament, followed by an exchange of views.

EUROPE LISTENS

In June 2005 the Heads of State or Government called for a period of reflection during which

a broad debate should take place in all Member States, involving citizens, civil society, social

partners, national parliaments and political parties, with the contribution of European

institutions. The European Council welcomes the various initiatives taken in the Member

States in the framework of national debates, as well as a series of events organised by the

Austrian Presidency, in particular the Conference "The Sound of Europe" in Salzburg on

27/28 January 2006. The European Council expresses its gratitude to the Commission for

having contributed to the reflection period in the context of its Plan D and to the European

Parliament for having organised together with the Austrian Parliament the joint parliamentary

meeting on the "Future of Europe" on 8/9 May 2006. The European Council welcomes the

intention of institutions and Member States to carry on their activities aimed at involving

citizens in the debate about what Europe should stand for in the 21

century.

The European Council carried out a first assessment of the reflection period. This took place

on the basis of the written report prepared by the Presidency and Council Secretariat drawing

on information provided by Member States on their national debates (doc. 9701/1/06 REV 1),

as well as the Commission's contributions ("A citizen's agenda - delivering results for

Europe", the "Plan D" initiative and the White Paper on a European Communication Policy).

While worries and concerns have been voiced during these debates, citizens remain

committed to the European project. They expect the Union to prove its added value by taking

action in response to the challenges and opportunities facing it: ensuring peace, prosperity and

solidarity, enhancing security, furthering sustainable development and promoting European

values in a rapidly globalising world.

The European Council reaffirms its commitment to a Union that delivers the concrete results

that citizens expect in order to rebuild a climate of confidence and trust, as set out in Part II,

and has agreed to extend the reflection period, as set out in Part III.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

II.

EUROPE AT WORK

(a)

Promoting freedom, security and justice

Progress on measures agreed in the Hague Programme aimed at addressing problems such as

illegal immigration, trafficking of human beings, terrorism and organised crime while

guaranteeing respect for fundamental freedoms and rights will be assessed in December 2006.

In the meantime further efforts are required, particularly as concerns:



following the progress made on the Schengen Information System (SIS II) and

implementation of the

Schengen acquis

in the new Member States, rapid finalisation of

the legislative measures on

border control

and

police cooperation

and completion of

the technical preparations at EU and national levels, making operational the

Schengen

Information System

and the

Visa Information System

in 2007 thus paving the way

for the enlargement of the Schengen area;



taking work forward rapidly on the Commission's proposal on the establishment of

Common Application Centres

and the collection of biometrics for the purpose of visas

and initiation of a pilot project;



taking work forward on

visa facilitation

and

readmission agreements

based on the

Council approach, starting with the countries with a European Perspective;

further strengthening of practical cooperation in developing a balanced common

European

asylum

system, rapid progress on relevant proposals including the

amendments to the European Refugee Fund and the establishment of a list of safe

countries of origin as well as on

Regional Protection Programmes

(Ukraine, Moldova,

Belarus, Tanzania);



following the progress made on strengthening judicial

cooperation in

both

civil and

criminal law,

rapid finalisation in particular of the Framework Decisions on the

European Evidence Warrant, the protection of personal data as well as the procedural

rights in criminal proceedings to be recognised to accused persons;

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files



intensifying

police cooperation,

in particular giving an increased role to

Europol

support operations, as well as replacement of the Europol Convention by a Council

Decision by 1 January 2008.

The European Council welcomes the "Vienna Declaration on Security Partnership" agreed by

Member States and Neighbouring countries of the EU at the Ministerial Conference in Vienna

on 4-5 May 2006 as well as the participation of the Russian Federation and the United States

of America. It takes note of the first steps made towards such a partnership, e.g. improving

cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries to combat organised crime,

corruption, illegal migration and terrorism. The European Council takes note of the "Vienna

Initiative" on possible future tripartite cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs

between the EU, the Russian Federation and the United States of America and invites future

Presidencies to consider how this initiative might be taken forward. The European Council

calls for a further swift implementation of the

Strategy for the external dimension of JHA,

with view to enhancing the coordination and coherence between JHA policies and external

policies.

