Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - The Commission's work Programme for 2002
Date: 2001-12-05
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European Commission, political programme

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 5.12.2001
COM(2001)620 final

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

THE COMMISSION'S WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2002

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

THE COMMISSION'S WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Assessment of progress in 2001................................................................................... 4

Outlook and challenges for 2002 ................................................................................. 7

Commission priorities for 2002 ................................................................................... 9

Actions linked to Commission priorities for 2002....................................................... 9

Conclusions................................................................................................................ 17

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INTRODUCTION

In the March 2000 White Paper “Reforming the Commission”, the Commission announced a
change in the way  that it would set its political  agenda,  so  as to re-centre  on core  activities
and objectives, improve delivery of policy priorities and further increase transparency towards
other European Union institutions, national parliaments and European citizens.

In 2001, the Commission introduced a new system of activity based management, which will
become  operational  in  2002.  This  established  a  complete  cycle  that  runs  from  policy
planning to execution.

In February 2001, the Commission adopted its first Annual Policy Strategy1. This set out the
main  political  priorities  that  will  receive  special  attention  in  2002,  defined  priority  actions,
and allocated corresponding resources. The Annual Policy Strategy provides the framework
for the preliminary draft budget and operational programming by the Commission’s services
in the form of annual management plans. These translate the Commission’s political steer into
actions, objectives and expected results at the level of internal programming by the services
and contain operational proposals for the Commission’s Work Programme.

The  conditions  and  nature  of  the  Commission  Work  Programme  have  therefore
changed. It used to be presented at the start of the year in question and was accompanied by a
long descriptive catalogue of legislative and other policy actions, not always  identified  with
political  priorities.  Following  the  logic  of  the  new  political  planning  process,  the  Work
Programme  has  now  become  a  political  instrument,  integrated  in  the  new  cycle  mentioned
above.  Through  the  Annual  Policy  Strategy  adopted  in  February  2001,  the  Commission  set
out its political priorities for 2002, and this Work Programme focuses on the major political
actions  through  which  the  Commission  intends  to  deliver  those  priorities.  The  new
Commission Work Programme therefore:

–  Assesses progress in the current year;

–  Identifies the political and economic context for the coming year;

–  Spells  out  the  political  priorities  for  the  year  to  come  on  the  basis  of  the  Annual  Policy

Strategy, but adapts these where necessary to reflect major new developments;

–  Highlights the main political actions for 2002, in particular those that translate the political
priorities for that year. It does not, however, attempt to provide a comprehensive picture of
Commission activity, much of which is ongoing work linked to the Commission’s Treaty
obligations.

1 SEC(2001)268 final of 21.2.2001

3

                                                
1. 

ASSESSMENT OF PROGRESS IN 2001

Towards the end of its second year in office, this Commission can report that it is broadly on
target  towards  meeting  the  strategic  objectives  defined  for  the  period  2000-20052.  Progress
has been achieved in all areas, notably on enlargement, relations with neighbouring countries,
creating a European area of freedom, security and justice (Tampere agenda) and pursuing the
strategic  goal  of  making  the  Union  the  world’s  most  competitive  and  dynamic  knowledge-
based  economy  by  the  end  of  the  decade  through  a  new  economic  and  social  agenda  (the
Lisbon strategy).

The  Commission  responded  swiftly  to  the  events  of  11  September,  contributing  to  the
European  Union’s  action  plan  in  a  range  of  areas,  including  through  proposals  to  combat
terrorism and organised crime, provide humanitarian assistance  and enhance  civil protection
and public health.

In  2001,  the  Commission  took  a  number  of  important  initiatives  within  its  4  strategic
objectives:

Promoting new forms of governance

(cid:1)  In July, the Commission adopted a White Paper on European governance and
launched  a  consultation  process  with  other  European  Union  institutions,  central
governments, regions, cities and civil society that will run until the end of March
2002.

(cid:1)  The  Commission’s  internal  reform  is  on  target,  with  the  adoption  in  2001  of,
amongst  other  measures,  the  Communication  implementing  activity  based
management, the package relating to personnel reform and the modified proposal
for  the  recasting  of  the  financial  regulation.  The  Commission  also  adopted  a
communication  launching  the  first  cross-cutting  strategic  evaluations  of  certain
Commission policies.

The new economic and social agenda

(cid:1)  The  Commission  monitored  and  co-ordinated  preparations  on  euro  notes  and
coins. In February, it also set out the key elements for a further strengthening of
economic policy co-ordination within the euro area.

(cid:1)  In  May,  the  Commission  adopted  a  proposal  for  a  sustainable  development
strategy  for  the  European  Union.  This  strategy  requires  dealing  with  economic,
social and environmental policies in a mutually reinforcing way.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  issued  a  Green  Paper  on  the  future  of  the  Common  Fisheries

Policy and launched a wide consultation with stakeholders on its reform.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  presented  a  series  of  proposals  to  advance  the  new  economic
and social agenda. In February, it adopted a strategy to create an internal market

