I.
INTRODUCTION
The European Council, meeting in Dublin on
13 and 14 December 1996, took a number of significant decisions
for the continued development of the European Union.
The European Council:
· achieved further decisive progress
on Economic and Monetary Union,
· identified a broad range of measures
to be implemented at national and Community level aimed at boosting
employment,
· adopted the Dublin Declaration on
Employment,
· welcomed the general outline for a
draft revision of the Treaties submitted by the Irish Presidency
as a good basis for the final phase of the Intergovernmental Conference
which should conclude at Amsterdam in June 1997,
· adopted an important series of measures
in the area of Justice and Home Affairs and, in particular, agreed
ways and means to combat the scourges of drugs, organized crime,
including terrorism, and the sexual exploitation of children,
· reviewed the Union's action in external
relations.
The European Council began its proceedings
by an exchange of views with Mr. Klaus HÄNSCH, President
of the European Parliament, on the main subjects for discussion
at this meeting. It thanked Mr. HÄNSCH, who will be
stepping down from office next January, for his valuable contribution
to furthering constructive cooperation between the Institutions.
A meeting also took place today with the
Heads of State or Government and the Ministers for Foreign Affairs
of the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including
the Baltic States, as well as Cyprus. There was a broad exchange
of views on these conclusions and on matters pertaining to the
field of Justice and Home Affairs, with particular reference to
the fight against drugs and organized crime.
II.
ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION
1. Economic and Monetary Union
The European Council welcomes the further
decisive progress which has been made in the preparations for
EMU, which will begin on 1 January 1999.
· The structure of the new Exchange
Rate Mechanism has been agreed.
· The urgent aspects of the legal framework
for the use of the euro have been finalized for early adoption.
· The principles and main elements of
the Stability and Growth Pact for ensuring budgetary discipline
in EMU have been agreed.
The European Council therefore urges the
institutions, public authorities and economic agents to intensify
their preparations for the starting date of 1 January 1999.
The European Council welcomes the excellent
Report by the ECOFIN Council (annexed) on preparations for Stage
3 of EMU, which is fully in line with the conclusions of Madrid
and Florence, and it pays tribute to the contributions, in their
respective fields of competence, from the Commission and the European
Monetary Institute (EMI). The contents of this Report are subject
to Parliamentary reservations.
In particular the European Council:
- endorses the conclusions on the new
exchange rate mechanism (ERM2) as proposed by the ECOFIN Council
and the EMI. It invites the ECOFIN Council to prepare for the
European Council in June 1997 a draft Resolution setting out the
fundamental elements of the ERM2, following the precedent set
in 1978 in relation to the present ERM. The EMI is invited to
prepare, in parallel, a draft for an inter-central bank agreement,
for submission to the European Central Bank and the central banks
of the Member States not forming part of the euro area.
- underlines the need to ensure durable budget
discipline in Stage 3 of EMU and welcomes the agreement reached
on the Stability and Growth Pact. It requests the ECOFIN
Council to examine intensively the Commission proposals for two
Regulations, one on the strengthening of the surveillance and
co-ordination of budgetary positions and the other on speeding
up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit
procedure. It invites the Commission to put forward a proposal
for a Regulation on non-participating Member States. Furthermore,
it invites the ECOFIN Council to prepare a draft Resolution on
the Stability and Growth Pact to be adopted by the European Council
in June 1997, recording the commitments of the Member States,
the Commission and the Council to a strict application of the
Treaty and the legal provisions on budgetary stability. The European
Council notes that after it has adopted the Resolution, the Council
will adopt the respective Regulations.
- welcomes the agreement by the ECOFIN Council
on the two Regulations establishing the legal framework for
the euro which are being made public by the Presidency. It
invites the Council to adopt the first Regulation based on Article
235 of the EC Treaty without delay. The second Regulation will
be adopted by the Council as early as possible in 1998, once the
decision on the Member States participating in the euro area has
been taken.
