# EUR-Lex - 52005DC0531 - EN

Important legal notice

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# 52005DC0531

**Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Unlocking Europe’s full potential - Commission Legislative and Work Programme 2006 /* COM/2005/0531 final */ **

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[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 25.10.2005

COM(2005) 531 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Unlocking Europe’s full potential Commission Legislative and Work Programme 2006

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Unlocking Europe’s full potential Commission Legislative and Work Programme 2006

1. INTRODUCTION

The challenges facing Europe are clear, and urgent. Globalisation has brought opportunities, and new demands. Modernisation is essential to continue Europe’s historically high levels of prosperity, social cohesion, environmental protection and quality of life, and to create the jobs we need. Europe can best respond by unlocking the potential of its citizens, and promoting its common values at home and worldwide. The Commission will take up this challenge in its programme for 2006.

At the start of its mandate, the Commission set out its key strategic objectives to the end of the decade: prosperity, solidarity, security, and Europe as a world partner. These objectives remain relevant and are therefore confirmed to form the core of the Commission’s work. They point to the balance needed in the Union’s work: a policy mix which allows Europe to pursue competitiveness and social justice, to protect its citizens and promote their freedoms, to work inside Europe and to promote its values in the world beyond. Taking concrete steps towards achieving these goals is the best way to convince Europeans that the Union is an essential part of the solution in addressing the problems facing Europe.

The Commission Legislative and Work Programme (hereafter “Work Programme”) for 2006 takes full account of current economic and political trends and where Europe stands on several key strategic dossiers. Progress in these areas will have a key impact on the ability of the European Union to take a real stride towards its goals in 2006.

The European Commission has strongly supported the ratification of the Constitution and has offered assistance to all Member States with their information campaigns. The Constitution would be an important step forward in making the European Union more democratic, transparent, effective and stronger to the outside world. The Commission therefore regrets the fact that in the current circumstances, it is unlikely that the Constitution will be ratified in the foreseeable future. But if the debate on the future of Europe can be pursued actively and effectively, it will fill an important gap and offer strong foundations on which to build for the future. Through its “Plan D” for democracy, dialogue and debate, the Commission will participate actively in the national debates and give them every support. And in the meantime, the European Union can best show its worth through delivering the policies Europeans need.

An agreement on the Financial Perspectives – on which every effort should be made to conclude by the end of 2005 – will have a decisive impact on the Commission’s work for the enlarged Europe. 2006 should see intensive preparations to have the full range of funding programmes up and running by 1 January 2007.

The fact that these issues are the subject of fierce debate must not divert us from the pressing needs for European action. We can best show what Europe can do by delivering action and by giving citizens tangible proof of what Europe has to offer.

This Work Programme sets out what the Commission will do to meet these goals in 2006:

- As regards prosperity, 2006 will be a critical year for turning words into deeds under the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. Europe needs to foster a climate in which citizens and businesses can reach their full potential.

- Solidarity means developing a cohesive Union which recognises common responsibilities and reinforces prosperity. It also requires us to work together to address long-term challenges like demographic shifts and climate change.

- The demand from citizens for response to threats to security can only be met by working together to combat crime and terrorism, promote health, and minimise risk.

- In external relations, the Union must continue to promote a strong voice in the world, with a particular focus on preparing future enlargements, on its neighbourhood and on Africa; and to use our weight in the global economy to turn globalisation into an opportunity for all.

The Commission pursues these goals in many different ways. Its regulatory and supervisory role is critical to the effective functioning of European markets as a level playing field. Its executive role gives it a special responsibility to ensure that its programmes, from research to student mobility to development aid, work well on the ground. It negotiates outside the Union and facilitates cooperation inside.

Many of these ongoing actions will reach a critical phase in 2006. The Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs will enter a key implementation phase. The scene will be set for a new generation of programmes in areas like the Structural Funds, rural development, innovation, research and education. The Doha Development Round should reach a conclusive phase.

The Commission also drives this agenda forward by launching new consultations to gather opinions and fresh ideas about how Europe can act, and through new initiatives to coordinate policies where there is a clear European value added. A list of priority actions for 2006 is set out in the annex to this Work Programme. As in 2005, the Commission is committed to delivering these actions.

Furthermore, the Commission will focus on ensuring their quality through rigorous application of better regulation disciplines: simplification, modernisation, consultation, and careful evaluation of the impact of policies are key objectives which the Commission will mainstream in all its work. 2006 will see the first year of the Commission’s new simplification strategy, with a continuous process to fine-tune legislation to meet the changing needs of regulators and users.

The EU also needs an ambitious agenda to address the “communication gap” on European issues, to be developed and carried out by all European institutions, Member States and civil society. This will turn the White Paper on communication into practical steps during 2006: underpinning the Commission’s commitment to connect to citizens and consolidate the democratic foundations of the European project.

The Commission has a key role to stimulate European action. But it is only one actor amongst many. The European Union will only achieve its goals if these are pursued together by its institutions, national, regional and local government, and by citizens themselves. Partnership must be the instinctive reflex for the way the Union develops and implements its policies.

To develop its programme for 2006, the Commission has had the benefit of the reactions from the European Parliament and the Council to the Annual Policy Strategy for 2006. These discussions have shown how the three institutions share the same key policy objectives, and that there is a broad agreement on the main lines of action necessary to deliver these objectives. The new Framework Agreement between the European Parliament and the Commission has in particular led to detailed proposals about how these goals should be worked into concrete actions. The views of the other institutions have been fully taken into account in developing this programme.

2. PROSPERITY

An essential function of public policy is to ensure that the conditions to support prosperity are in place to the benefit of citizens and businesses alike. This means stable regulatory systems, appropriate economic policies, the provision of economic opportunity, and investing in a skilled and entrepreneurial population. It means all relevant aspects of the EU’s own work must be subject to the highest standards of better regulation. More work to develop the conditions to stimulate growth and create more and better jobs remains central to the Commission’s tasks in 2006.

The Union has set out its roadmap to growth and jobs in the Lisbon strategy. 2006 will be a critical year to turn the roadmap into reality. For the Commission, this brings a special role in monitoring the implementation of the revised strategy at the level of both the Member States and at Community level. Partnership with the Member States is essential to ensure that the integrated guidelines on macroeconomic policy, microeconomic reforms and employment remain valid and are vigorously supported by all key actors. The Commission will report to the Spring European Council on progress at national level – under the 25 national reform programmes adopted by Member States – and at EU level, as well as bringing forward the measures set out in the Community Lisbon Programme adopted in July 2005.

Knowledge and innovation for growth and better jobs

Skills and knowledge are key assets for Europe to create growth and jobs: but there is much more potential to unlock.

- Knowledge can be stimulated through key infrastructure. A European Institute of Technology (EIT) could, by building on existing capacities, act as a flagship for knowledge and innovation in Europe. At the same time, the Commission will take the necessary steps to have everything in place to launch the new framework programme for research from 2007. In the context of the i-2010 initiative, an action plan for e-government will focus on improving the interface between public authorities, citizens and businesses.

- To have maximum impact, knowledge needs opportunity. The Commission will work to improve geographical and occupational mobility with the European Year of Mobility for Workers and through the transparency, transfer and recognition of qualifications in the Union.

Making Europe a more attractive place to invest and work

- Europe’s business environment is heavily dependent on making the Single Market work. This means pressing ahead with action in areas like state aids, entrepreneurship and strengthening SMEs’ capacity to grow and create jobs. Tax rules in cross-border situations need simplification and rationalisation, and there will also be a new generation of customs and tax programmes to ensure that national systems work better together and in a simplified way, and a strategy on how to step up the fight against tax fraud. Competitiveness in key sectors such as the automotive and defence industries, as well as electronic communications networks and services, will be given particular attention.

- Other key drivers of growth are Europe’s transport infrastructure and Europe’s energy market. As well as preparing for the new phase for trans-European networks, a new initiative will promote the use of freight rail across Europe. At the same time as finalising the internal market for energy, work will continue on the development of new technological solutions to respond to energy needs, with a focus on clean coal and renewable energy technologies. The flagship Galileo system will also enter a new phase of practical development.

- In the area of the free movement within the Single Market , existing law will be scrutinised for its effectiveness: simplification will be pursued to foster more fluidity in the single market, and to boost growth. In legislative proposals, the basic principles of the internal market will be promoted. In addition, specific sectoral proposals will be examined on postal services, public procurement, securities clearing and settlement and the banking sector. They will be complemented by ongoing analysis in areas such as investment funds, mortgage credit, solvency of insurance companies and public private partnerships.

