16238\/1\/04 REV 1<\/p>\n
COUNCIL OF\u00a0THE EUROPEAN UNION
\nBrussels, 1 February 2005
\n16238\/1\/04 REV 1\u00a0CONCL 4
\nCOVER NOTE
\nfrom : Presidency
\nto : Delegations
\nSubject : BRUSSELS EUROPEAN COUNCIL
\n16\/17 DECEMBER 2004<\/p>\n
PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS
\nDelegations will find attached the revised version of the Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels\u00a0European Council (16\/17 December 2004).
\n________________________
\nPresidency Conclusions – Brussels, 16\/17 December 2004
\n16238\/1\/04 REV 1 1<\/p>\n
1. The meeting of the European Council was preceded by an expos\u00e9 by the President of the\u00a0European Parliament, Mr Josep Borrell, followed by an exchange of views. Subsequently the\u00a0European Council held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi\u00a0Annan.<\/p>\n
2. The European Council welcomed the President of the Commission, Mr Jos\u00e9 Manuel Barroso.\u00a0It congratulated him on the assumption of office of his College and expressed its wish to work\u00a0closely with the new Commission.<\/p>\n
3. The European Council discussed the following items<\/p>\n
I. Enlargement 5. With the accession of ten new Member States to the European Union successfully\u00a0accomplished, the European Council expressed its determination to continue the process it has\u00a0engaged in with the candidate countries, thus contributing to Europe’s prosperity, stability,\u00a0security and unity. In this connection, it recalled that the Union’s capacity to absorb new\u00a0members, while maintaining the momentum of European integration, is an important\u00a0consideration in the general interest of both the Union and the candidate countries.<\/p>\n Bulgaria<\/strong> 7. Taking due note of the relevant assessments and recommendations by the Commission, the\u00a0European Council considered that Bulgaria will be able to assume all the obligations of\u00a0membership at the envisaged time of its accession, provided that it continues its efforts to that\u00a0end and completes in a successful and timely way all necessary reforms and commitments\u00a0undertaken in all areas of the acquis. Safeguard clauses will provide for measures to address\u00a0serious problems that may arise before accession or in the three years after accession.<\/p>\n 8. The European Union will continue to monitor closely Bulgaria’s preparations and\u00a0achievements, including the effective implementation of the commitments undertaken in all\u00a0areas of the acquis and in particular Justice and Home Affairs; to this end the Commission\u00a0will continue to submit annual reports on Bulgaria’s progress towards accession, together with\u00a0recommendations if appropriate.<\/p>\n 9. Anticipating the successful completion by Bulgaria of its preparations for accession to the\u00a0Union, the European Council called for the finalisation of the Accession Treaty with Bulgaria\u00a0and Romania with a view to its signing in April 2005 on the occasion of the meeting of the\u00a0General Affairs and External Relations Council, provided the European Parliament has given\u00a0its assent.<\/p>\n Romania<\/strong> 11. Taking due note of the relevant assessments and recommendations by the Commission, the\u00a0European Council considered that Romania will be able to assume all the obligations of\u00a0membership at the envisaged time of its accession, provided that it continues its efforts to that\u00a0end and completes in a successful and timely way all necessary reforms and commitments\u00a0undertaken in all areas of the acquis, in particular the important commitments regarding\u00a0Justice and Home Affairs, Competition and Environment. Safeguard clauses will provide for\u00a0measures to address serious problems that may arise, as the case may be, before accession or\u00a0in the three years after accession, in particular in the areas of Justice and Home Affairs and\u00a0Competition as well as Environment.<\/p>\n 12. The European Union will continue to monitor closely Romania’s preparations and\u00a0achievements, including the effective implementation of the commitments undertaken in all\u00a0areas of the acquis, and in particular in the areas of Justice and Home Affairs, Competition\u00a0and Environment; to this end the Commission will continue to submit annual reports on\u00a0Romania’s progress towards accession, together with recommendations if appropriate.<\/p>\n 13. Anticipating the successful completion by Romania of its preparations for accession to the\u00a0Union, the European Council called for the finalisation of the Accession Treaty with Bulgaria\u00a0and Romania with a view to its signing in April 2005 on the occasion of the meeting of the\u00a0General Affairs and External Relations Council, provided the European Parliament has given\u00a0its assent.<\/p>\n Croatia<\/strong> 15. Reaffirming its conclusions of June 2004, it urged Croatia to take the necessary steps for full\u00a0cooperation with ICTY and reiterated that the remaining indictee must be located and\u00a0transferred to the Hague as soon as possible.<\/p>\n 16. It invited the Commission to present to the Council a proposal for a framework for\u00a0negotiations with Croatia, taking full account of the experience of the fifth enlargement. It\u00a0requested the Council to agree on that framework with a view to opening the accession\u00a0negotiations on 17 March 2005 provided that there is full cooperation with ICTY.<\/p>\n Turkey<\/strong> 18. The European Council welcomed the decisive progress made by Turkey in its far-reaching\u00a0reform process and expressed its confidence that Turkey will sustain that process of reform.\u00a0Furthermore, it expects Turkey to actively pursue its efforts to bring into force the six specific\u00a0items of legislation identified by the Commission. To ensure the irreversibility of the political\u00a0reform process and its full, effective and comprehensive implementation, notably with regard\u00a0to fundamental freedoms and to full respect of human rights, that process will continue to be\u00a0closely monitored by the Commission, which is invited to continue to report regularly on it to\u00a0the Council, addressing all points of concern identified in the Commission’s 2004 report and\u00a0recommendation, including the implementation of the zero-tolerance policy relating to torture\u00a0and ill-treatment. The European Union will continue to monitor closely progress of the\u00a0political reforms on the basis of an Accession Partnership setting out priorities for the reform\u00a0process.<\/p>\n 19. The European Council welcomed Turkey’s decision to sign the Protocol regarding the\u00a0adaptation of the Ankara Agreement, taking account of the accession of the ten new Member\u00a0States.