Commission Work Programme for 2005 - Communication from the President  in agreement with Vice-President Wallström
Date: 2005-01-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU policy, European Commission, European Constitution, economic policy, enlargement of the Union

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 26.1.2005 
COM(2005) 15 final 

COMMISSION WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2005 

Communication from the President  
in agreement with Vice-President Wallström 

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I 

INTRODUCTION 

2005 will be a pivotal year for the European Union. Europe needs to create more growth 
and  jobs  by  injecting  new  vigour  into  the  Lisbon  strategy;  it  needs  to  provide  the  means  to 
support  prosperity,  solidarity  and  security  through  agreement  on  the  Financial  Perspectives; 
and it needs to enhance citizens' freedom, security and justice on a European scale through the 
implementation  of  the  Hague  programme.  Key  decisions  must  be  taken  which  will  have  a 
direct impact on the future of the enlarged Union. At the same time, the Constitution serves as 
a reminder to the Union of why it is here and where it is going. The European Commission 
has a central role to drive this agenda forward and intends to pursue these goals with energy 
and determination. 

The following features of the 2005 political climate are of particular significance: 

•  Economic  Growth  in  Europe  is  stuck  at  a  little  over  2%.  This  is  not  enough  to  tackle 
unemployment and reflects broader weaknesses in Europe’s ability to be competitive and 
to promote the key drivers of growth. 

•  Ratification  of  the  Constitution  will  spark  intense  political  debate  in  Member  States 
across the Union. This debate, like any debate on the future of the Union, will clearly be 
the  source  of  opposing  views;  but  it  will  also  offer  an  opportunity  to  enhance  public 
understanding of the Union. 

•  The negotiations on the Financial Perspectives give the Union an opportunity to ensure 
that  one  of  the  key  tools  at  its  disposal,  the  EU  budget,  is  directed  to  maximise  the 
effectiveness of the Union’s output in accordance with its objectives; 

•  2005 will be a crucial year to ensure proper functioning of the newly enlarged Union. 

This  legislative  and  Work  Programme  (hereafter  the  Work  Programme)  concentrates  on  the 
contribution  of  the  Commission  as  the  body  responsible  for  articulating  the  common 
European interest and giving policy direction to the work of the Union. From the early days of 
the  European  project,  the  Commission’s  right  of  initiative  has  been  instrumental  in 
galvanising the Union to act in pursuit of common goals. 

The Work Programme accompanies the proposal for the Strategic Objectives for 2005-2009. 
It is the first opportunity for the new Commission to help set out a direction for Europe for the 
next five years. It lays out how and where the Commission will act in pursuit of strategic 
priorities over the coming year, in respect of both new and ongoing actions. Annexed to the 
text is a list of key new actions. 

The Commission takes a new approach to its Work Programme this year: 

•  The work programme is more politically focused. 

•  Particular  attention  is  given  to  implementation.  The  Commission  is  fully  committed  to 

delivering on the priority proposals listed in Annex I in the course of the year. 

•  There  should  be  a  real  emphasis  on  delivering  through  the  highest  standards  of  delivery 
and  better  regulation.  Section  III  of  the  Work  Programme  lays  out  the  Commission’s 
intentions in more detail. 

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The Work Programme also serves the purpose of helping all the EU institutions to plan their 
work effectively. Since it sets out only the priorities amongst the Commission’s new actions, 
the  other  institutions  will  also  receive  a  full  list  of  any  other  acts  aimed  at  the  inter-
institutional  process  over  the  next  year.  This  reflects  a  welcome  trend  towards  the 
coordination  of  the  institutions’  work  –  a  point  highlighted  by  the  European  Parliament  in 
approving  the  new  Commission.  The  Constitution  will  offer  the  logical  next  step  by 
foreseeing  a  multi-annual,  inter-institutional  programme  offering  the  Union  a  common 
strategic  vision.  The  Strategic  Objectives  2005-2009  proposed  in  parallel  to  this  Work 
Programme by the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council as a joint basis 
for the work of the institutions is inspired by the provisions of the Constitution. 

II 

THE COMMISSION’S PRIORITIES FOR 2005 

In February last year,  the Annual  Policy  Strategy  for  2005 set out the priorities for  action 
over the next year, and the key initiatives required to make these a reality.  

The adoption of the Annual Policy Strategy each year provides an opportunity for an inter-
institutional dialogue on the priorities for the year to come. The European Parliament and the 
Council  examine  the  Commission’s  proposals  in  depth,  and  make  suggestions  for  change. 
These reactions are pulled together in a stocktaking exercise which allows the priorities and 
key initiatives to be reworked as required; and fed through into the Work Programme. 

Due  to  the  institutional  changeover  in  2004,  a  lighter  procedure  than  usual  was  adopted  for 
the  dialogue  with  the  European  Parliament.  In  April,  the  priorities  identified  by  the 
Commission received general support, with an additional focus on security in the wake of the 
terrorist  attacks  in  Madrid.  Council  conclusions  welcomed  the  priorities  and  asked  that  the 
conclusions of the Spring European Council should be fully factored in. 

The views of the institutions have been taken fully into account as the Work Programme has 
been developed. In particular, the Commission shares the overarching objective of prosperity 
and sustainable development. It noted: 

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•  a strong emphasis on the real implementation of the Lisbon strategy; 

•  a particular focus on security, with the need to manage the enlarged EU’s external borders, 
to  have  a  common  approach  towards  migratory  flows,  and  to  extend  efforts  to  fight 
terrorism; 

•  strong  support  for  an  ambitious  Neighbourhood  Policy  and  for  a  vigorous  development 

agenda. 

The  fruits  of  this  dialogue,  and  the  exchanges  with  the  other  institutions  since  the  new 
Commission  came  into  office,  have  come  together  with  the  development  of  the  Strategic 
Objectives to highlight the key priorities for 2005: 

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– 

– 

The central objective is to enhance prosperity through a new momentum for growth 
and employment, based on stronger competitiveness. 

The  separate  objectives  of  solidarity  and  security  will  be  pursued  as  essential 
complements to prosperity. 

Strengthened  by  its  new  continental  legitimacy,  the  Union  will  project  its  internal 
objectives through enhanced external responsibility. 

European citizens expect and deserve the European Union to play its part in improving their 
quality of life.  

A key factor to turn  this perspective into reality is the overarching objective of sustainable 
development.  The  European  model  is  founded  on  the  principle  that  actions  that  promote 
competitiveness,  growth  and  jobs,  as  well  as  economic  and  social  cohesion  and  a  healthy 
environment reinforce each other. Tackling climate change, for example, is a prerequisite for 
sustainable growth. 

For citizens, freedom, security  and justice are at the heart of their concerns. The November 
2004  European  Council  adopted  the  Hague  Programme,  which  opens  up  a  new  stage  in  the 
development of an area of freedom, security and justice and serves as a detailed programme 
of action. 

Finally,  if  the  European  Union  is  to  be  closer  to  its  citizens,  it  also  has  a  responsibility  to 
communicate  effectively.  This  was  recognised  in  the  November  2004  European  Council 
which  welcomed  the  Commission’s  intention  to  present  a  comprehensive  Communication 
strategy. 

Key on-going cross-cutting actions 

•  Negotiating the contribution of the next Financial Perspectives and its underlying policies 

to the objectives of the Union 2007-2013.  

•  Guaranteeing the smooth functioning of the enlarged Europe and the full application of the 

policies and rules within all the Member States 

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The following sections summarise: 

•  the key goals under each objective; 

•  a summary of the actions planned for adoption under each priority; 

•  a  summary  of  other  key  ongoing  Commission  activities  which  will  contribute  to  the 

priorities in 2005.   

II.1 

Prosperity 

An upturn in economic growth is the central policy objective of the Commission. This means 
stepping up support for key drivers of growth like research and innovation; and tackling needs 
sector by sector, with a special focus on services. A new impetus to the European dimension 
of competitiveness will be given through the mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy. The 
Spring European Council in March offers an opportunity for the EU and the Member States to 
make real progress towards improving the competitiveness of the European model as the route 
to  prosperity,  employment,  cohesion  and  environmental  protection.  But  without  prejudging 
the  results  of  the  review,  the  work  of  the  Commission  to  pave  the  way  towards  a  renewed 
Lisbon strategy can be made concrete through a series of precise actions seeking to address 
some of the key determinants of a successful growth policy. 

•  A sound macroeconomic framework is essential to the health of an economy. Reforming 
the  Stability  and  Growth  Pact  will  help  to  ensure  that  stability  is  assured  through  a 
renewed agreement on the rules governing the Pact. 

•  The costs of poor infrastructure to the European economy are huge. The Trans-European 
Network  needs  to  build  on  the  Growth  Initiative  by  ensuring  that  significant  extra 
resources are matched by new measures to make the networks more operational and more 
coordinated.  More  transparency  in  the  energy  market  would  also  help  to  ensure  better 
security of energy supply. 

•  A new generation of research programmes will propose a step change to narrow the gap 
between Europe’s research effort and its major competitors. The EU budget should make a 
much greater contribution to the agreed goal of 3% of GNP devoted to research. Research 
programmes  should  focus  on  areas  where  the  EU  can  offer  real  added  value:  promoting 
excellence and fostering collaboration on a European basis, ensuring the research potential 
of  Europe  as  a  whole  is  realised,  and  offering  economies  of  scale,  effectiveness  and 
simplification. Creating a knowledge economy in the  EU  also  means  achieving  the  EU’s 
goals for lifelong learning. 

•  Innovation and entrepreneurship are also critical to growth and job creation. The Union 
needs  to  stimulate  these  goals  by  pursuing  policies  to  catalyse  innovation  and 
entrepreneurship  and  by  complementing  Member  State  action.  A  climate  of  innovation 
needs  to  be  fostered  which  goes  beyond  technological  innovation  to  embrace  new  ways 
forward  in  areas  like  distribution,  marketing  and  design.  Europe  can  build  on  its  leading 
edge in areas like eco-innovation to offer a real stimulus to growth and competitiveness. 

•  The  European  business  environment  needs  to  be  more  encouraging  to  companies 
wishing  to  seek  out  new  opportunities.  A  properly  functioning  Internal  Market  is  an 

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essential  prerequisite  to  growth  and  competitiveness.  For  the  real  benefits  of  the  Single 
Market to be exploited to the full, barriers need to be removed in key sectors like financial 
services  and  energy.  Efficient  markets  and  incentives  to  investment  and  innovation  are 
crucial elements to achieve growth and job creation: effective competition is one of the key 
stimulants  to  this  end.  Environmental  technologies  can  boost  the  productivity  and 
competitiveness  of  European  business.  A  wider  adoption  of  Information  and 
Communication  Technologies  will  boost  growth  by  raising  productivity,  opening  new 
markets  and  improving  public  services.  A  new  comprehensive  strategy  will  be  proposed 
for the European Information Society up to 2010.Tax policy needs to make life easier for 
companies  and  avoid  the  risk  of  double  taxation.  But  such  action  will  only  be  effective 
alongside  better  implementation  of  internal  market  legislation  and  a  reduction  in  the 
regulatory  burden.  Proper  procedures  and  remedies  are  required  to  ensure  that  rules  on 
public procurement, copyright and industrial property are applied. 

