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Europaudvalget 2007-08 (2. samling), Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2007-08 (2. samling)
Det Europæiske Råd 19-20/6-08 Bilag 4, UPN Alm.del Bilag 81
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COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 10 June 2008

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POLGEN 60

NOTE

from :

to :

Subject :

Presidency

COREPER

European Council (19 and 20 June 2008)

– Draft conclusions

The Presidency hereby submits a revised draft of the conclusions to be agreed by the European

Council at its meeting on 19 and 20 June 2008.

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The meeting of the European Council was preceded by an exposé by Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering,

President of the European Parliament, followed by an exchange of views.

LISBON TREATY

[p.m.]

FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE

Strengthening the EU as an area of freedom, security and justice is a key priority for citizens.

The European Council calls on the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission to

make every effort to ensure the rapid adoption of important legislative proposals still pending

in this field before the end of the current legislature.

Last December the European Council underlined the need for a renewed political commitment

for the purpose of developing a comprehensive European migration policy. Since then,

important progress has been achieved, in particular on the development of an integrated

border management strategy and the enhancement of cooperation with third countries. Efforts

in the area should be strengthened in the coming months.

The European Council emphasises the interlinkages between migration, employment and

development as well as the importance of combating the major pull factors of illegal

migration. It calls on the Council to intensify work with a view to the rapid adoption of the

proposals on the admission of third country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified

employment, on sanctions against employers of illegal immigrants, and on a single

application procedure and a common set of rights for third country workers.

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The European Council welcomes the conclusions of the Council of April 2008 on practical

cooperation in the field of asylum and invites the Commission to present the Policy Plan as

soon as possible. It underlines the need to continue with progress on the future Common

European Asylum System with a view to its realisation by 2010.

The European Council underlines the importance of continuing work on the further

development of the integrated border management strategy, including addressing particular

pressures faced by some Member States. Rapid progress is needed on the future development

of FRONTEX, including through the enhancement of operational coordination. The use of

modern technologies to improve the management of external borders needs to be swiftly and

thoroughly examined, including entry/exit and registered traveller systems. The European

Council looks forward to the forthcoming studies on the feasibility and added value of an

electronic system for travel authorisation and on the creation of a European Border

Surveillance System. The European Council invites the Commission to step up efforts on

these issues and to rapidly report back on progress achieved and further possible steps.

The European Council reiterates the need for an effective return and readmission policy. It

welcomes the progress made on the proposal on common standards in this area and underlines

the importance of enhancing cooperation in readmission with third countries and consequently

stresses the need to conclude urgently readmission agreements with all major countries of

origin and transit.

The European Council underlines the importance of continuing the dialogue, partnership and

cooperation with third countries on migration issues in a geographically balanced manner.

The Global Approach needs to be further developed, in particular through the development of

concrete instruments such as migration missions, cooperation platforms, mobility partnerships

and migration profiles. In this respect, the European Council welcomes the launching of Pilot

Mobility Partnerships with Cape Verde and the Republic of Moldova and looks forward to the

opening of the dialogue on such Partnerships with Georgia and Senegal. The Commission is

invited to evaluate the Pilot Mobility Partnerships and report on the results by no later than

June 2009.

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Noting the important progress achieved over the past months in implementing the Union's

Counter Terrorism Strategy, the European Council stresses that efforts to fight terrorism must

be stepped up, while fully respecting the rule of law and human rights. In this context the

European Council welcomes the recommendations contained in the EU's Counter-Terrorism

Coordinator's report. It invites the Commission to come forward with its communication on

the prevention of radicalisation and recruitment for terrorism as soon as possible. In its

cooperation with third countries the Union should usefully contribute to the prevention of

recruitment for terrorism, particularly through the delivery of technical assistance in the fields

of education, human rights, rule of law, civil society and governance. The Commission is

invited to focus efforts in particular on countries in the North African region and the Sahel, as

well as countries in the South Asia region.

