PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

Europaudvalget 2007-08 (2. samling)
Det Europæiske Råd 19-20/6-08 Bilag 2
Offentligt

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 26 May 2008

9857/08

LIMITE

POLGEN 53

NOTE

from :

to :

Subject :

Presidency

COREPER

European Council (19 and 20 June 2008)

– Draft conclusions

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

at its meeting on 19 and 20 June 2008.

9857/08

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

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

[p.m. To be completed in the light of the forthcoming JHA Council.]

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

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

important progress has been achieved, in particular as regards the link between migration and

employment, the development of an integrated border management strategy and the

enhancement of cooperation with third countries.

Reiterating the important link between migration and employment in the context of the Lisbon

Strategy for Growth and Jobs, the European Council calls on the Council to intensify work

and adopt by the end of the year the proposals relating to the admission of highly qualified

workers from third countries and to the sanctions against employers of illegal migrants.

9857/08

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

In order for the Union to be better equipped to face the challenges posed by migratory flows,

work must continue to be taken forward quickly on the further development of the integrated

border management strategy. In particular, rapid progress is needed on the future development

of FRONTEX. The use of modern technologies to improve the management of external

borders also needs to be swiftly and thoroughly examined, both as regards entry/exit and

registered traveller systems which would facilitate oversight of persons entering and leaving

the Schengen space as well as the movement of

bona fide

travellers. The European Council

also welcomes 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

(EUROSUR).

The European Council also welcomes the conclusions of the Council of 18 April 2008 on

practical cooperation in the field of asylum and underlines the need to continue with the

progress on the future Common European Asylum System with a view to its rapid realisation.

Cooperation with third countries remains a vital part of a comprehensive migration policy.

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

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

migration profiles, as well as by making full use of existing structures for dialogue and

cooperation.

Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat, whose global nature demands a unified response

within the EU and a close partnership with countries beyond the EU's borders, in full respect

of the rule of law and human rights. In this context the European Council welcomes the

recommendations contained in the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator's report. As the report

demonstrates, important progress has been achieved over the past months in implementing the

Union's Counter Terrorism Strategy.

9857/08

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

In this respect the European Council welcomes the adoption of the Action Plan on Enhancing

the Security of Explosives and calls for its swift implementation. It also welcomes the

agreement on the amendment to the Framework Decision against terrorism that constitutes an

important tool for law enforcement authorities in the prevention of terrorist acts while at the

same time preserving individual liberties. Efforts must now be made to ensure the rapid

formal adoption of this Framework Decision. More generally, further efforts are required to

ensure the rapid adoption of several important legislative proposals relating to the stepping-up

of cross-border cooperation. Furthermore, the European Council invites the Commission to

rapidly come forward with its communication on radicalisation and recruitment, which should

help to improve knowledge and understanding of these issues.

In its cooperation with third countries the Union can also usefully contribute to the prevention

of recruitment to terrorism, particularly through the delivery of technical assistance in the

fields of education, human rights, civil society and good governance.

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

the abolition of air borders. The abolition of internal borders contributes to a higher level of

mobility without affecting security of the EU citizens.

10.

The European Council welcomes the progress made in the field of E-justice with the creation

of the prototype for the European E-justice portal. Underlining the importance of efficient

borders between the EU Member States requires tighter cooperation between the judicial

authorities, the European Council calls for work to be carried forward on the European

judicial network. It also welcomes the first reading agreement reached on the Directive on the

Protection of the Environment through criminal law, aimed at protecting the environment

more effectively by establishing a minimum set of conducts that should be considered

criminal offences throughout the EU when unlawful and committed intentionally.

9857/08

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

11.

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 have been adopted in that respect, concerning mediation

in civil and commercial matters, the law applicable to contractual obligations and parental

responsibility and protection of children. In other areas more 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 promptly found. With regard to contract law, the

European Council welcomes the first Council position reached on the Common Frame of

Reference for European contract law, providing for a more consistent and predictable

European contract law system.

12.

The European Council welcomes the implementation of the urgent preliminary ruling

procedure applicable to references concerning the area of freedom, security and justice, which

enables the EC Court of Justice to deal far more quickly with the most sensitive issues.

