2508th Council meeting - GENERAL AFFAIRS - Brussels, 19 May 2003

Transcription

1 C/03/137 Brussels, 19 May /03 (Presse 137) 2508th Council meeting - GERAL AFFAIRS - Brussels, 19 May 2003 President : Mr Giorgos PAPANDREOU, of the Hellenic Republic * The 2509th session on External Relations is the subject of a separate press release (doc. 9379/03 Presse 138) Internet: press.office@consilium.eu.int For further information call /03 (Presse 137) 1

2 CONTTS 1 PARTICIPANTS...4 ITEMS DEBATED PROGRESS OF WORK IN OTHER COUNCIL CONFIGURATIONS...6 PREPARATION OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL...6 REFORM OF THE STAFF REGULATIONS...6 ITEMS APPROVED WITHOUT DEBATE EXTERNAL RELATIONS Indonesia - conclusions...i Preparation of the EU US Summit...I Euro Mediterranean partnership Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers Ministerial Conference on Energy...I Temporary reception in the EU of certain Palestinians... II Restrictive measures against Liberia... II Decisions on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the accession partnerships with Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey...III Estonia Rules of origin...iii EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFCE POLICY (ESDP) Participation of third states in the EU Military Operation in the FYROM...IV Co-operation with Russia in the field of ESDP...IV European Union Exercise Programme IV Appointment of the Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union...IV EU Military Rapid Response...IV DEVELOPMT 1 Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks. The documents whose references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by an asterisk; these statements are available on the above mentioned Council Internet site or may be obtained from the Press Office. 9377/03 (Presse 137) 2

3 Migration and development - conclusions...v Participation of non-state actors in development policy...v ACP Relations with the Central African Republic...V 9377/03 (Presse 137) 3

4 PARTICIPANTS 19.v.2003 The Governments of the Member States and the European Commission were represented as follows: Belgium : Mr Jan DE BOCK Denmark : Mr Carsten SØNDERGAARD Germany : Mr Wilhelm SCHÖNFELDER Greece : Mr Giorgos PAPANDREOU Mr Anastasios GIANNITSIS Spain : Ms Ana PALACIO VALLELERSUNDI France : Mr Dominique de VILLEPIN Ms Noëlle LOIR Ireland : Mr Brian COW Italy : Mr Franco FRATTINI Luxembourg : Ms Lydie POLFER Netherlands : Mr Jaap de HOOP SCHEFFER Mr Atzo NICOLAI Austria : Ms Benita FERRERO-WALDNER Portugal : Mr António MARTINS da CRUZ Finland : Mr Erkki TUOMIOJA Sweden : Ms Anna LINDH United Kingdom : Mr Denis MacSHANE Commission : Mr Neil KINNOCK Ambassador, Permanent Representative State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador, Permanent Representative Deputy Minister attached to the, with responsibility for European Affairs and Foreign Trade State Secretary for European Affairs Federal and Portuguese Communities Abroad Minister of State for Europe Vice-President 9377/03 (Presse 137) 4

5 The Governments of the Acceding States were represented as follows: Czech Republic : Mr Cyril SVOBODA Estonia : Ms Kriistina OJULAND Cyprus : Mr George IACOVOU Latvia : ms Sandra KALNIETE Lithuania : Mr Antanas VALIONIS Hungary : Mr László KOVÁCS Malta: Mr Joe BORG Poland : Mr Wlodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ Slovakia : Mr Eduard KUKAN Slovenia : Mr Dimitrij RUPEL 9377/03 (Presse 137) 5