The Council, meeting in the composition of
Heads of State or Government, has taken its decision under Article 109j(3)
of the EC Treaty and confirms that the procedure laid down in
Article 109j(4) will be applied as early as possible in 1998,
with a view to the commencement of the third stage of EMU on 1
January 1999. In this context, the European Council welcomes
the intentions of the Member States to further reduce budgetary
imbalances in 1997 with a view to achieving the high degree of
sustainable convergence required for participation in the single
currency and it underlines the need for durable convergence in
the third stage.
The European Council underlines the importance
of exchange rate stability for the process of convergence and
the smooth operation of the internal market and accordingly warmly
welcomes the entry into the ERM of the Finnish markka on 12 October
1996 and the re-entry of the Italian lira on 24 November 1996.
The European Council underscores the need
to make the euro tangible for citizens. In this regard, it welcomes
the designs for the euro bank notes presented by the European
Monetary Institute. It also welcomes the arrangements being made
by the Commission for the design competition for the coins; this
will allow the choice to be made during the Dutch Presidency.
The Heads of State or Government decided
to reappoint Baron Alexandre LAMFALUSSY as President of the European
Monetary Institute as of 1 January 1997 until 30 June
1997. They decided to appoint Dr. Willem Frederik DUISENBERG,
President of De Nederlandsche Bank, as President of the European
Monetary Institute as of 1 July 1997 until the establishment of
the European Central Bank.
2. SEM 2000 (Sound and efficient
management)
The European Council endorsed the Council
conclusions of 2 December 1996 on the report of the Personal
Representatives Group on Sound Financial Management.
It reaffirmed its support for the Commission's
SEM 2000 initiative and generally welcomed the recommendations
in the report which constitute a substantial action programme
to improve the financial management of EU expenditure in partnership
between the Commission and the Member States.
The European Council invited Council and
Commission to report on progress in implementing the recommendations
to its meeting in December 1997.
III.
EMPLOYMENT
1. Growth and Employment in Europe
- the way forward
The fight against unemployment is the prime
responsibility of the Member States but also a priority task of
the Union. The European Council had an in-depth discussion on
the growth and employment strategy, based on the joint report
from the Council and the Commission on employment, the Commission's
progress report on the initiative for "Action on employment:
a Confidence Pact" and the joint contribution by the social
partners on the Confidence Pact which they adopted in Dublin on
29 November. In its deliberations it has also taken account of
the proposals in President Chirac's Memorandum on a European Social
Model with a view to giving greater emphasis to the human dimension
of the Union.
The European Council, building on the Essen
strategy, endorses the analysis contained in the Joint Report
and urges the Member States to pursue this strategy with determination
and consistency. It calls for continued support for this strategy
by all relevant actors at European, national and local level,
including the social partners and reaffirms the importance of
equal opportunities.
To underline its commitment to this strategy
the European Council has adopted the Dublin Declaration on
Employment (annexed), which reflects the recommendations in
the Joint Report on the need for:
· a continuation of the macroeconomic
strategy for economic growth and employment in line with agreed
economic policy guidelines,
· increased efforts to modernize the
markets for goods and services and to exploit new sources of employment,
· a focusing on labour market efficiency
and on investment in human resources,
· making taxation and social protection
systems more employment-friendly,
· strengthening the interplay between
macroeconomic and structural policies in the Member States' Multiannual
Employment Programmes.
It invites the Commission and the Member
States, especially in the framework of the new Employment and
Labour Market Committee and the Economic Policy Committee, to
develop further the instruments for the effective monitoring and
evaluation of employment and labour market policies and the identification
of good practice. In particular, common employment indicators
should be further developed and the possibilities of benchmarking
should be assessed.
The European Council welcomes the positive
reaction to the initiatives on territorial employment pacts and
urges swift implementation of the 60 projects proposed by the
Member States.