\u00a0In this light, it welcomed the declaration of Turkey that “the Turkish Government confirms\u00a0that it is ready to sign the Protocol on the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement prior to the\u00a0actual start of accession negotiations and after reaching agreement on and finalising the\u00a0adaptations which are necessary in view of the current membership of the European Union”.<\/p>\n 20. The European Council, while underlining the need for unequivocal commitment to good\u00a0neighbourly relations welcomed the improvement in Turkey’s relations with its neighbours\u00a0and its readiness to continue to work with the Member States concerned towards resolution of\u00a0outstanding border disputes in conformity with the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes\u00a0in accordance with the United Nations Charter. In accordance with its previous conclusions,\u00a0notably those of Helsinki on this matter, the European Council reviewed the situation relating\u00a0to outstanding disputes and welcomed the exploratory contacts to this end. In this connection\u00a0it reaffirmed its view that unresolved disputes having repercussions on the accession process\u00a0should if necessary be brought to the International Court of Justice for settlement. The\u00a0European Council will be kept informed of progress achieved which it will review as\u00a0appropriate.<\/p>\n 21. The European Council noted the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on\u00a015 December 2004.<\/p>\n 22. The European Council welcomed the adoption of the six pieces of legislation identified by the\u00a0Commission. It decided that, in the light of the above and of the Commission report and\u00a0recommendation, Turkey sufficiently fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria to open\u00a0accession negotiations provided that it brings into force these specific pieces of legislation.\u00a0It invited the Commission to present to the Council a proposal for a framework for\u00a0negotiations with Turkey, on the basis set out in paragraph 23. It requested the Council to\u00a0agree on that framework with a view to opening negotiations on 3 October 2005.<\/p>\n Framework for negotiations<\/strong> \u2022 As in previous negotiations, the substance of the negotiations, which will be conducted\u00a0in an Intergovernmental Conference with the participation of all Member States on the\u00a0one hand and the candidate State concerned on the other, where decisions require\u00a0unanimity, will be broken down into a number of chapters, each covering a specific\u00a0policy area. The Council, acting by unanimity on a proposal by the Commission, will\u00a0lay down benchmarks for the provisional closure and, where appropriate, for the\u00a0opening of each chapter; depending on the chapter concerned, these benchmarks will \u2022 Long transitional periods, derogations, specific arrangements or permanent safeguard\u00a0clauses, i.e. clauses which are permanently available as a basis for safeguard measures,\u00a0may be considered. The Commission will include these, as appropriate, in its proposals\u00a0for each framework, for areas such as freedom of movement of persons, structural\u00a0policies or agriculture. Furthermore, the decision-taking process regarding the eventual\u00a0establishment of freedom of movement of persons should allow for a maximum role of\u00a0individual Member States. Transitional arrangements or safeguards should be reviewed\u00a0regarding their impact on competition or the functioning of the internal market.<\/p>\n \u2022 The financial aspects of accession of a candidate State must be allowed for in the\u00a0applicable Financial Framework. Hence, accession negotiations yet to be opened with\u00a0candidates whose accession could have substantial financial consequences can only be\u00a0concluded after the establishment of the Financial Framework for the period from 2014\u00a0together with possible consequential financial reforms.<\/p>\n \u2022 The shared objective of the negotiations is accession.\u00a0These negotiations are an open-ended process, the outcome of which cannot be\u00a0guaranteed beforehand. \u2022 In the case of a serious and persistent breach in a candidate State of the principles of\u00a0liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of\u00a0law on which the Union is founded, the Commission will, on its own initiative or on the\u00a0request of one third of the Member States, recommend the suspension of negotiations\u00a0and propose the conditions for eventual resumption. The Council will decide by\u00a0qualified majority on such a recommendation, after having heard the candidate State,\u00a0whether to suspend the negotiations and on the conditions for their resumption. The \u2022 Parallel to accession negotiations, the Union will engage with every candidate State in\u00a0an intensive political and cultural dialogue. With the aim of enhancing mutual\u00a0understanding by bringing people together, this inclusive dialogue also will involve\u00a0civil society.<\/p>\n II. TERRORISM<\/strong> 25. Democracy and respect for fundamental rights must not be allowed to be undermined by\u00a0terrorism. Efforts to combat terrorism must respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.\u00a0The European Council stressed the importance of promoting respect based on universal\u00a0values, tolerance, inter-faith and cross-cultural dialogue and full participation in society.<\/p>\n 26. The European Council reiterated its conviction that in order to be effective in the long run the\u00a0Union’s response to terrorism must address the root causes of terrorism. Radicalisation and\u00a0terrorist recruitment can be closely connected. The European Council called on the Council to\u00a0establish a long-term strategy and action plan on both issues by June 2005, building on the\u00a0report on recruitment recently adopted by the Council. It invited the Secretary-General\/High\u00a0Representative and the Commission to submit proposals to this effect.<\/p>\n 27. The European Council called for prompt implementation of measures identified in the Hague\u00a0Programme on strengthening freedom, security and justice relevant to combating terrorism.\u00a0In particular, the exchange of information between counter-terrorism-related services must be\u00a0improved. 