Key ongoing actions 

•  Turning the Growth Initiative into concrete actions, in particular in infrastructure 
•  Advancing preparation of the international fusion energy initiative (ITER) 
• 
•  Development of a European policy on space 
• 

Final year for the Financial Services Action Plan 2000-05 

Further development of policy in key Internal Market areas such as public procurement 
(defence and public-private partnerships), intellectual property and financial services 
(clearing and settlement) 
Promoting better economic governance and strengthening the capacity for monitoring 
the macroeconomic and fiscal situation 

• 

II.2 

Solidarity  

Solidarity is a cornerstone of European citizenship: 

•  The social dimension of the goal of creating more and better jobs needs to be promoted 
through  a  new  Social  Policy  Agenda  to  cover  the  next  five  years.  Specific  work  is  also 
required to combat discrimination and promote gender equality, encourage labour mobility, 
anticipate  the  problems  associated  with  restructuring,  and  to  launch  a  debate  on  how  to 
tackle the problem of the Union’s ageing population. 

•  The  benefits  of  growth  must  touch  all  parts  of  the  Union  to  be  effective.  This  means 
refocusing and reworking cohesion policy to ensure that resources are directed not only to 
regions  of  greatest  need,  but  also  to  sectors  which  can  offer  the  best  growth  potential  to 
promote  competitiveness  at  regional  level.  At  the  same  time,  policies  in  areas  like 
information technology can help to address exclusion by increasing access. 

•  Being a European Citizen implies participating in partnership. Citizenship entails measures 
to  nurture  inter-cultural  diversity  in  Europe  and  beyond,  and  to  stimulate  active  civic 
participation  within  the  Union.  A  particular  focus  on  youth  would  help  to  reflect  the 
disparate  interests  of  this  group.  In  addition,  regulation  of  the  audio-visual  sector  needs 
updating following the recent consultation. 

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The sustainability of our environment and our natural resources has long been acknowledged 
as a priority for the EU and is part of the solidarity between generations: 

•  The  environmental  challenges  facing  Europe  need  a  coordinated  EU-wide  response. 
Thematic  strategies  are  a  new  approach  to  environmental  policy  to  maximise  the  inter-
linkages within and between environment and other sectoral policy areas. They have been 
designed to ensure that all aspects of policy can be taken into account and a varied menu of 
responses can be used to deal with resource use, waste, pesticides, air, soil, and the urban 
and marine environments. The EU must also ensure that the environmental and social costs 
of different transport choices is made more transparent, and give further encouragement to 
renewable  energy.  But  it  must  also  look  ahead:  we  should  already  be  considering  what 
strategies will be required to tackle climate change into the next decade. Planning now to 
adapt to climate change, including new initiatives to enhance energy efficiency, will help 
businesses and citizens to adapt and to mitigate future hazards. 

•  Reforms  to  the  Common  Agricultural  Policy  and  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy  have 
already  paved  the  way  for  a  more  sustainable  management  of  natural  resources, 
increased  competitiveness  through  more  market  orientation  in  line  with  the  Lisbon 
strategy, and enhanced support for vulnerable communities. This work needs to be spread 
into  new  areas,  such  as  a  new  phase  in  sugar  reform  and  adaptation  of  the  banana 
legislation.  A  new  strategy  will  offer  an  EU-wide  coherence  to  rural  development  and 
promote  growth  and  prosperity  for  rural  areas.  Simplified  and  improved  governance  of 
fisheries  policy  should  come  through  consolidating  action  in  a  single  instrument. 

Key ongoing actions 

•  Launching  of  the  new  system  for  emissions  trading  and  implementation  of  the  Kyoto 

Agreement 

•  First year of implementation of Common Agricultural Policy reform with the introduction 

of the single farm payment  

•  Paving the way for a Maritime policy for the Union 
•  Implementation of the EU Biodiversity Plan 

II.3 

Security for European citizens 

Security  is  one  of  the  primary  expectations  of  European  citizens.  Action  in  the  area  of 
freedom,  security  and  justice  commands  a  strong  consensus.  Risks  from  health  or 
environmental  crises  increasingly  assume  a  pan-European  dimension.  Action  will  be  spread 
between the different elements of policy: 

•  The  free  movement  of  persons  within  the  Union  requires  a  common  approach  to 
border control, asylum and immigration. Common rules on legal migration and return 
procedures would offer a level playing field for potential immigrants; and it is necessary to 
collect  the  data  required  to  target  policy  effectively.  But  border  control  is  costly,  and 
Member  States  facing  disproportionate  obligations  should  have  the  load  lightened  by  a 
system of burden sharing. 

•  The  threat  to  security  in  a  borderless  Europe  must  be  faced  by  a  coordinated 
response. Operational cooperation against terrorism and organised crime, as well as better 

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use of intelligence, would plug some of the gaps. Communication would also be enhanced 
by  better  networking  of  national  authorities,  and  by  common  access  to  criminal  records. 
Cooperation  between  transport  police  also  flows  logically  from  a  unified  transport 
network. The Union also has security responsibilities with effects beyond its borders, such 
as effective customs and other controls on dual-use goods. 

•  Access to justice must be reinforced. This can be tackled by cooperation between judicial 
authorities, and by spreading the area of justice to embrace issues like divorce settlements, 
maintenance obligations, successions and wills. At the same time, individual rights must be 
protected and the Union should look ahead to the proposed incorporation of the Charter of 
Fundamental Rights into the Constitution. 

•  The EU needs mechanisms in place to respond rapidly to crisis and to improve the safety 
for its citizens. Maritime and road safety, as well as air transport safety and security 
require response at EU level. Radioactive waste needs to be well managed. Health is also 
an area where coordination and exchange of best practice can bring direct benefits to the 
citizen. Most of the food safety rules have already been put in place, but their application 
must  be  enhanced  by  training  and  better  controls  and  they  need  updating  in  the  light  of 
scientific evolution and consumer needs. Consumers need both proper protection in areas 
like additives, and proper information about welfare standards in food production. Animal 
health  and  welfare  rules  also  need  updating  to  reflect  new  scientific  knowledge  and 
enhance welfare and health protection. 

•  Security  of  energy  supply  should  be  promoted  through  reducing  long-term  dependency 

on oil and gas imports. 

Key ongoing actions 

•  Ensuring food safety and phytosanitary controls as well as harmonised verification of the 

health of imported animals and the safety of imported food and feed 

•  Preparing a new initiative on security research 
•  Preparation  of 

the  second  phase  of 

the  Common  Asylum  System  (including 

implementation of European Refugee Fund II) 

•  Strengthening common visa policy and security of travel documents 
•  Stepping up the fight against terrorism by reinforcing EU networks and capabilities 

II.4 

EXTERNAL PRIORITIES 

The new dimension of the Union after enlargement suggests a pressing need to put in place 
a stable, comprehensive political framework with the neighbouring countries of the south and 
the  east:  implementation  of  this  second  sphere  of  prosperity  and  stability  is  the  central 
external priority. This needs full implementation of the Union’s new neighbourhood policy. 
At  the  same  time,  the  stabilisation  and  association  process  should  remain  the  policy 
cornerstone for the countries of the Western Balkans, and the accession process will continue 
with the pre-accession strategy and opening of negotiations with Turkey and an active phase 
of negotiation with Croatia.  

The  enlarged  Union  can  and  must  also  assume  greater  global  responsibility.  The 
Commission  needs  to  play  a  greater  role  in  promoting  sustainable  development  worldwide, 
notably  through  the  Millennium  Development  Goals,  and  to  take  a  lead  in  multilateral 

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governance  and  UN  reform.  The  Union’s  integrated  commercial  policy  and  its  vital  role  in 
promoting development will lead it to take on greater responsibility in multilateral institutions 
like  the  World  Trade  Organisation.  A  coherent  set  of  instruments  and  their  improved 
coordination will strengthen the ability of the Union to respond effectively to civilian crisis or 
post-conflict situations. The rapid deployment of humanitarian aid in the wake of the Tsunami 
disaster  illustrated  the  contribution  that  the  effective  and  rapid  deployment  of  EU 
humanitarian  aid  and  other  assistance  can  make  to  delivering  on  the  EU’s  global 
responsibilities.  One  other  way  to  achieve  maximum  leverage  for  the  action  of  the  Union 
worldwide is by making maximum use of the external dimension of its internal policies. 

Following the longer-term goals laid out in the strategic objectives, the Commission intends 
to  give  special  attention  in  2005  to  action  in  two  spheres:  relations  with  its  immediate 
neighbourhood, and the imperative for development exemplified by Africa. 

•  The  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  will  share  the  benefits  of  the  EU’s  enlargement 
with neighbouring countries in strengthening stability, security and prosperity. In 2005, the 
Commission  will extend to new neighbouring countries tailored action plans establishing 
targets  on  the  full  range  of  political,  economic  and  social  issues,  acting  as  a  catalyst  for 
economic  and  political  reform.  For  the  Mediterranean,  the  Barcelona  process  will  be 
reviewed  and  reworked  to  ensure  that  it  remains  the  most  efficient  instrument  for 
partnership  and  dialogue,  and  offers  a  regional  perspective  within 
the  overall 
neighbourhood approach. 

•  The process  of  enlargement will continue with the regular strategy paper on progress in 
the  enlargement  process  (monitoring  reports  on  Bulgaria  and  Romania;  progress  reports 
with Croatia and Turkey). It will also report on the advancement of the Stabilisation and 
Association  process  with  the  Western  Balkans.  Finally,  it  will  assess  whether  to 
recommend that negotiations for accession be opened with the former Yugoslav Republic 
of Macedonia. 

•  The Union will make a new development policy statement to pave the way for enhanced 
effectiveness  in  EU  development  efforts  and  will  prepare  for  the  global  review  of  the 
Millennium  Development  Goals  by  the  UN  in  September  2005  by  making  its  own 
stocktaking  and  proposals  on  how  to  drive  the  process  forward.  This  should  include  a 
specific  focus  on  sustainable  financing  for  development  and  effective  multilateralism.  In 
addition,  the  Union  should  make  effective  use  of  its  bilateral  relationships,  such  as 
realising the full potential of the transatlantic relationship.  

•  The  Union  will  also  continue  its  efforts  to  secure  a  successful  outcome  to  the  Doha 
Development  Round,  in  particular  through  working  for  significant  progress  at  the  Hong 
Kong Ministerial meeting, and by pursuing policies that promote development objectives.. 

•  The  new  development  policy  statement  and  the  broad  review  of  the  Union’s  progress 
towards  the  Millennium  Development  Goals  should  be  complemented  by  a  specific 
strategy  for  Africa.  The  specific  problems  of  Africa,  in  particular  Sub-Saharan  Africa, 
need  to  be  recognised  with  a  specific  response.  A  dedicated  strategy  will  help  the  EU’s 
efforts to offer a step change in support to Africa in terms of both quantity and quality. It 
must  target  the  goal  of  a  real  partnership  based  on  a  mature  trading  and  political 
relationship. 

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Key ongoing actions 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Implementing a new EU neighbourhood policy through action plans already adopted  
Stabilisation and association in the Western Balkans 
Preparation for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria 
Implementing the pre-accession strategy and accession negotiations with Turkey and 
Croatia  

•  Negotiation on streamlined package of external relations instruments within the 

Financial Perspectives package 

•  Collaborating with the US on the Middle East Peace Process 
• 

Pursuit  of  current  regional  or  bilateral  negotiations  (Mercosur,  GCC)  and  other 
initiatives to strengthen trade relations (United States, Canada, ASEAN) 
Implementation of the European Security Strategy and further steps in European 
Security and Defence Policy 

• 

•  Helping ACP partners to absorb the consequences of the EU sugar reform. 
•  Ongoing negotiation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, including ongoing 

climate change negotiations 

III. 

DELIVERY AND BETTER REGULATION 

High standards for in EU governance and regulation are essential for the EU policy delivery 
to  be  both  credible  and  legitimate.  In  particular,  better  regulation  and  improved  quality  of 
legislation  contributes  directly  to  stimulating  growth,  competitiveness  and  employment, 
whilst  ensuring  adequate  protection  for  citizens  and  the  environment.  In  recognition  of  the 
importance of better regulation, the Commission will relaunch in the first quarter of 2005 its 
strategy to simplify and improve the regulatory environment. 

