B4-0833/96

Resolution on the Florence European Council and the Intergovernmental Conference

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the conclusions of the Turin European Council of 29 March 1996 ((SN 100/96.)),

- having regard to the initial meetings of the Intergovernmental Conference conducted at ministerial level and personal representative level,

- having regard to its resolutions of 17 May 1995 on the functioning of the Treaty on European Union with a view to the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference - Implementation and development of the Union ((OJ C 151, 19.6.1995, p. 56.)) and 13 March 1996 embodying (i) Parliament's opinion on the convening of the Intergovernmental Conference, and (ii) an evaluation of the work of the Reflection Group and definition of the political priorities of the European Parliament with a view to the Intergovernmental Conference ((OJ C 96, 1.4.1996, p. 77.)),

A. whereas the Turin European Council laid down suitable terms of reference for the IGC and established the priority areas to be covered during the proceedings of the Conference,

B. whereas the Florence European Council will be the first stage in this process at which political guidelines should be laid down and is therefore of significant political importance,

C. whereas the 'non-cooperation' policy being followed by the UK government proves the need for the IGC to extend the use of qualified majority voting,

1. Notes with satisfaction that the terms of reference laid down by the Turin European Council judiciously cover all the major issues which must be negotiated during the IGC; reaffirms its belief that the IGC should undertake a wide-ranging and ambitious reform aimed at making the operations of the Europe of Fifteen more democratic and effective and preparing the EU for the forthcoming enlargement;

2. Expresses its concern at the visible difficulty in starting on genuine negotiations, and considers it vital to move beyond the stage of preliminary discussions and to give the IGC the necessary political impetus to ensure that it does not lead to stagnation or to only minimal revisions, and to achieve progress in resolving problems and setting out guidelines for the final stage of the IGC;

3. Believes that public concern is focused on all those subjects which are conducive to helping the Union on its way to constructively developing suitable solutions for the key areas of European policy: the institution of a genuine European citizenship, along with progress on subjects falling within the areas of home affairs and justice, such as internal security and action against international crime, employment and social protection, transparency, the democratization and effectiveness of the institutions and the European Union's presence on the world stage;

4. Is aware that the inclusion of a chapter on employment is a central political priority for many Member States, but reiterates its belief that it is necessary to go beyond mere coordination between Member States and equip the Union with sufficient institutional and financial resources for it to implement common policies in this field;

5. Notes that, during the initial discussions, some slight progress was made, almost exclusively on issues relating to internal security and the fight against international crime, especially in relation to drug trafficking; stresses the need for communitarization of substantial parts of the third pillar while avoiding the introduction of new ad hoc decision-making procedures; notes, in particular, that there is a large majority at the IGC in favour of the communitarization of asylum policy, the definition of rules for crossing the external frontiers and immigration policy; considers that an agreement should rapidly be reached on these three points;

6. Regrets that the initial discussions on institutional matters, in particular where the necessary changes in the institutional balance were concerned, were marked by a tendency towards preserving the status quo and opposing change, and stresses that without the strengthening of the Community instruments and procedures and a visible reduction of the democratic deficit in the Union, it will not realistically be possible to go ahead with enlargement, even in the cases where accession is already expected and being planned; regrets, in particular, that there is still marked resistance to the extension of codecision to all legislative acts and the institution of qualified majority voting as the general rule; believes, moreover, that the Council should conduct its business in a completely open fashion as regards all legislative matters and that the public's access to documents should be guaranteed in the Treaty;

7. Hopes that at the Florence European Council the problems relating to the new institutional order of the Union will be restored to the centre of the IGC agenda, in line with the mandate of the Turin European Council;

8. Requests that the simplification and consolidation of the Treaties be undertaken without delay by a working party in which the Commission and the European Parliament are also involved and that this process be brought to a successful conclusion so that a unified, clearer and simplified Treaty text may be available at the end of the IGC;

9. Hopes that, in the field of the CFSP, the Member States will determine the priority areas of interest for the European Union and will establish effective decision-making procedures which provide the flexibility required for progress to be made; recalls that no Member State should be obliged to take part in a decision taken by majority vote, but, equally, no Member State should be able to block the adoption and implementation of such a decision;

10. Expects the Italian Presidency, the Member States and the Commission to take all necessary steps during the Florence European Council to prevent any stagnation of the process of integration, which would undermine the European project;

11. Calls for any proposals concerning flexibility to respect the acquis communautaire and the single institutional framework, alongside a declaration that the Union's objectives will remain based on participation of all the Member States and their legal equality; invites the Member States to propose a clear definition of the areas in which a reinforced cooperation clause could be introduced;

12. Recalls Parliament's position, as expressed in its abovementioned resolutions of 17 May 1995 and 13 March 1996, on the need for Parliament's assent before any modification of the Treaty;

13. Considers it intolerable and contrary to the spirit and letter of the Treaty, and especially Article 5, that the UK should be blocking the workings of the Union;

14. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and Council and the Governments and Parliaments of the Member States.