6 ITEMS DEBATED PROGRESS OF WORK IN OTHER COUNCIL CONFIGURATIONS The Council took note of a report from the Presidency on work underway in the Council's other configurations at meetings held since the last report on 14 April. (doc. 9180/1/03 REV1) The Presidency's report draws attention to: The Education Youth and Culture Council on 5 and 6 May, where political agreements were reached on the Erasmus Mundus programme, aimed at encouraging highly qualified graduates and scholars from all over the world to undertake postgraduate studies at European universities, and on the e-learning programme, providing for the integration of information and communication technologies in education and training systems; The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 6 May, where conclusions were adopted outlining the EU response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The Justice and Home Affairs Council on 8 May, where political agreement was reached on a draft Decision on the mutual recognition of financial penalties. PREPARATION OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL The Council examined an annotated draft agenda prepared by the Presidency for the European Council to be held on 20 and 21 June in Thessaloniki, substantive preparation being scheduled for the Council s meeting on June. (doc. 9359/03) The annotated draft agenda sets out the main items that the European Council is expected to address in Thessaloniki. The Presidency will draw on the outcome of work ongoing on many of these questions when submitting a revised final version of the agenda. At this stage, the annotated draft agenda covers the following issues: Work in the Convention and in the future Intergovernmental Conference on a Constitutional Treaty for the European Union Asylum and immigration EU enlargement Western Balkans The "Wider Europe" initiative and the EU's relations with its future Eastern and Southern neighbours Follow up to the Spring European Council in Brussels External relations REFORM OF THE STAFF REGULATIONS The Council reached a political agreement on a proposal aimed at amending the staff regulations for European Union civil servants. 9377/03 (Presse 137) 6

7 ITEMS APPROVED WITHOUT DEBATE EXTERNAL RELATIONS NOTE: The Acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia align themselves on the conclusions on Indonesia. Indonesia - conclusions "The Council expressed its deep concern on the breakdown of negotiations, and the outbreak of violence in Aceh. The Council reiterates its support for Indonesia s territorial integrity as well as for special autonomy for Aceh within the State of Indonesia. The Council appealed to both sides to return to the negotiating table and to fully honour the obligations they entered into by signing the agreement for the cessation of hostilities on 9 December Only its full implementation will offer the chance to bring lasting peace to the region." Preparation of the EU US Summit The Council took note of a report by the Presidency, the Council Secretariat and the Commission on preparations for the EU US Summit, to be held in Washington on 25 June. The note covers the following issues to be discussed at the meeting: Iraq and the Middle East, non proliferation and the fight against weapons of mass destruction, measures to counter terrorism, economic and trade issues and transatlantic relations. Euro Mediterranean partnership Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers Ministerial Conference on Energy The Council adopted: European Union guidelines in view of the Euro Mediterranean mid term meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, to be held in Crete on 26 and 27 May. The guidelines cover the following issues to be discussed at the meeting: Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, Association Agreements, Political and Security Partnership, Economic and Financial Partnership and Social, Cultural and Human Partnership. An EU position with a view to the draft declaration to be adopted by the third Euro Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Energy, held in Athens on 20 and 21 May. 9377/03 (Presse 137) I

8 Temporary reception in the EU of certain Palestinians The Council adopted a Common Position amending Common Position 2002/400/CFSP on the temporary reception by EU Member States of 13 Palestinians evacuated from Bethlehem in May 2002 following the siege of the Church of the Nativity by Israeli forces. (doc. 9164/03) The Common Position extends by a further 12 months the validity of the 12 month national permits granted by the host Member States; its application will be evaluated within 23 months of the adoption of Common Position 2002/400/CFSP. The permits are restricted to the territory of the Member State concerned, and do not imply a right to move freely inside the Union. Matters such as housing, living conditions, family relations, access to employment and vocational training are governed by the laws of each receiving Member State, with exchange of information in order to encourage comparable treatment. In the event of a third State requesting extradition of any of the 13 Palestinians, the Member States agree to consult each other within the Council in order to see whether the matter can be approached along common lines. Restrictive measures against Liberia The Council adopted a Common Position amending and extending Common Position 2001/357/CFSP on restrictive measures against Liberia. (doc. 9110/03) The Common Position is aimed at implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1478 by extending Common Position 2001/357 until 7 May 2004 unless the Council decides otherwise in accordance with any future UN Security Council Resolution. It provides for: an arms embargo; a ban on the import of rough diamonds from Liberia travel restrictions on senior members of Liberia's government and armed forces, their spouses and any other individuals providing support to armed rebel groups in neighbouring countries, as well as any individuals or groups in violation of the arms embargo. a ban on the import of round logs and timber products as from 7 July. Resolution 1478, adopted by the UN Security Council on 6 May 2003, calls upon Liberia to introduce a certification system for trade in rough diamonds with the aim of breaking the link between diamonds and the arms trade. Decisions on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the accession partnerships with Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey Following political agreement reached in 14 April 2003, the Council adopted updated decisions on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions for the Accession Partnerships with Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. These decisions are based, for Bulgaria and Romania, on Council Regulation (EC) No 622/98 on assistance to the applicant countries in the framework of the preaccession strategy. For Turkey, the decision is based on Council Regulation (EC) No 390/2001 on assistance to Turkey in the framework of the pre-accession strategy. 9377/03 (Presse 137) II

