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Europaudvalget 2006-07
Det Europæiske Råd 21-22/6-07 Bilag 4
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COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 12 June 2007

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POLGEN 65

NOTE

from:

to:

Subject:

Presidency

COREPER

European Council (21 and 22 June 2007)

– Draft conclusions

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

Council at its meeting on 21-22 June 2007.

The text will continue to be updated in the light of the work underway, in particular as regards the

outcome of the forthcoming JHA Council.

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

Parliament, Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering, followed by an exchange of views.

Europe is united in its resolve that only by working together can we represent our interests

and goals in the world of tomorrow. The European Union is determined to contribute its ideas

of a sustainable, efficient and just economic and social order to the global process.

The European Union faces a twofold responsibility. In order to secure our future as an active

player in a rapidly changing world and in the face of ever-growing challenges, we have to

maintain and develop the European Union's capacity to act and its accountability to the

citizen. That is why we have to focus our efforts on the necessary internal reform process. At

the same time, the European Union is called upon to shape European policy here and now for

the benefit of Europe's citizens.

The most recent positive results include the Roaming Regulation which reduces the cost of

modern communication in Europe, the creation of the European payment area which makes

travelling and living together easier in the EU and the constant improvement of consumer

rights which guarantee citizens the same high standards across the entire European Union.

With its decisions on an integrated climate and energy policy the European Council in

Spring 2007 underlined the synergies between these two key areas and paved the way for

improved climate protection and dealing responsibly with energy.

Closer crossborder police and judicial cooperation means more security for everyone. At the

same time the EU is working to protect and strengthen civil liberties at European level.

Contributing to the day-to-day life of its citizens and securing the European Union's ability to

act in the future: with this twofold goal in mind, the European Council today adopted the

following conclusions.

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TREATY REFORM PROCESS

p.m.

II.

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

[Provisional

language; may need to be adapted in the light of the Justice and Home Affairs Council

on 12

/13

June 2007]

On the basis of the Tampere and Hague Programmes significant progress has been made in

developing the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice. The European Council

stresses the need to continue the implementation of those programmes and to work on the

succession to them in order to further strengthen Europe's internal security as well as the

fundamental freedoms and rights of citizens.

Recent events have demonstrated once again the need to make rapid progress in developing a

comprehensive European migration policy, capable of taking account of all aspects of

migration (the migration and development agenda, as well as internal aspects such as legal

migration, integration, border control, readmission and the fight against illegal migration),

based on a genuine partnership with third countries and fully integrated into the Union's

external policies. The European Council welcomes the progress already made in

implementing the priority actions focussing on Africa and the Mediterranean as part of the

Global Approach to Migration and calls for work on these priority actions to be taken forward

and intensified. The European Council also welcomes the Commission's Communication of

16 May 2007 on applying the Global Approach to Migration to the eastern and south-eastern

regions neighbouring the EU. [Acknowledging the need for intensified and more coordinated

cooperation with these regions, the European Council endorses the Council Conclusions of

18 June 2007, including the list of priority measures.] The European Council also recalls the

importance it attaches to ensuring that adequate resources are available, within the existing

financial programmes, for implementing the comprehensive migration policy.

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The European Council underlines the importance of closer cooperation with third countries in

managing migration flows. Specific partnerships on migration with third countries could

contribute to a coherent migration policy which combines measures aimed at facilitating legal

migration opportunities – while respecting Member States' competences and the specific

needs of their labour markets – with those fighting illegal migration, protecting refugees and

tackling the root causes of migration while at the same time impacting positively on

development in countries of origin. The possibility of mobility partnerships should be further

explored as well as possibilities for circular migration in the light of the Commission's

communication of 16 May 2007 and in accordance with the Council conclusions of

18 June 2007.

10.

