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Europaudvalget 2004-05 (1. samling)
Det Europæiske Råd 16-17/12-04 Bilag 6
Offentligt

Medlemmerne af Folketingets Europaudvalg

og deres stedfortrædere

Bilag

Journalnummer

400.C.2-0

Kontor

EUK

13. december 2004

Til underretning for Folketingets Europaudvalg vedlægges formandskabets

reviderede udkast til konklusioner vedrørende Det Europæiske Råds møde i

Bruxelles den 16.-17. december 2004, 15938/04.

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COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 10 December 2004

15938/04

LIMITE

POLGEN 55

NOTE

from :

to :

Subject :

The Presidency

Council

European Council (16-17 December 2004)

– Draft Conclusions

The Presidency hereby submits to Council a revised draft of the conclusions to be

adopted by the European Council at its meeting on 16-17 December 2004.

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

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

exchange of views.

The European Council welcomed the President of the Commission, Mr José

Manuel Barroso. It congratulated him on the assumption of office of his

College and expressed its wish to work closely with the new Commission.

The European Council discussed the following items

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

Enlargement

Terrorism

Financial Framework 2007-2013: principles and guidelines

Area of Freedom, Security and Justice: the EU Drugs Strategy 2005-

2012

External Affairs

Other issues

ENLARGEMENT

General

The European Council welcomed the findings and recommendations

presented by the Commission on 6 October 2004 to the Council and the

European Parliament in its Regular Reports on Bulgaria, Romania and

Turkey, Strategy Paper on Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia,

Recommendation on Turkey and document on Issues Arising from

Turkey's Membership Perspective.

With the accession of ten new Member States to the European Union

successfully accomplished, the European Council expressed its

determination to continue the process it has engaged in with the candidate

countries, thus contributing to Europe's prosperity, stability, security and

unity. In this connection, it recalled that the Union's capacity to absorb

new members, while maintaining the momentum of European integration,

is an important consideration in the general interest of both the Union and

the candidate countries.

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Bulgaria

The European Council recalled that all of the outstanding chapters in the

accession negotiations with Bulgaria had been provisionally closed earlier

in 2004. [It welcomed the successful completion of these negotiations with

Bulgaria on 14 December 2004 and accordingly looked forward to

welcoming it as a member from January 2007.]

Taking due note of the relevant assessments and recommendations by the

Commission, the European Council considered that Bulgaria will be able

to assume all the obligations of membership at the envisaged time of its

accession, provided that it continues its efforts to that end and completes in

a successful and timely way all necessary reforms and commitments

undertaken in all areas of the acquis. Safeguard clauses will provide for

measures to address serious problems that may arise before accession or in

the three years after accession.

The European Union will continue to monitor closely Bulgaria's preparations

and achievements, including the effective implementation of the

commitments undertaken in all areas of the acquis and in particular Justice

and Home Affairs; to this end the Commission will continue to submit

annual reports on Bulgaria's progress towards accession, together with

recommendations if appropriate.

Anticipating the successful completion by Bulgaria of its preparations for

accession to the Union, the European Council called for the finalisation of

the Accession Treaty with a view to its signing on [date to be decided]

2005.

Romania

The European Council noted with satisfaction that progress made by

Romania in implementing the acquis and commitments entered into as

regards, in particular, Justice and Home Affairs and Competition, [has

These tw o sections m ay be m erged at a later stage in the light of

N B: one com m on Treaty is envisaged for both cou ntries

d evelop m ents.

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made it possible to close formally all of the outstanding chapters with this

candidate on 14 December 2004 and accordingly looked forward to

welcoming it as a member from January 2007].