28. The European Council welcomed the revised EU Action Plan and additional reports presented\u00a0by the Secretary-General\/High Representative and the Commission on combating terrorism\u00a0and the progress made since June 2004, which should lead to further concrete results as\u00a0demonstrated in these contributions, notably:<\/p>\n \u2022 the reinforcement of practical and operational cooperation notably through Europol and\u00a0the Police Chiefs Task Force; better exchange of information between Member States\u00a0and Europol and Eurojust; the exchange of data on lost and stolen passports with\u00a0Interpol; the peer evaluations in 15 Member States of the national structures on\u00a0combating terrorism to be completed for the 25 by September 2005. Member States are\u00a0called upon to report on implementation of recommendations aimed at strengthening\u00a0these structures;<\/p>\n \u2022 concerning judicial cooperation: improved exchange of information from criminal\u00a0records (to be further developed by the end of 2005 on the basis of the Commission’s\u00a0White Paper); progress on retention of telecommunications data and the European\u00a0Evidence Warrant (both to be agreed in 2005). The European Council invites the\u00a0Commission to present proposals for a European Protection Programme – as soon as\u00a0possible – to protect and assist victims of terrorism, as well as witnesses in terrorism\u00a0cases;<\/p>\n \u2022 as regards border and document security: the enhanced security of EU passports by the\u00a0inclusion of biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) and the establishment of the\u00a0European Border Agency (to be operational by May 2005);<\/p>\n \u2022 concerning intelligence cooperation, the links established between the Counter\u00a0Terrorism Group and the reinforced EU Situation Centre which as of 1 January 2005\u00a0will provide the Council with strategic threat assessments based on intelligence from\u00a0national services; and the improved exchange of information with Europol. The\u00a0European Council invited the SG\/HR to report on progress, including enhanced\u00a0cooperation between police and security services, also in connection with the SitCen;<\/p>\n \u2022 measures to combat the financing of terrorism, notably agreement on controls on cash\u00a0entering or leaving the Union and on the third Money Laundering Directive; best\u00a0practices in implementing financial sanctions against terrorists and their organisations;\u00a0and the overall strategy paper presented by the SG\/HR and the Commission. In\u00a0particular, the Commission is invited to present to the Council as soon as possible\u00a0proposals to prevent misuse of charitable organisations for the financing of terrorism\u00a0and Member States are urged to put forward known names of individuals and groups for \u2022 conclusions on strengthening civil protection capacity on prevention, preparedness and\u00a0response to terrorist attacks and the establishment of a Solidarity Programme regarding\u00a0the consequences of terrorist threats and attacks. Further assessment of the capabilities\u00a0that Member States could make available to the Civil Protection Mechanism in the\u00a0event of an attack is required by June 2005, as well as further assessment and\u00a0development of civil protection capabilities, including joint exercises and coordination\u00a0of public information, and improved availability of medical resources. A European \u2022 progress on external policies through counter terrorism clauses in agreements with third\u00a0countries which should be made operational as soon as possible; within the framework\u00a0of intensified transatlantic cooperation, the implementation of the 2004 EU-US\u00a0Declaration on combating terrorism; the conceptual framework and action points on the\u00a0ESDP dimension of the fight against terrorism; and strengthening cooperation with\u00a0priority third countries through dialogue and assistance as well as fostering regional\u00a0cooperation. The Council and the Commission are called upon to set up a network of\u00a0national experts to respond to requests for technical assistance by third countries.<\/p>\n 29. The European Council urged all Member States to implement effectively on a priority basis\u00a0the measures agreed by the European Union and other relevant international organisations, 30. The European Council requested the General Secretariat of the Council, together with the\u00a0Commission, to submit a further progress report including any recommendations they may\u00a0wish to make on improving delivery and\/or additional efforts and initiatives in June 2005.<\/p>\n III. FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK 2007-2013<\/strong> 32. The European Council confirmed that the new Financial Framework, to be agreed in\u00a0comprehensive negotiations, should provide the financial means necessary to address\u00a0effectively and equitably future challenges, including those resulting from disparities in the\u00a0levels of development in the enlarged Union. Policies agreed in accordance with the Treaty\u00a0shall be consistent with the principles of subsidiarity, proportionality and solidarity. They\u00a0should also provide added value. Expenditure for individual policy areas must be seen in the\u00a0context of the overall expenditure level, and such expenditure must be seen in the context of\u00a0the overall negotiation including the question of own resources.<\/p>\n 33. The next Financial Framework should attest to determined efforts towards budgetary\u00a0discipline in all policy areas within a general context of budgetary consolidation in the\u00a0Member States. This objective will be ensured in particular by maintaining a strict\u00a0demarcation between broad policy areas and a balanced ratio of commitments to payments.\u00a0As existing measures to ensure budgetary flexibility have worked well, at this stage additional\u00a0flexibility arrangements are not deemed necessary.<\/p>\n 34. The European Council endorsed the Commission proposal to maintain the ceiling for own\u00a0resources at the current level of 1,24% of EU GNI. The European Council took note of the\u00a0presentation by the Commission of the report on the operation of the own resources system as\u00a0well as the proposal to introduce a generalised correction mechanism, in the light of the\u00a0various positions expressed up to now. It called on the Commission and the Council to\u00a0continue the examination of all issues arising in this connection, including a possible\u00a0simplification of the system.<\/p>\n 35. The incoming Presidency in cooperation with the Commission is invited to press ahead with\u00a0the work towards establishment of the next Financial Framework. Further work on the\u00a0Financial Framework should take full account of the range of positions of Member States on\u00a0the Commission’s proposals and the Progress Report including the building blocks and issues\u00a0at stake and will comply with the timeframe of the Multiannual Strategic Programme,\u00a0including the aim of reaching political agreement by June 2005.<\/p>\n 36. The incoming Presidency is furthermore invited to take all necessary steps to establish\u00a0appropriate contacts with the European Parliament. 39. The European Council furthermore welcomed the outcome of the Ministerial Conference on\u00a0Urban Policy and recognised the importance of urban areas for promotion of social inclusion.