•  Subsidiarity  and  proportionality  The  Commission’s  work  will  be  tested  against  the 
requirements  of  subsidiarity  and  proportionality:  the  EU  should  only  act  when  necessary 
and in the lightest form possible. The Commission notes the special role which would be 
given to national parliaments in the Constitution in respect of subsidiarity. 

•  Value  for  money  and  accountability  The  EU  Budget  should  only  be  used  when  it  can 
offer better value for money than spending at national level. Spending must also be clearly 
accountable,  with  effective  inter-institutional  mechanisms  in  place  to  make  this  work. 
Adequate  audit  and  control  systems  must  be  put  in  place,  with  a  roadmap  aiming  at  a 
positive declaration of assurances from the European Court of Auditors. In order to protect 
the  financial  interests  of  the  Union,  fraud  deterrence  should  be  enhanced  through  more 
transparency and cooperation. 

•  Consultation It can be noted that a large number of the proposals to be adopted this year 
are  designed  to  launch  consultations.  The  Commission  is  convinced  that  the  full 
participation of civil society and other interested parties in the preparation of policy has a 
real impact on the quality and effectiveness of policy. When consulting interested parties 
the Commission will, as much as possible, apply the minimum standards for consultation1. 

1 

COM(2002) 704 final. 

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•  Impact  assessment  The  Commission  considers  impact  assessment  to  be  a  vital  tool  in 
helping  to  ensure  that  policy  is  made  in  full  knowledge  of  the  facts  and  continues  to 
develop its practices to this end.2 The impact assessment process guides the policy-making 
process  through  an  open  analysis  of  the  options  and  provides  a  discipline  to  ensure  that 
economic, social and environmental factors are fully taken into account. It then provides a 
clear  and  accessible  public  explanation  of  why  a  proposal  is  being  made.  Impact 
assessment  has  therefore  been  made  a  standard  feature  of  all  the  proposals  in  the  Work 
Programme.  In  this  context,  the  Commission  will  ensure  that  the  impact  assessments 
adequately take into account competitiveness. The only cases where an impact assessment 
is  not  necessary  is  for  Green  Papers  and  consultations  with  the  social  partners.  In  these 
cases, an impact assessment will follow at a later stage if the initiative is to be pursued. 

•  Transposition  and  implementation  The  Commission  will  safeguard  the  legislative 
process  in  its  entirety.  It  will  intensify  its  efforts  implement  the  new  approach  to  the 
application  of  Community  law3,  in  particular  through  preventative  measures  and  the 
rigorous treatment of infringement when necessary. 

•  Simplification In the context of its June 2002 Action Plan “Simplifying and improving the 
regulatory environment”,4 in February 2003, the Commission proposed a framework action 
for  “Updating  and  simplifying  the  Community  acquis”,5  aimed  at  securing  a  clear, 
understandable,  up-to-date  and  user-friendly  body  of  EC  secondary  law  to  the  benefit  of 
citizens,  economic  operators  and  public  administrations.  In  early  2005,  the  Commission 
will  be  reporting  comprehensively  on  the  implementation  of  the  2003  framework  for 
simplification and set out its intentions for the future work to simplify existing legislation, 
up-dating  its  rolling  programme  for  simplification.  The  Council  endorsed  in  November 
2004  a  list  of  priorities  for  simplification  based  on  suggestions  from  Member  States  and 
invited the Commission to take any appropriate action6. The Commission is committed to 
respond  to  the  priorities  proposed  by  the  Council  by  March  2005  but  the  present  work 
programme  for  2005  already  contains  the  Commission’s  response  on  some  of  Council’s 
priorities7.   

The  implementation  of  the  Commission’s  codification  programme  was  delayed  in  2004 
due  to  translation  bottlenecks  in  the  New  Member  States,  but  it  is  set  to  result  in  a 
significant increase in new legislative proposals for codification in the course of 2005.  

Annex  3  provides  an  indication  of  planned  proposals  with  important  simplification 
implications. 

2 

3 
4 
5 

6 

7 

Commission Staff Working Paper, Impact Assessment: Next Steps – In support of competitiveness and 
sustainable development, SEC(2004) 1377 of 21 October 2004. 
COM(2002) 725 final, 20.12.2002. 
COM(2002) 278 final, 6.6.2002. 
COM(2003)  71  final,  11.2.2003.  The  framework  sets  out  six  lines  of  action:  simplification, 
consolidation, codification, repeal, declaration of obsolescence and organisation and presentation of the 
acquis. 
The  list  of  proposals  include  the  following  priorities :  Plant  protection  products ;  Annual  accounts ; 
Twelfth  company  law  directive ;  Waste  oils ;  Waste  directive ;  Hazardous  waste ;  Incineration  of 
waste ;  Food  labelling ;  International  vs.  EU  motor  vehicles  rules ;  Construction  products ;  Medical 
devices ; Pressure vessels ; Health and Safety at work ; Structural business statistics. 
It should be noted that the pursuit of Council’s simplification priorities do not always require legislative 
initiatives from the Commission. 

EN 

11 

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ANNEX I 

PROPOSALS TO BE ADOPTED UNDER THE WORK PROGRAMME 

ANNEX II 

PROPOSALS AWAITING ACTION BY THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY 

ANNEX III  SIMPLIFICATION 

EN 

12 

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ANNEX I 

PROPOSALS TO BE ADOPTED UNDER THE WORK PROGRAMME 

I 

PROSPERITY 

Title 

Description of scope and objectives 

Commission Communication on the future 
of State aid policy 

Consultation  document  on  the  future  State  aid  policy.  The  document  will  present  reflexions  for  the 
future  State  aid  policy  and  will  ask  for  comments  from  all  interested  parties.  In  light  of  these 
comments,  the  Commission  will  modify  the  existing  rules.  These  modifications  will  take  place 
between 2005 and 2008. 

Proposition  d’un  règlement  du  conseil 
révoquant le Règlement 4056/86 

Proposal to repeal the currently applicable provisions of Council Regulation 4056/86, applying the EC 
competition rules to the maritime transport sector 

Type of proposal 
or act 

Non-legislative 
action / Other 

Legislative 
Proposal 
Regulation 

/ 

Livre vert  sur les  demandes  de  dommages 
et  intérêts  pour  les  violations  du  droit 
européen de concurrence (Articles 81 et 82 
du Traité). 

Private enforcement of the EU competition rules is lagging far behind public enforcement. The lack of 
a clear set of rules for claims of damages in the EU Member States has as a consequence that there is 
presently virtually no successful private litigation for damages resulting from infringements of the EU 
rules. 
competition 

Non-legislative 
action 
Paper 

/  Green 

The Green Paper will be used as the springboard for launching a general policy review and to consult 

EN 

13 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
stakeholders, a prerequisite to the launching of any formal proposal in this area. Any formal proposal 
would have as its main objective a higher level of compliance with the EU competition rules. 

Communication  on  the  strengthening  of 
economic governance 

This  communication  will  provide  elements  to  strengthen  the  EU  framework  in  order  to  1)  better 
combine  discipline  with  economic  growth  considerations  2)  focus  more  on  the  sustainability  of  the 
member State's public finances, 3) improve implementation. 

Proposition  de  modification  du  règlement 
1467/97  et/ou  1466/97  sur  le  Pacte  de 
Stabilité et de Croissance 

In its June 2004 Communication and its September 2004 Communication, the Commission considered 
several  elements  for  strengthening  the  SGP:  (i) placing  more focus  on debt  and  sustainability  in  the 
surveillance of budgetary positions; (ii) allowing for more country-specific circumstances in defining 
the  medium-term  objectives  of  “close  to  balance  or  in  surplus”;  (iii)  considering  economic 
circumstances  and  developments  in  the  implementation  of  the  Excessive  Deficit  Procedure;  (iv) 
ensuring 
developments.
The  exercise  of  revisiting  the  SGP  is  meant  to  adjust  the  existing  framework,  strengthening  and 
clarifying  it  following  the  adoption  of  a  new  Communication  on  the  strengthening  of  economic 
governance (2005/ECFIN/21). 

inadequate 

budgetary 

actions 

correct 

earlier 

to 

Non-legislative 
action 
Commission 
Communication 

/ 

Legislative 
Proposal 

Proposition  de  Règlement  du  Parlement 
européen  et  du  Conseil  établissant  des 
la 
procédures 
supervision  et  la  vigilance  concernant  les 
produits d'ingénierie tissulaires humains. 

l'autorisation, 

pour 

The proposal will establish specific procedures and requirements for the authorisation, supervision and 
vigilance  of  human  tissue  engineered  products.  Objective  is  to  ensure  the  free  movement  of  these 
products, while guaranteeing a high level of safety for patients and medical practitioners 

Legislative 
Proposal 
Regulation 

Innover pour la compétitivité de l'Europe' - 
plan d'action pour l'innovation 

Suite à la Communication COM(2003)112 final sur la Politique de l'Innovation et aux conclusions du 
Conseil  Compétitivité  du  13  mai  2003,  un  plan  d'action  en  faveur  de  l'innovation  sera  établi  afin 
d'accroître  la  performance  compétitive  des  entreprises  européennes  en  s'appuyant  sur  des  actions 
communautaires, nationales, locales ainsi que sur la mobilisation transnationale des acteurs privés. 

Non-legislative 
action 
Commission 
Communication 

/ 

/ 

Modification  de 
instruments médicaux. 

la  directive  sur 

les 

The objective is mainly  - as announced in the Commission’s Communication on Medical Devices of 
July 2, 2003  COM 2003/0386 - to ensure, through regulatory clarification, a better implementation of 
the  current  directives,  particularly  in  the  field  of  conformity  assessment  and  clinical  evaluation,  to 

Legislative 
Proposal / Decision 

EN 

14 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
provide  more  legal  certainty  by  creating  a  mechanism  to  take  decisions  on  the  qualification  of 
products under the directive, and to provide, and increase transparency of device approval by Notified 
Bodies 

. 

Programme-cadre  pour  la  Compétitivité  et 
l'Innovation  

The  framework  will  include  elements  focussing  on:  improving  the  business  environment  and 
entrepreneurship; SMEs access to investment capital; ICT mastery and use; innovation including eco-
innovation and the sustainable use of resources. 

Legislative 
Proposal / Decision 

Communication  reporting  on  the  public 
consultation  on  the  scope  of  universal 
service 

This Communication constitutes the Commission's Report to the European Parliament and the Council 
on  its  review  of  the  scope  of  Universal  service,  required  by  Art  15(2)  of  the  Universal  Service 
Directive 2002/22/EC. 

Non-legislative 
action 
Commission 
Communication 

Communication  on 
Information Society 2010) 

i2010 

(European 

The eEurope initiative has made a major contribution to advancing the information society in Europe.  
This initiative runs to the end of 2005, and there is a need now to plan follow-on activities.  The form 
and content of a future eEurope initiative requires extensive discussion over the coming months in the 
context of the mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy and on the basis of consultations with a wide 
range of stakeholders.  This Communication will reflect the results of these consultations. 

Non-legislative 
action 
Commission 
Communication 

Proposition de Directive sur les Services de 
Paiement dans le Marché Intérieur 

Today the legal framework is fragmented and mostly based on national rules. This Legal Framework 
for Payments is necessary in order to complement the initiatives launched by industry (e.g. European 
Payment  Council)  on  the  payments  infrastructures.  It  will  guarantee  an  adequate  level  of  customer 
protection, and ensure legal certainty for all parties. It will provide a passport to payment institutions. 
It is part of the simplification exercise since it will repeal previous EU texts (Directive 97/5/EC and 
Recommendation 97/489/EC) and harmonise in a codified way core pieces of legislation on payments 
in the Internal Market. 