The European Council reaffirms the need for the Union's capacity to contribute to the

management of the external borders of Member States to be reinforced and underlines the

importance of continuing to strengthen the capacity of FRONTEX for this purpose. Joint

operations at Member States' external borders are contributing to the fight against illegal

migration and to saving lives. The European Council therefore welcomes the agreement

reached on the establishment of Rapid Border Intervention Teams, the launching of the

Coastal Patrol Network, and the creation of a centralised "toolbox" of technical equipment

available to be put at the disposal of Member States. The European Council calls for every

effort to be made by all concerned for the Rapid Border Intervention Teams to be become

operational as soon as possible and for the new possibilities created by the Coastal Patrol

Network and the "toolbox" to be used to the full, including the stepping-up and strengthening

of joint patrols.

11.

The European Council welcomes the recent agreement on the Regulation on the Visa

Information System and the exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas as

well as the Council Decision on access for consultation of the VIS by designated authorities

of Member States and by Europol for the purposes of prevention, detection and investigation

of terrorist offences. These are further important steps in improving exchanges of information

between the Member States, thus contributing to improving the management of the common

visa policy and the security of citizens. The European Council calls for swift implementation

of the VIS Regulation and the Council Decision.

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12.

The European Council likewise welcomes the efforts that have been made in order to improve

the continued and deepened cooperation at EU level and between Member States in the area

of integration and intercultural dialogue. [The European Council welcomes, in particular, the

Council Conclusions of 12 June on the strengthening of integration policies in the EU by

promoting unity in diversity.] It emphasises the importance of further initiatives to facilitate

the exchange of experiences on integration policies of the Member States.

13.

The European Council will review the implementation of the comprehensive migration policy

at its next meeting in December 2007 on the basis of a report from the Commission. This

report should include progress on the application of the Global Approach to Migration to

Africa and the Mediterranean as well as first progress on the application of the Global

Approach to Migration to the eastern and south-eastern regions neighbouring the European

Union.

14.

The extension of the Schengen area will improve the everyday lives of citizens and

accordingly continues to be a high priority for the EU. Fulfilment of all the requirements to

apply the Schengen acquis in full is essential for the success of this extension. The European

Council welcomes the preparatory work undertaken through the SIS One4All project and

encourages the Member States participating in the project to continue their endeavours to

meet all the requirements for the lifting of controls at internal borders within the foreseen

timeframe as of December 2007 and by March 2008 at the latest. At the same time the

European Council urges the Commission to complete the remaining work within the

scheduled time frame in order to finalise the SIS II project by December 2008 at the latest.

15.

Particular efforts must continue to be made to strengthen police and judicial cooperation and

the fight against terrorism. Europe's citizens expect the EU and its Member States to take

decisive action to preserve their freedom and security, particularly in the fight against

terrorism and organised crime.

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16.

The recent decision to integrate the essential provisions of the Prüm Treaty into the Union's

legal framework will help to intensify cross-border police cooperation. In the same context

the European Council underlines the importance of strengthening further Europol's

operational capabilities and welcomes the decision of the Council to transform the Europol

Convention into a Council Decision.

17.

Safeguarding citizens' rights is as vital to creating an area of freedom, security and justice as

ensuring protection for Europe's citizens. In this respect the European Council in particular

requests the Council to reach agreement before the end of the year on the Framework

Decision on the protection of personal data processed in the framework of police and judicial

cooperation in criminal matters.

18.

[The European Council calls for work on the Framework Decision on certain procedural

rights in criminal proceedings to be finalised as soon as possible in order to contribute to

increasing confidence in the legal systems of other Member States and thus to facilitate the

mutual recognition of judicial decisions].

19.

In the interest of European citizens rapid agreement is needed on the Regulation on the

applicable law relating to contractual obligations (Rome I), as well as those on jurisdiction

and applicable law in matrimonial matters (Rome III) and on maintenance obligations.

20.

The Council is requested to continue its work on evaluating the consistency and coherence of

the provisions of contract law in Community law, including consumer contract law. The

objective remains to establish a non-binding common frame of reference for European

contract law.

21.

The European Council acknowledges the progress made in developing legislation for the

exchange of information on national criminal convictions on a European basis. The Council

should also further promote electronic communication on legal matters ("E-Justice") in the

criminal as well as the civil areas.