<\/p>\n V. EXTERNAL AFFAIRS<\/strong> 42. The European Council welcomed the agreement reached with Iran regarding nuclear issues\u00a0and future cooperation on 15 November, following negotiations with France, Germany and\u00a0the UK supported by the High Representative. It underlined that sustaining the full suspension\u00a0of all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities was essential for the continuation of the\u00a0overall process. It supported further efforts with a view to reaching an agreement on longterm\u00a0arrangements. The European Council confirmed its conclusions of 5 November 2004 on\u00a0the resumption of the negotiations on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement after recent\u00a0verification of suspension. The European Council confirmed the Union’s readiness to explore\u00a0ways to further develop political and economic cooperation with Iran, following action by\u00a0Iran to address other areas of concern of the EU regarding the fight against terrorism, human\u00a0rights and Iran’s approach to the Middle East Peace Process.<\/p>\n 43. The European Council reaffirmed its objective of a secure, unified, prosperous and\u00a0democratic Iraq that will work constructively with its neighbours and the international\u00a0community to meet common challenges. It reiterated its determination to support the Iraqi\u00a0authorities and people, inter alia through elections support, financing of UN protection,\u00a0reconstruction assistance, strengthening the criminal justice sector and promoting respect for\u00a0the rule of law, and developing political and trade cooperation with Iraq. The European\u00a0Council expressed the EU’s full support for the political transition process leading to a\u00a0democratically and constitutionally elected Iraqi Government as set out in UN Security\u00a0Council Resolution 1546. It emphasized the importance of a broad, inclusive political process\u00a0for the general elections in January 2005.<\/p>\n 44. The European Council congratulated President Karzai on his inauguration and welcomed his\u00a0commitment to continue democratic reform, and underlined the EU’s long-term commitment\u00a0to the reconstruction, development and stabilisation of Afghanistan. The EU will continue to\u00a0support the ongoing democratisation process, including next year’s parliamentary and local\u00a0elections, the counter-narcotics efforts, the judicial and security-sector reform and\u00a0Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration.\u00a0Building stronger ties with our neighbourhood<\/p>\n 45. The European Council reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the\u00a0Thessaloniki agenda, which underlines that the future of the countries of the Balkans is within\u00a0the European Union. The recent ministerial meetings of the EU-Western Balkans Forum\u00a0served to assess progress achieved and identify challenges ahead. The European Council\u00a0underlined that the progress of each country towards European integration depended on its\u00a0own efforts in meeting the Copenhagen criteria and the conditions of the Stabilisation and\u00a0Association Process, in particular on key issues such as democracy, the rule of law, respect\u00a0for human rights, rights of persons belonging to minorities, and full cooperation with the\u00a0ICTY. In addition, in this process regional cooperation will remain an essential element of EU\u00a0policy.<\/p>\n 46. The European Council noted with satisfaction the progress made within the framework of the\u00a0European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). A first series of Action Plans jointly prepared with\u00a0Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Moldova, Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinian Authority were\u00a0successfully finalised. As concerns Ukraine, the European Council reiterated the paramount\u00a0importance of free and fair elections, as reflected in the action plan. It welcomed the\u00a0agreement reached by the Council on the content of the action plan which will be forwarded\u00a0to the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council as soon as developments in Ukraine make it possible\u00a0to envisage implementation of its provisions. The EU looked forward to working together\u00a0with partners to implement reforms and other agreed priorities, and to start adopting Action\u00a0Plans for the countries in the Southern Caucasus during the next year. The EU will take steps\u00a0to communicate and demonstrate the benefits of the ENP to the Belarussian population and\u00a0will support the strengthening of civil society and the process of democratisation. The\u00a0European Council also looked forward to the start of consultations with a view to adopting\u00a0Action Plans with the remaining Mediterranean partners whose Association Agreements have\u00a0entered into force or which have ratified their Association Agreements. The European Council\u00a0invited the Commission and the High Representative to report regularly on progress\u00a0accomplished.<\/p>\n 47. The Barcelona Process, enhanced by the ENP, is the main tool for partnership, cooperation\u00a0and dialogue with the Mediterranean Region. The European Council welcomed the decision\u00a0taken by the Euromediterranean Conference of Foreign Ministers in the Hague to declare\u00a02005 as year of the Mediterranean. The Barcelona Process can make a major contribution\u00a0towards the process of modernisation and reform generated from within the societies\u00a0concerned. The 10th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration will serve to strengthen and\u00a0relaunch the Euromed process.<\/p>\n 48. The European Council welcomed the progress made with the other countries of the Middle\u00a0East region and invited further consultations with governments and other stakeholders\u00a0concerned. It called on the relevant bodies of the Council to continue the work towards\u00a0strengthening relations with these countries in all relevant political, economic, social and\u00a0cultural fields.<\/p>\n 49. The European Council welcomed the start of the implementation of the EU Strategic\u00a0Partnership with the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It reiterated the importance of the\u00a0commitment of the partners concerned to engage in reform and recognised that the EU’s\u00a0relations with these countries have distinct characteristics that merit a differentiated approach.<\/p>\n 50. The European Council adopted separate declarations on Ukraine and the Middle East Peace\u00a0Process (Annexes I and II).