Access to relevant information by the competent authorities of the Member States and EU

agencies is a necessity for an efficient prevention of terrorism and serious crime. The

European Council therefore stresses the need for a coordinated and coherent approach to the

implementation of the principle of availability, aiming for an effective use of information

technology and information networks. Agreement has been reached on the integration of the

provisions on exchange of information in the Prüm Treaty into the Union's legal framework,

but further initiatives to enhance the exchange of information should be examined, taking due

account of the protection of personal data.

10.

In March 2008, the enlargement of the Schengen area by 9 Member States was finalised with

the abolition of controls at internal air borders. This contributes to a higher level of mobility

without affecting the security of EU citizens. The European Council urges the Member States

and the Commission to allocate sufficient resources to ensure that SIS II becomes operational

in September 2009. It invites the Commission to present possible solutions for the long term

management of large scale IT systems in the area of Freedom, Security and Justice.

11.

The European Council welcomes an initiative to progressively establish a uniform EU

E-justice portal by the end of 2009.

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12.

The European Council welcomes the agreement reached on the Directive on the protection of

the environment through criminal law and the progress made with regard to the Directive

against ship source pollution. The European Council reiterates the importance of achieving a

high level of environmental protection throughout the EU. It also welcomes the continuation

of work in the field of procedural guarantees in criminal law, especially the rapid adoption of

the framework decision for enhancing procedural rights in trials in the absence of the person,

and calls for work to be continued in this area.

13.

Efforts to enhance judicial cooperation in civil law matters, including family law, need to

continue, considering the positive impact such cooperation can have on citizens in their

everyday lives. Important legal acts concerning mediation in civil and commercial matters,

the law applicable to contractual obligations and parental responsibility and the protection of

children have been adopted; nevertheless, further work is needed. The European Council

therefore calls for the Regulation on maintenance obligations to be adopted before the end

of 2008 and for a political solution concerning the Regulation on jurisdiction and applicable

law in matrimonial matters to be found promptly. The Commission is invited to submit its

proposal on succession and wills before the end of the year.

14.

The European Council underlines the need to rapidly follow up on the project to establish a

common frame of reference for European contract law.

15.

The roles of Eurojust and Europol need to be strengthened, and the cooperation between these

two agencies enhanced, with a view to reinforcing the fight against serious cross-border

crime. The European Council stresses the importance of the agreement reached at the

April 2008 Council on the Decision on establishing Europol and calls for its swift formal

adoption in line with the timetable agreed in June 2007. The European Council calls on the

Council to rapidly conclude its work with a view to formally adopting the draft Council

Decision establishing Eurojust before the end of 2008.

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16.

The European Council emphasises the need to strengthen the cooperation with third countries

and international organisations (especially the Hague Conference on Private International

Law, the Council of Europe and the United Nations).

17.

The European Council strongly supports the aim of having all EU Member States

participating as quickly as possible in the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme in order to ensure full

reciprocal visa free travel and equal treatment for all EU citizens as is already the case for

U.S. citizens entering the territory of the Member States.

18.

The European Council welcomes ongoing efforts to reinforce the Union's disaster response

capacities and stresses the need for an integrated approach to managing disasters. It invites the

Council, the Commission and Member States to take this work forward rapidly.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF HIGH FOOD AND OIL PRICES

19.

The recent surge in commodity prices raises concerns, both internally, especially as regards

low income households, and abroad, particularly for developing countries which are net food

importers. It is a complex phenomenon with many root causes and consequences, affecting

EU policies across the board. The European Council welcomes the Commission's

Communication on this issue.

20.

Rising oil prices have also partly contributed to higher food prices through higher input prices

for farmers as well as higher costs for transport and food processing. These developments

underscore the need to foster energy efficiency and promote competition in energy markets,

increase the transparency of oil markets, including as regards oil stocks, as well as promote

modernisation of transport systems and renewable energy sources, while enhancing the

dialogue with oil producing countries. The European Council recalls the agreement reached in

Manchester in 2005 that distortionary fiscal and other policy interventions should be avoided

as they prevent the necessary adjustment by economic agents.