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Taking due note of the relevant assessments and recommendations by the

Commission, the European Council considered that Romania will be able

to assume all the obligations of membership at the envisaged time of its

accession, provided that it continues its efforts to that end and completes in

a successful and timely way all necessary reforms and commitments

undertaken in all areas of the acquis, in particular the important

commitments regarding Justice and Home Affairs, Competition and

Environment. Safeguard clauses will provide for measures to address

serious problems that may arise before accession or in the three years after

accession, in particular in the areas of Justice and Home Affairs and

Competition.

The European Union will continue to monitor closely Romania's

preparations and achievements, including the effective implementation of

the commitments undertaken in all areas of the acquis, and in particular in

the areas of Justice and Home Affairs, Competition and Environment; to

this end the Commission will continue to submit annual reports on

Romania's progress towards accession, together with recommendations if

appropriate.

Anticipating the successful completion by Romania of its preparations for

accession to the Union, the European Council called for the finalisation of

the Accession Treaty with a view to its signing on [date to be decided]

2005.

Croatia

The European Council noted with satisfaction the progress made by Croatia

in preparation for the opening of accession negotiations.

Reaffirming its conclusions of June 2004, it urged Croatia to take the

necessary steps for full cooperation with ICTY and reiterated that the

remaining indictee must be located and transferred to the Hague as soon as

possible.

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It invited the Commission to present to the Council a proposal for a

framework for negotiations with Croatia, taking full account of the

experience of the fifth enlargement. It requested the Council to agree on

that framework with a view to opening the accession negotiations on

[date] provided that full cooperation with ICTY has been confirmed by the

Council.

Turkey

The European Council recalled its previous conclusions regarding Turkey, in

which, at Helsinki, it agreed that Turkey was

a candidate state destined to

join the Union on the basis of the same criteria as applied to the other

candidate states

and, subsequently, concluded that, if it were to decide at

its December 2004 meeting,

on the basis of a report and recommendation

from the Commission, that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria,

the European Union will open accession negotiations with Turkey without

delay.

The European Council welcomed the decisive progress made by Turkey in

its far-reaching reform process and expressed its confidence that Turkey

will sustain that process of reform. Furthermore, it expects Turkey to

actively pursue its efforts to bring into force the six specific items of

legislation identified by the Commission. To ensure the irreversibility of

the political reform process and its full, effective and comprehensive

implementation, notably with regard to fundamental freedoms and to full

respect of human rights, that process will continue to be closely monitored

by the Commission, which is invited to continue to report regularly on it to

the Council, addressing all points of concern identified in the

Commission's 2004 report and recommendation, including the

implementation of the zero-tolerance policy relating to torture and ill-

treatment. The European Union will continue to monitor closely progress

of the political reforms on the basis of an Accession Partnership setting out

priorities for the reform process.

The European Council welcomed Turkey's [decision] to sign the protocol

regarding the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement, taking account of the

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accession of the ten new Member States.

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The European Council, while underlining the need for unequivocal

commitment to good neighbourly relations welcomed the improvement in

Turkey's relations with its neighbours and its readiness to continue to work

with Member States towards resolution of outstanding border disputes in

conformity with the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in

accordance with the United Nations Charter. In accordance with its

previous conclusions, notably those of Helsinki on this matter, the

European Council reviewed the situation relating to outstanding disputes.

In this connection it reaffirmed its view that unresolved disputes having

repercussions on the accession process, should if necessary be brought to

the International Court of Justice for settlement. The European Council

will be kept informed of progress achieved which it will review as

appropriate.

The European Council noted the resolution adopted by the European

Parliament on […] December 2004.

[PM: decision, date.]

Framework for negotiations

The European Council agreed that accession negotiations with individual

candidate states will be based on a framework for negotiations. Each

framework, which will be established by the Council on a proposal by the

Commission, taking account of the experience of the fifth enlargement

process and of the evolving acquis, will address the following elements,

according to own merits and specific situations and characteristics of each

candidate state:

As in previous negotiations, the substance of the negotiations, which

will be conducted in an Intergovernmental Conference with the

participation of all Member States on the one hand and the candidate

State concerned on the other, where decisions require unanimity, will

be broken down into a number of chapters, each covering a specific

policy area. The Council, acting by unanimity on a proposal by the

Commission, will lay down benchmarks for the provisional closure

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and, where appropriate, for the opening of each chapter; depending

on the chapter concerned, these benchmarks will refer to legislative

alignment and a satisfactory track record of implementation of the

acquis as well as obligations deriving from contractual relations with

the European Union.