2 COM(2000)154 final of 9.2.2000, available on http://europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm

4

                                                
in  services.  It  presented  several  proposals  implementing  the  Financial  Services
Action Plan. It also presented a White Paper on the Community transport policy.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  began  implementing  the  Union’s  social  policy  agenda  and  in
particular  launched  the  open  method  of  co-ordination  in  the  field  of  social
inclusion.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  adopted  the  second  report  on  cohesion  policy,  assessing  the
progress made in reducing disparities in development and launching the debate on
the future of cohesion policy.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  adopted  its  first  annual  work  programme  for  gender  equality,
based on the Community framework strategy on  gender  equality. This presented
the  Commission's  activities  to  promote  gender  equality  in  the  different  policy
areas.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  adopted  proposals  on  the  Framework  Programme  for
Research and Technological Development 2002-2006. In the framework of the
implementation  of  the  European  Research  Area,  it  launched  a  wide-ranging
dialogue  on  science  and  society.  These  measures  will  make  an  important
contribution to increasing innovation and competitiveness in line with the Lisbon
strategy,  re-inforcing  the  EU’s  sustainable  development  strategy  and  promoting
better governance.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  adopted  communications  on  comprehensive  strategies  for  the
EU’s future taxation policy and company taxation. It also adopted action plans
to increase administrative cooperation in the customs and taxation areas.

Stabilising our continent and boosting Europe’s voice in the world

(cid:1)  The  Union  made  substantial  progress  on  the  18  chapters  of  the  enlargement
negotiations that were foreseen in the  “road  map”  for  2001  and  is  on  target  for
completing the negotiations with up to ten candidate countries by the end of 2002,
if the present rate of progress is maintained.

(cid:1)  In the area of trade policy, the Commission contributed actively to the successful
launch of a new multilateral trade round (the Doha Development Agenda) at
the  World  Trade  Organisation’s  Ministerial  Conference  at  Doha  in  November.
Together  with  continuing  progress  in  other  bilateral  and  regional  negotiations,
notably  the EU-Mercosur trade talks, this should help  to  restore  confidence  in
the prospects for the global economy and address legitimate public concerns about
the  relationship  between  trade  liberalisation  and  regulation  or  rule-making,  and
between  globalisation  and  sustainable  development.  Both  multilateral  and
regional/bilateral  negotiations  offer  real  progress  in  terms  of  integrating
developing countries into the global economy.

(cid:1)  In  February,  the  Council  adopted  the  Commission’s  “Everything  but  Arms”
initiative,  granting  duty-free  and  quota-free  access  to  imports  from  least
developed  countries.  United  Nations  members  signed  up  to  the  objective  of
providing  similar  access  at  the  3rd  United  Nations  Conference  for  the  least
developed countries in May.

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(cid:1)  With  the  creation  of  the  EuropeAid  co-operation  office,  the  Commission  put  in
place  a  central  element  of  a  wide-ranging  reform  of  the  management  of  EU
external assistance programmes. With the aim of radically improving the speed
and  quality  of  our  assistance,  this  reform  should  contribute  to  the  visibility  and
effectiveness of the EU on the world stage.

(cid:1)  In  the  Western  Balkans,  the  Commission  continued  to  make  a  significant
contribution  to  reconstruction  and,  through  the  Stabilisation  and  Association
process,  to  underpinning  democratic,  economic  and  administrative  reforms
throughout  the  region.  The  Commission  made  a  strong  commitment  to  support
FRY in its formidable task of reform - both in financial terms and in kick starting
the  integration  process.  In  2001,  Stabilisation  and  Association  Agreements  were
signed  with  Croatia  and  the  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia,  and  the
Commission played a leading role in the EU effort to tackle the crisis in FYROM
during the course of the year.

(cid:1)  In the Mediterranean, the Commission accomplished significant progress in the
negotiation of association agreements which are the main pillars of the Barcelona
Process: the agreement with Egypt has been signed; and those with Lebanon and
Algeria are nearing conclusion. The Commission has also given strong support to
emerging  sub-regional  initiatives  between  Mediterranean  partners,  such  as  the
Agadir  Agreement  aiming  at  free  trade  area  between  Jordan,  Morocco,  Tunisia
and Egypt. In the Middle East, the Commission has given prompt and substantial
financial support to the Palestinian Authority as one of the key interlocutors of the
Middle East Peace Process.

(cid:1)  In  September  the  Commission  adopted  a  new  strategic  framework  to  strengthen
its  engagement  with  Asian  countries,  over  the  next  decade,  in  the  political  and
security  fields,  increase  trade  and  investments  relations  and  step  up  efforts  to
promote democracy and fight poverty in Asia.

A better quality of life for all

(cid:1)  The  Commission  played  a  key  role  in  contributing  to  the  European  Union’s
success  in  rescuing  the  Kyoto  Protocol  on  climate  change.  In  October,  the
Commission  adopted  a  package  of  proposals  to  ratify  the  Protocol  and  to
implement the Union’s commitments. Earlier in the year, the Commission adopted
proposals for the 6th Environmental Action Programme.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  presented  several  important  proposals  towards  creating  a
European  space  of  freedom,  security  and  justice.  As  well  as  the  important
measures  on  the  fight  against  terrorism,  these  included  draft  measures  on  the
definition  of  refugee  status  and  the  reception  of  asylum  seekers,  on  applying  an
open  method  of  coordination  on 
implementing  mutual
recognition of decisions in both civil and criminal matters, on common penalties
for  specific  forms  of  crime,  and  the  launch  of  a  consultative  paper  on  the
establishment of a european prosecutor.

immigration,  on 

(cid:1)  In  the  areas  of  consumer  protection,  public  health  and  food  safety,  the
Commission  presented  proposals  on  genetically  modified  organisms  to  enable
freedom  of  choice  and  ensure  environmental  safety,  issued  a  green  paper  on
consumer protection, proposed a regulation on sales promotion within the Internal

6

Market, and continued preparatory work for the launch of the new European Food
Authority.  It  also  developed  initiatives  to  counter  the  health  threats  due  to
terrorism, as requested by the European Council meeting at Ghent.