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21.

The European Council takes particular note of the Commission's intention to monitor food

price developments in Europe and internationally, and looks forward to the Commission's

report on the evolution of the situation ahead of the December 2008 European Council.

22.

Acknowledging the importance of devising a policy response to the global and domestic

effects of the price surge, the European Council agrees on the following:

Short term measures

23.

In the agricultural sector the Union has already acted to moderate the pressure on food prices

through the sale of intervention stocks, the reduction in export refunds, the removal of the

set-aside requirement for 2008, the increase of milk quotas, and the suspension of import

duties for cereals, thus improving supply and helping to stabilise agricultural markets.

24.

It is also important to note the distributional effects of increasing commodity prices. A

number of Member States have envisaged short term measures to alleviate the impact of

recent commodity price developments on low income households. However, it is important to

ensure that price signals are not distorted and to avoid broad-based second round effects on

wages and prices (including through indexation schemes). Any measures should be short term

and targeted, and should avoid distortionary effects.

25.

A number of Member States are also planning to reform restrictive regulation in the retail

sector in order to improve the functioning and the competition at various stages of the food

supply chain. The European Council welcomes the Commission's initiative to examine this

issue in the context of the Single Market Review. The European Council also welcomes the

Commission's intention to monitor closely activities in commodity-related financial markets

and their impact on price movements as well as any policy implications. It invites the

Commission to report back on this issue in advance of the December 2008 European Council.

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Mid and long term measures

26.

Successive reforms of the CAP have enhanced its market orientation, reduced the number of

supply management measures and made EU farmers more responsive to price developments.

It is important to continue to improve the market orientation of agriculture and thus enable EU

farmers to better respond to market signals. In the context of the CAP Health Check, the

Council will also consider further steps with the aim of abolishing supply restraints.

27.

It is important to ensure the sustainability of bio-fuel policies, notably by encouraging the

development of the second generation bio-fuels made from by-products that do not compete

with food production. There is also a need to rapidly assess possible impacts on agricultural

products for food and take action, if necessary, to address shortcomings. Further assessment

should also be made of the environmental as well as social consequences of the production of

bio-fuels.

28.

There is a need to pursue work on innovation, research and development of agricultural

production, notably to enhance its energy efficiency, productivity growth and ability to adapt

to climate change.

Initiatives at the international level

29.

High food prices are generally putting a strain on most developing countries. They are

severely affecting the situation of the world's poorest populations and are putting at risk

progress towards all MDGs. Action is therefore required from the European Union from a

development and humanitarian assistance perspective. In its efforts, the Union will work in

close liaison with the United Nations and other international organisations and in the

framework of partner countries' own policies and strategies.

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30.

In view of the high food prices experienced globally, the European Council stresses the

importance of fostering coordination with the EU's international partners, in particular in

promoting the sustainable production of bio-fuels and the efficient use of energy at

international level and in working to increase as required the assistance to the most affected

countries.

31.

The EU is already providing important food aid and humanitarian assistance in many of the

most critical areas and will mobilise resources to finance, beyond food aid, safety nets for

poor and vulnerable population groups.

32.

The EU will promote a more coordinated and longer term international response to the current

food crisis, in particular in the UN, in international financial institutions and in the context of

the G8. It accordingly welcomes the establishment by the UNSG of the High-Level Task

Force on the Global Food Security Crisis. The EU is determined to play its full part in

implementing the Declaration agreed in Rome on 5 June 2008 at the FAO High Level

Conference on World Food Security.

33.

The EU will use its policy dialogue with third countries in a transparent manner to discourage

food export restrictions and export bans. It will also raise this issue in the WTO and other

relevant international fora. Furthermore, the EU will continue to strive for a comprehensive,

ambitious and balanced conclusion of the Doha Round.

34.

The EU will support a strong agricultural supply response in developing countries, providing

in particular the necessary financing for agricultural inputs and assistance in using

market-based risk management instruments. It will enhance its support to public and private

investments in agriculture and more generally encourage developing countries to develop

better agriculture policies, especially to support food security and reinforce regional

integration. Particular attention will be paid to small-scale farmers and enhancing energy

efficiency.