The European Council stresses once again
the essential role of the Internal Market in promoting growth
and employment in the Union. Enhancing the competitiveness of
small and medium-sized enterprises has a crucial role to play
to this effect. Whilst noting the progress that has been accomplished
in this area, it remains concerned with the delays in the transposition
and implementation of a number of Directives. It takes note of
Commission's intention to submit before the Amsterdam European
Council an action plan and a timetable covering all necessary
measures that must be taken to ensure that the full potential
benefit of the Internal Market is achieved before the beginning
of Stage 3 of EMU.
The European Council noted the Commission
report on the development of tax systems, which was drawn to its
attention by the ECOFIN Council, underlining the need for further
work on this issue. The European Council welcomed the Commission's
intention to continue the discussions in a tax policy group, paying
particular attention to the effects of this policy on employment.
The European Council welcomes the Commission's
plans in relation to innovation and the development of the information
society as important inputs for the future development of the
Union's competitiveness. Investment in education and training
are crucial for securing equal opportunities for all citizens
to participate in and benefit from the information society. The
European Council believes that there should be regular monitoring
and evaluation of the Union's competitiveness against world best
practice along the lines of the conclusions on benchmarking adopted
by the Industry Council.
The European Council reiterates the importance
of regulatory simplification and requests, in this context, the
extension of the Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market (SLIM)
initiative. It emphasizes that the effort to reduce administrative
costs for enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises,
is necessary for Member States as well as the Community institutions
and invites the Council to follow up in this respect its resolution
on legislative and administrative simplification in the internal
market.
Postal services form an essential component
of the communications infrastructure in the Union. The development
of the internal market for postal services bears huge significance
in economic and social terms. The European Council welcomes the
intensive efforts made to date to effect relevant measures, but
notes with regret that the Council has not reached a Common Position.
It asks the Council to take a decision by the end of the year,
taking account of the work already done at its meeting on 28 November
1996.
The European Council asks the European Parliament,
the Council and the Commission to take all steps so that an immediate
decision to liberalize postal services can be taken. The universal
service in the postal sector must remain assured.
The European Council recognizes the importance
of the implementation of the Trans-European Networks. It agrees
with the proposal by the Portuguese and Spanish Governments that
priority project No. 8 in list 1 from the Essen European Council
will become the Multimodal link between Portugal/Spain and the
rest of Europe.
2. Subsidiarity and Proportionality
The European Council reaffirms the importance of ensuring that the institutions apply subsidiarity and proportionality thoroughly to all legislative proposals. It welcomes the Commission's 1996 "Better Law Making" report on the application of subsidiarity and proportionality, on simplification and on consolidation of legislation. The European Council invites the Commission to provide a progress report before the end of 1997.
IV.
THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE
The European Council welcomed the general
outline for a draft revision of the Treaties submitted by the
Presidency. This makes it possible for the negotiations to move
now into their final phase.
The European Council has also taken note
of the recent letter from the German Chancellor and the French
President which will be an important contribution to the further
work of the Conference.
The European Council reaffirms the importance
of completing the Conference at Amsterdam in June 1997. The Presidency
document provides a good basis for the work which lies ahead.
As the document makes clear, delegations remain free to advocate
their own proposals and to press their concerns in further negotiation.
As it moves now into its final decisive phase,
the Conference must seek to achieve a balanced outcome in all
areas which will measure up to the aims and ambitions which the
European Council has set for it. It is essential that the Union
be equipped to face the challenges ahead as it prepares for the
21st century.
The European Council notes with approval
the progress at the Conference in identifying Treaty changes which
would make the Union more responsive to the concerns of its citizens
and it reaffirms the aims which it set out at Florence in this
regard.
The European Council notes with approval
the particular importance which the Presidency document attaches
to the area of Justice and Home Affairs. The European Council
has agreed today on a number of important decisions under the
existing Treaty provisions which are set out in Section V of the
present conclusions. It asks the Intergovernmental Conference,
taking account of the outline draft for Treaty revision presented
by the Presidency, to work to reach agreement on a strengthened
capacity for action in relation to visas, asylum, immigration,
the crossing of external borders, the fight against drugs and
international crime including terrorism, offences against children
and trafficking in persons. Europol should have operative powers
working in conjunction with the national authorities to this end.
