European Parliament recommendation to the Council on improving the impact of joint actions
Date: 1997-05-15
Institutions: Committee on Foreign Affairs, European Parliament
Subjects: common foreign and security policy, intergovernmental cooperation (EU), joint action













EUR-Lex - 51997IP0133 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



51997IP0133

European Parliament recommendation to the Council on improving the impact of joint actions  


Official Journal C 167 , 02/06/1997 P. 0147 





A4-0133/97European Parliament recommendation to the Council on improving the impact of joint actionsThe European Parliament,- having regard to the proposal for a recommendation to the Council by Mr Tindemans and others on enhancing the effectiveness of joint action (B4-1073/95),- having regard to Article J.7 of the EU Treaty,- having regard to Rule 46(3) of its Rules of Procedure,- having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0133/97),A. whereas since the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union the number of joint actions decided on in accordance with Article J.3 has been relatively limited,B. noting with regret that the joint actions agreed on within the Council have covered a limited range of subjects and on the major issues of foreign policy no action of real significance has been decided on by the Union,C. noting that numerous difficulties and uncertainties remain regarding the funding of these actions and that the principle of funding via the Union budget is the only one likely to ensure consistency between the Union's foreign policy and its other actions,D. convinced that the European Union's joint actions would be more effective if the Council had a tangible structure and the human resources needed,E. aware of the difficulties arising from the constant need for unanimity in the procedure for adopting joint actions, this rule being the main obstacle to improving the operation of the CFSP,F. hoping that the Intergovernmental Conference will mark the end of the use of this principle which, in the final analysis, paralyses the Union's external action,1. Recommends that the Council should:(a) take the necessary steps to ensure that the qualified majority principle becomes the rule for the adoption of joint actions;(b) note that Parliament considers it necessary for joint actions under the CFSP to be financed by the Community budget, since all expenditure under Article J.11 is non-compulsory and as such requires Parliament's final approval, and for all CFSP administrative expenditure to be entered under heading 5 (Administrative expenditure) and all operational expenditure to be entered under heading 4 (External action) of the financial perspectives;(c) initiate a detailed consideration of the changes to be made to the procedures for the adoption of joint action, so as to make it a practical and effective instrument which serves the interests of the European Union;(d) consult the European Parliament on every occasion on the principle of adopting a joint action, give it detailed information in every case about the content and take account of its opinion about the continuation of such action;2. Instructs its President to forward this recommendation to the Council and, for information, to the Commission.