However,  much  work  remains  to  be  done.  In  many  areas,  the  Commission  has  delivered
proposals, but Council and the European Parliament have yet to take the necessary decisions.
There is an urgent need to address European citizens’ concerns about peace and security and
achieve timely progress on the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice. In the face
of unstable economic prospects, it is more important than ever to press ahead with structural
reforms of the European economy as well as to modernise and improve the European social
model. Final agreement should be sought rapidly on a priority reform package, covering the
Community  Patent,  the  procurement  package  and  key  elements  of  the  Financial  Services
Action Plan, such as pension funds, cross-border payments and international accounting.

In the external relations field, the European Union needs to continue to strengthen its relations
with  countries  around  the  Mediterranean  and  to  take  a  new  look  at  its  cooperation
programmes in Central Asia. The Union also needs to develop a fresh dialogue with the Arab
and Islamic world and to work more proactively with the UN, the US and other key partners
for peace in the Middle East. Each EU institution must play its full role in delivering progress
in all these areas.

2. 

OUTLOOK AND CHALLENGES FOR 2002

The  events  of  11  September  were  clearly  the  defining  moment  of  2001.  They  provided
spectacular  evidence  that  there  is  no  retreat  from  multilateral  cooperation,  highlighting  the
importance of  a common approach towards problems that  exceed  the  capacity  of any single
country.

The  European  Union’s  response  to  those  events  has  redefined  the  policy  landscape  in  a
number of areas.

It has brought home to citizens the value of a Union dedicated to promoting peace, prosperity
and democratic values; a Union that provides safe and secure living conditions for its citizens;
a  Union  with  an  emerging  European  identity  that  promotes  cultural  diversity  and  seeks  to
strengthen  inter-cultural  dialogue;  a  Union  that  shows  solidarity,  not  only  within  the  Union
itself but also as part of the global community.

In 2002, the Commission will play its full part in continuing to develop the Union’s response
to the security challenges that it faces.

Even  before  the  dramatic  events  of  11  September,  all  major  regions  in  the  world  were
experiencing  an  economic  slowdown.  These  events  and  subsequent  political  developments
have reinforced the uncertainty already being felt by markets, businesses and people in their
role  as  employees  and  consumers.  The  European  Union  economy  has  not  escaped  these
effects. However,  sound economic  fundamentals, a stable  environment  in the context  of  the
economic and monetary union and the arrival of the euro currency, mean that the conditions
for a recovery in 2002 exist, providing the international political and economic situation does
not deteriorate further.

Looking beyond the Union’s borders, among the key challenges will be the re-establishment
of peace, the promotion of reconciliation and the support to reconstruction in Afghanistan, as

7

well  as  the  continued  efforts  under  United  Nations  auspices  to  provide  an  international
response to the threat of terrorism. The EU will play a full role as one of the four co-chairs,
with  the  US,  Japan  and  Saudi  Arabia,  of  the  Afghan  Steering  Group,  working  to  bring
together  all  actors  and  to  mobilise  the  necessary  funds  from  the  international  donor
community.

Important external events on the multilateral agenda will be the UN Conference on Financing
for  Development  in  March  (Monterey),  the  launch  of  the  Global  Fund  to  fight  HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis  and  malaria  and  the  World  Summit  on  Sustainable  Development  in  September
(Johannesburg).  Likewise,  sustainable  development will  be  a  key  objective  of  the  European
Union in the trade negotiations launched at Doha.

Regarding  the  European  Union’s  near  neighbours,  2002  will  be  a  critical  year  for
enlargement. The Commission will help the Union  to  complete  negotiations  with  up  to ten
candidate  countries.  It  will  have  to  assess  whether  they  meet  the  economic  and  political
criteria  to  join  the  European  Union  and  can  implement  the  “acquis  communautaire”.
Moreover, the Commission will pursue the partnership with our Mediterranean partners
(Barcelona  process)  and  ensure  the  success  of  the  EuroMed  Ministerial  Conference  at
Valencia  in  April.  Furthermore,  the  Euro-Mediterranean  policy  will  have  to  be  part  of  a
broader, coherent and active policy aimed at all our neighbours, in an arc stretching through
Russia and Ukraine to the Mediterranean. In this context, there will be an opportunity later in
the year to take stock of progress on developing the Northern Dimension of EU policies. As
far as the Western Balkans are concerned, the Commission will continue working in support
of peace and reconstruction

Further  afield,  the  Commission  will  work  for  closer  relations  with  Latin  America,  notably
through the EU/Latin American Summit in May 2002, aiming to complete negotiations on a
free  trade  agreement  with  Chile  and  continuing  similar  negotiations  with  Mercosur.  In
September, the IVth Asia-Europe (ASEM) Summit of Heads of State and of Government will
be the occasion to enhance regional dialogue with our Asian partners.