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Long transition periods, derogations, specific arrangements or permanent

safeguard clauses may be considered. The Commission will include

these, as appropriate, in its proposals for each framework, for areas

such as freedom of movement of persons, structural policies or

agriculture. Furthermore, the decision-taking process regarding the

eventual establishment of freedom of movement of persons should

allow for a maximum role of individual Member States. Transitional

arrangements or safeguards should be reviewed regarding their

impact on competition or the functioning of the internal market.

The financial aspects of accession of a candidate state must be allowed for

in the applicable Financial Framework. Hence, accession

negotiations yet to be opened with candidates whose accession could

have substantial financial consequences requiring financial reform

can only be concluded after the establishment of the Financial

Framework for the period from 2014.

[ PM:

paragraph regarding goal and outcome of negotiations; it is

recalled that the Commission recommendation refers to an "open-

ended process whose outcome cannot be guaranteed beforehand"

]

In the case of a serious and persistent breach in a candidate state of

the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and

fundamental freedoms and the rule of law on which the Union is

founded, the Commission will, on its own initiative or on the request

of one third of the Member States, recommend the suspension of

negotiations and propose the conditions for eventual resumption. The

Council will decide by qualified majority on such a

recommendation, after having heard the candidate state, whether to

suspend the negotiations and on the conditions for their resumption.

The Member States will act in the IGC in accordance with the

Council decision, without prejudice to the general requirement for

unanimity in the IGC. The European Parliament will be informed.

Parallel to accession negotiations, the Union will engage with every

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candidate state in an intensive political and cultural dialogue. With

the aim of enhancing mutual understanding by bringing people

together, this inclusive dialogue also will involve civil society.

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TERRORISM

The European Council reiterated its unyielding determination to combat the

continuing terrorist threat through a comprehensive and integrated

approach reinforcing both internal and international cooperation, in

accordance with the principles on which the European Union is founded.

Democracy and respect for fundamental rights must not be allowed to be

undermined by terrorism. Efforts to combat terrorism must respect human

rights and fundamental freedoms. The European Council stressed the

importance of promoting respect based on universal values, tolerance,

inter-faith and cross-cultural dialogue and full participation in society by

all.

The European Council reiterated its conviction that in order to be effective in

the long run the Union's response to terrorism must address the root causes

of terrorism. Radicalisation and terrorist recruitment can be closely

connected. The European Council called on the Council to establish a

long-term strategy and action plan on both issues by the end of 2005,

building on the report on recruitment recently adopted by the Council. It

invited the Secretary-General/High Representative and the Commission to

submit proposals to this effect.

The European Council called for prompt implementation of measures

identified in the

Hague Programme on strengthening freedom, security

and justice

relevant to combating terrorism.

In particular, the exchange of information between terrorism related

services must be improved.

Taking into account work underway, the European Council invited the

Commission to present proposals based on the principle of availability of

information.

The European Council welcomed the revised EU Action Plan and additional

reports presented by the Secretary-General/High Representative and the

Commission on combating terrorism and the progress made since June

2004, which should lead to further concrete results as demonstrated in

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these contributions, notably:

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the reinforcement of practical and operational cooperation notably

through Europol and the Police Chiefs Task Force; better exchange

of information between Member States and Europol and Eurojust;

the exchange of data on lost and stolen passports with Interpol; the

peer evaluations in 15 Member States of the national structures on

combating terrorism to be completed for 25 by September 2005.