Enlarging the Eurozone

- A stable macroeconomic climate is a prerequisite for growth. The Commission’s management of the eurozone will reach a new phase by looking ahead to the future enlargement of the eurozone and assessing the readiness of new candidates to adopt the euro.

3. SOLIDARITY

Solidarity and social justice are critical to the way the EU works. This is about building the society we want for ourselves and for future generations. It is about fostering quality of life and recognising shared responsibilities such as protecting the environment. It is about promoting a healthy society with citizens who remain confident in the face of change, as a foundation stone for prosperity and security.

However, we are not there yet. Today Europe is faced with a number of challenges, which can only be met through concerted and determined action. This is where the Union can bring a clear added value. Effective cohesion and rural development policies are in line with the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. 2006 will be a critical year, with programmes being put in place to target spending effectively on convergence and competitiveness over the next seven years. Reforms in agriculture and fisheries have already paved the way for sustainability and increased competitiveness. Services of general interest are of crucial importance for European citizens, and the Commission will continue its work to ensure that the needs for such services are fully factored into the Union’s policies. Threats to Europe’s environment have a trans-national and global dimension which requires strong EU leadership.

Tackling long-term problems now

- The ageing of Europe’s population will have major implications for our prosperity, living standards and relations between the generations. While many of the issues fall under the responsibility of Member States, the EU must also act. Following on the debate launched in 2005, the Commission will set out ideas about how the Union can contribute to tackling the problem of Europe’s demographic ageing.

- Achieving effective management of migration flows is one of the most pressing issues Europe faces, in view of the needs of the labour market, but also as regards the fight against illegal immigration. This requires a response which should be comprehensive and balanced, while acknowledging Europe's humanitarian traditions.

- Another long-term challenge is climate change . More frequent and more damaging natural disasters have already pointed to the cost of inaction. 2006 will be a critical year for multilateral climate negotiations, making commitments under the Kyoto protocol for the post-2012 period. The EU also needs to maintain momentum in putting climate change measures in place to meet its targets, through national allocation plans and measures such as bringing the aviation sector into the emissions trading scheme. It is also time to take stock of how to build on the existing voluntary agreements with industry to cut CO2 emissions from cars.

Sustainable management of resources

- The sustainable management of our natural resources answers long-term social, economic and environmental interests. Reform of the wine, fruit and vegetables and bananas sectors will bring the current process of agricultural reform into its final phase and continue the trend towards increased competitiveness.

- The recent soaring of oil prices has outlined the importance of secure, competitive and sustainable energy supplies for Europe. Efforts to manage and reduce the risks will be stepped up, particularly by promoting energy efficiency and renewable sources, and by exploring all issues involved in the potential development of biofuels.

- Resource management is also about protecting our natural heritage. European and global biodiversity continues to decrease in the face of increasing pressure from mankind: new measures are needed to meet the set objective of halting biodiversity loss in Europe by 2010. Action is also needed to reduce risks to health and the environment from pesticides and to step up action on air pollution .

Building a more cohesive Europe

- There is always a risk that public policies are developed in isolation, without full regard for the knock-on effects from one policy to another. The new maritime strategy will pioneer a new, integrated approach to developing, in an environmentally sustainable manner, a thriving maritime economy supported by excellence in marine science and technology.

- Cohesion implies a responsibility on the Union to ensure the common standards that go alongside open borders, mobility and a single market. Current labour law should be examined in the light of the main trends and crucial issues for the years to come; and policies on gender equality and health and safety at work should be reinforced and modernised.

- The streamlining of the open methods of coordination in the social area, and the launch of cooperation on health and long-term care, will reinforce the support the EU provides to Member States in their efforts to modernise social protection systems and tackle social exclusion.

- As citizens become more mobile in Europe, they expect the Union to offer solutions to new cross-border issues in the area of civil justice : areas such as divorce and matrimonial property regimes and enforcing compensation and other civil decisions across borders. Special attention should be given to the rights of the child in areas like family reunification, parental responsibilities and human trafficking.

4. SECURITY

Scarcely a day passes without a reminder of the threats to citizens’ security. Recent events have again brought this sharply into focus. The Madrid and London bombings, natural disasters at home and worldwide, the threat of avian flu and a possible human influenza pandemic, energy and transport crises: these are just the most obvious examples where daily life has been turned upside-down or where risk has moved from the possible to the probable.

Citizens rightly expect action to be taken to counter the challenge at home and worldwide. In all these cases, citizens look to the EU for effective common action: this has most recently been recognised by Member States through the Hague Action Plan. An efficient and realistic approach needs action on several different levels and in many different ways, including prevention, protection and response.

A more secure Europe to protect Europeans against crime

- Terrorism is a permanent threat in Europe. Terrorist attacks can strike brutally across Europe. Better coordination between Member States will help to track down terrorists more effectively and bring them to justice more easily. Following the London bombings, work was accelerated and will continue in 2006. Europe needs to act together on terrorist finance, victim support and better coordination between law enforcement authorities. More work is needed to improve the effectiveness of cross-border networking to tackle terrorism at its roots.

- The cross-border dimension of organised crime and the sophisticated means used to commit modern crime calls for focused and updated European action. This should include a coherent information system between competent authorities for crime records and a comprehensive review of cyber-security.

- In a borderless Europe, the security of external borders is of key importance: there is a common understanding that this needs collective action and common high standards in surveillance of both goods and persons. Measures to ensure assistance to Member States dealing with external borders and the consolidation and updating of the current acquis on visa policy and customs measures will help to promote effective controls.

- Europe offers opportunities to support the work of law enforcement . Judicial and police cooperation should be stepped up to reduce legal obstacles, guarantee citizens’ rights and facilitate the exchange of relevant information and best practice.

Offering better protection for citizens in their daily lives

- Enhancing health and consumer confidence and confronting health risks has clear knock-on benefits in terms of the European economy and the well-being of citizens. An effective framework of rules and actions for consumer policies is essential at European level. Special initiatives in the field of food safety will aim at developing coordinated cross-border action to ensure an effective European dimension to tackling threats. Action must also be consistent and effective: a special training programme on food safety will aim to ensure a virtuous spiral of high standards in implementing controls.

- Maritime, air and road accidents have shown how shortcomings in transport safety have a direct impact on those who use and work on transport systems, as well as leading to environmental damage. This can result in serious economic costs. Developing the role of the Air Safety Agency and the Railways Agency makes a real contribution to safety across Europe.

- Trustworthy, secure and reliable communication networks and information systems also need to be assured as crucial prerequisites for the take-up of converging digital services.

- The Commission will also strengthen its civil protection capacities and develop Europe’s rapid response capacity, to be brought into play as soon as major crises strike.

5. EUROPE AS A WORLD PARTNER

To reach its strategic objectives, Europe cannot work alone. The recent textile negotiations with China, the latest famine in Niger, the security situation in Iraq, the Middle East Peace Process: external events constantly remind us that prosperity, solidarity and security might be European objectives but cannot depend only on what we achieve at home. Europe must do more than simply react to the external world: it must also contribute more proactively to shaping it.

Stability and prosperity at our borders

- In the area closest to our borders, enlargement negotiations and stabilisation and association processes for candidate and pre-candidate countries must continue. The monitoring reports on Bulgaria and Romania to be issued in the spring will put the spotlight on the final stage of the accession process. Accession negotiations with Turkey and Croatia will continue as will the monitoring of progress in all candidate and pre-candidate countries. On the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, further developments will depend on the Commission’s Opinion on the accession request. Negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia and Montenegro and with Bosnia and Herzegovina will be pursued with the aim of concluding before the end of 2006.

- In our neighbourhood , the Commission and partner countries will deliver on the existing action plans, whose implementation will be analysed at the end of 2006. The neighbourhood policy is a key priority for external relations and will be enhanced and completed by a set of new action plans with Caspian and Mediterranean countries that will spread the commitment to stability and prosperity to new partners. Particular attention will be paid to developing integrated energy markets with neighbouring countries. The Commission will also prepare the ground for a renewed institutional arrangement with Russia and Ukraine, including looking towards a free trade agreement with Ukraine.

Global responsibilities

In relations with the developing world the European Union must live up to our fresh and ambitious commitments: if 2005 was the year to commit to development, 2006 must be the year to deliver. In the wake of the G8 Summit and the renewed commitment to the Millennium Development Goals, the EU needs to start work today to meet our objectives of increased financial effort (an extra €20 billion a year by 2010) and to improve coherence and aid effectiveness of the EU donors as a group, on the basis of the new Development Policy Statement proposed by the Commission in July 2005. To this end, the Commission will pursue its approach through the mapping of EU aid, harmonization of procedures and by both geographic strategies for ACP partners and key themes such as human rights and democracy.

