B4-0733, 0744, 0751, 0752, 0755 and 0760/96

Resolution on the European Council in Florence

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the statement made by the President of the Council on 19 June 1996 on the preparations for the European Council meeting to be held in Florence on 21 and 22 June 1996,

- having regard to the lack of results achieved by the conclave of Foreign Ministers of the European Union held on 17 June,

- having regard to the framework proposal on the BSE crisis submitted by the Commission on 17 June,

A. having regard to the threat of a crisis looming over the Florence European Council because of the political blackmail being used by the United Kingdom, which has already seriously hindered the decision-making process within the Union,

BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY

1. Expresses deep concern about the risk of a major crisis within the EU institutions and in relations between Member States, together with a crisis in the agricultural sector and a slump in consumption, which would have disastrous economic repercussions for the agricultural industry;

2. Condemns firmly the obstructive policy pursued in the Council by the British Government which is causing the harmful isolation of the United Kingdom;

3. Considers the United Kingdom's blocking of the operation of the Union to be contrary to the spirit and letter of the Treaty, particularly Article 5 thereof, and calls on the governments of the Member States and the Community institutions to take appropriate steps to induce the United Kingdom to face up to its responsibilities;

4. Considers that the British Government must take all the measures required to restore the confidence of European consumers in beef and veal, to enable the European Union to find a way out of the crisis;

5. Calls, finally, on the participants at the European Council to define a strategy with regard to the IGC and to reach agreement on the priorities to be adopted so as to prevent a breakdown in the dialogue; this might entail putting in place a 'crisis mechanism' so that the debates may continue;

EMPLOYMENT

6. Requests that employment should be the priority for the European Council, since the measures adopted hitherto at national and Community level to combat unemployment have been unable to meet the challenges or objectives set;

7. Refers, as regards economic policy guidelines, to its resolution of 19 June 1996 ((Part II, Item 10 of these Minutes.)); welcomes the intensification of dialogue with the social partners, as envisaged in the Confidence Pact; also stresses that the measures envisaged in the Pact cannot be financed by the resources currently available under heading 3 of the budget and points out that it is for the Member States to release the resources needed for the application of the proposals contained in the Commission White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness, Employment;

CFSP

8. Congratulates the Council on the signing of the Association Agreement with Slovenia and hopes that this country can be associated with all the initiatives already established to prepare the countries of Central and Eastern Europe for future accession to the Union;

9. With regard to the former Yugoslavia, and notwithstanding the resolutions thereon to be adopted at this part-session:

- insists that the programmes initiated since the Dayton Agreement be continued until the peace has been firmly established;

- requests that any repatriation of refugees should take place in the context of a joint general programme coordinated by the Commission;

- insists that an international investigation should be undertaken into the policies that led to the fall of Srebrenica and insists that the war criminals indicted by the Hague Tribunal should be brought to trial without delay;

10. Calls upon all the parties involved in the Middle East peace process not to close any options but to continue negotiations on the basis of strict adherence to all existing agreements;

11. Draws attention to the crisis looming in the south-eastern part of the Union and considers that repeated threats of use of force against a Member State pose a serious threat to the territorial integrity of that State and to stability in the Aegean;

12. Urges that, in the framework of the conventions in the field of justice and home affairs, notably the EUROPOL Convention, the Convention on Crossing External Borders, the Convention on a European Information System, the Convention on a Customs Information System and the Convention on the Protection on the Community's Financial Interests, the Council allocate a strong, well-defined role to the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice;

13. Calls on the European Council finally to adopt practical measures based on its recommendations and those of the Commission in favour of effective measures to combat racism and xenophobia and to adopt and put into practice the recommendation that 1997 should be proclaimed 'European Year Against Racism';

14. Requests that particular attention should be devoted to files on sensitive subjects currently being held up in the council, such as the MEDA programme and the completion of the internal market in energy;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the European Council, the Council, the Commission, and the parliaments and the governments of the Member States.