These issues are of the most serious concern to citizens in all
Member States and the Union must be given the means to act effectively
in these areas.
The European Council also reaffirmed the
aim which it set in Florence of developing the external action
of the Union. The Union must enhance its capacity to ensure that
its external action is coherent and effective in all its aspects,
and it must improve its decision-making procedures, if it is to
play a role in the world commensurate with its responsibilities
and its potential. The European Council noted the approaches
which the Presidency has identified in its document in relevant
areas including the options for establishing a new function to
enhance the visibility of the CFSP and the strengthening of links
with the WEU.
Institutional issues will be central to the
next phase of the negotiations. The Union needs to improve its
ability to take decisions and to act. This is already true today
and it will be even more necessary as the Union moves to enlarge
its membership further. The Union must have comprehensible, transparent
and democratic procedures and strong and effective institutions
which enjoy legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens.
The European Council notes that the Presidency
document, responding to a view of many delegations that certain
issues can be settled definitively only at a later stage in the
Conference, does not include texts in Treaty form on the issue
of flexibility and on certain sensitive institutional questions,
although it offers an analysis of the issues and identifies options.
In the next phase of the Conference solutions must be found on
all institutional issues, including in particular on the size
of the Commission, the role of the European Parliament, the collective
association of national parliaments, the voting mechanisms in
the Council and the functioning of the Court of Justice, while
respecting the balances which have always been an important feature
of European construction.
The European Council also notes the progress
made thus far in examining the proposals for Treaty provisions
which would permit more flexible approaches leading to enhanced
cooperation in appropriate areas, subject to agreed conditions.
This issue is of great importance and the European Council asks
the Conference to devote particular attention to it.
The European Council emphasizes strongly
that the future of the Union and the success of the further enlargement
to which it has committed itself will depend on a satisfactory
resolution of all of these questions.
The European Council asks the Conference
to develop the important proposal to amend the Treaties to establish
it as a clear principle that no citizen of a Member State of the
Union may apply for asylum in another Member State, taking into
account international treaties.
The European Council notes also the proposal
submitted jointly by three delegations, since the presentation
of the Presidency document, for the Treaty to include the specific
character of the outermost regions of the Union and it asks that
it be examined by the Conference.
Finally, the European Council asks the Conference,
on the basis of the preparatory work already carried out, to continue
to work to present a significantly simplified version of the Treaties
with a view to making them more readable and comprehensible to
the Union's citizens. This must be done in a way which does not
reopen the acquis of the Treaties, preserves the pillar
structure and does not delay the outcome of the Conference.
V.
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The European Council reaffirms its commitment
to maintain and develop the European Union as an area of freedom,
security and justice by putting to full use all of the instruments
provided for in the Treaty on European Union.
1. Fight against drugs
The European Council welcomes the report
from the Council on the substantial progress made since its last
meeting in Florence and endorses the proposals for action contained
in this report.
The European Council welcomes, as a concrete
expression of a shared political will, the agreement which has
been reached on a Joint Action on the approximation of the laws
and practices of police, customs services and judicial authorities
in the fight against drug addiction and illegal drug trafficking,
and the resolutions on sentencing for serious drug trafficking
offences, on combatting drug tourism and on drug production and
cultivation. It also welcomes the adoption of the Programme for
Community action on the prevention of drug dependence.