- The core target for action is Africa . Building on the new Africa strategy and the new EU Development Policy Statement, the Commission will propose to step up its partnership with Africa in two priority fields, governance and infrastructure. As proposed under the revised Cotonou agreement, dialogue on security issues will be intensified. Negotiations on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) will enter into their decisive phase and a comprehensive review of the arrangements will be conducted.

- Support reconstruction and political transition will move into a new phase, with enhanced cooperation in Iraq, as well as support to development in Gaza and the West Bank, work in Afghanistan and in the wake of the tsunami. Europe will also continue to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of crises throughout the world.

- Closely linked to the above is security , with new initiatives on non-proliferation and disarmament, human security and counter-terrorism in line with the European Security Strategy.

A globalised economy

- Globalisation is a reality that we must embrace to restore dynamic growth and quality jobs in Europe. Foreign trade and investment goes hand in hand with economic integration inside Europe. It is time to highlight the external dimension of competitiveness by making recommendations on trade and trade-related policies. The Hong Kong Conference in December 2005 should set the stage for an ambitious outcome of the Doha Development Agenda by end 2006, including tangible results for poor developing countries. As our second trading partner, China offers both major challenges and opportunities and a comprehensive review will be undertaken 5 years after its accession to the WTO.

- Europe will make a contribution to an efficient multilateral approach to sustainable development worldwide, notably though the elaboration of a policy framework for actions on global public goods, such as deforestation and water management. European experience in the environmental field, together with innovative ways of combining public development aid and private investment, will come together in a renewable energy fund to help developing countries reach millennium targets on sanitation and energy.

- In all areas, a real partnership between European institutions is the only way to ensure a stronger and more coherent European voice in the world. The European Union should strive towards more coherence and efficiency of Europe’s external action, whether in Brussels, New York or around the world, notably through exchange of officials.

6. DELIVERY AND BETTER REGULATION

Effective policy delivery is central to the credibility and legitimacy of the European Union. But it is not only about what policies are chosen: how policies are developed and how they are implemented is equally important.

In 2005, the Commission stepped up its existing work on better regulation to ensure that the regulatory framework in the EU meets today’s requirements. This aims to reinforce the contribution from better regulation to growth and jobs while continuing to take into account the social and environmental objectives and good governance.

Impact assessment became standard for Work Programme priorities and new guidelines were agreed[1]. The Commission undertook an intensive screening of proposals already on the table of the Parliament and the Council for compatibility with better regulation principles, with 68 proposals to be withdrawn as a result[2]. This adds up to Commission action on one third of all of its pending proposals dating from before 2004. This is now being followed up with a major effort to simplify existing rules. The result should be an important step forward in making what we do at the EU level much easier for EU citizens and businesses to work with, and to understand. In this new operational phase, the Commission will establish internally a dedicated structure to step up implementation of Better Regulation principles, thus ensuring policy coherence, quality control, and upstream assessment of regulatory issues.

- Subsidiarity and proportionality. The Commission’s work will be tested against the requirements of subsidiarity and proportionality: the EU should only act when necessary and in the lightest form consistent with achieving its objectives. The Commission will pay particular attention to ensuring full respect for subsidiarity and proportionality.

- Value for money, transparency and accountability. The EU Budget should only be used when it can offer better value for money than spending at national level. Spending must also be clearly accountable, with effective inter-institutional mechanisms in place to make this work. Adequate audit and control systems must be ensured, and the roadmap aiming at a positive declaration of assurance from the European Court of Auditors will be pursued. The protection of the financial interests of the Union remains a primary concern. Likewise, the Commission will pursue its European Transparency Initiative in 2006.

- Consultation. Policy initiatives need to be well prepared and targeted to respond to the real needs of Europeans today. Consultation is therefore central to how the Commission develops policy. Many of the proposals put forward in the annex to this Work Programme are the fruit of consultation; others will launch new consultations. The Commission will continue to make the widest use of existing tools to involve citizens in the decision making process and will encourage new forms of consultation, such as citizens’ panels.

- Impact assessment. Impact assessment ensures that policy is made in full knowledge of the facts and awareness of the implications. It also guides the policy-making process through an open analysis of the options and provides a discipline to ensure that economic, social and environmental factors are fully taken into account, including the impact on competitiveness. The impact assessment should also guide the inter-institutional decision-making process and it provides a clear and accessible public explanation of why a proposal is being made. Impact assessment will therefore remain a standard feature for all legislative and policy-defining proposals contained in the Work Programme for 2006[3]: and may in certain cases lead to a decision to pursue the objectives in a different way, or not to proceed. In addition, impact assessments conducted during 2006 will prepare the 2007 programme. The counterpart of impact assessments are ex post evaluations which, at regular intervals, examine whether EU policies and programmes have achieved their objectives.

- Transposition and implementation. The Commission will intensify its efforts to implement the new approach to the application of Community law[4], in particular through more effective cooperation with the Member States, preventative measures and the rigorous treatment of infringement when necessary.

- Simplification EU laws and procedures need to avoid excessive complexity: this brings with it real costs to citizens and businesses. Proposals for new legislation will be rigorously tested, and existing legislation also needs a fresh look. In October 2005, the Commission launches a new phase in simplifying legislation (with a sectoral approach and a more systematic stakeholder consultation), and set out a 3-year rolling programme to examine legislation which may be disproportionately burdensome for EU citizens and businesses[5]. This continues and reinforces the Commission’s framework for simplification set up in 2003. In the first phase, the focus will be on the automotive, construction and waste sectors.

- Administrative simplification: The Commission has started a review of its internal procedures to deliver significant internal simplification: 2006 will see the first results of this simplification initiative, notably regarding administrative, financial management, and tendering and public procurement.

As work continues on the priority initiatives listed in the annex, and on other policy initiatives, these better regulation principles will be central to the Commission’s work. A mid-term review of the Work Programme in summer 2006 will allow the Commission to take stock of these changes and, where appropriate, to amend the priority list.

ANNEX : PRIORITY ITEMS FOR ADOPTION IN 2006

I. PROSPERITY

Title English | Type of proposal or act | Description of scope and objectives | Reference number |

Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing the European Institute of Technology (EIT) | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | This proposal will be presented only if the 2006 Spring European Council asks for it in the light of the Commission Communication on the same theme that will be annexed to the Commission report on the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy. In this case, the proposal will aim to establish the EIT (main functions and characteristics, structures and bodies, budget, etc.). | 2006/EAC+/004 |

Recommendation for a European Qualifications Framework | Non-legislative action / Recommendation | The main policy objective is to establish - on a voluntary basis - a European reference framework that will facilitate transparency, transfer and recognition of qualifications in Europe. A set of common reference levels will facilitate the comparison of education and training provisions and be supported by principles for quality assurance, validation, guidance, key competences etc. The EQF will support the comparability and thus eventually also the recognition of qualifications, provide a framework for development of qualifications at sector level and support the lifelong learning of individual citizens. | 2006/EAC/006 |

Convergence Report 2006 | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | At least every two years, the Commission and the ECB each prepare a convergence report in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 121(1). The reports examine to which extent the Member States with a derogation have achieved a high degree of sustainable convergence on the basis of the 4 convergence criteria. The compatibility of their national legislation with Community law also forms part of the assessment. | 2006/ECFIN/019 |

Proposal for a Council Decision under Art.122(2) abrogating the derogation for certain Member States | Legislative Proposal / Decision | If one or more Member States are deemed to fulfil the conditions for euro adoption, their derogation is abrogated by the Council. | 2006/ECFIN/020 |

Proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) No 2866/98 on conversion rates to the euro | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | Council decides on conversion rates of new euro area entrants in accordance with Article 123(5). | 2006/ECFIN/021 |

Legislative Proposal consolidating and strengthening new approach directives, policies and principles | Legislative Proposal / Decision | The main operational objectives are: Consolidating and reviewing key definitions; Enhancing mutual confidence in conformity assessment bodies and increasing transparency of the notification process by defining a Community policy on accreditation and by consolidating and reviewing designation requirements; Facilitating the notification process concerning notified bodies; Reviewing the existing conformity assessment modules; Clarifying the meaning of the CE marking and its relationship to voluntary marks; Establishing a Community framework consisting of essential requirements for national market surveillance activities; Enhancing cooperation of national market surveillance authorities; Improving the safeguard clause mechanism | 2006/ENTR/001 |