Among  the  main  internal  events,  euro  banknotes  and  coins  will  be  issued  in  January,
thereby launching the final step of the changeover process and  at the same time marking an
historic  milestone  in  European  integration  to  be  accompanied  by  a  close  coordination  of
macroeconomic  policies  and  key  steps  in  finalising  the  common  market  in  the  financial
sector. The introduction of the single currency shows just how  far the European  project  has
matured  since  the  European  Coal  and  Steel  Treaty  50  years  ago  -  whose  expiry  will  be
commemorated in 2002.

The  Commission  believes  that  the  Union  can  build  confidence  by  pursuing  vigorously  the
European model of cooperation and integration both within the Union and with our associated
partners  and  neighbours.  The  Commission  will  focus  in  2002  on  maximising  the  beneficial
effects of the entry into circulation of the euro and optimising competitive conditions on the
Internal  Market.  It  will  pursue  the  strategic  goals  for  the  Union’s  new  economic  and  social
agenda  through  actions  and  concrete  decisions.  It  will  contribute  actively  to  the  spring
European  Council,  which  becomes  the  central  forum  issuing  guidance  to  coordinate  the
Union’s economic and social policy in the light of the objective of sustainable development.

The Commission will play its full part to seek substantial progress on the establishment of the
area  of  freedom,  security  and  justice.  Key  areas  for  2002  include  developing  the  second
phases  of  the  common  immigration  and  asylum  policies  and  implementing  the  mutual
recognition programmes in judicial cooperation, in addition to the security agenda.

8

In 2002, the Commission will conduct  the  mid-term  review of  the Common Agricultural
Policy,  propose  reform  of  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy  and  launch  the  independent
European Food Authority.

3. 

COMMISSION PRIORITIES FOR 2002

Against this background, the Commission confirms the six priorities initially identified in
the  Annual  Policy  Strategy  and  adds  security  to  its  political  priorities  for  2002.  The
priorities for 2002 are, therefore to:

–  Combat  terrorism  and  crime  and  promote  the  safety  and  security  of  European  citizens

through action within the Union as well as at the international level;

–  Ensure the successful launch of the euro and take the necessary accompanying structural

reform measures to consolidate economic and monetary union and the single market;

–  Implement the EU’s sustainable development strategy to aim for stable economic growth
and higher employment, coupled with social cohesion and environmental protection within
the Union and internationally;

–  Promote a new European governance;

–  Deliver concrete results on the EU’s enlargement negotiations by the end of 2002;

–  Re-inforce  Europe’s  relationship  with  its  close  neighbours  in  the  Mediterranean  region,

and

–  Stress  the  health  and  education  focus  of  the  EU’s  development  cooperation  policies,  as

part of the over-arching objective of combating poverty.

It is important to recall the rationale for the choice of these priorities. Europe has reached a
turning point where economic integration is very much a reality. The people of Europe are the
central element in taking a qualitative leap towards political integration. European integration
will move ahead if it places increased emphasis on the policies that respond most to citizens’
needs and expectations and if they are actively  involved in future stages of  integration. The
European  Union  must  also  assume  its  global  responsibilities,  contributing  to  peace,
international solidarity and sustainable development.

4. 

ACTIONS LINKED TO COMMISSION PRIORITIES FOR 2002

Safety and Security

The  European  Union  has  acted  with  speed  and  determination  following  the  events  of  11
September. The Commission  for its part is developing  a  comprehensive set  of  responses  on
the  diplomatic,  economic,  financial,  political  and  security  fronts.  This  priority  means
accelerating  work  to  combat  terrorism  and  crime  as  well  as  taking  appropriate  measures  to
enhance  European  citizens’  security,  including  transport  security  and  safety,  security  of
energy  supply,  civil  protection  and  public  health.  It  must  also  have  a  strong  external
component,  including  multilateral  cooperation,  concerted  action  in  Afghanistan  and  other
areas of tension, as well as readiness to respond to humanitarian crises.

The  Commission  will  monitor  the  evolving  economic  and  political  situation  and  respond
flexibly as the need arises.

9

Key actions:

(cid:1)  As part of the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice, the Commission will bring
forward a number of initiatives to fight terrorism and crime. These include measures to make
it  easier  for  authorities  to  fight  terrorism  and  to  combat  and  prevent  terrorist  funding,
including money laundering; and measures to reinforce the fight against organised crime and
terrorism, such as the extension of the mandate of Europol.

(cid:1)  The Commission will launch a new initiative focussing on the progressive development of an
integrated  border  management  system  for  effective  external  border  controls,  including
improved  consular  cooperation in  the field  of  visas.  This  is  important  for  all  Member  States
and border countries should not have to bear the responsibility alone.

(cid:1) 

In the area of internal policies, the Commission will implement the Communication on civil
protection  and  bio-terrorism,  which  it  adopted  in  November  2001  and  recommend  an
integrated EU strategy on prevention, preparedness and response to natural, man-made and
other risks.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  propose  further  measures  to  re-inforce  transport  security  and  safety,

especially with regard to air transport, road transport in tunnels and maritime safety.

(cid:1) 

In the area of energy security, the Commission will make proposals for action following the
conclusions  of  the  2001  debate  on  the  Green  Paper  “Towards  a  European  strategy  for  the
security  of  Energy  Supply”.  It  will  strengthen  the  EU-Russia  energy  dialogue  and  bilateral
relations with other key energy partners.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  present  concrete  measures  to  speed  up  ongoing  work  on  security  of
communication  networks,  including  increased  cooperation  mechanisms  at  the  EU  level  as
well as dialogue with third countries.

