Written evidence
submitted by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs
PROSPECTS FOR THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, BRUSSELS,
12-13 DECEMBER 2003
INTRODUCTION
1. We expect the main issue for the Brussels
European Council to be the Intergovernmental Conference. Other
subjects for discussion include the Economic Growth initiative,
Justice and Home Affairs and Enlargement. And the conclusions
are likely also to cover the EU Security Strategy, and foreign
policy issues such as WMD, relations with the Arab world, Ukraine
and ESDP.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
CONFERENCE
2. The Italian Presidency plans to conclude
the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) negotiations on the draft
EU Constitutional Treaty at this European Council. The Government
supports the aim of concluding the IGC in December this year,
but only on the basis that our essential objectives are met. These
include our insistence that unanimity remain for Treaty change,
and in other areas of vital national interest such as tax, social
security, defence, key areas of criminal procedural law and the
system of own resources. The Government set out its position on
these issues in its White Paper on the UK approach to the IGC
(published as Command Paper 5934 in September).
3. The IGC has made good progress. Recent
discussions have been based on a compromise paper circulated by
the Presidency. This contained a series of proposals for amendments
to the draft EU Constitutional Treaty.
4. Following the Foreign Ministers' Conclave
on 28/29 November, further proposals are expected from the Presidency,
probably shortly before the Brussels European Council of 12/13
December. The text as it stands does not meet essential British
objectives. The Government will work to secure a satisfactory
agreement at Brussels.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
5. Heads will be asked to endorse the "European
Action for Growth". Member States have welcomed this initiative,
which aims to boost EU growth and competitiveness through increased
investment in transport infrastructure, telecommunications, research
and development and innovation. Heads will also be asked to support
the work of the Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB)
in preparing the initiative and endorse a provisional "quick
start" list of projects.
6. We want conclusions that reaffirm the
Lisbon Economic Reform context of the initiative; the role of
the EIB and the importance of clear criteria in project selection;
the importance of private financing; and the need to respect EU
budget discipline.
7. We also support conclusions that emphasise
the importance of pressing ahead with agreed Lisbon economic reforms
and taking stock of progress at the next Spring Council.
FREEDOM SECURITY
AND JUSTICE
8. The Justice and Home Affairs Council
last week (27-28 November) prepared the ground for the European
Council agenda item on JHA business. The Presidency's focus is
likely to be on asylum, migration and external borders. The Council
may note the general approaches agreed by JHA Ministers on issues
such as:
— A proposal for an External Border
Management Agency;
— A regulation on biometric data on
visas and residence permits and;
— A Framework Decision on the fight
against drug trafficking.
ENLARGEMENT
9. The ten new member states accede on 1
May 2004. We expect the Council to encourage the accession countries
to complete their preparations for membership. The conclusions
may also note the possibility of imposing safeguards if the requirements
of the acquis are not met by the date of accession.
10. The European Council will discuss the
timetable for closure of negotiations and accession of Bulgaria
and Romania. We hope that the Council will agree the common objective
of accession as soon as possible in 2007, with the signature of
an Accession Treaty in 2005.
11. The European Council will discuss Turkey's
progress over the last year towards opening negotiations. The
government considers that the recent reforms in Turkey represent
important progress towards meeting the Copenhagen criteria, and
that the Council conclusions should recognise this.
12. There may also be some discussion of
the prospects for a Cyprus settlement. The British government
does not believe a settlement is a precondition for opening accession
negotiations with Turkey. But we recognise that a settlement would
greatly help Turkey's candidature.
EU SECURITY STRATEGY
13. The European Council will adopt High
Representative Javier Solana's "European Security Strategy",
the first draft of which was presented and endorsed at the Thessaloniki
European Council. We strongly support the Security Strategy as
enabling the EU to build a coherent, pro-active and capable policy
response to global security threats. We expect the Council to
request further work on implementing the Strategy.
WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION
14. The European Council is expected to
note a report on the implementation of the Action Plan on countering
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and to approve
a new overarching Strategy paper.
ESDP
15. "The European Council will note
a report on the progress of ESDP in the last 6 months. The Report
is likely to welcome the increased operational focus and achievements
of both military and civilian ESDP. These include the French-led
ESDP mission in response to the UN request for assistance in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, the completion of Operation Concordia,
the ongoing work of the EUPM police mission in Bosnia and the
imminent launch of a new police training mission in the Former
Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia. On capabilities, the Council
will welcome work to: complete the Helsinki Headline Goal; set
new capabilities targets for the future; create a defence capabilities
development agency; and enhance civilian planning and mission
support capability. The report will also welcome the implementation
phase of the NATO Response Force, whilst noting that work is also
being carried out to enhance European Rapid Response Capabilities.
RELATIONS WITH
THE ARAB
WORLD
16. The Commission and Council Secretariat
were asked by the Thessaloniki European Council to prepare advice
on strengthening the EU's relationship with the Arab World. We
expect the Commission and Council Secretariat to produce a non-paper
shortly before the Council. The EU stands ready to help governments
in the region engage with the challenges they face, including
low economic growth, high unemployment and limited public participation
in political processes, in particular by women.
EU COMMON STRATEGY
ON UKRAINE
17. The Council will submit its annual report
to the European Council on implementation of the EU's Common Strategy
on Ukraine. The report is likely to focus on progress achieved
in support of Ukraine's democratic and economic transition process.
It will also set out progress made towards meeting the common
challenges faced by the EU and Ukraine including those relating
to security and stability.
18. The Iraqi Governing Council's transitional
plan for the transfer of authority in Iraq is likely to be discussed.
The EU has committed itself to playing a significant role in the
political and economic reconstruction of Iraq and the Commission
committed 200m euros to Iraq's reconstruction at the Madrid donors
conference in October. UNSCRs 1483 & 1511 provide the framework
for the international community's involvement.
IRAN
19. The Presidency may propose discussion
of the EU's relations with Iran, though probably by Foreign Ministers
rather than Heads of Government. Following the UK/France/Germany
negotiations and the IAEA Board Resolution of 26 November, the
EU remains ready to develop a wider co-operation with Iran, but
this can only be achieved through increased international confidence
in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme and improvements
in the areas of human rights, the fight against terrorism and
Iran's approach to the Middle East Peace Process.
MEPP
20. On the MEPP, there is likely to be discussion
on the prospects for taking forward the Quartet's roadmap for
peace. The appointment of a new Palestinian Cabinet, resumption
of dialogue between the Israeli Government and Palestinian Authority,
and the unanimous international support for the roadmap expressed
in UNSCR 1515 present a window of opportunity. We expect the European
Council to continue to press the Palestinians to take visible
steps to stop violence and to press the Israelis to freeze settlement
construction, re-route the wall being built in the West Bank and
improve freedom of movement.
OTHER ISSUES
21. For the first time, and as a result
of a mandate from the Seville European Council, we expect the
European Council to adopt a multiannual strategic programme for
the next three years. The programme is based on a joint proposal
drawn up by the Presidencies concerned in consultation with the
Commission. The programme does not aim to be exhaustive or prescriptive,
but provides the Council with some strategic objectives, and a
coherent agenda.
22. Otherwise, the Presidency may make a
fresh effort to agree a package of sites for EU agencies. This
was first discussed at the Laeken European Council in December
2001.
Rt Hon Jack Straw MP
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4 December 2003
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