\u00a0An international order based on effective multilateralism<\/p>\n 51. The European Council welcomed the statement by the United Nations Secretary-General and\u00a0saluted the work he and the UN Secretariat were doing in many fields. It welcomed the report\u00a0of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and\u00a0Change, in particular the comprehensive approach to collective security. The follow-up to the\u00a0European Security Strategy regarding effective multilateralism and a rule-based international\u00a0order, as requested by the European Council in June, should aim at supporting the efforts of\u00a0the UN Secretary-General. The EU is firmly determined to play a major role within the UN.<\/p>\n 52. The European Council welcomed the decision to appoint a Personal Representative of the\u00a0SG\/HR on Human Rights in the area of CFSP as a contribution to the coherence and\u00a0continuity of the EU Human Rights policy, with due regard to the responsibilities of the\u00a0Commission.<\/p>\n 53. The European Council underlined the importance of strengthening the social dimension of\u00a0globalisation in the light of the report of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of\u00a0Globalisation and the initial proposals made by the Commission in its communication on the\u00a0issue.<\/p>\n Working with partners<\/strong> 55. The importance the EU and Russia attach to their strategic partnership, based on common\u00a0values and shared interests, was underlined at the latest EU-Russia Summit. Considerable\u00a0progress was made on the creation of the four Common Spaces and, with a view to the next\u00a0EU-Russia Summit in Moscow in May 2005, the European Council looked forward to\u00a0adopting a comprehensive and balanced package of roadmaps as soon as possible. In parallel,\u00a0work towards the implementation of elements on which agreement has been reached\u00a0provisionally should start as early as possible.<\/p>\n 56. The European Council welcomed the outcome of the Summit meetings with ASEM, the\u00a0Republic of Korea and India, which broadened and deepened the relationships with the Asian\u00a0partners. It invited the Council and the Commission to initiate the development of the Action\u00a0Plan with India to be endorsed at the 6th EU-India Summit in New Delhi in 2005. The\u00a0European Council also called on the Council and the Commission to intensify cooperation\u00a0with Indonesia including in the fields of counter-terrorism, interfaith dialogue, reforms and\u00a0sustainable development.<\/p>\n 57. The European Council welcomed the results of the seventh EU-China Summit that took place\u00a0in The Hague on 8 December. It invited the Council and the Commission to further explore\u00a0the feasibility of a new EU-China framework agreement and possible cooperation on issues\u00a0such as re-admission and market economy status. The European Council confirmed that\u00a0EU-China relations have developed significantly in all aspects in the past years. It is looking\u00a0forward to further progress in all areas of this relationship as referred to in the EU-China Joint\u00a0Statement, in particular the ratification of the International Covenant on civil and political\u00a0rights. In this context the European Council reaffirmed the political will to continue to work\u00a0towards lifting the arms embargo. It invited the next Presidency to finalise the well-advanced\u00a0work in order to allow for a decision. It underlined that the result of any decision should not\u00a0be an increase of arms exports from EU Member States to China, neither in quantitative nor\u00a0qualitative terms. In this regard the European Council recalled the importance of the criteria\u00a0of the Code of Conduct on arms exports, in particular criteria regarding human rights, stability\u00a0and security in the region and the national security of friendly and allied countries. The\u00a0European Council also stressed the importance in this context of the early adoption of the\u00a0revised Code of Conduct and the new instrument on measures pertaining to arms exports to\u00a0post-embargo countries (‘Toolbox’).<\/p>\n 58. During the past six months the EU strengthened its cooperation with the African Union (AU)\u00a0and sub-regional organisations, including ECOWAS, SADC and IGAD. The European\u00a0Council underlined its commitment to continued contributions by the EU to improvement of\u00a0the situation on the African continent, notably in Sudan, the Great Lakes region, West Africa\u00a0and Somalia. The EU will continue to assist the AU mission in Darfur and the peace and\u00a0transition process in the Great Lakes region, as set out in recent GAERC conclusions. It\u00a0welcomed the establishment of federal transitional institutions in Somalia and will continue to\u00a0assist them, as set out in recent GAERC conclusions. Following the adoption of restrictive\u00a0measures taken against the C\u00f4te d’Ivoire on the basis of UNSCR 1572, the European Council\u00a0welcomes and supports the mediation efforts undertaken in the name of the African Union\u00a0and ECOWAS through the mission to the C\u00f4te d’Ivoire by President Thabo Mbeki with which\u00a0the European Union has been associated. The European Council welcomed increased regional\u00a0ownership and underlined that the EU will continue to strengthen its ties with the AU and\u00a0sub-regional organisations, notably in the field of peace and security.<\/p>\n 59. The European Council reiterated the EU’s commitment to the consolidation of the bi-regional\u00a0strategic partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean. In this regard, the European\u00a0Council confirmed the EU’s willingness to make further progress based on efforts from both\u00a0sides with a view to finalising the EU-Mercosur negotiations and welcomed the expected\u00a0launching in January 2005 of the joint assessments of the respective integration processes of\u00a0Central America and the Andean Community, as called for in the Declaration of the EU-LAC\u00a0Guadalajara Summit.<\/p>\n ESDP<\/strong> 61. The European Council endorsed the Presidency Report on ESDP, including the mandate for\u00a0the incoming Presidency, and welcomed in particular the progress in the development of\u00a0military and civilian capabilities reflected in this report, including decisions on EU\u00a0battlegroups (as part of rapid response elements) as well as on the adoption of an ambitious\u00a0work programme and the budget for 2005 for the European Defence Agency. The European\u00a0Council endorsed the Civilian Headline Goal 2008.<\/p>\n 62. The European Council endorsed the detailed proposals for the implementation of the\u00a0document titled “European Defence: NATO\/EU consultation, planning and operations”,\u00a0allowing for the civilian\/military cell to begin its work as scheduled including for the\u00a0establishment of an operations centre which should be available by January 2006 latest. The\u00a0proposals also serve as a basis for agreement with NATO on the establishment as scheduled\u00a0of a small EU cell at SHAPE and NATO liaison arrangements to the EUMS.