Community Regulation concerning the free movement of goods in the non-harmonised area | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | The main policy objective is improving the functioning of mutual recognition in the non-harmonised area, by finding a solution for most of the problems set out above. Mutual recognition in the non-harmonised area of goods needs more structure so as to enhance transparency and to encourage national authorities to act more ‘European’. It is also important that, in cases where mutual recognition is refused, the possibility for companies to demonstrate that the disputed product is indeed lawfully marketed elsewhere in the EU is clearly set out. | 2006/ENTR/002 |

Communication on a competitive automotive regulatory framework | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The main objective is to enhance the EU industry’s global competitiveness and employment, while sustaining further progress in safety and environmental performance of vehicles at a price affordable to the consumer. The main policy areas involved therefore are better regulation, competitiveness, environment and road safety. | 2006/ENTR/003 |

Revision of Directive 88/378/EC on the safety of toys | Legislative Proposal / Directive | The main policy objectives are the simplification of the current legislation, the improvement on the safety of toys by clarifying essential safety requirements, the improvement in the functioning of the Internal Market by developing conditions for a better common approach by national market surveillance authorities in the implementation of the legislation in force. | 2006/ENTR/004 |

Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 98/34/EC laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations and of rules on information society services | Legislative Proposal / Directive | To ensure that the Lisbon agenda goal of ensuring a smooth functioning of the Internal Market for services by 2010 is achieved. To eliminate potential obstacles to the Internal Market for services even before they appear, thus avoiding a posteriori and lengthier interventions and increasing the competitiveness of EU enterprises. To adjust the standardisation part of the Directive to the latest developments in this area. | 2006/ENTR/006 |

Communication Financing Growth - the European Way | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Communication aims at specifying concrete actions contributing to the growth of the European innovative firms, in particular SMEs and mid-sized firms, by spreading good practices and policy learning in access to finance. In particular the new Member States, where the financial sector development is behind that of EU-15, can benefit from an open policy dialogue process. The Communication also aims to outline actions that would contribute to enhancing the single market by identifying and removing obstacles from cross-border investment. So far, the Member States have regularly confirmed their commitment to ease the access to finance, but have mainly focused on national solutions. | 2006/ENTR/007 |

Communication on Defence Industries and Markets | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Commission wants to encourage the competitiveness of the European defence sector. Appropriate market legislation and substantial R&D programmes are the main tools to achieve this objective. | 2006/ENTR/008 |

Communication on the functioning of the regulatory framework for electronic communications and services | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Provides a report on the functioning of the regulatory framework for electronic communications and services and launches a public consultation on possible review. | 2006/INFSO/001 |

Communication on eGovernment | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The objective is to propose an Action Plan for 2006-2010 widely supported by Member States and Commission services that work on eGovernment related activities, as announced in the i2010 Communication. | 2006/INFSO/003 |

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives 89/665/EEC and 92/13/EEC as lastly modified, on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the application of review procedures to the award of public contracts | Legislative Proposal / Directive | L'objectif est d'encourager davantage les entreprises communautaires à soumissionner dans n'importe quel Etat membre de l'Union, en leur donnant la certitude qu'elles pourront, si nécessaire, engager des recours efficaces dans le cas où leurs intérêts auraient été lésés lors de procédures de passation de marchés de travaux, de fournitures ou de services. La proposition de directive vise à améliorer certaines dispositions des directives « recours » sans changer les principes qui ont inspiré leur adoption. En outre, la proposition de directive prendra essentiellement la forme d’un renforcement des procédures ou mécanismes existants en particulier par la mise en place de recours efficaces contre les marchés passés illégalement de gré à gré. Par ailleurs, les développements jurisprudentiels récents appellent une clarification voire une précision du cadre législatif existant, afin d’assurer une sanction effective, proportionnée et dissuasive des violations du droit communautaire des marchés publics. | 2006/MARKT/002 |

Commission White Paper on the Integration of the EU Mortgage Credit Market | Non-legislative action / White Paper | White Paper on mortgage credit announcing any initiatives to be proposed by the Commission to promote the creation of an EU mortgage credit market, based on the results of wide-spread consultation following the 2005 Green Paper 'Mortgage Credit in the EU'. | 2006/MARKT/003 |

White Paper on the next steps towards an efficient investment fund market | Non-legislative action / White Paper | The Green Paper on the enhancement of the EU framework for investment funds was published in July 2005. It presented an analysis of the European market for investment funds and an assessment of the ability of the EU regulatory framework in the area (UCITS Directives) to achieve its objectives in the current context. It also launched a debate on a series of options that could improve the functioning of the fund market. Drawing on a long process of consultation, research and impact assessment, the White Paper will present the concrete actions to be taken in order to achieve a more efficient market for investment funds. | 2006/MARKT/004 |

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on clearing and settlement in the securities field | Legislative Proposal / Directive | The proposal could provide a common regulatory framework to achieve an efficient, integrated and safe market for securities clearing and settlement, thus increasing market liquidity, reducing costs of capital and increasing EU growth. Currently several barriers, of different nature, generate inefficiency and increase costs for most of the cross-border securities settlements. | 2006/MARKT/005 |

Proposal for the full accomplishment of the Internal Market for Postal Services | Legislative Proposal / Directive | The objective of the proposal is to progress the accomplishment of the internal market for postal services while ensuring the provision of universal postal services for all users, irrespective of their location in the Union. The scope of the proposal will include, if it is appropriate, confirmation of the date of 2009 for the full accomplishment of the postal internal market (i.e. opening of remaining postal monopolies to competition) and may include, in addition, measures intended to ensure the provision of universal postal services, the protection of users in conditions of undistorted competition in the market. | 2006/MARKT/006 |

Proposal to review Article 16 of Directive 2000/12/EC of 20 March 2000 relating to the taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions (review of the supervisory approval process for major shareholdings) | Legislative Proposal / Directive | Article 16 of the European Banking Directive allows supervisors to effectively block proposed mergers and acquisitions of banks in their jurisdiction on prudential grounds. The review of Article 16 seeks to clarify the process and procedures that should be followed by supervisors, in order to ensure clear, transparent and equitable treatment by all European supervisors in relation to proposed mergers and acquisitions of banks. | 2006/MARKT/007 |

Recommendation from the Commission - Fair compensation for private copying: copyright levies reform | Non-legislative action / Recommendation | Reform of copyright levies applied to equipment and media used for private copying by consumers and others. | 2006/MARKT/008 |

Interpretative Communication on the application of Article 296 of the Treaty to Defence Procurement | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The fragmentation of the European defence market is among other things due to the uncertainty on how to apply article 296 of the Treaty, which allows MS to derogate from Public Procurement rules when essential security interests are at stake. In the context on a more global initiative aimed at opening up defence procurement markets, an Interpretative Communication would clarify the criteria to be used in order to asses whether the conditions for the application of this derogation are met. | 2006/MARKT/012 |

European Transparency Initiative | Non-legislative action / other | The goal of the initiative is to increase transparency (e.g. use of Community funds, lobbying) | 2006/SG+/008 |

Decision on the renewal of an Action Programme for Customs in the Community (Customs 2013) | Legislative Proposal / Decision | The Customs 2013 programme is the successor of the Customs 2007 programme and has as objective to further improve cooperation between tax administrations. The Customs programme will continue to develop and modernise the trans-European computerised systems that underpin the implementation of customs policy. The Customs 2013 programme will tackle a number of new challenges, such as securing the supply chain and support for the use of a common risk management system, while promoting the incorporation of risk management into all aspects of customs work. Customs 2013 will continue to support activities to protect traders from piracy and counterfeiting. The Customs programme will also support the further development of initiatives to set up a paperless electronic customs environment while underpinning indispensable initiatives such as modernisation and simplification of the customs legislation. | 2006/TAXUD/001 |

Decision on the renewal of a Community programme to improve the operation of the taxation systems in the internal market (Fiscalis 2013) | Legislative Proposal / Decision | The Fiscalis 2013 programme will continue to support initiatives that focus on improving the proper functioning of taxation systems in the internal market by increasing cooperation between participating countries, their administrations and officials. It will raise awareness of relevant Community law and encourage Member States to share experience of implementing Directives. The programme will also encompass tools to help combat harmful tax competition and tax fraud, both within the EU and in relation to third countries. To support administrative cooperation and mutual assistance between tax administrations, the programme will develop and modernise the trans-European computerised networks required for the exchange of information for control purposes, such as the VAT Information Exchange System (VIES) and the Excise Movement Control System (EMCS). | 2006/TAXUD/002 |