Member states are called upon to report on implementation of

recommendations aimed at strengthening these structures;

concerning judicial cooperation: improved exchange of information

from criminal records (to be further developed by the end of 2005 on

the basis of the Commission's White Paper); progress on retention of

telecommunications data and the European Evidence Warrant (both

to be agreed in 2005). The European Council invites the Commission

to present proposals for a European Protection Programme – as soon

as possible – to protect and assist victims of terrorism, as well as

witnesses in terrorism cases;

as regards border and document security: the enhanced security of

EU passports by the inclusion of biometric data (facial image and

fingerprints) and the establishment of the European Border Agency

(to be operational by May 2005);

concerning intelligence cooperation, the links established between

the Counter Terrorism Group and the re-enforced EU Situation

Centre which as of 1 January 2005 will provide the Council with

strategic threat assessments based on intelligence from national

services; and the improved exchange of information with Europol.

The European Council invited the SG/HR to report on progress,

including enhanced cooperation between police and security

services, also in connection with the SitCen;

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measures to combat terrorist financing, notably agreement on

controls on cash entering or leaving the Union and on the third

Money Laundering Directive; best practices in implementing

financial sanctions against terrorists and their organisations; and the

overall strategy paper presented by the SG/HR and the Commission.

In particular, the Commission is invited to present to the Council as

soon as possible proposals to prevent misuse of charitable

organisations for the financing of terrorism and Member States are

urged to put forward known names of individuals and groups for

inclusion in the European Union list for freezing of assets, thus

contributing to the enhancement of the effectiveness of the sanctions

system;

conclusions on strengthening civil protection capacity on prevention,

preparedness and response to terrorist attacks and the establishment

of a Solidarity Programme regarding the consequences of terrorist

threats and attacks. Further assessment of the capabilities that

Member States could make available to the Civil Protection

Mechanism in the event of an attack is required by June 2005, as

well as further assessment and development of civil protection

capabilities, including joint exercises and coordination of public

information, and improved availability of medical resources. A

European Programme for critical infrastructure protection with

potential trans-boundary effects should be established before the end

of 2005;

progress on external policies through counter terrorism clauses in

agreements with third countries which should be made operational as

soon as possible; within the framework of intensified transatlantic

cooperation, the implementation of the 2004 EU-US Declaration on

combating terrorism; the conceptual framework and action points on

the ESDP dimension of the fight against terrorism; and strengthening

cooperation with priority third countries through dialogue and

assistance as well as fostering regional cooperation. The Council and

the Commission are called upon to set up a network of national

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experts to respond to requests for technical assistance by third

countries.

The European Council urged all Member States to implement effectively on

a priority basis the measures agreed by the European Union and other

relevant international organisations, and urged the Council and the

Commission to continue their efforts to implement the EU Action Plan and

respect its deadlines.

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The European Council requested the General Secretariat of the Council,

together with the Commission, to submit a further progress report

including any recommendations they may wish to make on improving

delivery and/or additional efforts and initiatives in June 2005.

FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK 2007-2013

Principles and Guidelines

The European Council took note of the Presidency Progress Report on the

intensive work undertaken on the Commission's 2007-2013 Financial

Framework proposals, including the Interinstitutional

Agreement/flexibility and own resources.

The European Council confirmed that the new Financial Framework, to be

agreed in comprehensive negotiations, should equip the enlarged Union

with the financial means necessary to enable it to address effectively future

challenges through policies agreed in accordance with the Treaty,

consistent with the principles of subsidiarity, proportionality and solidarity

and providing added value. Expenditure for individual policy areas must

be seen in the context of the overall expenditure level, and such

expenditure must be seen in the context of the overall negotiation

including the linked question of own resources.

The next Financial Framework should attest to determined efforts towards

budgetary discipline in all policy areas within a general context of

budgetary consolidation in the Member States. This objective will be

ensured in particular by maintaining a strict demarcation between broad

policy areas and a balanced ratio of commitments to payments. As existing

measures to ensure budgetary flexibility have worked well, at this stage

additional flexibility arrangements are not deemed necessary.