9 The Accession Partnerships are a key feature of the pre-accession strategies, mobilising all forms of assistance to the candidate countries within a single framework. In this manner, the Community targets its assistance towards the specific needs of each candidate so as to provide support for overcoming particular problems with a view to accession. For Bulgaria and Romania, this is the third time that the Partnerships have been updated taking into account developments in the respective countries, in the light of the findings of the Commission's 2002 Regular Reports, and complementing the short and medium term issues identified in the Commission Communication on the roadmaps for these countries. Taken together, the Partnerships and the roadmaps, are the main tools guiding these countries' work on preparation for accession until the end of accession of negotiations. For Turkey this is the first updating of its Partnership and it is expected that on this basis Turkey will adopt a revised national programme for the adoption of the acquis. Priorities listed as short term are those for which it is realistic to expect that they can be fulfilled in 2003/2004. Medium term priorities are expected to take more than one year although work should be taken forward substantially in 2003/2004. It should be recalled that incorporation of the acquis into legislation is not in itself sufficient; it will also be necessary to ensure that it is actually applied to the same standards as those which apply within the Union. This revised Accession Partnership indicates the priority areas for Turkey's membership preparations, notably in view of the decisions that the European Council will take with regard to Turkey in December Estonia Rules of origin The Council approved a draft Decision, to be adopted by the EU Estonia Association Council, aimed at introducing a consolidated version of the protocol regarding rules of origin under the Europe Agreement between the European Union and Estonia. (doc. 9071/03) EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFCE POLICY (ESDP) Participation of third states in the EU Military Operation in the FYROM The Council adopted three Decisions approving the conclusion of Agreements between the European Union and Iceland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Norway, Slovenia, Lithuania and Romania on the participation of these countries in the European Union-led Forces (EUF) in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. On 18 March, the Council authorised the Secretary-General/High Representative to open negotiations with a view to the conclusion of such agreements with third states participating in the EU Military Operation in the FYROM. Co-operation with Russia in the field of ESDP The Council endorsed a paper on suggestions for co-operation with Russia in the field of European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The paper will serve as a basis for the EU approach to Russian proposals and with a view to the EU- Russia Summit to be held in Saint Petersburg on 31 May. 9377/03 (Presse 137) III

10 European Union Exercise Programme The Council approved the draft EU Exercise Programme and agreed to forward it to NATO for information. EU Exercise Policy stipulates the annual establishment of an EU Exercise Programme covering a five-year period to be approved by Council. EU exercises concentrate on how the EU manages crises with civilian and military instruments. Appointment of the Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union The Council adopted a Decision appointing General Rolando Mosca Moschini as the Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union for a period of three years as from 9 April EU Military Rapid Response The Council took note of a report by its Political and Security Committee (PSC) based on the EU Military Committee's advice on EU military rapid response. The EU military rapid response concept provides the general conceptual basis for the conduct of EU-led military crisis management operations requiring a rapid response. DEVELOPMT Migration and development - conclusions The Council adopted conclusions on the integration of migration issues in the European Union's relations with third countries. (doc. 8927/03) Participation of non-state actors in development policy The Council adopted conclusions on the participation of non State actors in the Community's development policy. (doc. 9125/03) ACP Relations with the Central African Republic The Council approved a draft letter to be sent to the authorities of the Central African Republic, inviting it to consultations on compliance with provisions on the observance of democratic principles and the rule of law under the Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States. 9377/03 (Presse 137) IV