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22.

The European Council welcomes the communication from the Commission on the fight

against cybercrime and calls for the development of a policy framework in this field.

III. ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

23.

Further strengthening the four freedoms of the internal market (free movement of goods,

persons, services and capital) and improving its functioning remain of paramount importance

for growth, competitiveness and employment. The European Council looks forward to the

presentation of the Commission's Single Market Review, together with accompanying

proposals, in the autumn. It calls on the Council and the European Parliament to make rapid

progress on the mutual recognition and new approach Regulations.

p.m. postal services

24.

The European Council invites the Council to swiftly agree on the first [four] proposals for

Joint Technology Initiatives (ARTEMIS, on embedded computer systems, and Innovative

Medicines Initiative[, Clean Sky, on aeronautics and air transport, and ENIAC, on

nano-electronics technologies]) and invites the Commission to present as rapidly as possible

the remaining Joint Technology Initiatives identified in the Specific Program "Cooperation"

implementing the 7th Framework Program for Research. It underlines that the management of

these initiatives should be open and transparent.

25.

The European Council welcomes the fact that work on the Regulation for the European

Institute of Technology is advancing well and therefore invites the Council to reach, at its

meeting on 25 June, a general approach on this Regulation, including adequate financing in

accordance with Community budgetary procedures. The European Council is confident that

the final decision of Council and European Parliament will be taken before the end of this

year.

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26.

The European Council welcomes the initiative for a European Charter for the use of

intellectual property from public research institutions and universities (IP-Charter) to improve

the knowledge transfer between research and industry and its contribution to the development

of the European Research Area. The European Council invites the Commission to present

early in 2008 initiatives to follow up on the Green Paper on the European Research Area.

27.

In the social policy area, work on coordination of the social security systems must be pursued

vigorously with a view to resolving the remaining outstanding chapters as soon as possible.

The European Council looks forward to the presentation of an amended proposal for the

Directive on the portability of supplementary pension rights as a basis for the continuation of

work on this subject. Member States are invited to rapidly implement the recently adopted

Community Strategy 2007-2012 on health and safety at work, which will strengthen the

overall approach to well-being at work and relaunch prevention policies and improvements

for workers. The European Council invites Member States, the Commission and social

partners to make good use of the Alliance for Families to promote good practices and

innovative approaches on family friendly policies and to promote gender equality.

28.

HIV/AIDS remains a matter of serious concern. Action to tackle the global HIV/AIDS

pandemic should include broad based prevention programmes, training of health care

personnel, awareness raising in all groups of society and tackling the cost of treatment. The

European Council invites the Commission to implement its action plan on combating

HIV/AIDS within the European Union and in the neighbouring countries 2006-2009 and the

European Programme for Action to Confront HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis through

external action 2007-2011. It is for the Member States to provide the political leadership to

fight this pandemic. The pharmaceutical industry should facilitate access to affordable

medicines and cooperate in securing distribution channels for drugs against HIV/AIDS

together with government institutions and NGOs.

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29.

The European Council recalls its conclusions of March 2007 on an integrated climate and

energy policy. It welcomes the important signal sent by the G8 Summit at Heiligendamm. The

clear reference to at least halving emissions by 2050, the commitment to the UNFCCC

process (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) and to achieving a comprehensive

post 2012-agreement by 2009 provide an encouraging basis for the upcoming UNFCCC

negotiations which should be launched in Bali in December 2007. The European Council

stresses the importance of implementing effectively and speedily all aspects of the

comprehensive energy Action Plan with a view to taking forward the Energy Policy for

Europe. On climate protection, it looks forward to the timely presentation by the Commission

of a proposal to amend the directive on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme based on the

review process and the Council recommendations. It underlines the Union's intention to

include aviation activities in the scheme in a way that does not adversely affect

competitiveness.

30.

It is becoming increasingly evident that climate change will have a considerable impact on

international security issues. The European Council invites the High Representative and the

European Commission to work closely together on this important issue and to present a joint

report to the European Council in Spring 2008.

31.