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The European Council endorsed the Commission proposal to maintain the

ceiling for the own resources at the current level of 1,24% of EU GNI. The

European Council took note of the presentation by the Commission of the

report on the operation of the own resources system as well as the proposal

to introduce a generalised correction mechanism. It called on the

Commission and the Council to continue the examination of all issues

arising in this connection, including a possible simplification of the

system, in the light of discussions up to now.

The incoming Presidency is invited to press ahead with the work towards

establishment of the next Financial Framework. Further work on the

Financial Framework should take full account of the range of positions of

Member States on the Commission's proposals and the Progress Report

including the building blocks and issues at stake and will comply with the

timeframe of the Multiannual Strategic Programme, including the aim of

reaching political agreement by June 2005.

The incoming Presidency is furthermore invited to take all necessary steps to

establish appropriate contacts with the European Parliament.

AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE

EU Drugs strategy 2005-2012

The European Council adopted the Drugs strategy 2005-2012, which will be

included in the Hague Programme. The Strategy will be a key instrument

to effectively confront drugs use and trafficking with a view to ensuring a

high level of health protection, wellbeing and social cohesion, as well as a

high level of security for the general public. The European Council invited

the Commission to present to the Council a proposal for an Action Plan for

implementation of the Strategy in 2005-2008 with a view to its adoption

by the Council early in 2005 and to prepare an evaluation of its

implementation in 2008.

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Immigrant integration policy

Recalling its conclusions of June 2003 and November 2004, the European

Council welcomed the establishment of common basic principles for

immigrant integration policy of the Member States. These are to be the

basis of a comprehensive framework on immigrant integration, taking into

account the legal, political, economic, social and cultural diversity of

Member States. They need to be developed in the light of shared

experiences. The European Council noted that effective integration

policies and exchange of best practices within the Union can contribute to

this, and in this respect welcomed the outcome of the Ministerial

Conference on integration which paid special attention to youth

susceptible to radical influences.

The European Council furthermore welcomed the outcome of the Ministerial

Conference on Urban Policy and recognised the importance of urban areas

for promotion of social inclusion.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

The European Council reiterated its commitment to the European Security

Strategy, which it adopted one year ago. Drawing on its orientations, the

Union has successfully increased its ability to make an impact on a global

scale. The European Council invited the incoming Presidency to continue

to implement the Strategy in cooperation with the High Representative and

the Commission and to mainstream its orientations into all relevant

European policies.

Addressing key concerns

The European Council endorsed the report on the implementation of the EU

Strategy on Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and

noted the progress in this respect in the relations with third countries and

cooperation with the IAEA and the OPCW. It reaffirmed its commitment

to use all instruments at its disposal to counter the threat of proliferation of

WMD and their means of delivery.

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The European Council welcomed the agreement reached with Iran regarding

nuclear issues and future cooperation on 15 November, following

negotiations with France, Germany and the UK supported by the High

Representative. It underlined that sustaining the full suspension of all

enrichment related and reprocessing activities was essential for the

continuation of the overall process. It supported further efforts with a

view to reaching an agreement on long-term arrangements. The European

Council confirmed its conclusions of 5 November 2004 on the resumption

of the negotiations on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement after recent

verification of suspension. The European Council confirmed the Union's

readiness to explore ways to develop political and economic cooperation

with Iran, following action by Iran to address the EU's areas of concern.

The European Council reaffirmed its objective of a secure, unified, prosperous

and democratic Iraq that will work constructively with its neighbours and

the international community to meet common challenges. It reiterated its

determination to support the Iraqi authorities and people, i.a. through

elections support, financing of UN protection, reconstruction assistance,

strengthening the criminal justice sector and promoting respect for the rule

of law, and developing political and trade cooperation with Iraq. The

European Council expressed the EU's full support for the political

transition process leading to a democratically and constitutionally elected

Iraqi Government as set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1546. It

emphasized the importance of a broad, inclusive political process for the

general elections in January 2005.