<\/p>\n International cooperation<\/strong> 64. The European Council confirmed the full commitment of the European Union to the\u00a0Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to the need to ensure progress towards\u00a0achieving them, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In that respect, the European Council\u00a0welcomed the consultation by the Commission of individual Member States with a view to\u00a0presenting to the Council (GAERC) in April 2005 concrete proposals on setting new and\u00a0adequate ODA targets for the period 2009-2010, while taking into account the position of new\u00a0Member States. The European Union will also explore innovative ways of financing based\u00a0upon proposals submitted by the Commission with a view to the 2005 High Level Event.<\/p>\n 65. The European Council called, in the framework of achieving the MDGs, for further\u00a0strengthening of policy coherence for development by making wider and more systematic use\u00a0of existing mechanisms for consultation and impact assessment and procedures to screen all\u00a0relevant policies for their impact on developing countries.<\/p>\n 66. The European Council reiterates the importance of implementation of the Cairo\/ICPD Agenda\u00a0and the fight against HIV\/AIDS for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It\u00a0welcomes the progress that has been made in this area and urges the Commission and\u00a0Member States to increase their commitment in preparation for the UN High Level Event. 68. The European Council took note of the results of this series of debates, of the report of the\u00a0Education Council on Education and Citizenship and of the follow-up initiatives and\u00a0welcomed further initiatives to advance the values which contribute to active citizenship in\u00a0the Union. The European Council invited the European Commission to consider the results of\u00a0the debates and the main findings of the report when preparing its future Citizens’ Programme\u00a0and its communication strategy for 2005. 72. It invited the Secretary-General\/High Representative, the Commission and the Member States\u00a0to continue this preparatory work, in particular by identifying key issues, including the scope 73. The European Council invited the Secretary-General\/High Representative and the\u00a0Commission to prepare a joint progress report on this preparatory work to its June 2005\u00a0meeting at the latest, and to take appropriate steps to keep the European Parliament informed. 2. Therefore, the European Council calls on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the rerun of\u00a0the second round of presidential elections on 26 December 2004 is held in accordance with\u00a0OSCE and Council of Europe standards for democratic elections. The European Union and its\u00a0Member States will offer their fullest support to OSCE\/ODIHR in observing the elections,\u00a0including by sending a substantial number of international observers.<\/p>\n 3. The European Union welcomes the close cooperation between international facilitators of the\u00a0European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and neighbouring countries, including the\u00a0Russian Federation, in encouraging the parties to find a political solution.<\/p>\n 4. The European Union stresses the strategic importance of Ukraine as a key neighbour and\u00a0partner of the EU. The European Union and Ukraine have a common interest in further\u00a0reinforcing their political, economic and cultural ties. The European Council therefore\u00a0underlines that the EU aims at an enhanced and distinctive relationship by making full use of\u00a0the new opportunities offered by the European Neighbourhood Policy.<\/p>\n 5. The European Council welcomes the recent endorsement by the Council of the Action Plan\u00a0with Ukraine. Following the completion of free and fair presidential elections an early EUUkraine\u00a0Cooperation Council will be organised to launch the Action Plan and lay the basis for\u00a0more intensive cooperation. The European Council also looks forward to concrete proposals\u00a0by the Secretary-General\/High Representative and the Commission for ways to strengthen\u00a0cooperation with Ukraine, making full use of the Action Plan, thus enhancing its relationship\u00a0with the European Union. 1. The European Council welcomes recent efforts made by the Palestinian leadership to ensure a\u00a0democratic transition in the occupied Palestinian territories. It encourages both Israelis and\u00a0Palestinians to continue to co-operate closely, including in the area of security, with a view to\u00a0the Palestinian Presidential elections in January. The EU will support the electoral process\u00a0financially, technically and politically, and its observer mission – in liaison with other\u00a0members of the Quartet and of the international community – will help to verify that the\u00a0electoral process is democratic, free and fair. The European Council also welcomes and\u00a0supports the Palestinian Authority’s intention to hold legislative and local elections.<\/p>\n 2. The European Council reiterates its commitment to the achievement, through the process\u00a0outlined in the Roadmap, of a negotiated two-State solution resulting in the emergence of an\u00a0independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security\u00a0with Israel and its other neighbours. The parties should seize this opportunity to accelerate the\u00a0implementation of the Roadmap and re-launch a meaningful political process.<\/p>\n 3. The European Council, recalling established EU positions, and in co-operation with the\u00a0Quartet and the international community, expresses its willingness to support an Israeli\u00a0withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the northern West Bank as a first step in the\u00a0overall process in accordance with the conditions laid out by the European Council in March\u00a02004. It equally expresses its commitment to intensified peace efforts by working closely\u00a0together with both parties and all neighbouring countries. The European Union will continue\u00a0to implement the short-term programme of action which was endorsed by the European\u00a0Council in November and which covers elections as well as the areas of security, reforms, and\u00a0the economy. The success of these actions would be enhanced by the fact that they are placed\u00a0within the broader political perspective.