The European Council recalls the importance of an efficient and sustainable European

transport system and takes note of the Commission's intention to come forward no later than

June 2008 with a model for the assessment of all external costs to serve as a basis for future

calculations of infrastructure charges. This model shall be accompanied by an impact analysis

of the internalisation of external costs for all modes of transport and a strategy for a stepwise

implementation of the model, accompanied – if appropriate – by proposals for further revision

of the "Eurovignette" directive.

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32.

The European Council welcomes the wide debate, in particular at the Bremen Conference in

May 2007, that has taken place in Europe on the future Maritime Policy and invites the

Commission to come forward with a European Action Plan to be presented in October.

Taking into account the principle of subsidiarity, this Action Plan should aim at exploring the

full potential of sea-based economic activity in an environmentally sustainable manner.

33.

The European Council congratulates Cyprus and Malta on the convergence achieved since

accession to the EU, based on sound economic and financial policies, and welcomes both

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

European Council welcomes the Commission's proposal that Cyprus and Malta should adopt

the euro on 1 January 2008.

IV. EXTERNAL RELATIONS

European Neighbourhood Policy

34.

The European Council reaffirms the paramount importance of the ENP, which aims at

consolidating a ring of prosperity, stability and security based on human rights, democracy

and the rule of law, as well as supporting the process of reform and transformation of partners

in the Union's neighbourhood.

35.

The European Council endorses the Council Conclusions on the Presidency progress report,

which includes a set of measures to further strengthen Neighbourhood Policy. While the

ENP's character as a single and coherent policy framework should be maintained,

implementation of the Policy should take due account of the specificity of partner countries.

The European Council invites future Presidencies to continue work on the basis of the

Presidency Report and relevant Commission documents.

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Central Asia

36.

The European Council adopted an EU strategy for a new partnership with Central Asia. This

strategy will serve as an overall framework for EU relations with Central Asia, including in

the fields of human rights, rule of law, good governance and democracy, education, economic

development, trade and investment, energy and transport, environmental policies, migration

and inter-cultural dialogue. The strategy defines the EU's priorities for its cooperation with the

region as a whole, but implementation will be tailored to the specific requirements and

performance of each Central Asian state. The European Council asks the Council to regularly

review progress in implementing this strategy and to submit a first progress report to the

European Council by the middle of 2008.

Heiligendamm Process

37.

The European Council welcomes the initiation of the Heiligendamm Process by the G8

Summit in June 2007 launching a new form of dialogue with Brazil, China, India, Mexico and

South Africa. The European Council acknowledges the ever-growing importance of these

emerging economies. The Heiligendamm Process should intensify the political dialogue and

foster cooperation with these countries, especially in the fields of innovation and intellectual

property, investment conditions including responsible business conduct, energy efficiency and

development cooperation.

EU-Africa

38.

The second EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon in December 2007 will provide an important

opportunity to enhance the relationship between the EU and Africa and to build an ambitious

and strategic new partnership.

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39.

Recalling its conclusions of June 2005, the European Council underlines the importance it

attaches to the further close cooperation with the African Union to ensure that a Joint

EU-Africa strategy can be adopted by December 2007. The European Council reaffirms the

commitment to continue support for the African Union, with a view, inter alia, to

strengthening the African Union's capacity in conflict management, resolution and prevention.

The European Council welcomes the intention to establish an Africa-EU energy partnership at

the EU-Africa Summit.

40.

The European Council stresses the need for new arrangements allowing early release of EU

funds to support AU rapid deployment which should be addressed as a priority. The Council

reaffirms the commitments undertaken in the EU Strategy "The EU and Africa: Towards a

Strategic Partnership" and encourages Member States to make all efforts to reach the targets

set therein.

WTO/Doha

41.

The European Council stresses the need for an ambitious, balanced and comprehensive

agreement on the Doha Development Agenda. It considers that the time has come to bring the

negotiations to tangible results. The European Council therefore calls on all WTO members to

show constructive flexibility and thus to contribute to a prompt successful conclusion of the

Round.

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