The European Council stresses that this constitutes
a first step and that the momentum achieved must be maintained
and further developed on those bases, in particular through:
- continued examination of further harmonisation
of laws, insofar as an agreed need for it is identified, complemented
by reinforced cooperation between the Institutions and the Member
States. In this context, the particular dangers posed by synthetic
drugs deserve special attention;
- continued review of further cooperation
between law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking;
- full application of the Directive on money
laundering and its possible extension to those relevant professions
and bodies outside the classical financial sector;
- development by the Council and the Commission
of the contribution which research activities can make in addressing
the medical, socio-economic and detection aspects of drug abuse;
- energetic implementation of the action
plan to combat drugs in the Caribbean, as well as the implementation
of the agreed follow-up of the report by the expert mission to
Latin America;
- further development of the structured dialogue
with the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe in
regard to drugs issues; comparable cooperation with the Russian
Federation, initiated during the current Presidency, should be
pursued;
- following a proposal by President Chirac
and Prime Minister Major, to examine ways to assist Central Asian
republics, utilizing the TACIS programme, to fight transit in
and production of drugs.
Cooperation with transatlantic partners in
these fields has also to be continued and, where appropriate,
improved.
The European Council confirms the priority
it attaches to sustained and coordinated action in the fight against
drugs making full and coherent use of all the instruments of the
Union.
It invites the Council to draw up by the
end of 1997 a first assessment of measures undertaken, with a
view to strengthening and supplementing them.
2. Fight against organized crime
The European Council underlines its absolute
determination to fight organized crime and, to this end, stresses
the need for a coherent and coordinated approach by the Union.
The European Council welcomes the report
made by the Presidency on stepping up the fight against organized
crime and decides to create a high level group to draw up a comprehensive
Action Plan containing specific recommendations, including realistic
timetables for carrying out the work. The Group should examine
the fight against organized crime in all its aspects on the clear
understanding that it would refer any issues involving Treaty
change to the Intergovernmental Conference which is addressing
Treaty changes in this area as a priority. The high level group
should complete its work by March/April 1997.
In order to implement rapidly the measures
proposed in the report made by the Presidency, the European Council
asks the Council to reinforce its Secretariat, by setting up a
team of specialized national experts and practitioners, seconded
for a limited duration.
As a practical step in combating international
crime, the European Council urges the ratification at the earliest
possible date of the Customs Information System, Fraud and Extradition
Conventions and their Protocols, as well as, by the end of 1997,
of the Europol Convention and its subsequent Protocol. It also
highlights the importance of bringing to a rapid conclusion the
convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
The European Council urges the Council and
the Commission to take effective and coherent action to address
the abuse of new communications technologies, including the Internet.
3. Sexual exploitation of children
and trafficking in human beings
The European Council expresses its abhorrence
at the sexual exploitation of children and trafficking in human
beings and undertakes to take all necessary action to protect
those most vulnerable in society. It welcomes the agreement on
a joint action defining a common approach to offences against
children and improving judicial cooperation. Other joint actions
aimed at enhancing police cooperation by widening the competencies
of the Europol Drugs Unit and creating centres of expertise in
investigating such crimes were adopted. Community funds have
been made available for fighting these odious crimes.
The European Council calls on the Council
and the Commission to implement actively these instruments and
to consider necessary further action.
4. Fight against terrorism
The European Council condemns unreservedly
all terrorist attacks and continues to pay close attention to
the threat posed by terrorism both internally and externally.
For this reason the EU is working closely with other international
partners and international organizations to review and update
measures already adopted against this threat and adopt, where
necessary, new measures. For this reason the Member States reiterate
their will to cooperate closely on the matter; the European Council
emphasizes the need to do so.
5. Racism and Xenophobia
The European Council welcomes the progress
made since its meeting in Florence and calls on the Council to
complete its work with a view to the speedy establishment of a
European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia which will
have to work in close cooperation with the Council of Europe.
6. External frontiers
The European Council draws again attention
to the need to resolve speedily the remaining questions regarding
the draft Convention on crossing by persons of the External Frontiers
of Member States of the European Union.
VI.