Communication to the Council and the European Parliament on a strategy to improve the fight against tax fraud | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The purpose of the communication is to launch a debate on an overall anti-tax fraud strategy at EU level. The responsibility for control and anti-fraud work is clearly a matter for the Member States. The role of the Commission is to provide an appropriate legislative framework at Community level and to facilitate co-operation between Member States. A communication is therefore the appropriate tool to launch the debate. However, achieving the objective of the anti-fraud strategy will probably require both legal and non-legal activities at a later stage | 2006/TAXUD/003 |

Commission Communication on the implementation of a dedicated European rail freight network | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Promoting the development of the rail transport (in particular the rail freight transport) and creating an integrated European railway area. Facilitating the internal rail freight market. Developing performing rail freight corridors on the trans-European rail network. Focusing Community funding on identified bottlenecks. Encouraging cooperation between infrastructure managers to increase the quality and efficiency of cross-border rail freight traffic by developing international timetabling, tailor-made paths. | 2006/TREN/003 |

Communication on transport logistics to facilitate intermodal transport | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Freight Transport is more crucial for Europe's industrial competitiveness than for its international competitors because of our unique geography; mountains, seas, peripheral regions, location of production and population etc. The growth in international trade, enlargement and changes in logistics processes mean that freight transport continues to grow faster than GDP. Action that could be considered includes: - Support the development and use of advanced ICT, - Set standards for intermodal transport and logistics systems and services, - Improve intermodal liability, - Examine means (technical, legal, financial) to promote intermodal transport more actively, - Improve logistics education and training, - Ensure fair competition between the modes, - Expand support for alternative services and innovation, - Enhance co-operation between industry, service providers and policy makers, - Ensure widespread dissemination and take up of best practice. | 2006/TREN/010 |

Galileo future applications | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The European satellite navigation infrastructure will provide initial positioning services as from 2008. The use of this technology in all sectors of modern economies will generate by 2020 a global market of some 300 billion euros, with 3 billion receivers in use in a wide range of electronic devices. Some 150.000 highly qualified jobs will be created, contributing to the Lisbon objectives. Applications spanning the whole EU territories can easily be implemented in view of the exploitation phase. Coordinated actions and standards have to be developed in order to take the full benefits of this pan-European positioning and timing technology. Public administrations can make use of the positioning service through a set of regulated applications. An assessment of the feasibility of several regulatory measures and their impact is necessary. | 2006/TREN/025 |

Communication on Clean Coal Technologies | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Stimuler le développement technologique et la démonstration à l'échelle commerciale des nouvelles technologies du charbon propre et, en particulier, par l'amélioration du rendement énergétique des centrales électriques utilisant ce combustible ouvrant la voie à la capture et au stockage du CO2. | 2006/TREN/026 |

Intermediate overall assessment of the measures advocated in the White Paper "European Transport Policy for 2010: time to decide" | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Commission's White Paper established a mid-term review in 2005 to check whether its objectives and precise targets were being attained or whether adjustment need making. As the original instrument used was a Communication from the Commission, the mid-term review has to be same kind of instrument | 2005/TREN/011 |

II SOLIDARITY

Title English | Type of proposal or act | Description of scope and objectives | Reference number |

Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 404/93 on the common market organisation for bananas | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | A review of the common market organisation (CMO) for bananas is envisaged based on the findings of an ongoing evaluation, in particular as concerns the aid scheme to the EU banana producers, also taking account of the new import system to be in place as of 2006. The main objectives of the review are to maintain an acceptable balance at the level of marketing of the three sources of supply of the Community market (EU production, ACP and dollar banana imports), to improve the efficiency of EU production, to provide fair prices to EU consumers, to support the sustainable development of the producing areas and to promote environmentally-friendly methods of cultivation and processing. | 2005/AGRI/003 |

Council Regulation amending Regulations Nos 2200/96, 2201/96 and 2002/96 on the common market organisation of fresh and processed fruit and vegetables | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | The reform of these sectors is part of the overall CAP reform process. The main objectives of the reform are to improve the competitiveness of processed fruits and vegetables industry through a more market orientated policy, while taking into account the important role of the sectors concerned in employment in rural areas; to update and upgrade the current instruments of the Common Market Organisation (CMO) for fresh products; to decrease trade distorting agricultural support; to remove useless rules, to simplify and clarify the remaining regulations. | 2006/AGRI/002 |

Commission Communication on reform of the common market organisation for wine | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The common market organisation for wine is one of the last agricultural sectors to undergo a significant reform in order to address a number of problems. The Commission Communication will set out orientations for the legislation aiming mainly to improve the competitiveness of the EU-produced wine, to reach a balance between supply and demand, to develop better instruments for a better knowledge and monitoring of the market, to simplify and clarify legislation, to ensure that wine production in Europe is sustainable, and to preserve the authenticity and character of the product. The Communication will be accompanied by an impact assessment and will later be followed by a proposal for a Council Regulation. | 2006/AGRI/003 |

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the future prospects for biofuels | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Communication will present the result of reflections on the question of measures to promote the production of biofuels, including such production in less developed third countries. | 2006/AGRI/019 |

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions "Growth, prosperity and solidarity in an equal and democratic society: a roadmap for equality between women and men" | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Despite progress made in the last decades towards equality between women and men, several gender gaps in employment, unemployment, pay, decision making positions, as well as the phenomenon of violence against women and trafficking still remain. This Communication will represent the road map on gender equality and will define objectives and actions for EU policies in order to achieve gender equality, and to tackle remaining problems and obstacles. | 2006/EMPL/001 |

Communication from the Commission on a new Community strategy on health and safety at work 2007-2012 | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The new Community strategy on health and safety at work for the period 2007-2012 will build on the current strategy and on the evaluation of its results by combining a variety of instruments: up-dating and simplifying legislation, social dialogue, progressive measures, development of new instruments to help the implementation of legislation, economic incentives and on building partnerships between all players in this policy area. The objectives will be increased productivity and quality of work, in line with the Lisbon strategy, through a reduction of occupational accidents and absenteeism due to poor health. | 2006/EMPL/002 |

Green Paper on the evolution of labour law | Non-legislative action / Green Paper | As announced in the Social Agenda, the Green Paper is expected to launch a wide debate in Europe involving EU institutions, Member States, social partners and experts with the aim of establishing conclusions about the main trends in the recent evolution of labour law, both at EU and national level, and identifying the most crucial and urgent issues. | 2006/EMPL/003 |

Communication on the demographic future of Europe | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Communication will present a synthesis of the replies to the 2005 Green Paper on ageing, the first results of the analytic studies prepared under the pilot action of the EP (Walter initiative) and the Commission's proposals for further action in this domain. | 2006/EMPL/004 |

Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides | Legislative Proposal / Directive | The Strategy will propose a number of measures and initiatives with the objective of a reduction of the impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment in order to achieve a more sustainable use of pesticides as well as a significant overall reduction in risks and of the use of pesticides consistent with the necessary crop protection. Justification for rescheduling: postponed from 2005 awaiting revision of SANCO directive 91/414 which is now foreseen for 2nd qtr 06 (Ref. 2003/SANCO/061). Communication with proposal for Framework Directive (Communication - option consultation ESC/CoR; Framework mandatory) | 2004/ENV/003 |

Communication - Halting the decline of biodiversity by 2010 | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Communication will lay down a road map on priority objectives and actions to meet the EU and global objectives, set by heads of state and government, relating to halting (EU) and significantly reducing (global) the decline of biodiversity by 2010. The European Council 2003 and 2004 has called for accelerated action in this regard. ENV Council (28 June 2004) called for a report to Council and Parliament as early as possible in 2004, taking account of the ongoing biodiversity policy review process and in particular the 'Message from Malahide' (which comprises stakeholder consensus on objectives and targets towards achieving the overall 2010 objective). | 2005/ENV/011 |

Green Paper on adaptation to climate change | Non-legislative action / Green Paper | The Green Paper will help identify areas where action is needed at Community level to support the EU's adaptation to the increasing adverse effects of climate change. The need to consider EU-level action on adaptation was flagged in the Commission Communication "Winning the Battle against Global Climate Change". | 2006/ENV/012 |