13.

The roles of Eurojust and Europol need to be strenghtened with a view to reinforcing the fight

against serious cross-border crime. Therefore, the European Council stresses the importance

of the political agreement reached at the Council of 18 April 2008 as regards the Decision on

the establishing of Europol and calls for its swift formal adoption in line with the timetable

agreed in June 2007. In the last six months significant progress has been made on amending

the Decision establishing Eurojust, with the aim of strengthening the competence of the

national members of Eurojust. The European Council calls on the Council to conclude its

work with a view to formally adopting the Decision before the end of 2008.

14.

The European Council welcomes the efforts for reinforcing the Union's disaster response

capacity, stresses the need for integrated approach to managing disasters, and invites the

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

9857/08

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF HIGH FOOD PRICES

15.

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

income families, 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 in that respect the

communication presented by the Commission.

[p. m. To be completed in the light of the forthcoming ECOFIN Council.]

ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

[p.m. Limited number of dossiers related to the Lisbon Strategy, including state of play on

energy/climate change and energy internal market. To be completed in the light of

forthcoming Council meetings.]

16.

[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.]

WESTERN BALKANS

[p.m. To be adapted in the light of preparations for the June GAERC.]

17.

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

Balkans, as set in the Thessaloniki Agenda, the Salzburg declaration and Brdo Presidency

Statement. A rapid progress in economic and political reform and fulfilment of the conditions

and requirements should result in granting candidate status to all remaining potential

candidates in the Western Balkans with EU membership as ultimate goal. EU perspective

remains essential for the stability, reconciliation and a viable future of the Western Balkans.

9857/08

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

18.

The progress achieved in recent years through the Stabilisation and Association Process,

which remains the framework for the European course of the Western Balkans, now needs to

be further consolidated. The completion of the network of Stabilisation and Association

Agreements (SAAs) with all countries from the region represents an important milestone in

the EU enlargement process.

19.

Steps towards opening of accession negotiations with the

former Yugoslav Republic of

Macedonia

are possible this year by implementing without delay the priorities identified

within the Accession Partnership in February 2008.

20.

For

Montenegro and Albania

to reach the next stage in their relations with the EU, both

countries need to accelerate the implementation of the SAA and Interim Agreement and make

further efforts in building institutional capacities in public administration, fight against

corruption and organised crime as well as in the judiciary.

21.

In relation to

Serbia,

the European Council welcomes the recent signature of Stabilisation and

Association Agreement with Serbia. Serbia can accelerate its progress towards the EU,

including acquiring candidate status in the near future once the necessary conditions are met.

22.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

must continue with the implementation of the reform process,

particularly with the view of fulfilling the objectives and conditions for the transfer from the

Office of the High Representative to the European Union Special Representative.

23.

[p.m. Kosovo]

24.

[The European Council is expected to address a number of dossiers and initiatives aimed at

supporting the political and economic development in the countries of the Western Balkans

based on the recent Commission's Communication.]

9857/08

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Millennium Development Goals

25.

[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 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 be taken immediately

and in a sustained way 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.

26.

The EU will continue to play 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).

27.

In preparation of these meetings, the European Council reiterates the Council conclusions of

26 May 2008 and endorses the EU Agenda for Action, which identifies specific milestones

and actions within time frames in key areas such as education, health, gender equality, water,

agriculture, growth and infrastructure that will contribute to ensure the achievement of the

MDGs by 2015.

28.

In order to provide a strong collective EU response to the global challenge of attaining all

MDGs, the EU reaffirms its long term financial commitment with developing countries to

achieve an ODA target of 0,56% GNI by 2010 and 0,7% GNI by 2015, as set out in the

May 2005 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.

9857/08

DQPG

LIMITE EN

PDF to HTML - Convert PDF files to HTML files

29.

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.

30.

The EU will continue improving 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.

31.

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 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.

32.

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. As regards climate

change, the EU is determined to help the most vulnerable developing countries 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 getting 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. ]

"Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean"

[p.m.]

Eastern Dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy

[p.m.]

9857/08

DQPG

LIMITE EN