ENLARGEMENT
The Commission informed the European Council
on its progress on the opinions and other reports related to enlargement
as requested of it at Madrid. The European Council welcomes the
assurance given by the Commission that these documents as well
as the communication on the future financial framework of the
Union will be available immediately after the conclusion of the
Intergovernmental Conference. It confirms the timetable for the
enlargement process as set at its Madrid meeting. The European
Council takes note of the Council's report on the implementation
of the preaccession strategy in the second half of this
year. It also notes the Commission's endeavours to strengthen
the present implementation of this strategy. Moreover it welcomes
the Commission's intention to present proposals for an overall
reinforcement of the pre-accession strategy together with its
opinions and other reports under preparation.
VII.
EXTERNAL ACTION BY THE UNION
The European Council adopted the declarations
on Former Yugoslavia and the Middle East Peace Process at annex.
RUSSIA
The European Union expresses its solidarity
with the Russian people as they implement their historic choice
in favour of democracy, the rule of law and a market economy.
The European Council reiterates the Union's readiness to assist
the Russian Federation in meeting the difficult challenges ahead,
notably through the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the
EU/Russia Action Plan and by bringing Russia as soon as possible
into the WTO and other international fora.
The European Council warmly welcomes President
Yeltsin's important decision to withdraw all Russian troops from
Chechnya and the recent agreement between Chechen leaders and
the Russian Prime Minister. It notes the intention to hold elections
in Chechnya on 27 January 1997. The European Council expresses
its continuing support for the important work of the OSCE Assistance
Group in Chechnya.
UKRAINE
The European Council welcomes the adoption
by the Council of the Action Plan for Ukraine which demonstrates
the importance which the Union attaches to its relations with
Ukraine and its desire to develop closer cooperation in the framework
of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
The European Council recalls its firm attachment
to the implementation of the memorandum of understanding reached
with Ukraine on the definitive closure of the Chernobyl nuclear
power station by the year 2000. It welcomes the closure by the
Ukrainian authorities of reactor number one as an important step
in this direction.
BELARUS
The European Union is seriously concerned
at developments in Belarus, in particular relating to the referendum
on the new Constitution. The European Union wishes to see a Belarus
committed to democratic principles, human rights and a market
economy playing a full part in Europe. The European Council calls
on the leadership of Belarus to re-establish full respect for
internationally accepted democratic and constitutional principles
and practices and hopes that the leadership will accept the Union's
proposal for a fact-finding mission. The absence of progress
in these areas would have a negative impact on relations between
Belarus and the European Union and on Union support for Belarus's
accession to the Council of Europe.
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
The European Council believes that the Council
of Europe has a crucial role in upholding human rights standards
and supporting pluralist democracy.
It sees advantage in using to the fullest,
in cooperation with other international institutions, the expertise
and mechanisms of the Council of Europe to advance these objectives.
The summit meeting of the Organization, in 1997, will provide
a significant opportunity to review the progress made in these
areas.
REGIONAL COOPERATION IN EUROPE
The European Council notes the wider range
of regional activities in Europe reaching from the Arctic to the
Black Sea. In this context, the European Council welcomes the
Commission's report on the Central European Initiative presented
in response to its request at Florence. It notes that the Commission
will submit regular reports to the Council on these regional initiatives.
MEDITERRANEAN
The European Council reaffirms the high priority
it attaches to the European Union's Mediterranean dimension and
expresses satisfaction at the significant and balanced developments
in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership during the year since the
adoption of the Barcelona Declaration.
In the political and security partnership,
work on the implementation of the principles of the Barcelona
Declaration will continue, notably through the action plan, towards
the adoption of a Union-Mediterranean charter.
TURKEY
The European Council reaffirms the importance
it attaches to the further development of the EU's relations with
Turkey in both the economic and political fields. It notes with
regret, however, that certain serious issues remain to be resolved
in the relationship. The European Council welcomes the Turkish
Government's stated intention to take measures to improve the
human rights situation. In the context of closer partnership
with the European Union it emphasizes the need for the observance
of the highest standards of human rights.
The European Council invites the Presidency
to continue its efforts following the Council's declaration of
15 July 1996 to promote an acceptable solution to the situation
in the Aegean area in accordance with established international
norms and to pursue contacts with the Turkish Government with
a view to an early Association Council.