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35.

Considering the wide range of policy sectors affected by the high food prices, the European

Council invites the GAERC to follow closely the work conducted in the relevant Council

formations on this issue and report back by December 2008.

ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

36.

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the historic decision to launch the euro and the

creation of the European Central Bank, the European Council salutes the remarkable success

of the first decade of economic and monetary union. This success must be built upon to meet

the economic challenges that lie ahead. The European Council calls on the Council to reflect

on the means of strengthening the economic framework for EMU, in the light of the

Commission's communication on "EMU@10", so as to ensure that the full potential and

benefits of the single currency are realised.

37.

The European Council congratulates Slovakia on the convergence achieved since its accession

to the EU, based on sound economic and financial policies, and welcomes Slovakia's

fulfilment of all the convergence criteria as set out in the Treaty. In this context, the European

Council welcomes the Commission's proposal that Slovakia should adopt the euro on 1

January 2009.

38.

The EU remains committed to maintaining international leadership on climate change and

energy. The European Council welcomes the progress made on a global and comprehensive

post-2012 agreement on climate change at the negotiations in Bangkok in April and in Bonn

in June 2008. The pace of negotiations needs to accelerate in order to come to an agreement in

Copenhagen in 2009. With the aim of agreeing on an EU position concerning scaled-up

finance and investment flows for both mitigation and adaptation according to the Bali Action

plan on time, the Commission is invited to present a comprehensive strategy on mechanisms

for low carbon technology research and development, dissemination and transfer, as well as

financing and investment with the aim of agreeing on an EU position at the Spring European

Council 2009.

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39.

In order to maintain international leadership and credibility the European Union must reach

rapidly an agreement on its climate and energy package. The European Council therefore

welcomes the progress achieved to date on the different proposals of the climate and energy

legislative package and urges the Council to work in close cooperation with the European

Parliament towards an agreement in line with the time targets set at its March 2008 meeting.

40.

The European Council welcomes broad agreement reached on essential elements of the

internal energy market legislative package, and in particular on the issue of effective

separation of supply and production activities in the gas and electricity sectors. It invites the

Council and the European Parliament to reach final agreement on the package before the end

of the current legislative term.

41.

The European Council warmly welcomes the political agreements reached by the Council on

the Directive on working time and on the Directive on working conditions for temporary

workers, which represent important steps towards legal certainty in these areas. It calls on the

Council and the European Parliament to reach a balanced final agreement on both Directives

before the end of the current legislative term.

42.

[The European Council is expected to welcome the decision on the EIT seat and in that

context to recall the conclusions of the representatives of the Member States, meeting at Head

of State or Government level in Brussels on 13 December 2003, on the distribution of the

seats of Community offices or agencies.]

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WESTERN BALKANS

43.

The European Council reaffirms its full support for the European perspective of the Western

Balkans, as set out in the Thessaloniki Agenda. Recalling its conclusions of December 2006,

the European Council stresses that by making solid progress in economic and political reform

and by fulfilling the necessary conditions and requirements as set out in the Accession and

European Partnerships, the remaining potential candidates in the Western Balkans should

achieve candidate status, according to their own merits, with EU membership as ultimate

goal. The EU perspective remains essential for the stability, reconciliation and the future of

the Western Balkans.

44.

The Stabilisation and Association Process remains the framework for the European course of

the Western Balkans. The progress achieved in recent years in this context, in particular

through the conclusion of Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAAs), now needs to be

further consolidated.

45.

The European Council welcomes the significant progress in facilitating the people-to-people

contacts for the countries of the region. In this regard the European Council welcomes the

successful launching of the dialogue on visa liberalisation with all countries concerned, based

on the roadmaps containing clear and realistic benchmarks. The European Council also

endorses the Declaration on the Western Balkans as set out in the Annex.

46.