Legislative 
Proposal 
Directive 

/ 

/ 

/ 

EN 

15 

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Proposition  de  directive  du  Parlement 
européen  et  du  Conseil  modifiant  les 
directives  89/665/CEE 
et  92/13/CEE 
coordination  des  dispositions 
portant 
et 
réglementaires 
législatives, 
administratives relatives à l’application des 
procédures  de  recours  en  matière  de 
passation des marchés publics 

L’objectif  est  d’encourager  davantage  les  entreprises  communautaires  à  soumissionner  dans 
n’importe quel Etat membre de l’Union, en leur donnant la certitude qu’elles pourront, si nécessaire, 
engager des recours efficaces dans le cas où leurs intérêts auraient été lésés lors de procédures de 
passation de marchés de travaux, de fournitures ou de services.  

Legislative Proposal / 
Directive 

Livre Vert  sur  les  obstacles  à  l’intégration 
du  marché  du  Crédit  Hypothécaire  dans 
l’Union Européenne. 

The Green Paper will examine the obstacles to integration and propose policy solutions. It will be of 
a consultative nature. 

Non-legislative 
action / Green Paper 

Proposition 
  de  Décision  du  Conseil 
instituant  un  panel  en  charge  des  recours 
contre  de  décisions  de  l’OHMI  auprès  du 
Tribunal de Première Instance 

According  to Article  225A of  the  Treaty, judicial panels  may  be  created  to  hear  and determine  at 
first instance certain classes of action or proceeding brought in specific areas. The appeals lodged 
against  decisions  of  the  Boards  of  Appeal  of  the  Office  for  Harmonization  in  the  Internal  Market 
(Trade Marks and Designs) represent almost 30% of the cases to be dealt with by the Court of First 
Instance. The consequence of this is the congestion of the Court of First Instance, which entails that 
proceedings are slowed down. 

Legislative Proposal / 
Decision 

Proposition  de  directive  concernant 
la 
gestion  collective  des  droits  d'auteur  et 
droits voisins dans le marché intérieur 

The proposal will focus on the management of collecting societies in order to set up a level playing 
field which will enhance the trust into collecting societies from rightholders and commercial users. 
Rightholders should therefore see their rights protected in a better way and commercial users should 
Internal  Market. 
be  granted 
The  purpose  is  not  to  harmonise  all  the  rules  governing  collecting  societies  but  to  impose 
obligations necessary to the smooth functioning of the Internal Market without prejudging the legal 
mechanisms to be used by Member States in order to implement them. A Directive seems the most 
appropriate way to reach that target. 

transparent  basis,  within 

licenses  on 

a  more 

the 

Legislative Proposal / 
Directive 

EN 

16 

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Livre  Vert  sur  l'Intégration  des  Services 
Financiers: Horizon 2005-2010 

Following  the  finalisation  of  the  Financial  Services  Action  Plan  2000-2005  (FSAP),  this  Green 
Paper will open a  wide-ranging public consultation on the future strategy and policy direction in the 
area of financial services in order to continuously ensure the benefits of an integrated capital market 
in the EU. This will be followed up by a Communication later in the year. 

Non-legislative 
action/Green Paper 

The  Green  paper  on  defence  procurement  of  September  2004  [COM  (2004)608]  consulted 
stakeholders  on  the  need  to  take  a  Community  initiative  in  order  to  improve  cross-border 
competition 
procurement.
types 
The Commission shall communicate to the Council, to the EP and to stakeholders the outcome of 
this consultation, and publicly announce the concrete action(s) that it intends to take as a follow-up 
(if any).  

defence 

certain 

of 

in 

Non-legislative 
action  /  Commission 
Communication 

Creation  of  an  integrated  legal  framework  to  facilitate  efficient  shareholder  communication  and 
decision-making (participation to meetings, exercise of voting rights, cross-border voting) 

Legislative Proposal / 
Directive 

These proposals concern the EU Framework Programmes for research funding for the period 2007- 
2013.  The research programmes will be designed and intended to reinforce the momentum towards 
the  realisation  of  a  knowledge-based  society,  building  on  the  European  Research  Area.    The 
proposals, containing the main orientations will be further detailed in a set of proposals for specific 
programmes and rules for participation. The overall aim is to maintain and reinforce momentum in 
creating an effective knowledge-based economy 

Legislative Proposal / 
Decision 

Communication  de  la  Commission  sur  les 
résultats  de  la  consultation  lancée  par  le 
Livre  Vert  sur  les  Marchés  Publics  de  la 
défense  

de 

Proposition 
concernant 
l'exercice de droit de vote des actionnaires 
dans les entreprises cotées 

directive 

pluriannuel 

CE: Proposition de Décision du Parlement 
européen et du Conseil relative au septième 
la 
Programme-cadre 
Communauté 
la 
recherche, le développement technologique 
et  les  activités  de  démonstration,  visant  à 
contribuer  à 
l'Espace 
Européen  de  la  Recherche  (2007-2013) 

la  création  de 

de 
pour 

européenne 

Euratom:  Proposition  de  Décision  du 
Conseil  relative  au  septième  Programme-
la  Communauté 
cadre  pluriannuel  de 
européenne 
atomique 
(EURATOM)  pour  des  activités  de 
etc 
recherche 

l'énergie 

de 

EN 

17 

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Communication  de 
la  Commission  au 
Parlement  européen  et  au  Conseil:  mieux 
légiférer pour la compétitivité 

The document will take stock of the progress already accomplished in the Better Regulation area, set 
targets  that  need  to  be  followed  both  at  the  Community  and  Member  States  levels  to  enhance 
regulatory management practices and launch a series of new actions that will contribute to further 
established the leadership role of the Commission in pursuing the Community’s Better Regulation 
strategy. 

Non-legislative 
action  /  Commission 
Communication 

Communication/Recommendation  de  la 
Commission  concernant 
l'application 
expérimentale de la "taxation au pays de 
résidence"  pour  les  petites  et  moyennes 
entreprises dans l'Union européenne 

The  concept  of  "Home  State  Taxation"  provides  in  simple  terms  that  the  profits  of  a  group  of 
companies active in more than one Member State should be computed according to the rules of one 
company  tax  system  only,  the  system  of  the  Home  State  of  the  parent  company  of  the  group.  Each 
participating Member State would continue, however, to tax at its own corporate tax rate its share of 
State.
the 

activities 

business 

group’s 

profits 

that 

the 

of 

in 

Non-legislative  action  / 
Commission 
Communication 

This  approach  addresses  precisely  the  tax  issues  which  hamper  SMEs  most  in  their  cross-border 
activities:  disproportionately  high  tax  compliance  costs  resulting  from  the  administrative  tax 
formalities,  bookkeeping  requirements  etc.;  current  difficulties  with  the  cross-border  offsetting  of 
losses. 

EN 

18 

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Communication  on  the  new  generation 
of tax and customs programmes 

The programmes Fiscalis 2003-2007 and Customs 2007 expire at the end of 2007, while EMCS will 
expire at the end of 2008. New programmes are going to be proposed to improve security, increase the 
fight against fraud through financing informatics networks to exchange information between tax and 
customs authorities. The new programmes will extend the existing programmes to the new financial 
perspectives period, and will also cover security at the external frontier. 

Non-legislative  action  / 
Commission 
Communication 

Proposition  de  règlement  du  Parlement 
européen  et  du  Conseil  modifiant  le 
règlement  (CEE)  n°  2913/92  du  Conseil 
établissant 
douanes 
code 
le 
communautaire 

des 

Simplification des procédures douanières dans un environnement informatisé. L'objectif est de revoir 
les procédures douanières en vue de leur simplification radicale au moyen d'outils modernes y compris 
l'outil informatique. 

Legislative  Proposal 
Regulation 

/ 

taxes 

Council  Directive  to  restructure  the  tax 
bases  of  the  annual  circulation  and 
registration 
to  make 
passenger  car 
taxation  more  CO2 
efficient  and  more  consistent  with  the 
a 
internal  market 
registration tax refund scheme 

introduce 

in  order 

and 

Ensure the smooth functioning of the Internal Market and avoid double payment of Registration Tax. 

Legislative  Proposal 
Directive 

/ 

Communication  au  Parlement  européen 
et  au  Conseil  sur  un  cadre  commun  de 
tarification  des 
infrastructures  des 
transports avec propositions relatives aux 
charges  aéroportuaires  et  pour  l'usage 
des ports maritimes 

Document stratégique relative à la tarification des infrastructures et aux conditions de prise en compte 
des coûts réellement occasionnés par l'usage des infrastructures. Basée sur la connaissance accumulée 
aux  niveaux  européen  et  nationaux,  ce  document  répond  au  souci  d'une  tarification  plus  juste,  plus 
efficace,  permettant  de  contribuer  à  une  compétition  plus  équilibrée  entre  les  modes  ainsi  qu'au 
financement  des  dépenses  d'infrastructures.  La  Communication  inclura  les  dispositions  modales 
correspondant aux initiatives rendues nécessaires à court terme. Les études d'impact seront à prévoir 
seulement pour les textes législatifs qui accompagneront la communication de la Commission.  

Non-legislative  action  / 
Other 

EN 

19 

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Proposition  concernant  la  structure  de 
gestion  du  projet  industriel  SESAME 
(entreprise commune) pour la réalisation 
technique du Ciel unique. 

The  Single  European  Sky  legislation  seeks  to  consolidate  air  traffic  service  provision  to  be  more 
efficient  at  the  European  level  and  to  accelerate  the  development  and  implementation  of  the  future 
European  ATM  system.  The  programme  (SESAME  –  Single  European  Sky  Implementation 
Programme)  to  develop  the future  system  will  require  significant  involvement  at  the European  level 
and  is  currently  estimated  in  the  region  of  200M(cid:31)/year  from  2007  to  2017  and  subsequent 
implementation investments could amount to 5bn(cid:31). A programme of such magnitude, needing to be 
driven at the European level, requires a robust and effective governance structure, able to mobilise and 
direct  the  necessary  resources  in  an  efficient  and  transparent  way.  The  initiative  seeks  to  make 
proposals to put in place the necessary governance structures to ensure that the SESAME (Single Sky 
implementation programme) can be properly funded and managed. 

Legislative  Proposal 
Directive 

/ 

EN 

20 

   EN 

 
Bilan global à mi-parcours de la mise en 
oeuvre  des  mesures  préconisées  dans  le 
Livre blanc "La politique européenne des 
transports  à  l'horizon  2010:  l'heure  des 
choix" 

The Commission's White Paper established a mid-term review in 2005 to check whether its objectives 
and  precise  targets  were  being  attained  or  whether  adjustment  need  making.    As  the  original 
instrument  used  was  a  Communication  from  the  Commission,  the  mid-term  review  has  to  be  same 
kind of instrument. 

Non-legislative  action  / 
Commission 
Communication 

la  Commission 
Communication  de 
relative  à  l'application  des  articles  87  et 
88 due Traité CE sur les aides d'état dans 
le domaine ferroviaire 

L’objectif  poursuivi  par  cette  communication  (lignes  directrices)  est  d’établir  un  cadre  pour  le 
financement étatique du secteur ferroviaire fournissant aux Etats membres et aux tiers les clarifications 
et  la  transparence  nécessaires  afin  de  faciliter  l’application  correcte  des  règles  relatives  aux  aides 
d’Etat  dans  un  environnement  concurrentiel  cohérent  à  l’échelon  européen  et  en  conformité  avec  le 
droit communautaire. 