The European Council urges Turkey to use
its influence to contribute to a solution in Cyprus in accordance
with UN Security Council resolutions.
EU-US RELATIONS
The European Council notes that the EU-US
Summit in Washington on 16 December will be the first anniversary
of the adoption at Madrid of the New Transatlantic Agenda and
the Joint EU-US Action Plan and expects it to be another milestone
in EU-US relations. It welcomes the qualitative improvement which
this represents in principle as well as in practice over the past
year.
The European Council reaffirms the objectives
which it shares with the US in promoting human rights, democratic
values and fundamental freedoms in parts of the world where these
are inadequately observed, but also its conviction that such objectives
should be pursued by means other than unilateral action at the
expense of close partners with shared values.
The European Council reaffirms the essential
contribution which close EU-US partnership can make to international
stability, security and prosperity and the importance in this
context of the Transatlantic Dialogue in deepening and widening
the EU-US relationship through solid cooperation between them.
EU-CANADA RELATIONS
The European Council welcomes agreement on
the text of a Joint Declaration and an Action Plan, which will
further enhance cooperation between EU and Canada in pursuit of
common objectives and on the basis of deeply-held shared values.
GREAT LAKES
The European Council expresses grave concern
about the continuing violence in the Great Lakes Region, not only
in Eastern Zaire but also in Burundi. It welcomes the return
of large numbers of refugees, but underlines the need to facilitate
the voluntary repatriation of the remaining refugees, and to initiate
rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. It recalls the considerable
efforts undertaken by the EU to meet humanitarian needs. In the
meantime, the continuing humanitarian emergency, particularly
in Eastern Zaire, requires fast and decisive action by the international
community. Underlining the need for a flexible approach in the
light of the rapidly changing circumstances on the ground, the
European Council agrees that the implications of these changes
for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions concerning
the establishment, for humanitarian purposes, of a temporary multinational
force will need to be addressed rapidly. In this regard, the
European Council restates the willingness of the European Union
to contribute fully and urgently to these efforts, pursuant to
the Joint Action of 22 November 1996, the associated
Council Decision of the same date and the WEU Ministerial Declaration
of 19 November 1996. It welcomes the Commission proposal for
a strategic and comprehensive plan of action for EU assistance
to the Great Lakes Region.
The European Council welcomes the initiative
of the regional leaders in seeking to resolve the problems in
Eastern Zaire through dialogue. It hopes that, at the second
Nairobi Summit of Heads of State of the Region on 16 December,
they can build upon the principles already agreed by them, including
the crucial importance of respect for the territorial integrity
and sovereignty of Zaire, in pursuit of a peaceful resolution
of the conflict. Recognizing the importance of the electoral
process in terms of the stability of the region, it reiterates
the commitment of the Union to play its part in support of the
successful completion of that process in Zaire by means of the
Joint Action adopted on 11 November 1996 and looks forward to
the latter's early and urgent implementation.
The European Council reiterates its view
that the problems of the region as a whole can only be resolved
by political means. The European Union will, in particular through
its Special Envoy, continue to support the efforts of the regional
leaders and to encourage dialogue between the different parties
to conflict in the region. The European Council reaffirms its
support for the early convening of an international conference
under the joint auspices of the UN and the Organization of African
Unity in order to address within a global approach the root causes
of the crisis and thus bring about a peaceful, durable and comprehensive
resolution of the conflicts in the region.
EAST TIMOR
The European Council welcomes the initiatives
within the European Union aimed at improving the situation, living
conditions and human rights of the East Timorese people. It
reaffirms its support for all efforts which can contribute to
a fair, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution,
which fully respects the interests and legitimate aspirations
of the Timorese people in accordance with international law.
It hopes that the talks under the auspices of the UN Secretary
General will lead to substantial progress towards the resolution
of the question of East Timor.