In the light of the increased cooperation with third countries of origin and transit in

migration

issues

in particular in the regions neighbouring the Union, namely the eastern, south eastern

and Mediterranean regions, the European Council recalls the importance of a balanced and

comprehensive approach. It awaits the presentation of the Commission communication on

future priorities in the field of

illegal immigration

and follow-up action and it recognises the

importance of the forthcoming UN High Level Dialogue on International Migration and

Development and the need for an EU common position. Against the background of recent

migration events, the European Council calls for the continued of the implementation of the

Global Approach to Migration, in particular regarding the priorities focussing on Africa and

the Mediterranean, and welcomes in this sense the Euro-African Ministerial Conference in

Rabat and the launching of dialogue in the framework of the EU-ACP (African, Caribbean

and Pacific) Partnership. It looks forward to the forthcoming final report by the Commission

on the Hampton Court follow-up to migration and security to be examined at its

December 2006 meeting.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

The European Council calls for the implementation of the action plans agreed under the EU

Counter Terrorism

Strategy, including the strategy against radicalisation and recruitment, to

be accelerated. Work must also be sped up on the protection of critical infrastructure. The

European Council awaits the Commission's first respective programme as well as concrete

proposals on detection technologies. The Council and the Commission are also invited to

develop measures to combat the misuse of the internet for terrorist purposes while respecting

fundamental rights and principles.

10.

The European Council calls upon the incoming Finnish Presidency, in close collaboration

with the Commission, to explore the possibilities of improving decision-making in the area of

Freedom, Security and Justice.

11.

Agency for fundamental rights

12.

Improving the Union's

responsiveness to emergencies, crises and disasters

inside and

outside the Union remains a political imperative. When such emergencies occur, citizens

rightly expect a swift and effective response. This is done by Member States, primarily

responsible for managing emergencies on their territory, and the European Union, which

helps to organise and coordinate available assets when requested to do so.

13.

The European Council endorses the Presidency report on "Reinforcing the Union's emergency

and crisis response capacities" (doc. XXXX/06) which sets out the many practical steps and

decisions taken to improve coordination and delivery of available assets; to get assistance

quickly where it is needed; and to provide more effective consular protection to EU citizens in

third countries. Furthermore, the European Council welcomes the report submitted by

Michel Barnier in May 2006 as an important contribution to the debate.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

14.

Building on work conducted under the Austrian Presidency, priority must now be given to:



rapid implementation of agreed measures and decisions taken as set out in the

Presidency report,

including the EU emergency and Crisis Coordination

Arrangements and the Setting up of a Crisis Steering Group in Brussels

and the

recommendations by the Secretary-General/High Representative pertaining to the

coordination and use of Member States' military assets and capabilities in support of

disaster response;



exercising these procedures and capabilities and learning lessons from these exercises

and actual operational experience to improve disaster response;

the further developing a European Union rapid response capability based on means that

Member States make available, including interoperable civil protection modules;

adoption of the recast of the Community's civil protection mechanism and on the

establishment of a rapid response and preparedness instrument by the end of the year;

an even closer cooperation among EU Member States, including joint consular service

points in pre-identified regions. To this end, a joint report by the Secretary-

General/High Representative and the Commission is requested by October 2006.

15.

The incoming Presidency will report to the December 2006 European Council on progress

achieved across the board.

(b)

Promoting the European way of life in a globalised world

16.

The European Council took stock of progress in several of the areas discussed at Hampton

Court and at the last Spring European Council, aimed at promoting the European way of life

in the face of globalisation and demographic trends.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

17.

Sustainable development

means that the needs of the present generation should be met

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs; it is a fundamental

objective of the European Union. While positive achievements in areas such as water

management and energy on global level, climate change, getting prices right and better policy

making have been made since the Gothenburg European Council, many challenges remain.

Therefore an ambitious and comprehensive renewed EU Strategy for Sustainable

Development has been adopted (document XXXX/06). The implementation of this Strategy

will be closely monitored and followed up by the European Council on a regular basis.

18.

Climate change

is a global problem requiring global solutions. The European Council

therefore looks forward to a successful continuation of the discussions in the framework of

the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and under the Kyoto Protocol

to arrive at a post-2012 arrangement consistent with meeting the Council's objective of a

maximum global temperature increase of 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The Council will

therefore push in all relevant multilateral fora, including with all Parties to the UNFCCC, for

a full and open dialogue on future action and on agreeing an international goal. In addition,

the European Council calls on the Commission to submit without delay a report to the

European Parliament and the Council on the experience of the application of the directive

establishing a scheme for green house gas emission allowance trading within the Community,

accompanied by proposals as appropriate.

19.