The European Council stresses again the importance of regional cooperation and good

neighbourly relations. It welcomes the transition from the Stability Pact to the Regional

Cooperation Council.

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47.

Steps towards the opening of accession negotiations with the

former Yugoslav Republic of

Macedonia

are possible as soon as all the conditions set out in the December 2005 European

Council conclusions are met and the key priorities identified in the Accession Partnership in

February 2008 implemented. To reach the next stage in its relations with the EU,

Albania

must continue its efforts to meet the objectives set out in the European Partnership. The EU

welcomes the commitment to ensure the conditions for free, fair and democratic elections

which must take place in 2009. Further efforts with regard to institutional capacities in public

administration, the fight against corruption and organised crime as well as in the judiciary will

be of similar importance. The European Council takes note of the progress

Montenegro

has

made and encourages the country to further focus on building administrative capacity,

pursuing the fight against corruption and organised crime, creating national consensus around

issues related to state-building, consolidating the institutions as well as reforms of the

judiciary in accordance with the Constitution.

[The

European Council welcomes the recent

signature of the SAA with

Bosnia and Herzegovina,

which constitutes an important step in

that country's European course]. Bosnia and Herzegovina must continue with the

implementation of the reform process without delay, particularly with the view of fulfilling

the objectives and conditions for the transition from the Office of the High Representative to

the European Union Special Representative. The European Council looks forward to a new

Government in Belgrade with a clear European agenda to push forward with necessary

reforms. Building on the recent signature of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with

the EU,

Serbia

can accelerate its progress towards the EU, including candidate status, as soon

as all necessary conditions are met. Recalling the European Council's conclusions of

December 2007 and the GAERC conclusions of 18 February 2008 the European Union

remains committed to play a leading role in ensuring the stability of

Kosovo,

also through

EULEX Kosovo, EUSR and its contribution to an international civilian office. [p.m.

language

to be adapted according to the agreement at the UNSC meeting on 10 June on possible

reconfiguration of the international presence and on possible gradual deployment of the EU

mission throughout Kosovo.]

The European Council also welcomes the commitments taken

by the Kosovo authorities, in particular with regard to the protection of the rights of

communities, decentralisation and preservation of religious and cultural heritage as well as the

future role of the international presence.

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The European Council expresses its support to the forthcoming Donors' Conference and calls

for intensified preparations. The EU recalls its willingness to assist the economic and

institutional development of Kosovo, in line with the European perspective of the region.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Millennium Development Goals

48.

The year 2008 should mark a turning point in enhancing the collective efforts to eradicate

poverty in the context of sustainable development, in order to ensure that by 2015 all the

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will be achieved worldwide. In the light of progress

made in some countries and areas, the European Council is convinced that all MDGs can still

be attained in all regions of the world, provided that concerted action is taken immediately

and in a sustained manner until 2015. However, it is seriously concerned about the trend in

many countries and regions, in particular sub-Saharan Africa, in terms of achievement of the

MDGs.

49.

The EU will keep on playing a leading role as the world's largest donor and will make all

necessary efforts to ensure an ambitious action-oriented response before, during and after the

key events to be held in the second half of this year: the third High Level Forum on Aid

Effectiveness (Accra, 2-4 September), the UN High Level Event on the MDGs (New York,

25 September) and the International Conference on Financing for Development (Doha,

29 November-2 December).

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50.

The Council conclusions of May 2008 provide a strong collective EU response to the global

development challenge. In particular, with a view to attaining all MDGs, the EU strongly

reaffirms its commitment to achieve a collective ODA target of 0,56% GNI by 2010 and 0,7%

GNI by 2015, as set out in the May 2005 Council conclusions, the June 2005 European

Council conclusions and the European Consensus on Development. These commitments

should see annual EU ODA double to over EUR 66 billion in 2010. At least half of this

collective increase will be allocated to Africa.

51.

The EU will undertake radical reforms to improve aid effectiveness, building on the full

implementation of the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the 2005 European

Consensus on Development and the 2007 EU Code of Conduct on complementarity and

division of labour.