(cid:1) 

In  the  area  of  external  relations,  the  Commission  will  focus  on  developing  multilateral
cooperation  against  crime  and terrorism  with  key  partners.  The  broader  security  dimension
will also be factored into the EU's regional and bilateral co-operation programmes.

(cid:1)  An immediate priority will be to reinforce the EU's role in the continuing humanitarian aid
activities as well as the promotion of peace, reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Introduction of the euro, further economic and financial integration

In  January  2002,  euro  notes  and  coins  will  become  a  reality  for  290  million  Europeans,  as
well  as  for  businesses  and  citizens  of  other  countries  in  their  dealings  with  the  Euro  zone.
This unprecedented event is crucial not only for economic prosperity in Europe but also as a
tangible, everyday symbol of European integration.

Within the context of economic and monetary union, the Commission will make and enforce
proposals  aimed  at  strengthening  coordination  of  economic  policies,  as  this  is  a  crucial
element  in  ensuring  economic  stability  for  the  benefit  of  the  people  of  Europe.  Besides
strengthening the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, principles should be agreed by the euro
area Member States for the conduct of mainly budgetary policies as well as on how to respond
to unforeseen events.

With this in mind, the Commission notes the need to exploit fully the potential of the single
market.  It  also  notes  the  work  that  remains  to  be  done  in  the  area  of  financial  services  and
elimination  of  discriminatory  rules  in  Member  States’  tax  regimes,  as  well  as  other  tax
obstacles  to  the  proper  functioning  of  the  Internal  Market.  It  believes  that  convergence
leading towards increased integration is essential in these areas: obstacles to the circulation of

10

financial  flows  must  not  prevent  citizens  from  reaping  the  benefits  of  the  single  currency.
Furthermore, the Commission will improve the functioning of the internal market for  goods
and  services,  including  in  the  field  of  transport  and  energy.  It  will  reinforce  structural
reform efforts – and monitoring of their progress - with a view to strengthening the growth
potential of the Community.

Key actions:

(cid:1)  The Commission will evaluate the consequences of the changeover to the euro.
(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  present  a  proposal  for  a  code  of  conduct  that  sets  out  the  principles
underlying the economic policies of euro area Member States. This code of conduct will focus
initially  on  budgetary  policy  and  elaborate  on  other  economic  policies  which  increase  the
growth potential of the euro area and its capacity to respond to unforeseen events.

(cid:1)  The Commission will prepare regular euro area reports. These will stimulate a public debate
on  the  main  economic  issues  (inflation,  competitiveness,  budgetary  policies)  as  well  as  on
issues related to budgetary, monetary and structural policies.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  continue  to  pursue  the  Financial  Services  Action  Plan  (FSAP),
including an integrated securities market. It will conduct a mid-term review of the FSAP and
present  key  legislative  proposals  on  investment  services  and  banks.  It  will  also  present
proposals to improve the legal framework for e-commerce.

(cid:1)  Following the report of the Group of high-level experts on Company law, the Commission will

present a new proposal for a directive on take-over bids.

(cid:1)  The Commission will present proposals to combat counterfeiting and  piracy  in  the  Internal

Market.

(cid:1)  The Commission will pursue its  efforts  to  modernise  the  framework for  public procurement

and will present proposals to revise the directives on remedies.

(cid:1)  The Commission will work to secure adoption of the Savings Directive and reach agreement

on the rollback of harmful tax practices.

(cid:1)  The Commission will adopt a Communication on Consumer Policy Strategy and establish an
action plan designed to ensure that the introduction of the euro brings maximum benefits for
consumers.

(cid:1)  The Commission will, jointly with the Member States, come forward with concrete proposals
to develop quantitative targets so as to increase the momentum of improvement to the business
environment.  It  will  present  measures  in  the  context  of  the  European  Research  Area  to
strengthen private investment in research and development.

Sustainable development

Sustainable development is emerging as a truly cross-cutting priority for the European Union,
relevant  to  all  of  the  Commission’s  strategic  objectives  and  policies,  including  external
relations. Sustainable development helps to consolidate the prosperity of the Union and of its
citizens  without  risking  the  quality  of  life  of  future  generations.  The  Commission  will  take
forward  the  strategy  endorsed  at  the  Göteborg  European  Council  in  two  ways:  (i)  by
identifying its impact on European society and laying the foundations for a coherent approach
to sustainable development from  an  economic,  social  and  environmental  point  of  view;  and
(ii) by extending the strategy to include an external sustainable development dimension.

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The  task  involves  furthering  economic  and  social  cohesion  as  well  as  tackling  social
exclusion,  poverty  and  the  challenges  of  an  ageing  population.  This  will  be  applied  to  the
relevant Community policies and could serve as a global model. Furthermore, in the light of
the  BSE  and  other  crises,  animal  health  and  welfare,  food  production  and  food  safety  for
consumers  have  become  key  components  of  sustainable  development.  This  also  includes
developing an adequate capacity to respond to communicable disease threats.