The European Council welcomes the conclusion of the Inter-Institutional Agreement on the

Financial Perspectives 2007-2013 providing the Union with the means to carry through its

policies and stresses the importance of rapidly adopting the necessary legal instruments.

20.

The re-launched

Lisbon Strategy

has already been refocused on those issues of most

importance to the citizens, jobs and growth, in full coherence with the Sustainable

Development Strategy; special emphasis has been laid on investment in knowledge and

innovation, business potential, especially of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and

employment of priority categories.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

21.

The European Council in particular:



welcomes the agreement reached in the Council on the

Services Directive

and calls for

a swift conclusion of the legislative process;

recalls the importance of a simple, transparent and easy to apply

regulatory

environment;

welcomes the Commission's intention to launch a fundamental review of the

Single

Market,

to be followed by concrete proposals for completing the internal market and

ensuring its effective functioning; an interim report will be presented before the

March 2007 European Council;



stresses the importance of the

social dimension

of the Union's action, and welcomes the

intention of the European Commission to take stock of social realities in the EU and

invites the Commission to issue an interim report before the European Council of

March 2007 and to pay particular attention to the social impact of European legislation

within the Commission's integrated impact assessment;



underlines the need for investment in

knowledge and innovation,

[and welcomes]

[calls for the rapid] adoption of the 7th Framework Programme and of the

Competitiveness and Innovation Programme as well as the establishment of the EIB

innovation facility;



notes the significance of the Commission's communication on the challenges ahead for

universities

and encourages the Member States to promote excellence and foster

modernisation, restructuring and innovation in the higher education sector in order to

unlock its potential and to underpin Europe's drive for more growth and jobs;



reaffirms that the

European Institute for Technology

will be an important step to fill

the existing gap between higher education, research and innovation.

PM: Commission proposal on further steps

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

22.

In its conclusions of March 2006 the European Council called for an

Energy Policy for

Europe

and invited the Commission and Council to prepare a set of actions with a clear

timetable enabling it to adopt a prioritised Action Plan at its meeting in Spring 2007. The

external aspects of energy will constitute an important part of such an overall policy and will

need to be included within the Action Plan.

PM: Joint Paper Commission - SG/HR for the European Council: "An external policy to

serve Europe's energy interests"

(c)

Improving the efficiency and coherence of its external policies

23.

The European Council reaffirms the commitment of the Union and the Member States to use

their substantial international influence as effectively as possible to protect and promote the

interests of their citizens. The growing challenges facing the Union make it even more

important to improve the efficiency, coherence and visibility of its external policies, as well as

the consistency between its external and its internal policies. The European Council welcomes

the proposals to that effect contained in the paper "Europe in the World", presented to the

Council by the President of the Commission. It welcomes the internal measures which have

already been implemented or are proposed by the Commission. It invites Member States, the

High Representative / Secretary General and the Commission to take work forward with a

view to improving strategic planning, coherence between the Union's various external policy

instruments as well as cooperation between the EU institutions and the Member States.

The European Council agrees that a first stocktaking in relation to the implementation of these

measures will be taken in the Council during the Finnish Presidency.

(d)

Improving the functioning of the Union

24.

The European Council agreed on a number of measures intended to enhance the functioning

of the Union without requiring changes to the Treaty. This includes opening up the work of

the Council and bringing more clarity to the respective responsibilities of the various actors in

the work of the Union.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

25.

A pre-requisite for increasing the trust and confidence of citizens in the European Union is

that they are able to get first hand insight into its activities. The European Council therefore

decides to further open up the work of the Council and agrees on an

overall policy on

transparency

(Annex I). In particular, all Council deliberations under the co-decision

procedure shall now be public. It requests the Council to rapidly take the measures necessary

to ensure implementation of the new policy.

26.

In view of the importance of the principles of

subsidiarity and proportionality,

the

European Council welcomes the initiative taken by the Austrian Presidency to hold a

conference on subsidiarity in St. Pölten on 18/19 April 2006, as a follow-up to last year's

conference in the Hague. In that context the ideas developed at these conferences should be

examined and future Presidencies encouraged to carrying this initiative forward.

The European Council notes the inter-dependence of the European and national legislative

processes. It therefore welcomes the Commission's commitment to make all new proposals

and consultation papers directly available to national parliaments. The national parliaments

are therefore encouraged to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Conference of

European Affairs Committees (COSAC) when monitoring subsidiarity.