CUBA
The EU wishes to see progress towards a peaceful
transition to pluralist democracy, respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in Cuba, as well as economic policies calculated
to bring about a sustainable recovery and an improvement in the
living standards of the Cuban people. The Common Position adopted
by the Council on 2 December will be pursued through a result-oriented
constructive dialogue. The EU will lend its support to progress
towards democracy, including the possible negotiation of a cooperation
agreement. Any agreement would, in accordance with EU practice,
contain a suspension clause in the event of a serious breach of
the human rights provisions.
TRANSITION IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
The European Council reiterated the European
Union's strong interest in the future peace and prosperity of
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's
Republic of China to be created next July, and the European Union's
desire to do anything possible to contribute to a smooth transition.
The European Union is committed to strong continuing relations
with the SAR in the World Trade Organization and in all other
matters where the SAR will enjoy autonomy under the Basic Law.
The European Council underlined the European Union's full support
for the specific status of the SAR and its citizens in all respects,
including their right to representative democratic institutions
as already established The European Council requested the Commission
to propose in due course during 1997 how best to ensure close
economic cooperation.
The European Council takes note of the positive
way in which the transition process has been developing in Macao.
It hopes that the implementation of the Sino-Portuguese Joint
Declaration signed in 1987 will continue to contribute to the
progress and social stability of the territory with a view to
a smooth transfer of government in December 1999. It also hopes
for the continuation of the respect for the fundamental principles
of the Joint Declaration beyond that date.
WTO
The European Council noted with satisfaction
the outcome of the first regular bi-annual WTO Ministerial Conference
which took place in Singapore on 913 December 1996
and at which the European Union demonstrated once again the importance
it attaches to the multilateral trading system and the efficient
operation of the WTO.
The European Council expresses its satisfaction
at the renewed impetus which the WTO Ministerial Conference in
Singapore has given to the liberalisation of world trade. It particularly
welcomes the broadening of the WTO work programme to encompass
issues which the European Union had identified as priorities.
It also welcomes the breakthrough on trade in information technology
products and urges the fullest possible participation by third
country partners in the final agreement to be reached by 15 March
1997. The European Council also welcomes the continued momentum
towards a successful conclusion of the negotiations on basic telecommunications
in February 1997.
The European Council welcomes the launch
by the Commission of a new market access strategy and calls for
enhanced and coordinated efforts by the Community and Member States
to open up third country markets.
With regard to the report on the evolution
of the trade policies and preferential agreements of the Community,
the European Council took note that the Council would finalize
it in its February session with a view to presenting it at Amsterdam.
VIII.
SEATS OF OFFICES AND AGENCIES
The European Council noted the progress which
has been made in the implementation of its decision taken in Brussels
in October 1993 on the location of Agencies and Offices. The
Council endorsed the Commission's decision of 10 December
1996 to arrange for the early transfer of the staff of the OICVP
to Ireland initially and specifically thereafter to Grange, Co.
Meath in premises to be made available at that location by the
Irish authorities.
The European Council urged that appropriate
measures be taken by the different institutions to ensure that
the required resources are made available to implement the Commission's
decision.
The Council also notes the conclusions of the Agriculture Council of 18 November 1996 as regards staffing of the OICVP and urged that appropriate measures be taken by the different institutions to ensure that the required staffing resources are made available to enable the Union to discharge its supervisory responsibilities.
Addendum
The European Council has noted the following
reports from the Presidency/Council:
- Council report on achievements in the field
of Justice and Home Affairs
- Presidency report on stepping up the fight
against organized crime
- SEM 2000 (sound financial management):
Council Conclusions and report of the personal Representatives
Group
The European Council also noted the following
reports from the European Commission:
1. Europe as an Economic Entity
2. The impact and effectiveness of the single
market
3. Putting services to work
4. Europe at the forefront of the global
information society
5. The first action plan for innovation in
Europe
6. Europe's place in the world: fourth report
of the Ciampi group
7. Trans-European Networks
8. Better Lawmaking (report on the application
of the subsidiarity and proportionality principles, on simplification
and on consolidation)