The European Council congratulated President Karzai on his inauguration and

welcomed his commitment to continue democratic reform, and underlined

the EU's long-term commitment to the reconstruction, development and

stabilisation of Afghanistan. The EU will continue to support the ongoing

democratisation process, including next year's parliamentary and local

elections, the counter-narcotics efforts, the judicial and security-sector

reform and Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration.

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Building stronger ties with our neighbourhood

The European Council reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of

the Thessaloniki agenda, which underlines that the future of the countries

of the Balkans is within the European Union. The recent ministerial

meetings of the EU-Western Balkans Forum served to assess progress

achieved and identify challenges ahead. The European Council underlined

that the progress of each country towards European integration depended

on its own efforts in meeting the Copenhagen criteria and the conditions of

the Stabilisation and Association Process, in particular on key issues such

as democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, rights of persons

belonging to minorities, and full cooperation with the ICTY. In addition,

in this process regional cooperation will remain an essential element of EU

policy.

The European Council noted with satisfaction the progress made within the

framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). A first series of

Action Plans jointly prepared with Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Moldova,

Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinian Authority were successfully finalised.

As concerns Ukraine, the European Council reiterated the paramount

importance of free and fair elections, as reflected in the action plan. It

welcomed the agreement reached by the Council on the content of the

action plan which will be forwarded to the EU-Ukraine Cooperation

Council as soon as developments in Ukraine make it possible to envisage

implementation of its provisions. The EU looked forward to working

together with partners to implement reforms and other agreed priorities,

and to start adopting Action Plans for the countries in the Southern

Caucasus during the next year. The EU will take steps to communicate

and demonstrate benefits of the ENP to the Belarussian population and

will support the strengthening of civil society and the process of

democratisation. The European Council also looked forward to the start of

consultations with the remaining Mediterranean partners whose

Association Agreements have entered into force or which have ratified

their Association Agreements. The European Council invited the

Commission and the High Representative to report regularly on progress

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accomplished.

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The Barcelona Process, enhanced by the ENP, is the main tool for partnership,

cooperation and dialogue with the Mediterranean Region. The European

Council welcomed the decision taken by the Euromediterranean

Conference of Foreign Ministers in the Hague to declare 2005 as year of

the Mediterranean. The Barcelona Process can make a major contribution

towards the process of modernisation and reform generated from within

the societies concerned. The 10th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration

will serve to strengthen and relaunch the Euromed process.

The European Council welcomed the progress made with the other countries of

the Middle East region and invited further consultations with governments

and other stakeholders concerned. It called on the relevant bodies of the

Council to continue the work towards strengthening relations with these

countries in all relevant political, economic, social and cultural fields.

The European Council welcomed the start of the implementation of the EU

Strategic Partnership with the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It

reiterated the importance of the commitment of the partners concerned to

engage in reform and recognised that the EU's relations with these

countries have distinct characteristics that merit a differentiated approach.

The European Council adopted separate declarations on Ukraine and the

Middle East Peace Process (annex).

An international order based on effective multilateralism

The European Council welcomed the report of the United Nations Secretary-

General's High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, in

particular the comprehensive approach to collective security. The follow-

up to the European Security Strategy regarding effective multilateralism

and a rule-based international order, as requested by the European Council

in June, should aim at supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General.

The EU is firmly determined to play a major role within the UN.

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The European Council welcomed the decision to appoint a Personal

Representative of the SG/HR on Human Rights in the area of CFSP as a

contribution to the coherence and continuity of the EU Human Rights

policy, with due regard to the responsibilities of the Commission.

The European Council underlined the importance of strengthening the social

dimension of globalisation in the light of the report of the World

Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation and the initial

proposals made by the Commission in its communication on the issue.