<\/p>\n 4. The European Council invites the High Representative and the Commission to present regular\u00a0reports on the progress in the implementation of the short-term programme of action and the\u00a0results of the High Representative’s consultations with the parties, the international\u00a0community and the other members of the Quartet. The European Council encourages the\u00a0parties and the donors to maintain their current positive and co-operative attitude. The\u00a0commitment by the EU and the international community to support the Palestinian economic\u00a0and social reconstruction will continue to be a key factor.<\/p>\n 5. The European Council recalls that a comprehensive peace must also include Syria and\u00a0Lebanon. It also recalls the importance of the implementation of the UNSC\u00a0Resolution 1559 (2004).<\/p>\n ( German , Turkish )<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 16238\/1\/04 REV 1 COUNCIL OF\u00a0THE EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 1 February 2005 16238\/1\/04 REV 1\u00a0CONCL 4 COVER NOTE from : Presidency to : Delegations Subject : BRUSSELS EUROPEAN COUNCIL 16\/17 DECEMBER 2004 PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS Delegations will find attached the revised version of the Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels\u00a0European Council (16\/17 December 2004). ________________________ Presidency Conclusions – […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":179167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eu-members"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13157"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13157\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nII. Terrorism
\nIII. Financial Framework 2007-2013: principles and guidelines
\nIV. Area of Freedom, Security and Justice: the EU Drugs Strategy 2005-2012
\nV. External Affairs
\nVI. Other issues
\no
\no o
\nI. ENLARGEMENT
\nGeneral<\/strong>
\n4. The European Council welcomed the findings and recommendations presented by the\u00a0Commission on 6 October 2004 to the Council and the European Parliament in its Regular\u00a0Reports on Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Strategy Paper on Bulgaria, Romania and\u00a0Croatia, its Recommendation on Turkey and the document on Issues Arising from Turkey’s\u00a0Membership Perspective.<\/p>\n
\n6. The European Council recalled that all of the outstanding chapters in the accession\u00a0negotiations with Bulgaria had been provisionally closed earlier in 2004. It welcomed the\u00a0successful completion of these negotiations with Bulgaria on 14 December 2004 and\u00a0accordingly looked forward to welcoming it as a member from January 2007.<\/p>\n
\n10. The European Council noted with satisfaction that progress made by Romania in\u00a0implementing the acquis and commitments entered into as regards, in particular, Justice and\u00a0Home Affairs and Competition, has made it possible to close formally all of the outstanding\u00a0chapters with this candidate on 14 December 2004 and accordingly looked forward to\u00a0welcoming it as a member from January 2007.<\/p>\n
\n14. The European Council noted with satisfaction the progress made by Croatia in preparation for\u00a0the opening of accession negotiations.<\/p>\n
\n17. The European Council recalled its previous conclusions regarding Turkey, in which, at\u00a0Helsinki, it agreed that Turkey was a candidate State destined to join the Union on the basis\u00a0of the same criteria as applied to the other candidate States and, subsequently, concluded\u00a0that, if it were to decide at its December 2004 meeting, on the basis of a report and\u00a0recommendation from the Commission, that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria,\u00a0the European Union will open accession negotiations with Turkey without delay.<\/p>\n
\n23. The European Council agreed that accession negotiations with individual candidate States will\u00a0be based on a framework for negotiations. Each framework, which will be established by the\u00a0Council on a proposal by the Commission, taking account of the experience of the fifth\u00a0enlargement process and of the evolving acquis, will address the following elements\u00a0according to their own merits and the specific situations and characteristics of each candidate\u00a0State:<\/p>\n
\nrefer to legislative alignment and a satisfactory track record of implementation of the\u00a0acquis as well as obligations deriving from contractual relations with the European\u00a0Union.<\/p>\n
\nWhile taking account of all Copenhagen criteria, if the candidate State is not in a\u00a0position to assume in full all the obligations of membership it must be ensured that the\u00a0candidate State concerned is fully anchored in the European structures through the\u00a0strongest possible bond.<\/p>\n
\nMember States will act in the IGC in accordance with the Council decision, without\u00a0prejudice to the general requirement for unanimity in the IGC. The European Parliament\u00a0will be informed.<\/p>\n
\n24. The European Council reiterated its unyielding determination to combat the continuing\u00a0terrorist threat through a comprehensive and integrated approach reinforcing both internal and\u00a0international cooperation, in accordance with the principles on which the European Union is\u00a0founded.<\/p>\n
\nTaking into account work under way, the European Council invited the Commission to\u00a0present proposals based on the principle of availability of information in accordance with the\u00a0Hague Programme.<\/p>\n
\ninclusion in the European Union list for freezing of assets, thus contributing to the\u00a0enhancement of the effectiveness of the sanctions system;<\/p>\n
\nProgramme for critical infrastructure protection with potential trans-boundary effects\u00a0should be established before the end of 2005;<\/p>\n
\nand urged the Council and the Commission to continue their efforts to implement the EU\u00a0Action Plan and respect its deadlines.<\/p>\n
\n
\nPrinciples and Guidelines<\/strong>
\n31. The European Council took note of the Presidency Progress Report on the intensive work\u00a0undertaken on the Commission’s 2007-2013 Financial Framework proposals, including the\u00a0Interinstitutional Agreement\/flexibility and own resources.<\/p>\n
\n
\nIV. AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE<\/strong>
\n
\nEU Drugs Strategy 2005-2012<\/strong>
\n37. The European Council adopted the Drugs Strategy 2005-2012, which will be included in the\u00a0Hague Programme. The Strategy will be a key instrument to effectively confront drugs use\u00a0and trafficking with a view to ensuring a high level of health protection, wellbeing and social\u00a0cohesion, as well as a high level of security for the general public. The European Council\u00a0invited the Commission to present to the Council a proposal for an Action Plan for\u00a0implementation of the Strategy in 2005-2008 with a view to its adoption by the Council early\u00a0in 2005 and to prepare an evaluation of its implementation in 2008.