The European Council further recalls that the confidence of citizens in the European project

can be strengthened if European legislation reflects more strongly the added value of EU

action. It therefore invites the Council, the European Parliament and the European

Commission to draw up a standard subsidiarity and proportionality check list that shall be

applied in the European legislative process.

27.

The European Council equally welcomes the [progress made by] [positive outcome of

discussions between] the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the

comitology reform. The newly agreed provisions will enhance scrutiny of the legislator with

regard to the Commission's implementing powers in areas subject to co-decision, thus

improving the

comitology

procedures.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

28.

Progress has been made since its last meeting in all fields of

Better Regulation

and all

institutions and Member States are urged to implement their respective commitments as set

out in the 2003 Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Law Making. The European Council

calls on the Member States to take initiatives at national level, including through their national

reform programmes, in order to reduce administrative burdens on enterprises. It invites the

Commission to report on the progress made at national and Community levels by early 2007.

The Spring European Council should draw conclusions on further steps to be taken.

Priority should be given to reducing unnecessary administrative burdens, which pose a

significant barrier to a more innovative and knowledge-intensive economy. In this context, the

European Council looks forward to an announcement of ambitious, measurable reduction

targets by early 2007, in time for the Spring European Council.

29.

The European Council welcomes the further embedding of the use of impact assessments in

decision-making in the work of all institutions as a crucial element in the legislative process.

The European Council also welcomes the implementation of the Commission's programme to

simplify existing legislation, looks forward to receiving a report from the Commission in the

second half of 2006, and requests that relevant Council formations give priority to specific

simplification proposals. It stresses the importance of extending the simplification programme

to all relevant branches of the European economy. The European Council also takes note of

the successful conclusion of the Commission's 2005 screening exercise and invites the

Commission to continue to screen pending proposals.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

III. LOOKING AHEAD TO FUTURE CHALLENGES

(a)

p.m. Constitutional process

(b)

Enlargement

General

30.

The European Council takes note of the initial discussions on enlargement held at the

informal Foreign Ministers meeting in Salzburg on 11 March and in Klosterneuburg on

27-28 May 2006. It agreed to continue and deepen this general discussion during the second

half of 2006.

31.

It recalls that enlargement has proved a historic opportunity contributing to ensure peace,

security, stability, democracy, the rule of law as well as growth and prosperity in the

European Union as a whole. Enlargement is equally helping the EU to become a more

competitive and dynamic economy and to be better prepared to meet the challenges of a

globalised and changing world. The European Council notes in this context the Commission's

report on the economic success of the historic enlargement of the Union in 2004.

32.

With regard to the ongoing enlargement process the European Council emphasized that every

effort should be made to protect the cohesion and the effectiveness of the Union. Just as in the

past it will be important to ensure in future that the Union will be able to function effectively

and to further Europe's common project. Therefore the European Council will have a debate

on all aspects of further enlargements, including the Union's capacity to absorb new members,

at its meeting in December 2006. The Commission is invited to present a special report on the

criterion of the Union's absorption capacity at the same time as it tables its annual progress

reports on the enlargement and pre-accession processes This report will focus in particular on

legal, institutional and financial aspects as well on the perception of enlargement by public

opinion within the Union and should take into account the need to explain the enlargement

process adequately to the public within the Union.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

Bulgaria and Romania

33.

It is the Union's common objective to welcome Bulgaria and Romania in January 2007 as

members of the Union if they are ready. On the basis of the Commission's Monitoring Report

of May 2006 the European Council confirms this position. While commending both countries

for the reform efforts undertaken lately, the European Council calls on

Bulgaria

and

Romania

to rigorously step up their efforts to tackle decisively and without delay the remaining issues

of concern as mentioned in the Commission's May 2006 report.

34.

The European Council remains convinced that, with the necessary political will, both

candidates can overcome the deficits stated to reach the envisaged date of accession on

1 January 2007. It encourages Member States to complete the ratification of the Accession

Treaty on time, irrespective of the Commission report expected in early autumn.

Turkey

35.

The European Council reviewed progress made in the acquis screening and welcomes the start

of substantive accession negotiations with Turkey. Turkey is expected to share the values,

objectives and the legal order set out in the treaties. The Union is committed to support

Turkey in its efforts to comply with the Union's standards and membership obligations,

including the Copenhagen criteria.

36.