Non-legislative  action  / 
Commission 
Communication 

Providing a detailed analysis of the current situation with respect to the functioning of the electricity 
and  gas  market,  identifying  improvements  and  persisting  obstacles,  assessing  the  need  for  further 
measures. 

Non-legislative  action  / 
Commission 
Communication 

Communication  au  Parlement  Européen 
et  au  Conseil  sur  la  mise  en  place  d’un 
marché intérieur de l’électricité et du gaz 
naturel  et  le  besoin  (eventuel)  d'un 
paquet  de  mesures  pour  améliorer  son 
fonctionnement. 

II  

SOLIDARITY 

Title  

Description of scope and objectives 

Type of proposal or act 

-Règlement 

du 

Conseil 

portant  The aim of the reform of the sugar CMO is to accomplish a sustainable agricultural model in the  Legislative 

Proposal 

/ 

EN 

21 

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organisation commune des marchés dans 
sucre.
le 

secteur 

-Règlement du Conseil (CE) modifiant le 
règlement (CE) n° 1782/2003 du Conseil 
du  29  septembre  2003  établissant  des 
règles  communes  pour  les  régimes  de 
soutien  direct  dans 
la 
politique agricole  

le  cadre  de 

Décision  du  Conseil  sur  les  orientations 
stratégiques  de  la  Communauté  pour  le 
développement  rural  pour  la  période  de 
programmation 2007-2013 

sugar sector in line with the principles and objectives of CAP reform (improved competitiveness, 
greater market orientation and sustainable market balance) through a combination of the elements 
of  price  and  quota  reduction  and  restructuring  instruments  as  well  as  by  integrating  the 
compensation for income losses due to price cuts into the single farm payment.  

Regulation 

The strategy document will set the EU priorities in the main policy fields of competitiveness of 
agriculture  and  forestry,  land  management,  environment,  quality  of  life  and  economic 
diversification in rural areas. 

Legislative 
Decision 

Proposal 

/ 

le 
Règlement  du  Conseil  modifiant 
règlement 
sur 
404/93 
l'organisation  commune  des  marchés 
dans le secteur de la banane 

portant 

Adaptation  of  the  Common  Market  Organisation  for  bananas,  Council  Regulation  nº  404/93, 
taking into account accession and in view of the "tariff only" system to enter into force by January 
2006  at  the  latest.  The  Council  regulation  will  be  followed  by  a  Commission  regulation  for 
application. 

Legislative 
Regulation 

Proposal 

/ 

Communication  de  la  Commission  sur 
les politiques à l’égard  de la jeunesse 

Youth  policy  needs  to  be  developed  in  an  integrated  and  holistic  direction,  encompassing  each 
young  person's  life  from  school  to  active  citizenship  and  working  life,  and  enabling  all  young 
people to have access to the full range of tools and facilities with which to make a success of their 
lives.  It  would  bring  together  in  a  coherent whole  the  main  policy  initiatives  (social,  education, 
citizenship, mobility, health, immigration, entrepreneurship...), rebalancing policies giving greater 
priority  to  issues  affecting  youth,  addressing  the  cross-cutting  issues,  and    grounded  in  an 
approach based on knowledge-based policymaking.  One proposed approach on these lines would 
be a European Pact for Youth. 

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

Proposition  de  décision  du  Parlement 
européen  et  du  Conseil  établissant 

The Year will seek to raise the visibility and importance of intercultural dialogue as a useful tool 
for  addressing  both  internal  and  external  challenges.  More  specifically,  the  Year  will  focus  on 

Legislative 

Proposal 

/ 

EN 

22 

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l'Année 
interculturel 2008 

européenne 

du  Dialogue 

raising awareness of the European citizens on the importance of intercultural dialogue, identifying 
and disseminating best practices in the field of intercultural dialogue, strengthening co-operation, 
reflection and dialogue between the actors (at all levels) of intercultural dialogue and contributing 
to the European Neighbourhood policy. 

Decision 

Proposition  de  décision  du  Conseil 
établissant  un  programme  d'action 
communautaire  pour  la  promotion  de  la 
citoyenneté active 

Cette  proposition  introduit  un  nouveau  programme  d’action  pour  faciliter  la  participation  active 
des citoyens au devenir de l’Europe. Elle prend le relais d’un acte de base légale dont l’objectif 
est  de  fonder,  jusqu’en  2006,  l’octroi  de  subventions  pour    la  promotion  de  la  citoyenneté 
européenne.  

Legislative 
Decision 

Proposal 

/ 

Concrètement,  le  programme  accordera  un  soutien  tant  à  des  initiatives  connues  comme 
l’organisation  de  jumelages  de  villes,  qu’à  des  actions  nouvelles  comme  le  développement  de 
projets  de  recherche-action,  de  panels  des  citoyens  et  de  mise  en  réseau  entre  associations, 
instituts,  fondations,  communautés  locales  et  villes  ou  encore  à  de  grands  évènements  qui 
accorderaient une visibilité accrue à la citoyenneté européenne active et au dialogue interculturel. 

Proposition pour une décision du Conseil 
établissant  une  Année  européenne  de  la 
mobilité des travailleurs 2006 – Vers un 
marché européen du travail 

The  decision  will  designate  2006  as  the  European  Year  of  Mobility  for  workers  as  a  means  of 
promoting  geographical  mobility  within  and  between  Member  States  as  a  contribution  to 
improving  the  efficiency  of  European  labour  markets,  economic  performance,  the  professional 
prospects of workers and the quality of living and working conditions. 

Legislative 
Decision 

Proposal 

/ 

Livre  vert  sur  la  gestion  de  l'évolution 
démographique dans l'Union européenne 

The objective of this Green Paper will be, on the one hand, to identify the consequences of the 
ageing  of  the  EU  population  on  employment,  social  protection,  migration.  It  will,  on  the  other 
hand  look for mechanisms  aimed at  ensuring  intergenerational  solidarity  necessary  to guarantee 
cohesion.
EU 

internal 

social 

Non-legislative 
Green Paper 

action 

/ 

The  Green  Paper  will  launch  a  broad  debate  and  will  allow  to  gather  information  and  opinions 
from national and EU institutions as well as from the civil society (involved NGO for example). 

Communication  établissant  un  nouvel  A  programming  document  outlining  key  initiatives  to  be  deployed  over  next  5  years  to  work  Non-legislative 

action 

/ 

EN 

23 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Agenda Social (2006-2010) 

towards meeting employment and social goals in the context of the Lisbon Strategy. 

Commission Communication 

Communication  sur  les  restructurations 
et l'emploi   

La  Commission  présentera  au  cours  du  premier  semestre  2005  une  Communication  couvrant 
d'une  façon  cohérente  les  différents  aspects  et  les  politiques  communautaires  susceptibles  de 
  This 
contribuer  à  une  gestion  plus  positive  et  plus  anticipative  des  restructurations. 
Communication  will  also  include  the  second  stage  consultation  of  social  partners  on  corporate 
councils.
European 
restructuring 

works 

and 

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

As a result of the first consultations held in 2002 regarding corporate restructuring and in 2004 
regarding European works councils, the social partners have worked on case studies in order to 
identify  best  practices  and  guidelines.  Taking  into  account  these  results,  the  objective  of  the 
Commission's initiative is to stimulate social dialogue and propose ways in order to provide the 
best conditions for anticipation and managing change, in particular through effective transnational 
information and consultation of employees. 

Intégration  des  personnes  exclues  du 
marché  de  l'emploi  -  2ème  phase  de 
consultation aux partenaires sociaux 

Fin  2004,  une  première  communication  aura  lancé  la  première  phase  des  consultations  des 
partenaires  sociaux  et  autres  acteurs  institutionnels  et  de  la  société  civile  portant  sur  des 
orientations pour les actions possibles de l'Union. Les propositions de cette deuxième étape de la 
procédure de consultation prendront en compte les résultats de cette première consultation. 

/ 
Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

Communication  sur  "la  lutte  contre  la 
discrimination – approche politique"  

As  a  follow-up  to  the  2004  Green  Paper  public  consultation  document  on  "Equality  and  non-
discrimination  in  an  enlarged  European  Union",  the  new  Commission  will  present  its  policy 
approach in the field of non-discrimination for the coming years. 

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

Proposition  de  règlement  du  Parlement 
européen  et  du  Conseil  relatif  aux 
mesures à prendre contre la pollution de 
l'air  par  les  émissions  des  véhicules  à 
la  directive 
abrogeant 
moteur 
70/220/CEE  (y  compris  l'introduction 

et 

To  lay  down  the  technical  requirements  for  the  approval  and  free  circulation  of  vehicles  in  the 
internal  market;  to  set  emission  limits  for  light  duty  vehicles  (“EURO  V”);  to  define  technical 
requirements concerning hybrid vehicles and regenerating filters. 

Legislative 
Regulation 

Proposal 

/ 

EN 

24 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
d'exigences d'émissions EURO V) 

Stratégie 
pollution de l'air 

thématique 

relative  à 

la 

The Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution will outline the environmental objectives for air quality 
and  measures  to  be  taken  to  achieve  the  meet  these  objectives.  The  Thematic  Strategy  will  be 
based on a long-term, strategic and integrated policy advice to protect against significant negative 
environment. 
human 
effects 

pollution 

health 

and 

the 

air 

on 

of 

Legislative 
Directive 

Proposal 

/ 

In respect of the simplification of existing legislation, one of the measures that is envisaged for 
inclusion  in  the  strategy  is  the  recasting/merging  of  the  air  quality  framework  directive 
(96/62/EC)  and  the  first  three  daughter  directives  (1999/30/EC,  2000/69/EC,  2002/3/EC)  and 
possible the Decision on the exchange of air quality monitoring data (97/101/EC). 

Stratégie  thématique  pour  la  prévention 
et le recyclage des déchets 

This  Communication  follows  the  consultation  paper  COM(2003)301  "Towards  a  thematic 
strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste". It will identify means to further develop waste 
management policy and will focus on the means to promote more sustainable waste management, 
by minimising the environmental impacts of waste while also taking into account economic and 
considerations.
social 

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

A legislative proposal amending waste framework legislation on substantive aspects will be part 
of the Strategy package. This will also be an opportunity to simplify this legislation by amending 
redundant and obsolete provisions. 

Stratégie  thématique  pour  l’utilisation 
durable des ressources naturelles  

Following  on  from  the  Communication  (COM  2003  572)  Towards  a  thematic  strategy  on  the 
sustainable use of natural resources, the Strategy will set out the Community policy on the use of 
natural resources through the development of a framework and measures that allow resources to 
be  used  in  a  sustainable  way  without  further  harming  the  environment,  whilst  achieving  the 
objectives of the Lisbon strategy. Reduction of environmental impacts taking into account a life 
cycle approach is among the strategic goals. Both institutions and stakeholders have given input to 
the development of the strategy. 

/ 
Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

Stratégie 

thématique 

pour 

la  The  strategy  will  be  designed  to  achieve  a  good  biological,  chemical  and  physical  status  in  the  Legislative 

Proposal 

/ 

EN 

25 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
conservation  et  la  protection  du  milieu 
marin 

marine environment. Rather than develop policies for the different uses and users of the marine 
environment- fishing sector, shipping, oil and gas etc, the strategy will look at a number of policy 
areas from the marine environment perspective to ensure that the different policies and legislative 
protection.  
measures 

environmental 

deliver 

levels 

high 

of 

Directive 

Communication  visant 
l'impact  du 
changement climatique 

transport  aérien  sur 

à  maîtriser 
le 

Stratégie 
l’Utilisation Durable des Pesticides 

Thématique 

concernant 

Communication + possible Framework Directive  

The  Communication  will  suggest  an  approach  and  set  out  options  for  economic  instruments  to 
reduce the climate change impact of aviation.  