Major reviews of  Community  policies  should  be  used  to  reconsider  the  fundamental  design
and  thrust  of  EU  policies  and  lead  to  significant  reorientation  of  the  policies  concerned  in
favour of sustainable development. The mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy
should  reflect  consumers’  concerns  about  wholesome  and  safe  foods.  It  should  promote
production methods which favour environmental protection and more efficient use of natural
resources  as  well  as  increasing  support  for  rural  development  within  the  agreed  existing
financial framework, while ensuring the economic viability of the farming sector  and taking
into account the social effects of adjustment on income. These efforts  will feed into a more
coherent and sustainable European model for food production and consumption. They will be
further supported by the launch of the new European Food Authority early in 2002.

Key actions:

(cid:1)  The Commission will ensure that all major proposals are consistent with the EU’s sustainable
development strategy. It is developing an impact assessment methodology to be applied to all
major policy proposals. The synthesis report for the Barcelona European Council will include
a  sustainable  development  dimension  for  the  first  time.  The  Commission  will  adopt  a
Communication on the external  dimension  of  sustainable development in  order to  complete
the strategy endorsed  at  Göteborg  and  in  preparation  for  the  World  Summit  on  Sustainable
Development.

Economic and social actions:

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  pursue  sustainable  development  through  the  Doha  Development
Agenda, the new trade negotiations launched in November 2001, particularly in the focus on
capacity-building in developing countries.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  review  the  Common  Agricultural  Policy  mid-way  through  the  2000-
2006  Financial  Perspectives.  It  will  continue  the  operational  integration  of  environmental
concerns into the Common Agricultural Policy.

(cid:1)  The Commission will present proposals to reform the Common Fisheries Policy.
(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  launch  the  new  Framework  Programme  for  Research  and
Technological Development, the main objectives of which are to help structure the European
Research Area and to concentrate actions on a limited number of priorities.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  present  a  Communication  for  a  Community  Strategy  on  health  and
safety at work. The objective is to reduce the number of accidents, deaths, injuries, ill health
and to encompass a higher well being at work over the next 5 years.

(cid:1)  The Commission will adopt an interim report on the future of cohesion policy in an enlarged

Union, taking forward the debate launched by the 2nd cohesion report in January 2001.

(cid:1)  The Commission will implement and assess the open method of coordination in employment,
re-inforce  it  in  the  field  of  social  exclusion  and  extend  it  to  pensions  in  the  context  of  an
ageing society.

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Quality of life actions:

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  take  a  range  of  actions  to  implement  the  6th  Environmental  Action
Programme  for  2001-2010.  The  Commission  will  produce  a  White  Paper  on  integrated
product policy to integrate the life-cycle approach into EU policies and a Green Paper on the
sustainable use and management of natural resources. It will also bring forward framework
legislation implementing the White Paper on Chemicals.

(cid:1)  The Commission will launch the independent European Food Authority and adopt a series of
food  safety  measures in  line  with  the  new  White  Paper  on  Food  Safety,  the  most  important
being to strengthen controls throughout the food and feed production chain. The Commission
will finalise the new multi-annual public health programme and begin its implementation, in
particular  as  regards  infectious  diseases  and  resistance  to  antibiotics,  as  set  out  in  the
Göteborg Conclusions.

(cid:1)  As set out in the Transport White Paper and as mandated by the Göteborg EU Council, the

Commission will develop an integrated transport approach.

New European governance

A  review  of  the  decision-making  process  and  the  way  the  EU’s  institutions  function  is
necessary in order to overcome the increasing alienation of citizens with regard to Europe and
to  re-inforce  democratic  legitimacy.  This  raises  the  need  for  new  European  governance,
involving  all  relevant  actors,  which  is  a  major  priority  in  enabling  an  enlarged  Union  to
function effectively for the good of its people.

Since the Commission set its Annual Policy Strategy for 2002, it has adopted a White Paper
on governance and launched a wide-ranging debate on how to improve governance in the EU.
The  Commission  will  concentrate  on  the  operational  follow-up  to  the  White  Paper  on
governance once the public consultation period ends in March and will ensure that its action
is more transparent, responsible and effective.

In addition to implementing the White Paper’s proposals, governance entails following up the
Nice European Council, in particular promoting and facilitating the "Debate on the future of
the  Union",  and  preparing  the  Commission's  substantive  contributions  to  the  Convention
which  will  lay  the  groundwork  for  the  next  Inter-Governmental  Conference,  as  well  as
implementing regulatory simplification.

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 Key actions:

(cid:1)  The Commission will analyse responses to the public consultation on its Governance White
Paper  and  implement  the  necessary  actions  and  subsequently  present  a  report.  Before  June
2002, the Commission will propose a detailed Action Plan on better regulation and regulatory
simplification.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  submit  contributions  to  the  Convention  preparing  the  ground  for  the

next inter-governmental conference and to the debate on the Future of Europe.

(cid:1) 

In relation to the Convention, the Commission will make proposals aiming to inform national
parliaments  better  about  Community  legislative  proposals,  so  that  they  can  perform  their
function of political guidance and control at the national level.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  continue  to  pursue  its  own  internal  reforms,  implementing  decisions
already taken, and will review overall progress on reform and administrative simplification by
the end of the year.

(cid:1)  The Commission will introduce a new enforcement system to ensure more effective application

of anti-trust competition rules.

(cid:1)  The Commission will present proposals to simplify and streamline rules on mutual recognition

of professional qualifications.

(cid:1)  The Commission will pursue timely implementation of the e-Europe 2002 action plan. It will
also present proposals for future EU initiatives to consolidate the move towards an inclusive
eSociety.