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Results of the review of the Community Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from cars. | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Community's strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from cars will be reviewed and new options to complement existing measures, including the current voluntary agreements with car manufacturers will be examined. The aim is to reach an improved fuel efficiency. The results of this review will be presented and proposals on the way forward will be made. | 2006/ENV/013 |

Revision of Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings (NEC) for certain atmospheric pollutants | Legislative Proposal / Directive | The revision of the NEC Directive is the key legislative initiative that will make concrete the environmental and health objectives set out in the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution up to 2020. Limit emissions of acidifying and eutrophying pollutants and ozone precursors to improve the protection in the Community of the environment and human health against risks of adverse effects from acidification, soil eutrophication and ground-level ozone and to move towards the long-term objectives of not exceeding critical levels and loads and of effective protection of all people against recognised health risks from air pollution by establishing national emission ceilings, taking the years 2010 and 2020 as benchmarks, and by means of successive reviews. | 2006/ENV/016 |

Modification of Directive 2003/87/EC in order to include aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme | Legislative Proposal / Directive | Amend the existing legislative framework to incorporate aviation emissions into the EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). | 2006/ENV/017 |

Green Paper on a future European Union Maritime Policy | Non-legislative action / Green Paper | The Green Paper on an all embracing EU Maritime Policy will present the state of the art of integrated sea related policies. It shall set out options for a more holistic approach of the EU and its Member States for policies relating to the sea. | 2006/FISH/001 |

Proposal for a Regulation on the applicable law and jurisdiction in divorce matters | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | There are currently no Community rules in the field of applicable law to divorces. The main policy objective is to provide solutions that enhance legal certainty and flexibility and meet the legitimate expectations of the citizens according to the Hague Programme. The choice of the Regulation will ensure the achievement of these purposes. | 2005/JLS/187 |

Green Paper on the conflict of laws in matters concerning matrimonial property regimes, including the question of jurisdiction and mutual recognition | Non-legislative action / Green Paper | The objective is to launch a wide consultation of interested subjects on legal and practical issues arising in international situations in the area of property rights of married and unmarried couples. | 2005/JLS/188 |

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on future priorities for the common policy on illegal immigration | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The strategic objectives of an efficient handling of the EU borders and ensuring the highest level of security at the external borders are partially fulfilled through the objectives of this legal instrument. The operational powers, which should be conferred to the seconded national experts/border guards, are a minimum requirement in view of providing effective assistance to the requiring, host MS. With these powers the guest border guards contribute to reduce the risks and prevent the threats at those stretches of the EU external borders, which are under more intense threat. | 2006/JLS/005 |

Green Paper on Enforcement: A European system for the attachment of bank accounts | Non-legislative action / Green Paper | The objective is to launch a wide consultation of interested parties on how to improve the enforcement of monetary claims in the EU. The Green Paper describes the current legal situation and proposes the creation of a European System for the attachment of bank accounts as a possible solution. Different options are proposed as to the specific features of such a system. | 2006/JLS/006 |

European elections 2004: Commission Communication on the participation of the Union citizens in the Member State of residence (Directive 93/109/EC) and on the electoral modalities (Decision 76/787/EC as amended by Decision 2002/772/EC) | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Firstly, the Communication will assess the application of Directive 93/109/EC on the voting rights of the Union citizens in their Member State of residence in the June 2004 elections to the European Parliament. The Report will draw the attention of the European Parliament to the question concerning publication of results of elections in Member States with the view of amending the relevant provision to be clear and to be implemented in a uniform way, which is not the case at the moment. It will be up to the European Parliament to contemplate the appropriateness of any legislative initiative. | 2006/JLS/008 |

Communication on the implementation of the rights of the child | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Communication intends to set a framework where concrete actions will allow the implementation of the rights of the child within the European Union. Also, the defence of children’s rights in the external Policy of the Union will be included. The action plan included in the Communication should help the Union and the Member States to fulfil their obligations vis-à-vis the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. | 2006/JLS/009 |

Green paper on drugs and civil society in the EU | Non-legislative action / Green Paper | Produce a Green paper to provide a framework for working with the civil society in the drugs field at the EU level. Ensure effective implementation of actions n° 3 (1) and 3 (2) of the EU Drugs Action Plan 2005-2008. | 2006/JLS/007 |

Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning Community Financial Contributions to the International Fund for Ireland (2007-2008) | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | Article 5 of Council Regulation (EC) No 177/2005 of 24 January 2005 establishes that by 31 March 2006 the Commission shall submit a report to the Budgetary Authority, assessing the results of the activities of the Fund & the need for continuing contributions beyond 2006. | 2006/REGIO+/006 |

Proposal for a Council Decision on Strategic Community Guidelines on Cohesion | Legislative Proposal / Decision | Définition des priorités de la Communauté en matière de cohésion économique, sociale et territoriale. | 2005/REGIO+/013 |

Proposal for a Directive amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market | Legislative Proposal / Directive | Adaptation to technical progress and re-organisation of regulatory provisions concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market. Commitment of the Commission in its progress report to Council and European Parliament (COM 444(2001)final). | 2003/SANCO/61 |

Package of proposals aiming to reinforce the position and the normative framework of inland waterway transport, namely: (1) Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European institutional framework for inland waterway transport; (2) Proposal for a negotiation mandate aiming at allowing third countries to participate in the institutional framework and, if possible, to establish a common normative framework between the EU and third countries | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | Le renforcement du cadre institutionnel, p.ex. l'établissement d'une Agence européenne pour la navigation intérieure, devrait inscrire le transport fluvial dans le cadre d'une politique des transports plus stratégique. Une telle agence devrait concentrer les aptitudes et ressources disponibles et éviter les doubles emplois dans les travaux de différents organismes, tout en combinant des missions différentes afin de susciter des synergies. En utilisant le cadre communautaire comme seul cadre approprié, la prise de décisions et l’établissement de règles communes seront facilités. Dans l’objectif de permettre la participation des Etats tiers intéressés dans les travaux de l’agence, et de parvenir à un cadre réglementaire harmonisé en Europe, l’établissement de l’Agence devra être accompagné par des accords bi- ou multilatéraux avec des pays tiers. | 2006/TREN/009 |

Action Plan on energy efficiency | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | L'énergie est au cœur de notre système économique et pourtant l'Europe doit importer 50% de ses besoins énergétiques, soit une facture annuelle de 240 milliards d’euros. Si rien n’est fait, ce sera 70% en 2030 alors que le prix du pétrole s’envole. La maîtrise de notre consommation d’énergie est indispensable si l’on veut réduire cette dépendance énergétique. C’est pourquoi l’efficacité énergétique est une des priorités de la stratégie de Lisbonne pour une Europe plus compétitive. Suite au débat public lancé cette année avec le Livre vert sur l’efficacité énergétique, cette communication définira un plan d’action visant des économies d’énergie de l’ordre de 20% d’ici 2020. | 2006/TREN/032 |

Green Paper on a secure, competitive and sustainable energy policy for Europe | Non-legislative action | The Green Paper will prepare the Communication on this subject which will be issued later in the year. The intention is to give the widest possible consultation pursuant to Better Regulation. | 2006/TREN/XXX |

III SECURITY

Title English | Type of proposal or act | Description of scope and objectives | Reference number |

Communication on a strategy for a secure information society "Strengthening Trust in ICT" | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The strategy will propose a general framework for future activities in the field of internet, network and information security. It will take stock of actions already taken and identify areas where an action at EU level can provide particular added value, while respecting subsidiarity and activities already undertaken by Member States. It will also provide a link to further security related activities planned for 2006. | 2006/INFSO/002 |

Proposal for a Decision on a computerised system of exchange of information on criminal convictions | Legislative Proposal / Decision (CFSP/JHA) | La décision aura pour objectif de créer les bases nécessaires à la mise en place d'un mécanisme européen informatisé permettant d'échanger les informations contenues dans les registres nationaux. | 2004/JLS/116 |

Council Decision creating a European Law Enforcement Network in the fight against terrorism (LEN) | Legislative Proposal / Decision | Pursuant to the Communication of the European Commission on Preparedness and the Consequence Management in the Fight against Terrorism the Commission proposes additional measures to strengthen the existing instruments on civil protection and consequence management. The intention of the Commission is to establish a law enforcement alert mechanism (the Law Enforcement Network, LEN) to be hosted by Europol and connected with other European rapid alert and rapid response systems managed by the Commission (notably ARGUS) whilst respecting national competences. | 2005/JLS/077 |