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

The Strategy will propose a number of measures and initiatives with the objective of a reduction 
of  the  impacts  of  pesticides  on  human  health  and  the  environment  in  order  to  achieve  a  more 
sustainable use of pesticides as well as a significant overall reduction in risks and of the use of 
pesticides  consistent  with  the  necessary  crop  protection.    Communication  with  proposal  for 
Framework Directive (Communication - option consultation ESC/CoR; Framework mandatory) 

Legislative 
Directive 

Proposal 

/ 

EN 

26 

   EN 

 
  
 
 
Communication  –  Mettre  un  terme  a 
l'appauvrissement de la biodiversité d'ici 
2010 

The Communication will lay down a road map on priority objectives and actions to meet the EU 
and  global  objectives,  set  by  heads  of  state  and  government,  relating  to  halting  (EU)  and 
significantly reducing (global) the decline of biodiversity by 2010.  The European Council 2003 
and 2004 has called for accelerated action in this regard. ENV Council (28 June 2004) called for a 
report  to  Council  and  Parliament  as  early  as  possible  in  2004,  taking  account  of  the  ongoing 
biodiversity  policy  review  process  and  in  particular  the  ‘Message  from  Malahide’  (which 
comprises  stakeholder  consensus  on  objectives  and  targets  towards  achieving  the  overall  2010 
objective).  

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

Stratégie thématique pour les sols 

Stratégie 
l'environnement urbain 

thématique 

The Soil Strategy will address the issue of how to protect and improve the quality of European 
soils  and  how  to  use  them  in  a  sustainable  manner.  Building  on  the  analysis  of  the  causes 
identified  in  COM(2002)179,  it  will  present  a  cost-effective  approach  for  soil  protection  in  the 
short,  medium  and  long  term.  It  will  include  the  most  suitable  combinations of  measures  at  the 
most  appropriate  level  of  intervention.  The  Directive  (framework)  will  address  the  various  soil 
179.
issues 

Communication 

COM(2002) 

described 

the 

in 

Justification  for  rescheduling:  Given  that  the  strategy  covers  new  area  of  policy  development  it 
was thought more appropriate to submit to the new Commission for decision. Impact assessment 
ongoing but was not completed in time for adoption in 2004. 

pour

  The Thematic  Strategy seeks to improve the environmental performance of Europe’s towns and 
cities,  and  secure  a  healthy  living  environment  for  Europe’s  urban  citizens.    It  will  do  this  by 
seeking to provide a coordinated and coherent policy framework with mechanisms and solutions 
for  addressing  the  environmental  problems  in  Europe’s  urban  areas.    It  will  focus  on  4  priority 
areas  –  environmental  management  in  urban  areas,  sustainable  urban  transport,  sustainable 
design.
construction 

sustainable 

urban 

and 

Communication  sur  les  stratégies  de 
changement climatiques 

Reply to the Spring European Council 25/26 March 2004 who invited the Commission to come up 
with  an  analysis  of  benefits  and  costs  of    mid  and  long-term  climate  strategies,  incl.  targets  as 
2005.
input 

consideration 

Spring 

for 

his 

in 

Legislative 
Directive 

Proposal 

/ 

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

EN 

27 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Proposition  de  règlement  du  Conseil 
financement
portant 
Communautaire  pour  la  mise  en  oeuvre 
de la Politique Commune de la Pêche 

sur 

le 

Justification  rescheduling:  Communication  originally  foreseen  for  2004  but  was  rescheduled  to 
allow time for circumstances to change to facilitate entry into force of Kyoto Protocol. 

on 

the 

DG  FISH  proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  on  Community  support  measures  for  the 
implementation  of  the  CFP  will  be  the  second  fisheries-specific  proposal  in  the  context  of  the 
financial perspectives 2007-2013 following the adoption by the Commission in July 2004 of the 
proposal 
COM(2004)497). 
The  proposal  will  cover  the  following  domains:  external  policy  actions,  scientific  advice,  data 
collection, 
expenditure.
The proposal will make a significant contribution to simplification, since it will re-group into one 
single instrument different legal instruments that now deal with some of the domains that will be 
covered  (such  as  data  collection,  governance,  contribution  to  Member  States’  control 
expenditure). 

to  Member 

contribution 

governance, 

European 

Fisheries 

control 

States’ 

future 

Fund 

(See 

Legislative 
Regulation 

Proposal 

/ 

Communication on eAccessibility 

This communication addresses the barriers created by the applications of technology, in particular 
for  elderly  people  and  people  with  disabilities.    It  will  outline  European  policies  and  actions  to 
promote accessibility, focusing on public procurement, certification and legislation. 

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

Directive  du  Parlement  et  du  Conseil 
modifiant  la  directive  89/552/CEE  du 
Conseil  et  la  directive  97/36/CE  du 
Parlement  européen  et  du  Conseil  (TV 
sans frontières) 

Stratégie de la Communication 

Establish a level playing field for all services providing audiovisual content by electronic means 
in a technologically neutral way. 

Legislative 
Directive 

Proposal 

/ 

document 

at:
This 
-  providing  a  tool  for  improved  coordination  of  Communication  strategies  of  the  main  EU 
institutional 
players.
- objective: contribute to a better image and communication of the EU toward the EU citizen. 

will 

aim 

/ 
Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

EN 

28 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Communication  de  la  Commission  pour 
un 
Instrument  de  Solidarité  et  de 
Réaction  Rapide,  pouvant  aboutir  (selon 
les résultats de la Task-Force présidé par 
la DG. REGIO et selon les décisions qui 
seront  prises  par  le  collège)  à  une 
une/un
Proposition 

pour 

Décision/Règlement  du  Conseil  sur  un 
Instrument  de  Solidarité  et  de  Réaction 
Rapide 

règlement  du 
Proposition  pour  un 
Conseil  instituant  l'Instrument  européen 
de Solidarité et de Réaction Rapide 

Proposition  de  décision  du  Conseil 
portant  Orientations  stratégiques  de  la 
Communauté sur la Cohésion 

Green  Paper  on  a  European  Energy 
Efficiency Initiative 

Extract 

from 

COM(2004)487 

final, 

heading 

3: 

citizenship:

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

"Action at European level will also make possible a common approach to emergency situations. A 
solidarity  and  rapid  reaction  instrument  will  provide  citizens  with  a  European  response  in  the 
event  of  major  disasters.  The  scope  of  the  foreseen  instrument  will  include  both  immediate 
response  (co-ordination  and  deployment  of  resources  to  combat  a  disaster  as  the  event  unfolds) 
and  financial  assistance  to  cope  with  emergency  situations  in  the  aftermath  of  an  unforeseen 
crisis. It could also address the need to cover preparedness measures. The instrument will provide 
funding to give support to victims of terrorism; address civil protection requirements; and react to 
public health crises, as well as the effects of other natural disasters." 

Extract 

from 

COM 

(2004)487 

final, 

heading 

3: 

citizenship:

Legislative 
Regulation 

Proposal 

/ 

 "Action at European level will also make possible a common approach to emergency situations. 
A solidarity and rapid reaction instrument will provide citizens with a European response in the 
event  of  major  disasters.  The  scope  of  the  foreseen  instrument  will  include  both  immediate 
response  (co-ordination  and  deployment  of  resources  to  combat  a  disaster  as  the  event  unfolds) 
and  financial  assistance  to  cope  with  emergency  situations  in  the  aftermath  of  an  unforeseen 
crisis. It could also address the need to cover preparedness measures. The instrument will provide 
funding to give support to victims of terrorism; address civil protection requirements; and react to 
public health crises, as well as the effects of other natural disasters." 

Définition  des  priorités  de  la  Communauté  en  matière  de  cohésion  économique,  sociale  et 
territoriale. 

Legislative 
Decision 

Proposal 

/ 

The Green Paper on energy efficiency will set forth policy options and possible measures to be 
carried out in the next five years and their expected results. It will identify market barriers which 
prevent  capturing  the  existing  20%  cost-effective  savings  potential.  Delivering  this  savings  will 
contribute  significantly  to  meeting  our  Kyoto  commitment,  as  well  as  to  improving  security  of 
supply, competitiveness and employment in the EU. The Green paper will also explain what we 
have done until now and where we are as regards energy efficiency. It will cover the areas of heat, 
electricity and transport and all the end-use sectors. 

Non-legislative 
Green Paper 

action 

/ 

EN 

29 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Communication  concernant  un  plan 
d'action pour la Biomass 

To  increase  the  contribution  of  the  biomass  sector  to  the  EU-25  renewable  energy  objective  of 
12% by 2010 in the gross domestic energy consumption and future objectives for 2020. 

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

Communication  au  PE  et  le  Conseil  sur 
les  énergies renouvelables 

Rapport  complet  sur  la  directive  2001/77,  art.4  basé  sur  l'obligation  de  la  Commission  de  bien 
documenté sur le régime de soutien des énergies renouvelables 

Non-legislative 
/ 
Commission Communication 

action 

III 

SECURITY 

Title  

Description of scope and objectives 

Type of proposal or act 

Programme 
fondamentaux et la Justice  

cadre 

Droits

  To  support  the  development  and  implementation  of  judicial  cooperation  in  civil  and  criminal 
matters  aiming  at  creating  a  true  area  of  justice,  provide  financial  support  to  accompany  the 
inclusion  of  the  charter  of  fundamental  rights  in  the  Constitution,  including  promotion  of  the 
charter,  support  for  democratic  participation  and  for  the  fight  against  violence  and  the  fight 
against drugs as well as the fight against racism and anti-semitism. 

Legislative Proposal / Framework 
decision (JHA) 

Programme 
garantie des libertés 

cadre  Sécurité 

et 

To  ensure  an  effective  operational  cooperation  in  the  fight  against  terrorism,  including  its 
consequences,  organised  crime  and  general  crime,  to  support  the  provision  of  intelligence  on  a 
European  scale  and  to  strengthen  the  prevention  of  crime  and  terrorism,  in  order  to  promote 
secure societies based on the rule of law. 

Legislative Proposal / Framework 
decision (JHA) 

Programme  cadre  Solidarité  et  To  support  the  principle  of  solidarity  in  managing  people  flows  by  ensuring  a  fair  share  of  Legislative Proposal / Framework 

EN 

30 

   EN 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
gestion des mouvements migratoires 

responsibilities  between  Member  States  as  concerns  the  financial  burden  arising  from  the 
introduction  of  an  integrated  management  of  the  Union’s  external  borders  and  from  the 
implementation of common policies on asylum and immigration. 

decision (JHA) 

EN 

31 

   EN 

 
Communication  de  la  Commission 
au  Parlement 
et 
au  Conseil 
Européen 
le  Plan 
concernant 
d’action  de  lutte  contre  la  drogue 
(2005-2008) 

Proposition  de  directive  du  Conseil 
relatives à des normes minimales en 
matière  de  procédures  de  retour  et 
de 
reconnaissance  mutuelle  de 
procédures d'expulsion 

The Action Plan should have as a general aim to address the drugs problem in the EU. It should 
provide a guide to all actors in setting priorities in the drugs policies area and ensure that they are 
implemented. 

Non-legislative action / Other 

Proposal to promote the establishment of common standards relating to all phases of return.  Basic 
requirements for the ending of legal and illegal residence in particular with regard to expulsion; 
minimum standards for detention and removal. 

Legislative Proposal / Directive 

Livre  Vert  sur  les  successions  et 
testaments 

The objective is to launch a wide consultation of interested subjects on legal and practical issues 
arising in international situations in the area of successions and wills.  