\n
\nImmigrant integration policy<\/strong>
\n38. Recalling its conclusions of June 2003 and November 2004, the European Council welcomed\u00a0the establishment of common basic principles for immigrant integration policy of the Member\u00a0States. These are to be the basis of a comprehensive framework on immigrant integration,\u00a0taking into account the legal, political, economic, social and cultural diversity of Member\u00a0States. They need to be developed in the light of shared experiences. The European Council\u00a0noted that effective integration policies and exchange of best practices within the Union can\u00a0contribute to this, and in this respect welcomed the outcome of the Ministerial Conference on\u00a0integration which paid special attention to youth susceptible to radical influences.<\/p>\n
\n40. The European Council reiterated its commitment to the European Security Strategy, which it\u00a0adopted one year ago. Drawing on its orientations, the Union has successfully increased its\u00a0ability to make an impact on a global scale. The European Council invited the incoming\u00a0Presidency to continue to implement the Strategy in cooperation with the High Representative\u00a0and the Commission and to mainstream its orientations into all relevant European policies.
\n
\nAddressing key concerns<\/strong>
\n41. The European Council endorsed the report on the implementation of the EU Strategy on\u00a0Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and noted the progress in this respect\u00a0in relations with third countries and cooperation with the IAEA and the OPCW. It reaffirmed\u00a0its commitment to use all instruments at its disposal to counter the threat of proliferation of\u00a0WMD and their means of delivery.<\/p>\n
\n54. The European Council underlined its commitment to strengthening the strategic dialogue with\u00a0its transatlantic partners with a view to formulating joint approaches. For well over 60 years,\u00a0the transatlantic partnership together with European integration has been a leading force for\u00a0peace and prosperity. Today, both Europe and America face new threats and challenges.\u00a0Against this background, the European Council recalled that, as stated in the European\u00a0Security Strategy, the transatlantic partnership is irreplaceable. The European Council looked\u00a0forward in this respect to President Bush’s forthcoming visit to Europe. It welcomed the\u00a0initiative of a yearly Justice and Home Affairs ministerial troika with the US and the broad\u00a0participation of the stakeholders on both sides of the ocean in the consultations on the further\u00a0deepening of transatlantic relations.<\/p>\n
\n60. The European Council welcomed the successful start of the EU military operation Althea in\u00a0Bosnia and Herzegovina on 2 December, which underlines the Union’s pledge to stability and\u00a0security in this country and is a practical example of the strategic partnership in crisis\u00a0management with NATO. It also noted the successful conduct of the three ongoing ESDP\u00a0missions – the EU Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUPOL Proxima in the former\u00a0Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the Rule of Law Mission Themis in Georgia. It\u00a0requested the incoming Presidency and the SG\/HR to take forward, in close cooperation with\u00a0the UN, the preparations for a police mission and for a possible security sector reform\u00a0mission, currently being examined, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and for a possible
\nintegrated police, rule of law and civilian administration mission for Iraq, which is expected\u00a0to start after the January 2005 elections.<\/p>\n
\n63. The European Council emphasised the importance of ensuring a coherent contribution of EC\u00a0ODA to poverty eradication in all developing countries. In this context, whilst honouring\u00a0existing commitments, the European Council underlined the need to find ways to increase the\u00a0focus on the poorest, with a specific focus on Africa.<\/p>\n
\n
\nVI. OTHER ISSUES<\/strong>
\n
\nCommonly shared values<\/strong>
\n67. The European Council noted with approval the series of public debates hosted by the\u00a0Presidency, engaging participants with wide-ranging backgrounds and experience, on the\u00a0European identity and the concept of commonly shared values as foundation of European\u00a0integration and cooperation.<\/p>\n
\n
\nConsular cooperation<\/strong>
\n69. The European Council confirmed the importance of intensified consular cooperation. It\u00a0welcomed the agreement reached in the Council on pooling consular resources and\u00a0cooperation both in normal times and in times of crises, thus helping Member States to deal\u00a0more effectively with the increasing demand for consular services.
\n
\nEU Human Rights Agency<\/strong>
\n70. The European Council called for further implementation of the agreement by the\u00a0representatives of the Member States meeting within the European Council of December 2003\u00a0to establish an EU Human Rights Agency which will play a major role in enhancing the\u00a0coherence and consistency of the EU Human Rights Policy.
\n
\nEuropean External Action Service<\/strong>
\n71. The European Council welcomed the fact that, following the signature of the Constitutional\u00a0Treaty, work on the European External Action Service has begun by the Presidency,\u00a0Secretary-General\/High Representative and the Commission.<\/p>\n
\nand structure of the future service. To ensure the full involvement of Member States in this\u00a0process, regular discussions will take place in Coreper, in preparation for the General Affairs\u00a0and External Relations Council.<\/p>\n
\n________________________
\nANNEX I
\nDECLARATION ON UKRAINE
\n<\/strong>
\n1. The leaders and people of Ukraine are to be commended for having found a peaceful solution\u00a0to the political crisis in their country. This was done within the legal framework of Ukraine\u00a0and respecting territorial integrity of the country. The European Council compliments the\u00a0leaders and people of Ukraine on their willingness to work with international facilitators to\u00a0this end. It is now of utmost importance that the positive developments are sustained and that\u00a0the Ukrainian electorate can now freely decide on the candidate of its own choice.<\/p>\n
\n________________________
\nANNEX II
\nDECLARATION ON THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS<\/strong><\/p>\n