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on short stay visas | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | One of the fundamental components of further development of the common visa policy as part of a multi-layer system aimed at facilitating legitimate travel and tackling illegal immigration through enhanced harmonisation of national legislation and handling practices at diplomatic and consular posts (as defined in the Hague Programme), is the establishment of a "common corpus" of legislation. Therefore it is necessary to consolidate, update and develop the current acquis. As current legal instruments is a mixture of Community rules and administrative and practical provisions, a proper "Visa Code" is to be drafted and accompanied by practical guidelines for the operational implementation of these rules. | 2006/JLS/002 |

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council in view of setting up the powers and the financing of teams of national experts of Member States to provide technical and operational assistance to Member States in the activities dealing with the control and surveillance of the external borders in the framework of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | Based on the results of the study on the powers of the MS border guards, whose final report should be ready end of 2005, the proposal of the EP and Council legal instrument aims to set up powers and financing for the border guards, when seconded in another MS. The objective is to enable the MS border guards to provide effective assistance to their colleagues of the requesting, host MS, since they should receive the appropriate powers in view of executing the regular tasks linked with the control and surveillance of the external borders. Furthermore the draft act should define the financial framework for enacting such a programme of technical assistance between the MS border guards. | 2006/JLS/003 |

Proposal for a Framework Decision on Conflicts of Jurisdiction and the Principle of ne bis in idem in criminal proceedings | Legislative Proposal / Framework decision (JHA) | The proposal aims to create a mechanism which would facilitate the choice of jurisdiction in criminal proceedings in situations where two or more Member States could be interested to prosecute the same case. It would also aim to clarify the scope, applicability and the interpretation of certain elements / definitions of the current rules on the trans-national EU principle of ne bis in idem, which are found in Articles 54-58 of the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement (CISA). | 2006/JLS/010 |

EU Action Plan on public private partnership for combating crime and terrorism | Non-legislative action / Other | To establish a recommended model for public private partnerships against crime and terrorism at the EU level. | 2006/JLS/012 |

Proposal for a modification of the Council Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism, in particular to make the transmission of expertise in explosives/bomb-making for terrorist purposes a crime | Legislative Proposal / Framework decision (JHA) | The proposal is intended to continue making life difficult for terrorists or would-be terrorists by making the intentional transmission of expertise in the making of bombs and explosives for terrorist purposes a crime under the Framework Decision. This Proposal would also tie in with the policy being developed by the Commission in the field of violent radicalisation as the transmission of such expertise could be one aspect transforming persons having violently radical views into terrorists or as a way for terrorist groups/networks to recruit new people. | 2006/JLS/013 |

Communication on a European Cyber-security and Cybercrime policy | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | A comprehensive update of the Commission's cybercrime policy, including issues related to protection of the critical information infrastructure, terrorist use of the internet, identity theft, pan-European admissibility of electronic evidence, combating on-line child pornography, etc. | 2006/JLS+/015 |

First implementation report of the Hague Action Plan – Scoreboard Plus | Non-legislative action / Other | The objective is to develop and produce a yearly report that focuses on the correct and timely transposition of legislative acts adopted and on the effective implementation of measures agreed. | 2006/JLS/016 |

Communication on the objective and impartial evaluation of the implementation of EU measures in the field of Freedom, Security and Justice. | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The main objective is to improve policies in the area of freedom security and justice through the establishment of a mechanism, which provides for effective evaluation of the implementation and results of policies in this area. | 2006/JLS/017 |

Commission Communication on organ donation and transplantation in the EU | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Organ transplantation is currently a common technique used in medicine. Transplants are in many cases the only treatments to end stage organ failures. This process is not risk free to the donor and the recipient. The Commission, under article 152 of the Amsterdam Treaty, has the right to establish the necessary measures for setting high standards of quality and safety of organs. Organ transplantation is a very complex area that only could be addressed successfully taking into account all the elements. | 2005/SANCO/006 |

White Paper on "Better training for safer food" | Non-legislative action / White Paper | The heart of the problem is a lack of a harmonised approach to the design and developments of national control systems. The WP on Food Safety placed particular emphasis on this and clearly indicates the need to address the issues with appropriate actions to achieve a high standard of consumer protection across the EU. The EP and the Council, on 29 April 2004, adopted Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on official controls which identifies training as a key issue. Article 51 of the Regulation empowers the Commission to develop training programmes for staff of competent authorities of the Member States, which may be open to participants of third countries, in particular developing countries. This action will develop a White Paper on a Community training strategy in the area covered by Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. | 2005/SANCO/024 |

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 on animal by-products | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | The key objective is to review the health rules on ABPs taking into account the experience gained in applying Regulation 1774/2002. Removing disproportionate provisions and clarifying the scope of the Regulation would lead to a clear text, making the measures more effective and efficient. The review will reduce unnecessary burden and negative impacts, increasing benefits by simplifying and avoiding duplication of administrative procedures for national authorities and operators. | 2005/SANCO/058 |

Green Paper on the Review of the consumer protection regulatory framework (acquis) | Non-legislative action / Green Paper | Green paper will launch the public consultation in order to allow the Commission to: - analyse the transposition and application of the eight consumer directives constituting the acquis by the MS - start a comparative law analysis of the relevant national laws - identify regulatory problems and internal market barriers. The final purpose is: to rationalise and simplify the acquis in order to get rid of possible inconsistencies, overlaps, internal market barriers and distortions of competition, in order to complete the internal market and achieve better consumer protection. | 2006/SANCO/007 |

Commission Communication on a coordinated approach in Europe to tackle alcohol-related harm | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Council Conclusions of 5 June 2001 on Community strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm invites the Commission to come forward with measures in this respect. The Council reiterated the invitation on 2 June 2004. The main policy objective is to reduce the health and social harm due to alcohol consumption and contribute to higher productivity and a sustainable economic development in EU in line with the objectives set out in the Lisbon Strategy. | 2005/SANCO/032 |

Extension of the competences of the European Rail Agency - Amendment of Directive 2004/59/EC | Legislative Proposal / Directive | La longueur et le coût des procédures nationales d'homologation des locomotives ne sont pas optimales. Il convient d'examiner les modalités de participations de l'agence ferroviaire pour faciliter/améliorer les procédures actuelles en favorisant les reconnaissances mutuelles. | 2006/TREN/005 |

Communication on the protection of critical transport and energy infrastructure | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | To reduce the likelihood of European critical transport and energy infrastructure being lost or damaged by identifying it and ensuring its adequate protection. | 2006/TREN/011 |

Communication on minimum maritime labour standards | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The general objective is to explore the integration of ILO consolidated Convention, possibly through an agreement of social partners, in order to be able to extend the port state control to labour standards applied on board all ships calling at European ports regardless of the flag and the nationality of seafarers. | 2006/TREN/007 |

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council modifying Regulation (EC) No 1592/2002 with a view to extending the tasks of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to the domains of Air Traffic Management (ATM), Air Navigation Services (ANS) and airports | Legislative Proposal / Regulation | The extension of EASA's tasks related to rulemaking (safety & interoperability), certification, licensing and standardisation of services and organisations across Member States, in the domains of ATM, ANS and airports. | 2006/TREN/033 |

IV EXTERNAL

Title English | Type of proposal or act | Description of scope and objectives | Reference number |

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on an "EU Governance Facility for Africa" | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The EU will back African-owned efforts to improve governance. The EU must encourage and support African countries to systematically develop good governance plan within their national PRSP. A powerful tool to further boost efforts is, in particular, the voluntary African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the reforms that it will trigger. To this aim, the Commission will launch a Governance Initiative that will encourage participation in the APRM process and provide further support to African countries for the implementation of their APRM-driven reforms. This support should be additional to, and fully in line with, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and should respect African ownership both of the process and the reforms pursued. | 2006/DEV/005 |

EU-Africa partnership on infrastructure. A response to Africa's strategy for regional economic growth and integration | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Ongoing efforts to develop and sustain Africa's infrastructure and access to services must accelerate for economic growth that contributes to reduce poverty. The Commission proposes to establish an EU-Africa Partnership for Infrastructure to support and develop sustainable Networks that facilitate interconnectivity at a continental level for the promotion of regional integration. The Partnership for Infrastructure should encompass investments in trans-boundary and regional infrastructure and their regulatory frameworks in the widest sense. African ownership will come through close engagement with African continental and regional institutions – the AU/NEPAD and the RECs. | 2006/DEV/006 |

Communication to the Council and the European Parliament on a EU Development Support Strategy for the Pacific Region | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | Update of EU/EC policy vis-à-vis the Pacific region to enhance efficiency of EC assistance. | 2006/DEV/002 |