Non-legislative  action  /  Green 
Paper 

Livre vert sur le droit applicable aux 
divorces 

There  are  currently  no  Community  rules  in  the  field  of  applicable  law  to  divorces;  this,  put 
together with the  current jurisdiction rules of the “Brussels II” Regulation, lead to unsatisfactory 
situations. The Green Paper launches a wide-range consultation on the problems that may arise in 
this field and proposes possible remedies.  

Non-legislative  action  /  Green 
Paper 

Fundamental Rights Agency 

To enlarge the mandate of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia in order 
to create an agency with a mandate covering the fundamental rights. Its main task will certainly be 
to collect and to treat data with a view of helping its stakeholders (namely the EU institutions and 
MS). 
the 

Legislative Proposal / Regulation 

The Agency will be created by a Regulation proposed by the commission. 

EN 

32 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hague 

The 
Programme
“Strengthening  Freedom,  Security 
and Justice in the European Union”: 
an Action Plan  

  The  European  Council  of  4-5  November  2004  endorsed  in  its  Conclusions  the  “Hague 
Programme:  strengthening  freedom,  security  and  justice”.  This  Programme  sets  the  priorities  in 
years. 
this 

policy 

next 

area 

five 

the 

for 

Non-legislative action / Other 

In  the  light  of  this  Programme,  the  European  Council  invited  the  Commission  to  present  an 
Action  Plan  in  2005  with  proposals  for  concrete  actions  and  a  timetable  for  their  adoption  and 
implementation. 

Proposition de décision relative à la 
création  d'un  système  informatisé 
d'échange  d'information  sur 
les 
condamnations pénales   

La décision aura pour objectif de créer les bases nécessaires à la mise en place d'un mécanisme 
européen  informatisé  permettant  d'échanger  les  informations  contenues  dans  les  registres 
nationaux. 

Legislative  Proposal  /  Decision 
(CFSP/JHA) 

Council 
European 
Network 
terrorism (LEN) 

decision 
Law 
the 

in 

creating 
a 
Enforcement 
fight  against 

Pursuant  to  the  Communication  of  the  European  Commission  on  Preparedness  and  the 
Consequence  Management  in  the  Fight  against  Terrorism  the  Commission  proposes  additional 
measures to strengthen the existing instruments on civil protection and consequence management. 
Terrorist attack responses require that the protection of public health and safety must also include 
traditional  law  enforcement  besides  the  present  civil  protection  systems.  Law  enforcement 
authorities  in  Member  States  should  therefore  have  access  to  alerts  produced  by  the  different 
European  alert  systems  managed  by  the  Commission  and  should  also  be  able  to  input  relevant 
thereto. 
information 

The intention of the Commission is therefore to establish a law enforcement alert mechanism (the 
Law  Enforcement  Network,  LEN)  to  be  hosted  by  Europol  and  connected  with  other  European 
rapid  alert  and  rapid  response  systems  managed  by  the  Commission  (notably  ARGUS)  whilst 
respecting national competences. Participation of Europol will take place within the limits of the 
Europol Convention.  

Legislative Proposal / Decision 

Communication  de  la  Commission 
sur les obligations alimentaires dans 
le  but  d’améliorer 
l’exécution 
effective  des  décisions  en  matière 
alimentaire 

The  proposals  intend  to  facilitate  the  recovery  of  maintenance  obligations  within  the  European 
Union. First of all, it is a matter of allowing a maintenance decision given in a Member State to be 
recognised  and  enforceable  in  any  other  Member  State  without  any  further  procedure  being 
required  (abolition  of  exequatur)  and  improving  cooperation  between  national  authorities. 
Secondly,  it  is  a  matter  of  simplifying  access  of  citizens  to  enforcement  procedures  of 
maintenance decisions in any Member State by establishing minimum common standards. 

Legislative Proposal / Regulation 

EN 

33 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
Commission  proposal  for  a  Council 
Framework  Decision  on  mutual 
recognition  of  non-custodial  pre-
trial supervision measures 

Proposal  for  a  council  framework 
decision  on  information  exchange 
under the principle of availability 

To enable Member States to mutually recognise alternative measures to pre-trial detention with a 
view to reinforce the right to liberty and the principle of innocence in a common area of freedom, 
security and justice 

Legislative Proposal / Framework 
decision (JHA) 

The Framework Decision shall lay down common standards for the processing and protection of 
personal data in the course of activities under Title VI TEU. 

Legislative Proposal / Framework 
decision (JHA) 

Proposal  for  a  Council  framework 
decision  on  adequate  standards  for 
the  transfer  of  personal  data  for  the 
purpose  of  police  and  judicial  co-
operation in criminal matters 

Personal  data  cannot  be  shared  with  the  USA  or  any  other  third  country  unless  there  is  an 
agreement  in  place.  The  agreement  must  ensure  that  the  transmission  of  personal  data  to  the 
entities  and  to  the  authorities  of  third  States  which  are  not  subject  to  the  Council  of  Europe 
Convention  of  28.1.1981  may  be  effected  only  when  an  adequate  level  of  data  protection  is 
ensured. The proposed decision would define exactly what is meant by "an adequate level of data 
protection". 

Legislative Proposal / Framework 
decision (JHA) 

EN 

34 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
Livre  vert  sur  l'établissement  d'un 
Centre européen sur les migrations 

In  2002  a  new  budgetary  line  was  inserted  in  the  budget  of  the  European  Communities  for  a 
pilot/preparatory action to establish a European Migration Monitoring Centre.  This action will be 
drawing to a close in 2005.  The Green Paper will set out the European Commission's analysis of 
the  progress  made  so  far  in  establishing  a  European  Migration  Network  (EMN)  and  will  seek 
views on the best way forward including options for the form and structure. 

Non-legislative  action  /  Green 
Paper 

Communication  portant 
programme 
l'immigration légale 

d'action 

sur  un 
à 

relatif 

To list a series of proposals and measures to be put forward in the area of legal migration, as a 
follow up to the "Study on the links between legal and illegal migration" (COM(2004)412) and of 
2004).
the  Green 

economic  migration 

published 

Paper 

end 

(to 

on 

be 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Such measures could include : the revision of the 2001 proposal for a directive on the admission 
of  economic  migrants  (COM(2001)386);  proposals  on  a  common  approach  to  the  issue  of 
regularisations,  and  on  the  pooling  of  information  on  the  legal  migration  channels  for  third 
country  nationals;  the  establishment  of  recruitment  and  training  centres  (including  cultural  and 
language training)in the countries of origin for skills which are needed at EU level 

Legislative  initiative  aiming  at  ensuring  that  in  Member  State  all  serious  infringements  of  an 
intellectual  property  right,  as  well  as  attempts  at,  participation  in  and  instigation  of  such 
infringements, are treated as a criminal offence. 

Legislative Proposal / Directive 

de 

directive 

Proposition 
du 
Parlement  européen  et  du  Conseil 
relative  aux  mesures  pénales  visant 
à  assurer  le  respect  des  droits  de 
propriété intellectuelle 

Proposition  d'une  Décision-cadre 
sur la lute contre la contrefaçon 

L'objectif poursuivi est de rapprocher les législations pénales des Etats membres et d'améliorer la 
coopération  judiciaire  pour  lutter plus  efficacement  contre  la  contrefaçon,  en  particulier  lorsque 
celle-ci est liée à la criminalité organisée. La décision cadre a notamment pour objet d'harmoniser 
les seuils minimaux des sanctions pénales 

Legislative Proposal / Framework 
decision (JHA) 

Communication  sur  un  nouveau  1.  Financial  Perspectives  2007-2013  (Commission  Communication  2004  –  487,  heading  3  Legislative Proposal / Decision 

EN 

35 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
programme  sur  la  santé  et  politique 
des  consommateurs  et  proposition 
pour  une  décision  du  Parlement 
européen et du Conseil 

"citizenship"): health and consumer policy programme to replace the existing instruments in this 
area. 
2.  Current  consumer  policy  strategy  runs  out  at  the  end  of  2006,  financial  instrument  expires 
then.
2007, 
2008.
3. 

is 
Programme 

launched 
the 

Public  Health 

instrument 

combined 

Current 

expires 

end 

by 

be 

of 

to 

at 

instruments.
New  political  approach  for  consumer  policy  and  health,  streamlining  of 
This  is  consistent  with  the  new  Commission  Health  strategy,  which  will  take  the  form  of  a 
Commission 
Communication.
If  not  done,  this  will  leave  consumer  and  public  health  policies  without  political  and  financial 
programme in the medium term. 

To  update  Community  measures  for  the  control  of  avian  influenza  to  the  current  scientific 
knowledge.  To  improve  the  control  of  this  very  important  disease  in  the  Community.  Current 
legislation  (Council  Directive  92/40/EC)  is  obsolete  and  must  be  replaced  by  a  new  Directive, 
which takes into account the most updated scientific knowledge on disease control. 

Legislative Proposal / Directive 

Proposition  de  directive  du  Conseil 
mesures
relative 
communautaires  de  lutte  contre  la 
grippe aviaire 

des 

à 

Communication  et  proposition  de 
directive  concernant  la  protection 
des poulets d'élevage 

Establishing minimum standards for the protection on farm of all chickens kept for the production 
of meat in the EU 

Legislative Proposal / Directive 

sur 

Directive  du  Conseil 
les 
conditions  de  santé  animale  pour  la 
mise  sur  le  marché,  l'importation  et 
le transit des animaux d’aquaculture 
et de leurs produits, ainsi que sur les 
la 
mesures  minimales 
prévention et le contrôle de certaines 
maladies 

pour 

The  EU  rules  for  placing  on  the  market  of  aquaculture  animals  and  minimum  Community 
measures  for  control  of  certain  fish  and  mollusc  diseases  are  laid  down  in  Council  Directives 
91/67/EEC,  93/53/EEC  and  95/70/EC  respectively.    These  were  drafted  mainly  to  take  into 
account  the  European  aquaculture  industry  for  salmonids  and  oysters.  Since  adoption,  the 
aquaculture  industry  has  developed  significantly.  New  fish  species,  especially  marine,  are  used, 
and enlargement has brought new farming practices and more new fish species. The importance of 
increasing.
farming 

continuously 

abalones 

mussels, 

clams 

and 

is 

Commission  Communication  (2002)511  final  on  a  strategy  for  the  sustainable  development  of 
European  Aquaculture:  “There  is  a  continuous  need  for  the  Commission  to  regularly  review, 
update  and  simplify  the  animal  health  Community  legislation  for  aquatic  animals  and  products 
with regard to ever changing developments, particularly in the diversity of aquaculture production 

EN 

36 

   EN 

Legislative Proposal / Directive 

 
 
 
 
 
 
and in international practical experience and scientific knowledge”. 

Communication  de  la  Commission 
concernant un Programme européen 
sur  la  Nutrition  et  la  Santé  (Livre 
vert) 

Tackling the rise of obesity particularly among young people. 

Non-legislative  action  /  Green 
Paper 

Livre  blanc  sur  "Une  meilleure 
formation 
denrées 
alimentaires plus sures" 

pour 

des 

The heart of the problem is a lack of a harmonised approach to the design and developments of 
national control systems. The WP on Food Safety placed particular emphasis on this and clearly 
indicates  the  need  to  address  the  issues  with  appropriate  actions  to  achieve  a  high  standard  of 
consumer  protection  across  the  EU.  The  EP  and  the  Council,  on  29  April  2004,  adopted 
Regulation No 882/2004 on official control which identifies training as a key issue. Article 51 of 
the Regulation empowers the Commission to develop training programmes for staff of competent 
authorities  of  the  Member  States,  which  may  be  open  to  participants  of  third  countries,  in 
particular developing countries. This action will develop a White Paper on a Community training 
strategy in the area covered by Regulation 882/2004.  

