In a Union firmly committed to the full implementation of the Treaties, including its provisions on economic and monetary union, the Conference will provide the opportunity for dealing more effectively with the internal and external challenges of the coming years. Moreover, future enlargement, which represents a historic mission and a great opportunity for Europe, is also a challenge for the Union in all its dimensions. It is essential to sustain the very nature of European construction, which has to preserve and develop its features of democracy, efficiency, solidarity, cohesion, transparency and subsidiarity. The Heads of State or Government consider that the Conference should, in the light of the Reflection Group's Report and without prejudice to other questions which might be raised during the Conference, mainly focus its work on the areas described hereafter. As Member States are committed to respect human rights, democratic values, equality and non discrimination, and as the Union is a community of shared values, the IGC should consider whether and how far it will be possible to strengthen these fundamental rights and improve the safeguarding of them.
European citizens pay growing attention to justice and home affairs.
In an area of free movement for people, goods, capital and services such as the Union, the exercise of these rights according to the Treaty provisions must be accompanied by adequate protection. A strengthened control of the Union's external frontiers shall contribute to it. For the Union and the Member States the fight against unemployment is the priority task. Promoting employment makes national economic and structural policies a matter of common concern. Obtaining better employment opportunities requires a stability oriented economic policy, greater competitiveness and sound growth, i.e. through the completion of the single market and the implementation of the convergence criteria for the achievement of the economic and monetary union.