Working with partners

The European Council underlined its commitment to strengthening the strategic

dialogue with its transatlantic partners with a view to formulating joint

approaches. For well over 60 years, the transatlantic partnership together

with European integration has been a leading force for peace and

prosperity. Today, both Europe and America face new threats and

challenges. Against this background, the European Council recalled that,

as stated in the European Security Strategy, the transatlantic partnership is

irreplaceable. The European Council looked forward in this respect to

President Bush's forthcoming visit to Europe. It welcomed the initiative of

a yearly Justice and Home Affairs ministerial troika with the US and the

broad participation of the stakeholders on both sides of the ocean in the

consultations on the further deepening of transatlantic relations.

The importance the EU and Russia attach to their strategic partnership, based on

common values and shared interests, was underlined at the latest EU-

Russia Summit. Considerable progress was made on the creation of the

four Common Spaces and, with a view to the next EU-Russia Summit in

Moscow in May 2005, the European Council looked forward to adopting a

comprehensive and balanced package of roadmaps as soon as possible. In

parallel, work on the implementation of elements on which agreement has

been reached provisionally should start as early as possible.

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The European Council welcomed the outcome of the Summit meetings with

ASEM, the Republic of Korea, India and China, which broadened and

deepened the relationships with the Asian partners. It invited the Council

and the Commission to initiate the development of the Action Plan with

India to be endorsed at the 6

EU-India Summit in New Delhi in 2005 and

to further explore the feasibility of a new EU-China framework agreement

and possible cooperation with China on issues such as re-admission and

market economy status. The European Council also called on the Council

and the Commission to intensify the cooperation with Indonesia including

in the fields of counter-terrorism, interfaith dialogue, reforms and

sustainable development.

During the past six months the EU strengthened its cooperation with the African

Union (AU) and sub-regional organisations, including ECOWAS, SADC

and IGAD. The European Council underlined its commitment to continued

contributions by the EU to improvement of the situation on the African

continent, notably in Sudan, the Great Lakes region, West Africa and

Somalia. The EU will continue to assist the AU mission in Darfur and the

peace and transition process in the Great Lakes region, as set out in recent

GAERC conclusions. It welcomed the establishment of federal

transitional institutions in Somalia and will continue to assist them, as set

out in recent GAERC conclusions. Following the adoption of restrictive

measures taken against the Côte d'Ivoire on the basis of UNSCR 1572, the

European Council welcomes and supports the mediation efforts undertaken

in the name of the African Union and ECOWAS through the mission to

the Côte d'Ivoire by President Thabo Mbeki with which the European

Union has been associated. The European Council welcomed increased

regional ownership and underlined that the EU will continue to strengthen

its ties with the AU and sub-regional organisations, notably in the field of

peace and security.

The European Council reiterated the EU's commitment to the consolidation

of the bi-regional strategic partnership with Latin America and the

Caribbean. In this regard, the European Council confirmed the EU's

willingness to make further progress with a view to finalising the

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EU-Mercosur negotiations and welcomed the expected launching in

January 2005 of the joint assessments of the respective integration

processes of Central America and the Andean Community, as called for in

the Declaration of the EU-LAC Guadalajara Summit.

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ESDP

The European Council welcomed the successful start of the EU military

operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 2 December, which

underlines the Union's pledge to stability and security in this country and is

a practical example of the strategic partnership in crisis management with

NATO. It also noted the successful conduct of the three ongoing ESDP

missions – the EU Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUPOL

Proxima in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the Rule of

Law Mission Themis in Georgia. It requested the incoming Presidency and

the SG/HR to take forward, in close cooperation with the UN, the

preparations for a police mission and for a possible security sector reform

mission currently being examined, in the Democratic Republic of Congo

and for a possible integrated police, rule of law and civilian administration

mission for Iraq, which is expected to start after the January 2005

elections.

