Formandskabets kommenterede dagsorden vedr. Det Europæiske Råds møde d. 12.-13. december 2003

Medlemmerne af Folketingets Europaudvalg og deres stedfortrædere
Bilag	Journalnummer	Kontor
1	400.C.2-0	EUK	13. november 2003

 

Til underretning for Folketingets Europaudvalg vedlægges formandskabets kommenterede dagsorden vedrørende Det Europæiske Råds møde i Bruxelles den 12.-13. december 2003, 14450/03.

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION				Brussels, 12 November 2003
			14450/03
			POLGEN 73

NOTE

From :	The Presidency
To :	Permanent Representatives Committee/Council
Subject :	European Council (12/13 December 2003) – Annotated draft agenda

 

In line with the Seville European Council Conclusions and the Council's Rules of Procedure the General Affairs and External Relations Council, acting on a presidency proposal, is required to draw up an annotated draft agenda at least four weeks before the meeting of the European Council.

The Presidency accordingly submits the following annotated draft agenda, which sets out the main items it expects the European Council to address in Brussels on 12/13 December. Work on many of those questions is ongoing or will commence shortly and the Presidency will, where possible, draw on the outcome of that work when submitting a revised final version of the annotated draft agenda to the meeting of the GAERC immediately preceding the European Council. It should be noted in this connection that preparatory work on some agenda items will only be finalised at that meeting of the GAERC.

 

The Presidency recalls, finally, that on the occasion of the European Council, Heads of State or Government will also meet as an InterGovernmental Conference on the new Treaty. Furthermore, an extraordinary Social Summit will hold initial discussions on the follow-up to the report of the European Employment Task Force headed by Mr. Wim Kok.

 

The Presidency intends to limit the agenda to the following items:

1. Economic growth

2. Freedom, security and justice

3. Enlargement

4. External relations, CFSP and ESDP

 

1. ECONOMIC GROWTH

The European Council is expected, on the basis of work by the Commission, EIB and the relevant Council formations, to perform a definitive assessment of the Growth Initiative and to take concrete decisions on a "quick-start programme" of infrastructure projects.

The European Council furthermore expects to be presented with a report from the Commission containing proposals to improve the industrial framework with a view to avoiding de-industrialisation. It is expected to note that work on delivering on the Lisbon reform agenda and on the follow up to remits supportive of growth provided by previous European Councils is proceeding apace and that it will fall to the European Council to take stock of progress in this regard at its Spring 2004 meeting.

2. FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE

The European Council is expected to take stock of progress achieved on the various remits – particularly in the areas of asylum, migration and external borders – issued by the Seville, Thessaloniki and Brussels (October 2003) European Councils to the Council and the Commission for fulfilment by the end of 2003. This will include the setting up of a Border Management Agency, the Framework Decision on the fight against drug trafficking and developments as regards relations with third countries of origin or transit for migratory flows.

In this connection, the European Council expects to receive a report from the Commission on its examination of the establishment of a separate Community instrument in order to support the priorities in the Return Action Programme.

3. ENLARGEMENT

On the basis of the Strategy paper, regular reports and monitoring reports presented by the Commission, the European Council is expected to:

• take stock of progress achieved by the 10 acceding Countries in adopting, implementing and enforcing the acquis,

• set out a framework for the conclusion of accession negotiations with Bulgaria and Romania,

• evaluate progress by Turkey toward meeting the political and economic criteria in preparation for future membership,

• invite all parties concerned to contribute fully to search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

4.EXTERNAL RELATIONS, CFSP, ESDP

• The European Council is expected to

• adopt the EU Security Strategy submitted by the SG/HR,

• consider the question of weapons of mass destruction on the basis of the Presidency report on the implementation of the Action Plan in this regard and of the common position and conclusions adopted by the GAERC,

• endorse the regular report on progress achieved on developing ESDP,

• endorse the detailed work programme on relations with the Arab world formulated by the SG/HR and the Commission,

• endorse the report on the implementation of the EU Common Strategy on Ukraine and consider extending this Strategy;

• The European Council is furthermore expected to address issues arising out of the latest developments on the international scene.

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The European Council is expected to welcome the presentation by the Commission of its communication of November 2003 on the new Financial Perspective.

Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions on Council reform agreed at Seville, the European Council is expected to adopt the first Multiannual Strategic Programme, covering the period 2004-2006.