Enlargement

Enlargement  is  the  most  visible  political  expression  of  the  importance  the  Commission
attaches  to  the  People's  Europe.  Although  this  is  the  fifth  enlargement  in  the  history  of  the
European Community, its scale is much bigger than those that have gone before.

The year 2002 will be crucial to this process, as the terms and conditions for the accession of
the first new Member States will have to be established in that year. This objective can only
be  met  if  the  Commission's  efforts  over  recent  years  are  further  consolidated  and  focus  on
concluding negotiations with those applicant countries that meet all of the accession criteria.

In 2002, the Commission will increase the tempo of its work on enlargement. The main tasks
-  involving  virtually  all  parts  of  the  Commission  -  will  be  to  conclude  membership
negotiations with those countries which are ready. In particular, the Commission will present,
within a  common  financial  framework,  proposals  in  the  field  of  agriculture,  regional  policy
and  budget  on  the  basis  of  the  existing  acquis  and  the  principles  inherent  in  the  Berlin
agreement.  The  Commission  will  monitor  implementation  of  the  acquis  communautaire,
develop  an  action  plan  to  analyse  and  support  institution-building  efforts  in  candidate
countries,  ensure  that  candidate  countries  can  and  do  in  practice  participate  in  Community
programmes, agencies and committees (essential for integrating the future Member States and
familiarising  them  with  the  Community's  working  methods),  actively  prepare  the  ground  to
welcome  the  future  Member  States  within  the  European  Union's  structures,  and  manage
bilateral relations during the pre-accession phase. The Commission will also actively pursue
negotiations with candidates  that will not be ready to join the  EU  in  2004.  To  this  end,  the
Commission  will  set  out  an  updated  road  map  and,  if  necessary,  a  revised  pre-accession
strategy.

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Key actions:

(cid:1)  The Commission will finalise Draft Common Positions on all chapters of the negotiations by
mid-2002,  notably  on  the  major  outstanding  issues  of  agriculture,  structural  funds  and  the
budget,  based  on  the  agreed  common  financial  framework.  It  will  prepare  the  enlargement
strategy  paper  for  2002  and  submit  progress  reports  to  the  Council.  The  Commission  will
assess  candidate  countries’  capacity  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  EU  membership  and
implement a communication strategy in order to inform the public and opinion leaders in the
EU and candidate countries about enlargement.

(cid:1) 

In the framework of an action plan, the Commission will analyse by early 2002 with each of
the candidate countries their ongoing efforts for institution-building and, if necessary, their
intention to re-inforce them, with a supplementary institution-building facility under the Phare
programme.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  continue  to  ensure  that  the  pre-accession  instrument  for  structural
policies (ISPA) brings tangible benefits to citizens in candidate countries through environment
and  transport  infrastructure  projects.  It  will  also  continue  to  assist  candidate  countries  to
make  the  special  accession  programme  for  agriculture  and  rural  development  (SAPARD)
fully operational in order to deliver targeted support and tackle the delays incurred so far in
this area.

(cid:1)  The Commission will support integration of the candidate countries by progressively opening

further programmes to them, such as the Culture 2000 and Media Plus programmes.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  continue  work  on  the  financial,  administrative  and  linguistic

preparations for enlargement in a multi-annual perspective.

Mediterranean

The European Union must forge  closer links  with its  immediate  neighbours,  with  a  view  to
achieving  peace,  stability,  democracy  and  prosperity,  and  is  prepared  to  provide  practical
support to that end. The Mediterranean therefore deserves to be a priority for 2002. While the
Barcelona  process  has  created  a  new  spirit  of  partnership  between  the  Union  and  its
immediate neighbours in the southern and eastern Mediterranean, it has not yet fully lived up
to  expectations.  Further  impetus  is  needed  to  reinforce  the  strategy  and  instruments  of  the
Barcelona process. In this respect, the accent will be placed on three large axes: accelerating
negotiation of Association Agreements, developing South-South cooperation and exchanges,
and gradually creating a functioning Euro-Med market.

Collaboration between Europe and the  Mediterranean countries  cannot be  solely  political or
economic. We shall initiate a new, broad-based cultural dialogue in the Mediterranean region:
a dialogue to oppose any possibility of conflict between civilisations.

The Commission will strengthen its efforts in the field of justice and home affairs cooperation
(in particular migration, judicial cooperation, fight against organised crime and terrorism) and
in  social,  cultural  and  human  affairs.  Meda  programmes  will  be  improved  to  provide
increased focus on the Association process, better coordination and speedier delivery.

Key actions:

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  adopt  a  Communication  on  ways  to  improve  the  functioning  of  the
Barcelona Process in preparation for the Euro-Med Ministerial meeting at Valencia in April
2002.

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(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  bring  forward  proposals  to  adapt  the  working  methods  of  the  Euro-
Mediterranean  Partnership,  in  particular  to  provide  for  more  operational  and  frequent
political dialogue on regional and international issues.

(cid:1)  The Commission will consider ways to stimulate investment and joint development projects
in the Mediterranean, for example by studying the need for and feasibility of a new Bank or
other financing mechanism building on the European Investment Bank

(cid:1)  The Commission will seek to conclude the negotiation of EUROMED association agreements

with Algeria, Lebanon and Syria.