52.

The EU will continue to improve policy coherence for development (PCD) in the twelve areas

identified in 2005, ensuring furthermore that the PCD principles are part of the international

agenda for the MDGs and aid effectiveness.

53.

The EU will fully implement the 2007 EU Strategy on Aid for Trade, striving to achieve its

collective target of EUR 2 billion spending on EU trade-related assistance annually by 2010

(EUR 1 billion from the Member States and EUR1 billion from the European Community)

and to increase overall Aid for Trade in coherence with the increases in overall ODA. In the

range of 50% of the increase in the collective EU trade-related assistance will be available for

ACP countries.

54.

[p.m. EU Agenda for Action. Language to be adapted according to the discussions in

CODEV.]

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55.

The EU is determined to provide an effective collective response to the new challenges to

development posed in particular by climate change and high food prices. With regard to

climate change, the EU is determined to help where relevant developing countries,

particularly poor developing countries most vulnerable to climate change, to move towards

sustainable economic growth and to adapt to climate change, in line with the agreement

reached in Bali to launch negotiations aimed at securing a global agreement on climate

change in Copenhagen in 2009. It will work for the effective implementation of the 2007

"Global Climate Change Alliance" and will explore ways to mobilise new financial resources

to tackle climate change and combat its negative impact. In this respect, the EU will work,

inter alia, on the basis of the Commission proposal for a global financing mechanism.

European Neighbourhood Policy

"Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean"

56.

The Mediterranean region is an area of vital strategic importance to the European Union in

both political and economic terms. The Barcelona Process has been the central instrument for

Euro-Mediterranean relations since 1995 and has allowed the strong promotion of multilateral

and bilateral cooperation. Building on and reinforcing previous successes, the "Barcelona

Process: Union for the Mediterranean" will inject further momentum in the Union's relations

with the Mediterranean. It will complement ongoing bilateral relations which will continue

within existing policy frameworks.

57.

The European Council welcomes the Commission's Communication of 20 May 2008 and, in

particular, the proposals to provide an enhanced political dimension to the EU's relations with

Mediterranean partners through a new political impetus, notably by holding biennial summits,

and to reinforce the shared ownership of the Partnership.

58.

On this basis, the EU shall conduct necessary consultations with all Euromed partners with a

view to preparing a joint declaration to be adopted by the Paris Summit on 13 July 2008.

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Eastern Partnership

59.

The European Council welcomes the proposals for developing the eastern dimension of the

European Neighbourhood Policy, which will aim at enhancing EU policy towards eastern

ENP partners in bilateral and multilateral formats.

60.

The European Council agrees on the need to further promote regional cooperation among the

EU's eastern neighbours, and cooperation between the EU and each of these countries

respectively, on the basis of differentiation and an individual approach, respecting the

character of the ENP as a single and coherent policy framework. Furthermore, such

cooperation should bring added value and be complementary to the already existing and

planned multilateral cooperation schemes under the ENP, in particular the Black Sea Synergy

and the Northern Dimension.

61.

In line with this, the European Council invites the Commission to take the work forward and

to present to the Council a proposal for modalities of the "Eastern Partnership", on the basis of

relevant initiatives with a view to the Spring European Council in 2009.

Other issues

62.

The European Council reconfirms that the promotion and protection of the rights of the child,

in particular the children affected by armed conflict, is a priority of the EU's external action.

The European Council calls on the Commission and Member States to continue ensuring

coherence, complementarity and coordination of human rights, security and development

policies and programmes, in order to efficiently and sustainably address the short, medium

and long term impacts of armed conflict on children in an effective and comprehensive

manner.

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63.

The European Council acknowledges efforts to promote the European Year of Intercultural

Dialogue. In this context it recognises the value of culture as an integral part of all relevant

external policies, in line with the recommendations of the conference "New Paradigms, New

Models & Culture in the EU External Relations". The European Council underlines the

importance of cultural cooperation, based on dialogue with civil society, in promoting

people-to-people contacts and fostering good neighbourly relations.

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