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee on an EU development support strategy for the Caribbean | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Communication will provide for a political and implementation strategy framework to ensure that the EU supports the efforts of the Caribbean to tackle their vulnerabilities, complete their regional integration process and reposition themselves as a high potential added value region. The strategy will also contribute to the creation of a single coherent and comprehensive EU policy towards the Caribbean. | 2006/DEV/004 |

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the monitoring of Bulgaria and Romania composed of: • Summary Paper on the Comprehensive Monitoring Reports for Bulgaria and Romania • Comprehensive Monitoring Reports for Bulgaria and Romania | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Summary Paper for Bulgaria and Romania will specifically focus on the final preparations for accession by identifying the main gaps and make recommendations, if appropriate. The comprehensive monitoring reports cover the progress made by the 2 countries towards accession (Commission staff working papers - 100 pages) | 2006/ELARG/001 |

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the 2006 Enlargement Package composed of: • Strategy Paper on Enlargement • Progress Reports on Croatia, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia & Montenegro/Kosovo • Comprehensive Monitoring Reports for Bulgaria and Romania | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Strategy Paper contains the main findings of the Progress and Monitoring Reports and includes proposals for policy recommendations. The Progress Reports contain the progress made by Croatia and Turkey towards accession as well as the progress made in implementing the Stabilisation and Association process by Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia & Montenegro including Kosovo (Commission staff working papers). The Comprehensive Monitoring Reports contain the progress made by Bulgaria and Romania towards accession. | 2006/ELARG/002 |

Communication concerning the Establishment of The Global Renewable Energy Fund of Funds -- An Innovative Public-Private Financing Mechanism in support of the Global Sustainable Development Agenda | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The Communication will provide an outline of the key features of the proposed innovative public-private financing mechanism which aims to (1) create affordable "patient" risk capital so as to increase access to risk capital for renewable energy entrepreneurs and project developers, (2) increase engagement of private sector experts and investors, and (3) increase the leverage of public sector funds. In addition to the strong focus on Developing Countries, Europe and its neighbouring countries will also be considered. | 2006/ENV/015 |

Communication on a EU External Relations Strategy to Counter Terrorism | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The communication is intended to develop a horizontal strategy to encourage projects aimed at countering terrorism in third states through the appropriate legal instruments under the new financial perspectives (2007-2013). | 2006/RELEX/012 |

Communication on a Strategy for non- proliferation and disarmament of WMD and Programming of the Community contribution | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The communication is intended to define a strategic framework for initiatives and projects against the proliferation of WMD, to be implemented through the appropriate legal instruments under the new financial perspectives (2007-2013). | 2006/RELEX/014 |

Commission Communication: "Conventional Disarmament as contribution to Human security" | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The communication aims at extending the scope of the Anti-Personnel Landmines Regulations (1724/01 and 1725/01), which provide a stepping stone for a wider action on weapons removal. This Communication will pave the way to the Multi-annual Programming exercises under appropriate legal instruments (e.g. Stability, Pre-accession, Neighbourhood and Development Instruments). | 2006/RELEX/013 |

Proposal for a Council decision establishing negotiating directives for an enhanced agreement to replace, or amend, the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States and Ukraine | Agr. with third countries / Draft or recom. for a neg. mandate | Content to be defined, subject to further discussion with Member States and Ukraine. Objective is to define the overall framework for EU - Ukraine relations after the end of the initial 10 year period of the PCA. | 2006/RELEX/019 |

New ENP action plans and first reviews of ENP Action Plan Implementation | Non-legislative action / Commission working paper | Action plans will be set up with Egypt, Lebanon, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. For Algeria a country report will be established. Première évaluation de la mise en oeuvre des plans Politique Européenne de Voisinage pour la Moldavie, l'Ukraine, le Maroc, la Tunisie, la Jordanie, Israël et l'Autorité palestinienne. Une communication accompagnera le document des services présentant les conclusions de cette évaluation. | 2006/RELEX/007 |

The EU and China | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | China’s rise as a major global player and the development of its relations with the EU make it necessary to define a new comprehensive strategy over the next five years. This strategy will bring together, in a single framework: – A Communication defining a new general strategy for EU-China relations over the next five years and updating the 2003 Communication. – A specific Communication offering a pro-active vision for trade and investment relations with China for the next five years. 2006 will be the final year of the 5 year transition period granted to China to fully implement her WTO commitments in most areas: a timely opportunity to comprehensively review China’s implementation of her WTO commitments and to propose a forward- looking strategy to "close the gaps” | 2005/RELEX+/040 |

Communication of the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee on External Aspects of Competitiveness | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | The top priority today is to restore sustainable dynamic growth and jobs in Europe with a view to put Europe back on track to long term prosperity, in accordance with the new Lisbon strategy. In the last decade, Europe's growth and productivity gains have failed to match those of its major economic partners. A low labour force participation and employment ratio give rise to sluggish internal demand, low investment and innovation, and directly feed oppositions to structural change as well as to open and competitive markets. Greater openness to trade and investment represents a major engine of growth and productivity gains through greater competition, better specialisation based on comparative advantage, innovations generated by greater competition, the technology included in foreign imports and investments, and increased economies of scale. Trade negotiations can offer new opportunities to open new markets for European exports and better rules to improve fair competition with a view to develop qualified jobs in Europe. The Communication will assess a critical review of the current trade policy impact on European competitiveness and make some recommendations on trade and trade-related policies to maximise their contribution to the main objectives of the new Growth and Jobs Strategy. The Communication will represent a general framework for new initiatives in trade and trade-related policies and will pave the way for more specific Communications and EU actions.i | 2006/TRADE/001 |

Communication of the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee on the renewed Market Access Strategy | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | L'adaptation des modalités d'action de la Stratégie Européenne d’Accès aux Marchés est nécessaire pour développer l'ouverture des marchés mondiaux, au bénéfice de l'Union européenne comme des pays tiers. Il s’agit d’utiliser au mieux l’ensemble des instruments de politique commerciale, qu’ils impliquent des négociations aux niveaux multilatéral régional et bilatéral ou qu’ils prennent la forme d’instruments spécifiques tels que le dialogue réglementaire qui vise à suivre la bonne mise en œuvre des engagements pris par nos partenaires. L’interactivité avec les entreprises européennes découlant de l’utilisation de la Base de Données Accès aux Marchés constitue à cet égard un atout qu’il convient d’exploiter plus finement. En termes de politique commerciale, les objectifs concernent la facilitation des exportations de biens et de services, et des investissements, notamment dans les pays émergents à fort potentiel de croissance Il s’agit aussi, en levant les barrières à l’accès aux marchés où qu’elles se trouvent, d’aider les entreprises européennes travaillant dans les secteurs à plus fort potentiel, à tirer profit de la spécialisation sectorielle mondiale par des économies d’échelle. Il est prévu que les critères d’importance de ces pays et secteurs soient énoncés dans une communication de la Commission prévue pour avril 2006 sur le thème des aspects externes de la compétitivité. | 2006/TRADE/002 |

Draft recommendation for a negotiation Mandate. Economic integration and free trade agreement with the Republic of Ukraine | Agr. with third countries / Draft or recom. for a neg. mandate | The proposal will request a mandate from the Council to negotiate an economic integration and free trade agreement with the Republic of Ukraine. The objectives of the agreement are to foster trade, investment and economic ties between the EU and Ukraine, which is an important neighbour of the enlarged EU. | 2006/TRADE+/003 |

Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on the development of energy markets with neighbouring countries | Non-legislative action / Commission Communication | La communication portera sur la création d'un marché de l'énergie avec les pays voisins fondé sur la complémentarité des stratégies énergétiques de l'Union et de ses voisins immédiats, qu'ils soient producteurs, consommateurs, ou pays de transits. L'objectif est de concourir par la création de ce marché à la sécurité de l'approvisionnement énergétique de l'Union Européenne qui, dans les décennies à venir, devrait demeurer fortement dépendante des sources externes d'énergies fossiles. | 2006/TREN+/015 |

[1] SEC(2005) 791.

[2] In addition, the economic analysis will be buttressed in the case of a further 5 dossiers.

[3] The only cases where an impact assessment is not necessary is for Green Papers and consultations with the social partners. In these cases, an impact assessment will follow at a later stage if the initiative is to be pursued.

[4] COM(2002) 725.

[5] Communication of the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – A strategy for the simplification of the regulatory environment - COM(2005) 535.