The European Council endorsed the Presidency Report on ESDP, including the

mandate for the incoming Presidency, and welcomed in particular the

progress in the development of military and civilian capabilities reflected

in this report, including decisions on EU battlegroups (as part of rapid

response elements) as well as on the adoption of an ambitious work

programme and the budget for 2005 for the European Defence Agency.

The European Council endorsed the Civilian Headline Goal 2008.

The European Council endorsed the detailed proposals for the implementation of

the document titled "European Defence: NATO/EU consultation, planning

and operations", allowing for the civilian/military cell to begin its work as

scheduled including for the establishment of an operations centre which

should be available by January 2006 latest. The proposals also serve as a

basis for agreement with NATO on the establishment as scheduled of a

small EU cell at SHAPE and NATO liaison arrangements to the EUMS.

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International cooperation

The European Council emphasised the importance of ensuring a coherent

contribution of EC ODA to poverty eradication in all developing countries.

In this context, whilst honouring existing commitments, the European

Council underlined the need to find ways to increase the focus on the

poorest, with a specific focus on Africa.

The European Council confirmed the full commitment of the European Union to

the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to the need to ensure

progress towards achieving them, especially in Sub-Sahara Africa. In that

respect, the European Council welcomed the consultation by the

Commission of individual Member States with a view to presenting to the

Council (GAERC) in April 2005 concrete proposals on setting new and

adequate ODA targets for the period 2009-2010, while taking into account

the position of new Member States. The European Union will also explore

innovative ways of financing based upon proposals submitted by the

Commission with a view to the 2005 high level Event.

The European Council called, in the framework of achieving the MDGs, for

further strengthening of policy coherence for development by making

wider and more systematic use of existing mechanisms for consultation

and impact assessment and procedures to screen all relevant policies for

their impact on developing countries.

The European Council reiterates the importance of implementation of the

Cairo/ICPD Agenda and the fight against HIV/AIDS for achieving the

Millennium Development Goals. It welcomes the progress that has been

made in this area and urges the Commission and Member States to

increase their commitment in preparation for the UN High Level event.

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OTHER ISSUES

Commonly shared values

The European Council noted with approval the series of public debates hosted

by the Presidency, engaging participants with wide-ranging backgrounds

and experience, on the European identity and the concept of commonly

shared values as foundation of European integration and cooperation.

The European Council took note of the results of this series of debates, of the

report of the Education Council on Education and Citizenship and of the

follow up initiatives and welcomed further initiatives to advance the values

which contribute to active citizenship in the Union. The European Council

invited the European Commission to consider the results of the debates

and the main findings of the report when preparing its future Citizens'

Programme and its communication strategy for 2005.

Consular cooperation

The European Council confirmed the importance of intensified consular

cooperation. It welcomed the agreement reached in the Council on pooling

consular resources and cooperation both in normal times and in times of

crises, thus helping Member States to deal more effectively with the

increasing demand for consular services.

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EU Human Rights Agency

The European Council called for further implementation of the agreement by

the representatives of the Member States meeting within the European

Council of December 2003 to establish an EU Human Rights Agency

which will play a major role in enhancing the coherence and consistency

of the EU Human Rights policy.

European External Action Service

The European Council welcomed the fact that, following the signature of the

Constitutional Treaty, work on the European External Action Service has

begun by the Presidency, Secretary-General/High Representative and the

Commission.

It invited the Secretary-General/High Representative, the Commission and the

Member States to continue this preparatory work, in particular by

identifying key issues, including the scope and structure of the future

service. To ensure the full involvement of Member States in this process,

regular discussions will take place in Coreper, in preparation of the

General Affairs and External Relations Council.

The European Council invited the Secretary-General/High Representative and

the Commission to prepare a joint progress report on this preparatory work

to its June 2005 meeting at the latest, and to take appropriate steps to keep

the European Parliament informed.