(cid:1)  The Commission will launch a regional programme to support the creation of a functioning,
harmonised Euro-Med market and will provide support for the development of free trade and
integration among the Mediterranean partners.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  deepen  cooperation  with  EUROMED  partners  on  justice  and  home
affairs  and  will  propose  launching  the  EuroMed  Youth  II  programme  and  extending  the
TEMPUS  programme  for  university  cooperation  to  Mediterreanean  partners.  It  will  also
encourage the development of transport and energy infrastructure, and work for the adoption
of a strategy for environmental integration at the second Euro-Med Ministerial Conference on
the environment.

(cid:1)  The Commission will work with Mediterranean partners to improve available information and
statistics  as  part  of  ongoing  cooperation  on  legal  migration  and  to  combat  illegal
immigration. It will study various possible solutions, including the possibility of establishing a
mechanism for regular monitoring of migration flows.

(cid:1)  The Commission will continue streamlining its management of the MEDA Programme so as
to improve the level of implementation, speed up delivery and raise the quality of assistance
provided.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  propose,  in  the  framework  of  the  reform  of  the  Common  Fisheries
Policy,  an  action  plan  for  strengthened  fisheries  management  in  the  Mediterranean  sea,
involving measures and initiatives for both Community and international waters.

(cid:1) 

In close cooperation with the Council, the Commission will continue efforts to re-inforce the
EU’s role in the Middle East Peace Process, including through dialogue and specific support
to the parties.

Development cooperation

The priority given to development cooperation is fully in line with the concept of sustainable
development,  which  contains  components  essential  to  self-development.  In  2002,  the
Commission will further develop and strengthen its policy and strategies to focus better on
the six priority areas expressed in the EU’s development policy including in the areas of
education and health. In doing this, the Commission will strengthen  its  contribution  to the
agreed international development goals.

To  achieve  this,  the  Commission  will  strengthen  policy  formulation  and  programming
capacity in these  areas,  and will apply major  Community  instruments  such  as  the  European
Development  Fund  to  this  end.  In  addition,  the  new  Cotonou  partnership  framework  with
countries  in  the  African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific  regions  has  the  central  objective  of  poverty
reduction and its ratification in 2002 will be an important priority.

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The Commission will also take a leading role in discussions on international action to ensure
that the benefits of the information society spread to developing countries.

The Commission will further pursue its efforts to reform the management of external aid, with
a  special  emphasis  on  the  deconcentration  of  management  and  decision-making  to  the
Delegations in partner countries.

Key actions:

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  focus  its  efforts  on  the  six  priority  areas  defined  in  the  EU’s

development policy statement, including in the areas of health and education.

(cid:1)  The Commission will propose several new sectoral policy frameworks in relation to poverty,

including for health and education.

(cid:1)  The Commission will implement the programme of action aimed at decreasing the spread of
communicable diseases, propose a new regulation for this purpose and contribute to the new
Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  present  proposals  for  the  EU’s  position  at  the  UN  Conference  on

Financing for Development (March 2002).

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  propose  a  new  regulation  on  cooperation  aid  to  Asian  and  Latin
American countries, improving the effectiveness of financial programmes and giving priority
to improving access to education and health.

(cid:1)  The  Commission  will  promote  ratification  of  the  Cotonou  Agreement  in  2002.  Within  the
Cotonou Agreement, the  Commission  will  establish  an  action  plan to  develop  private sector
initiatives that fight poverty and strengthen health and education. It will begin negotiations on
Economic  Partnership  Agreements  with  ACP  countries  and  regions  in  September  2002  on
the basis of a mandate from the Council.

(cid:1)  The Commission will pursue management reform of EU external assistance.

5. 

CONCLUSIONS

2002  marks  the  halfway  stage  for  the  present  Commission.  After  two  years  in  office,  it  is
broadly  on  target  towards  meeting  the  strategic  challenges  that  it  set  at  the  start  of  its
mandate.

The enlargement process, which is our historic task, is on track. The Commission is pursuing
fundamental  economic  reforms  designed  to  make  the  European  Union  the  world’s  most
competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by the end of the decade. Coupled with
the introduction of the euro, this will radically change the face of Europe.

The  Commission  is  achieving  a  complete  overhaul  of  the  way  it  does  business:  politically,
financially  and  administratively.  These  changes  should  also  improve  cooperation  with  the
Council  and  the  European  Parliament,  not  least  in  improving  the  coherence  of  the  EU’s
strategic priorities.

In the meanwhile, there are growing concerns that Europe could become aloof from European
citizens’  immediate  concerns.  So  this  Work  Programme  focuses  on  political  priorities  that
will bring real improvements for citizens and place them at the centre of policy. For instance,
governance  is  about  connecting  citizens  better  to  Europe’s  decision-making,  sustainable

17

development  is  about  reconciling  the  economic,  social  and  environmental  needs  of  present
and future generations.

Needless to say, the events of 11 September have dramatically re-inforced the need to show
how Europe can respond to the most essential needs of its citizens, that of guaranteeing their
quality of life, including peace and security. It has highlighted the core European values, and
Europe’s  responsibilities  to  help  foster  peace  and  development  abroad.  This  reflects  the
expectations  that  Europe’s  citizens  and  the  wider  international  community  now  have  as  to
Europe playing a full and effective role in international crisis management and resolution.

This  is  the  sense  of  the  Work  Programme  for  2002.  And  this  is  how  the  Commission’s
achievements should be assessed at the end of 2002.

18