22 The Council's operational programme
| (28273)
17079/06
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| 18 month programme of the German, Portuguese and Slovenian Presidencies
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| Legal base | — |
| Deposited in Parliament | 17 January 2007
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| Department | Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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| Basis of consideration | EM of 5 February 2007
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| Previous Committee Report | None
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| Discussed in Council | 11 December 2006
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| Committee's assessment | Politically important
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| Committee's decision | Cleared
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Background
22.1 The amended Council Rules of Procedure of September 2006
laid down the requirement for an 18-month programme to be submitted
for endorsement to the Council by the three Presidencies due to
hold office during that given period.[83]
This is the first 18-month programme under this new system and
is intended to enhance the continuity of the Council's work. It
sets out a framework for the activities of three consecutive Presidencies
— the current German Presidency, followed by Portugal in
the second half of 2007, and Slovenia in the first half of 2008.
It is intended to be a flexible agenda of issues likely to be
pursued during this period.
The document
22.2 The document comprises three parts: a general introductory
section which places the programme in the context of the European
Union's longer-term
strategic objectives (for which the three subsequent Presidencies
— France, the Czech Republic, and Sweden — have also
been consulted); a list of specific priorities for the three Presidencies;
and a comprehensive programme setting out the issues which
are expected to be covered in the Council's various formations
during the 18-month period.
22.3 The programme identifies the following broad
areas of work as priorities:
FUTURE OF THE UNION
22.4 The three Presidencies attach particular priority
to the EU reform process. The German Presidency will present a
report to the European Council during the first half of 2007 assessing
possible future developments in relation to the Constitutional
Treaty. On enlargement, work will focus on ensuring the full integration
of Bulgaria and Romania into the Union's structures. In addition,
the three Presidencies aim to progress accession negotiations
that are already underway.
THE LISBON STRATEGY: ENSURING ITS COMPREHENSIVE IMPLEMENTATION
IN ITS ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS.
22.5 The three Presidencies will also focus on the
revised Lisbon Strategy on Growth and Jobs. They will continue
to work towards completion of the internal market, along with
promotion of the Stability and Growth Pact with an increased focus
on Member States' public finances. The development of the European
Social Model, an integrated maritime policy, and work on better
regulation and elimination of unnecessary administrative burdens
will also be progressed during the 18 months.
22.6 Beyond this, the document attaches significant
importance to the establishment of an Energy Policy for Europe
in 2007 and says that the implementation of this policy is a long-term
priority.
STRENGTHENING THE AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE
22.7 Finally, high priority will be given to asylum
and immigration issues and, in particular, implementation of the
Global Approach to Migration. Work will be taken forward on protection
of the Union's external borders and implementation of action plans
under the Counter Terrorism Strategy, as well as actions on cross-border
judicial cooperation and the development of a European Civil Protection
policy. Effort will also be put into enhancing the role of the
EU externally in the areas of security, development and trade
relations.
The Government's view
22.8 In his Explanatory Memorandum of 5 February
2007, the Minister for Europe at the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office (Geoff Hoon) notes that while there are a number of issues
with policy implications contained in the document, such as EU
enlargement and the Constitutional Treaty, the document itself
does not contain any legislative proposals, and that any new legislation
would be subject to scrutiny in the usual way. There is no other
analysis of the programme in the Explanatory Memorandum, although
the Committee notes the Government's reference to its White Paper
"Prospects for the European Union in 2007"[84]
which looks in more detail at the German Presidency in particular.
Conclusion
22.9 This document, along with the Commission's
Annual Legislative and Work Programme which the Committee cleared
on 24 January,[85]
provides a useful indication of the likely direction of the current
and upcoming Presidencies over the next 18 months. Individual
proposals will come before the Committee for scrutiny in the usual
way and therefore we clear the document from scrutiny. However,
given the political importance of institutional reform of the
European Union we ask the Government to keep us informed of progress
on this subject under the three Presidencies, whether or not concrete
proposals are forthcoming. In the meantime, we look forward to
initial discussions at our forthcoming evidence session with the
Foreign Secretary.
83 OJ No. L 285, 16.10.06, p.47-71. Back
84
http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/FCO_BEU_PDF_ProspectsEU2007.pdf Back
85
(27995) 14919/06: see HC41-vii (2006-07), para 8 (24 January 2007). Back
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