PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

Europaudvalget 2004-05 (1. samling)
Det Europæiske Råd 4-5/11-04 Bilag 5
Offentligt

Medlemmerne af Folketingets Europaudvalg

og deres stedfortrædere

Bilag

Journalnummer

400.C.2-0

Kontor

EUK

29. oktober 2004

Til underretning for Folketingets Europaudvalg vedlægges formandskabets

reviderede udkast til konklusioner vedrørende Det Europæiske Råds møde i

Bruxelles den 4.-5. november 2004, 14024/04.

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 29 October 2004

14024/04

LIMITE

POLGEN 43

NOTE

From :

To :

Subject :

The Presidency

General Affairs and External Relations Council

European Council (4-5 November 2004)

– Draft conclusions

The Presidency hereby submits a revised draft of the conclusions to be arrived at by

the European Council.

The Hague Programme referred to in paragraph 10 is contained in document

13993/04 JAI 408 and will be attached to these conclusions after the meeting of the

GAERC.

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

The European Council discussed in particular



preparation of the Mid Term Review of the Lisbon Strategy

an area of Freedom, Security and Justice: the Hague Programme

communicating Europe

It also held discussions with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mr Allawi.

The meeting of the European Council was preceded by an expose by the

President of the European Parliament, Mr Josep Borrell, followed by an

exchange of views.

The European Council took note of the outcome of the European Parlia-

ment debate on the investiture of the designated Commission. It expressed

its appreciation of the readiness of the President and the members of the

outgoing Commission to remain in office until the new Commission has

taken up its mandate. The European Council reiterated its full confidence

in the President-designate.

THE LISBON STRATEGY: PREPARING FOR THE MID TERM

REVIEW

The European Council confirmed the validity and relevance of the process

it set in motion in Lisbon in March 2000 aimed at enhancing substantially

the competitiveness of European economies through a balanced strategy

with an economic, social and environmental dimension. It encouraged the

Council to build on the progress made since the Spring meeting and to

maintain the momentum of its work. It reiterated the importance of the im-

plementation of agreed measures by the Member States.

The European Council stressed the importance of the Mid Term Review at

the 2005 Spring European Council for providing renewed impetus to the

Lisbon Strategy. In this connection it welcomed a presentation by

Mr Wim Kok, Chairman of the High Level Group advising the Commis-

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

sion on its preparations for the Mid Term Review. The presentation was

followed by an exchange of views.

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

The European Council welcomed the European Commission's intention to

continue to make implementation of the Lisbon Strategy a key component

of its policy. In this connection it invited the Commission to bring forward

the necessary proposals for the Mid Term Review in the light of new chal-

lenges by the end of January 2005. Those comprehensive proposals should

be based on the Report by the High Level Group chaired by Mr Kok and

take into account the views of Member States. They will also take into ac-

count the forthcoming review of the Sustainable Development Strategy.

The European Council invited the Council to examine these proposals in

good time and looks forward to further concrete contributions with a view

to the successful implementation of the Lisbon Strategy in all its dimen-

sions.

The European Council took note of the exchange of views at the Tripartite

Social Summit and, recognising the key role social partners play at all lev-

els in particular in relation to modernisation of the labour market and an-

ticipation of change, invited them to commit to the Mid Term Review on a

more effective implementation of the Lisbon Strategy.

The European Council noted with satisfaction that a programme of actions was

undertaken to drive the joint initiative on better regulation forward. EU in-

stitutions have made good progress towards developing a common meth-

odology for impact assessments and adapting working methods for the

simplification programme, as foreseen in the Inter Institutional Agreement

on Better Lawmaking.

The European Council welcomed the conclusions of the Council (ECOFIN)

on 21 October. In this connection it noted, in particular,



the recommendations regarding a common methodology for measur-

ing administrative burdens;



the Commission's intention to present shortly a communication on

this issue;

the cooperation between the Commission and Member States in pilot

projects aiming at the further determination of such a methodology,

to be completed as soon as possible in 2005.

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

The European Council called on the Commission to implement the metho-

dology in its guidelines for impact assessments and working methods for

simplification after finalisation of the pilots.

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

The European Council, acknowledging the important role played by the Eu-

ropean Parliament in this area, welcomed the progress made by the Commis-

sion and the Council towards establishing Council priorities for simplification

of existing Community legislation while respecting the acquis commu-

nautaire. It invited the Commission to include these priorities in its rolling

simplification programme. It noted that the priorities are likely to be identi-

fied in the environment, transport and statistics sectors. It invited the Council

to pursue work primarily within these selected sectors and to identify, at its

November meeting, agreed priorities in the form of a shortlist of 10-15 legal

acts.

The 2005 Spring Council will discuss better regulation in the context of the

Lisbon Mid Term Review.

II.

AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE: THE HAGUE

PROGRAMME

The security of the European Union and its Member States has acquired a new

urgency, especially in the light of the terrorist attacks in the United States

on 11 September 2001 and in Madrid on 11 March 2004. The citizens of

Europe rightly expect the European Union, while guaranteeing respect for

fundamental freedoms and rights, to take a more effective, joint approach

to cross-border problems such as terrorism, organised crime, illegal migra-

tion as well as trafficking in and smuggling of human beings.

Five years after the European Council's meeting in Tampere, when it agreed on a

programme which laid the foundation for important achievements in the

area of freedom, security and justice, it is time for a new programme to en-

able the Union to build on these achievements and to effectively meet the

new challenges it will face. To this end, it adopted a new multi-annual

programme for the next five years, to be known as the Hague Programme,

which is attached to these conclusions. This programme reflects the ambi-

tions as expressed in the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. It

takes full account of the evaluation by the Commission as welcomed by

the European Council in June 2004 [as well as the Recommendation on the

use of qualified majority voting and co-decision procedure adopted by the

European Parliament on 14 October 2004.]

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

The Hague Programme deals with all aspects of policies relating to the

area of freedom, security and justice including their external dimension,

notably fundamental rights and citizenship, asylum and migration, border

management, integration, the fight against terrorism and organised crime,

justice and police cooperation, and civil law, while a drugs strategy will be

added in December 2004. In conjunction, the European Council considers

that creating appropriate European legal instruments and strengthening

practical and operational cooperation between relevant national agencies

as well as timely implementation of agreed measures are of vital im-

portance.

In the light of this Programme, the European Council invites the Commission to

present an Action Plan in 2005 with proposals for concrete actions and a

timetable for their adoption and implementation. Furthermore, it invites

the Commission to present to the Council an annual report on implementa-

tion of Union measures ("scoreboard"). Member States shall provide the

relevant information to this end. In this context, the European Council em-

phasised the importance of transparency and the involvement of the Euro-

pean Parliament.

The European Council called on the Council to ensure that the timetable for each

of the various measures is observed.

Without prejudice to the Financial Framework 2007-2013, the European Council

noted that due account should be taken of the financial implications of the

multi-annual agenda for the area of freedom, security and justice.

The European Council will review progress on the Hague Programme in the

second half of 2006.

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

III. COMMUNICATING EUROPE

The European Council reiterated the need to strengthen awareness among

citizens of the importance of the work of the Union and welcomes the out-

come of the meeting of the Ministers of European Affairs dedicated to this

subject. It encourages also future presidencies to continue discussion of

this matter, including examination of possibilities for televised public de-

bates on European issues prior to European Council meetings. The citizens

of Europe hold essential values in common and politicians both at the na-

tional and the European level have a responsibility to communicate the

relevance of the European project and to involve Europeans, through pub-

lic debate and active citizenship, in decision making.

The European Council welcomed the special emphasis that the Commis-

sion continues to place on communication as well as the Commission's in-

tention to present its communication strategy in good time before the June

2005 European Council.

The European Council noted with deep satisfaction that the "Treaty estab-

lishing a Constitution for Europe" was solemnly signed in Rome on

29 October 2004 on behalf of all Member States. It reiterated that the pro-

cess of ratification of the Constitutional Treaty provides an important op-

portunity to inform the public about European issues. Member States may

share information and experiences on this process, notwithstanding that

campaigns relating to ratification remain the national responsibility of each

Member State.

IV.

ENLARGEMENT

The European Council heard a presentation by the President of the Euro-

pean Commission on the Progress Reports, the Strategy Paper on En-

largement and Recommendations regarding the four candidate states as

well as the study on Issues arising from Turkey's membership perspective

published by the Commission on 6 October 2004.

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

The European Council confirmed that, in line with previous conclusions, it

will address outstanding enlargement issues at its meeting in December

2004.

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Sudan

The European Council expressed its grave concern about the situation in

Sudan/Darfur and emphasised the importance of respect for human rights

and improvement of security conditions. It called upon the Government of

Sudan and on the other parties to meet the demands set out by the interna-

tional community. The European Council reaffirmed its continued support

to the African Union and its readiness to provide assistance and expertise

to the expansion of the African Union's mission in Darfur. In this context,

the European Council adopted the attached Declaration and encouraged

the Council and the Commission to take the necessary action for its im-

plementation as a matter of urgency.

Iraq

The European Council met Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi to discuss the situ-

ation in Iraq and reiterated its strong support for the Iraqi Interim Govern-

ment. It welcomed the Iraqi determination to continue the political process

and assured the Prime Minister that the European Union will continue to

support the brave and difficult course the people of Iraq are steering to-

wards the restoration of security, democracy and the rule of law. In this

context, the European Council adopted the attached Declaration and en-

couraged the Council and the Commission to take the necessary action for

its implementation as a matter of urgency.

Middle East

The SG/HR will present his plans regarding the short and medium term (as announced at the

GAERC of 11 October) at the GAERC of 2 November. Draft conclusions will therefore only

become available shortly before the European Council.

Iran

The Presidency will propose a draft text for these conclusions shortly before the European Council.