The European Council recalls, in line with previous conclusions, that the current negotiations

are based on each country's own merits and that their pace will depend on each country's

progress in preparing for accession measured against the requirements set out in the

Negotiating Framework. This includes the compliance with contractual obligations under the

Association Agreement, including the Customs Union and the implementation in 2006 of the

Additional Protocol as well as the implementation of the revised Accession Partnership.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

37.

The European Council calls on Turkey to intensify the reform process and to implement it

fully and effectively throughout the country, so as to ensure its irreversibility and

sustainability as well as to progress towards the fulfilment of the Copenhagen political

criteria.

Croatia

38.

The European Council reviewed progress made in the acquis screening and welcomes the start

of substantive accession negotiations with Croatia. Croatia is expected to share the values,

objectives and the legal order set out in the treaties. The Union is committed to support

Croatia in its efforts to comply with the Union's standards and membership obligations,

including the Copenhagen criteria.

39.

The European Council recalls, in line with previous conclusions, that the current negotiations

are based on each country's own merits and that their pace will depend on each country's

progress in preparing for accession measured against the requirements set out in the

Negotiating Framework. This includes contractual obligations under the Stabilisation and

Association Agreement as well as the implementation of the Accession Partnership.

40.

The European Council encourages Croatia to continue its reform efforts and to achieve

sustainable progress towards the fulfilment of EU standards.

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

Western Balkans

41.

The European Council reconfirmed the European perspective of the Western Balkans as set

out in the Stabilisation and Association Process, the Thessaloniki Agenda and the Salzburg

Declaration of March 2006. In this respect, the European Council confirmed that the future of

the Western Balkans lies in the European Union. Each country's progress towards the

European Union will continue to depend on individual merits in meeting the conditions and

requirements set forth in the Copenhagen criteria and in the Stabilisation and Association

Process, including full cooperation with the ICTY. All Western Balkan countries have in the

last year made significant steps along their road towards the EU, with EU membership as

ultimate goal in conformity with the Thessaloniki Agenda. The Council welcomed the initial

progress made in the implementation of the Commission's Communication "The Western

Balkans on the Road to the EU: consolidating stability and raising prosperity". The European

Union will continue assisting the Western Balkan countries through practical measures to

make the European perspective more tangible and is looking forward to concrete results in the

near future notably in areas such as regional free trade and visa facilitation in line with the

common approach.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

9858/06

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

ANNEX I

AN OVERALL POLICY ON TRANSPARENCY

With a view to further increase openness, transparency and accountability, the European Council

agrees on the following measures aiming at a stronger involvement of citizens in the work of the

Union:



All Council deliberations on legislative acts to be adopted by co-decision shall be open to the

public as shall the votes and the explanation of votes by Council Members. The Council or

Coreper may decide in individual cases that a given deliberation should not be open to the

public.



The Council's first deliberations on legislative acts other than those adopted by co-decision,

which given their importance are presented orally by the Commission in a Council session,

shall be open to the public. The Presidency may decide in individual cases that the Council's

subsequent deliberations on a particular act shall be open to the public, unless the Council or

Coreper decide otherwise.



The Council shall regularly hold public debates on important issues affecting the interests of

the Union and its citizens. Such debates will be held further to a decision by the Council or

Coreper, acting by qualified majority. Implementation of this commitment shall start during

the incoming Presidency, which would submit proposals for such public debates taking into

account the importance of the matter and its interest to citizens.



The General Affairs and External Relations Council's deliberations on the 18 month

programme shall be public, as shall other Council formations' deliberations on their priorities.

The Commission's presentation of its five year programme, of its annual work programme and

of its annual policy strategy, as well as the ensuing debate, shall be public.

9858/06

ANNEX I

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files



All public deliberations shall be broadcasted in all languages through video-streaming and

there shall be an obligation for a recorded version to remain available for at least a month on

the Council's internet site.



The incoming Presidency is invited, together with the General Secretariat of the Council, to

develop new means of giving more publicity to public deliberations, in particular through the

Council's web site and mailing list, an easily accessible and constantly updated list of

forthcoming debates, appropriate background material, as well as direct communication to

target audiences. They will work closely together to provide the media and citizens with an

open, rapid and technically advanced communication service.



The General Secretariat of the Council shall inform the public in advance of the dates and

approximate time on which public debates will take place and shall take all practical measures

to ensure proper implementation of the rules of transparency.

9858/06

ANNEX I

DQPG

LIMITE EN