Non-legislative  action  /  White 
Paper 

la 
Proposition  d'amendement  de 
Directive  91/414/CEE  relative  au 
classement 
le  marché  des 
produits  de protection des plantes 

sur 

Proposition  de  la  Commission  pour 
un  règlement  établissant  un  paquet 
de  mesures 
agents 
les 
sur 
alimentaires "améliorants" 

Adaptation  to  technical  progress  and  re-organisation  of  regulatory  provisions  concerning  the 
placing 
market.
Commitment of the Commission in its progress report to Council and European Parliament (COM 
444(2001)final. 

protection 

products 

plant 

the 

on 

of 

•To  recast  and  simplify  the  existing  food  additives  legislation  and  update  the  evaluation  and 
comitology)
authorisation 

procedures 

(EFSA, 

•  To  harmonise  the  area  of  food  enzymes  through  the  new  proposed  Community  rules

•  To  modernise  and  adapt  the  existing  legislation  on  flavourings  to  technological  and  scientific 
developments and to establish clear evaluation and authorisation procedures (EFSA, comitology). 

Legislative Proposal / Directive 

Legislative Proposal / Regulation 

EN 

37 

   EN 

  
 
 
 
 
 
Règlement  du  Conseil  modifiant  et 
mettant  à  jour  le  règlement  CE  N°  
régime 
1334/2000 
communautaire  de  contrôles  des 
exportations 
et 
de 
technologies à double usage. 

instituant  un 

biens 

Council Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 should be amended in order to take account of the review 
of  the  operation  of  the  Regulation  and  of  its  implementation  by  Member  States,  and  to  take 
account of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 of 2005. 

Legislative Proposal / Regulation 

3ième  paquet  pour 
maritime 
législatives) 

(8 

la  sécurité 
propositions

Les éléments du paquet sont les suivants : (1) - une proposition de règlement sur la responsabilité 
des Etats du pavillon, (2) - une proposition législative sur le contrôle par l’Etat du port, (3) - la 
modification de la directive sur le suivi du trafic, (4) - une proposition législative sur les enquêtes 
après  accidents,  (5)  -  la  responsabilité  et  l’indemnisation  des  dommages  aux  passagers  (6)  la 
responsabilité  et  l’indemnisation  des  dommages  de  pollution  et  (7)  réforme  des  sociétés  de 
classification (8) l'extension des compétences de l'Agence européenne de sécurité maritime (4ième 
trimestre) 

Legislative Proposal / Regulation 

et 

au 

au  Conseil 

Parlement 
Communication 
européen 
et 
proposition  de  règlement  relatif  à 
l'extension  des  compétences  de 
l'Agence  européenne  de  la  sécurité 
aérienne 

au 

Parlement 
Communication 
européen  et  au  Conseil  sur 
la 
transparence  et  le  fonctionnement 
des 
marché 
du 
hydrocarbures  

européen 

Ce  paquet  comprend  une  Communication  et  une  proposition  de  règlement.  La  Communication 
présentera  les  étapes  d'extension  des  tâches  de  l'Agence  de  sécurité  aérienne  d'ici  2010  pour 
couvrir  l'ensemble  du  champ  de  la  sécurité  aérienne  (opérations  aériennes  et  licences  des 
équipages de conduite, gestion du trafic aérien, aéroports). La Communication sera accompagnée 
par  une  proposition  de  règlement  qui  concerne  la  première  étape  de  cette  extension  (opérations 
aériennes et licences des équipages de conduite). Voir aussi 2004/TREN/010 pour la proposition 
législative 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Déterminer  les  moyens  par  lesquels  l’UE peut  viser  à  assurer  une plus grande  stabilité  des  prix 
pétroliers.  Evaluer  les  éventuelles  réformes  nécessaires  du  système  européen  de  stocks  de 
sécurité. 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

EN 

38 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Communication  sur 
la  mise  en 
oeuvre  du  Livre  Vert  en  matière  de 
sécurité 
d'approvisionnement
énergétique 

Dans les quatre années qui ont suivi l'adoption du Livre Vert "Vers une stratégie européenne de 
sécurité d'approvisionnement énergétique"(COM(2000)769 final du 29.11.2000) la Commission a 
fait  la  proposition de  la presque  totalité  des  initiatives  qui  y  étaient  identifiées.  L'élargissement, 
l'entrée  en  vigueur  du  protocole  de  Kyoto,  le  renforcement  des  relations  avec  les  pays 
producteurs,  notamment  avec  la  Russie,  la  conjoncture  du  marché  internationale  et  la  situation 
économique  mondiale  rendent  nécessaire  une  réévaluation  de  la  sécurité  d'approvisionnement 
énergétique de l'Union européenne.  

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Communication concernant la sûreté 
dans 
les  différents  modes  de 
transport,  y  compris  la  question  du 
financement. 

Les transports constituent une cible potentielle pour des attentats terroristes. Les attentats de New 
York et Washington en 2001, contre le pétrolier Limbourg en 2002, de Madrid en 2004 ont mis en 
évidence la nécessité de renforcer les mesures de protection de tous les modes de transport. Une 
gamme  de  mesures  est  nécessaire,  au  niveau  européen,  national  et  des  entreprises  de  transport. 
L'objet de la Communication sera de présenter ces mesures en mettant en évidence l'articulation 
nécessaire entre les différents modes, aires géographiques et acteurs et de donner des orientations 
sur la question du financement des mesures de sûreté. 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Communication  et  proposition  de 
directive pour une meilleure sécurité 
de  transport  et  une  plus  grande 
sûreté par la création d’un espace de 
coopération  policière  et  judiciaire 
dans  les  réseaux  transeuropéens  de 
transport 

Proposition  d'établissement  d'une 
entreprise  commune  sur  la  base  du 
traité  EURATOM  pour  organiser  la 
recherche  dans  le  domaine  de  la 
gestion des déchets radioactifs  

This is a package including a Communication and a proposal for a directive aiming at improved 
transport  safety  and  increased  security  over  Transeuropean  Transport  Networks  through  the 
application  of  best  practice  prevention  and  enforcement  methods  through  inter-modal  and 
international cooperation between police forces, inspectorates and judicial authorities responsible 
for different transport modes (namely road, water and rail). See also item 2005/TREN+/041. 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Proposal to set up a Joint Undertaking (i.e. company with special status) under the provisions laid 
down  in  the  Euratom  Treaty  in  order  to  co-ordinate  and  carry  out  RD&D  on  specific  topics  of 
importance for the advancement of radioactive waste management in the EU. 

Legislative Proposal / Decision 

EN 

39 

   EN 

 
 
  
 
 
EN 

40 

   EN 

 
 
 
IV  

EXTERNAL RESPONSIBILITY 

Title  

Description of scope and objectives 

Type of proposal or act 

towards 
progress 
Accelerating 
achieving 
Millennium
the 
Development  Goals  -  Proposals  for 
EU  contribution  to  the  UN  2005 
MDG High Level Event 

To  generate  debate,  commitments,  agenda  building  in  the  area  of  finance  for  development, 
coherence for development and specific actions for Africa. 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Communication  to  the  Council  and 
the  European  Parliament  "Towards 
Monterrey 
Reinforced 
commitments  as  the  contribution  of 
to  sustainable 
the  enlarged  EU 
financing for development" 

II 

- 

Define  EU  contribution  into  the  international  processes  on  Financing  for  Development  leading 
into  the  stocktaking  event  on  the  Millennium  Development  Goals  (UN  Major  Event  September 
2005):  

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Proposals for new political commitments by the EU that will impact on the global process, as EU 
collectively is the largest provider of development assistance worldwide; most prominent themes:
(1) further increased ODA levels towards achieving the internationally agreed 0.7% ODA/ GNI 
target 
time, 
over 
effectiveness,
(2) 
Financing, 
(3) 
(4) debt relief within/ beyond the HIPC initiative for Heavily Indebt Poor Countries   

Innovative 

improved 

Sources 

aid 

on 

Communication  sur  une  stratégie 
UE pour l'Afrique. 

des 

relations 

stratégique 

-Importance 
UE-Afrique
-Développement  accru  des  relations  institutionnelles  entre  l'UE  et  l'UA  et  notamment  entre  les 
deux 
Commissions 
-Engagement  déliberé  de  l'UE  à  aider  l'Afrique  et  soutenir  les  structures  continentales  (UE, 
NEPAD) 
-Engagement de l'UE à faire un effort particulier pour que l'Afrique puisse atteindre les MDGs, 
car 
alarmants 
-Engagement de l'UE pour aider l'Afrique dans sa nouvelle politique de prévention et résolution 
Paix,…
(Facilité 
des 
-Référence aux EPAs, EBA, et appui à l'intégration régionale africaine (9ème FED) et rôle entre 

actuellement 

indicateurs 

prévisions 

conflits 

sont 

les 

de 

et 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

EN 

41 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
commerce et Développement 

Proposition  pour  une  nouvelle 
déclaration  sur 
la  politique  de 
développement de la CE 

Revised  policy  statement  on  the  EC  Development  Policy  setting  objectives  and  key  principles 
underlying  the  Community  approach  to  development  co-operation.  The  development  policy 
statement is by definition an overarching document setting the general direction and objectives of 
EC development policy. It provides political guidance and defines some key principles underlying 
the Community’s approach to development co-operation. Development cooperation contributes to 
different  degrees  to  the  various  objectives  of  EU’s  external  action:  from  human  rights  and 
democracy, to security and world peace, to sustainable development, to a sound system of global 
governance.  In  this  framework  development  cooperation  has  a  specific  mission:  eradicating 
poverty. It is by focusing on its specific mission that it can maximise its contribution to the overall 
external action of the Union. 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

from 

to  Council 

the
Communication 
Commission 
and 
Parliament  on  a  Framework  for 
accompanying  measures  for  Sugar 
Protocol  Countries  affected  by  the 
reform of the EU sugar CMO 

  The reform of the sugar CMO will substantially reduce internal EU sugar prices. This will in turn 
affect  ACP  countries  benefiting  from  preferential  access  to  the  EU  market  through  the  Sugar 
Protocol.   The Communication on the reform of the sugar CMO states that the Commission will 
support  the  adaptation  process  of  affected  ACP  countries  and  India.    The  proposal  for 
accompanying measures aims at defining EC objectives, orientations and priorities for trade and 
development support for affected countries. 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

for  negotiations  with 
Mandate 
Croatia 
Commission
communication  for  the  opening  of 
negotiations with Croatia  

- 

Mandate  for  negotiations  with  Croatia:  Commission  communication  for  the  opening  of 
negotiations with Croatia  

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Strengthen  political  and  cultural 
dialogue with Civil Society between 
EU Member States and Turkey 

Strengthen  political  and  cultural  dialogue  with  Civil  Society  between  EU  Member  States  and 
Turkey 
The  third  pillar  of  the  strategy  on  Turkey  entails  a  substantial  strengthening  of  political  and 
cultural  dialogue.  The  Commission  will  present  proposals  on  how  to  support  the  political  and 
cultural  dialogue  bringing  people  together  from  EU  Member  States  and  Turkey.  Civil  Society 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

EN 

42 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
should play the most important role in this dialogue, which should be facilitated by the EU.  

Mandate 
Turkey 

for  negotiations  with 

This corresponds to the second pillar of the strategy on Turkey.  Commission communication for 
the  opening  of  negotiations  with  Turkey    and  the  specific  way  of  approaching  accession 
negotiations with Turkey  

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Opinion  on  the  Former  Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia 

Opinion  on  the  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia.    Assessment  by  the  Commission 
whether to recommend that negotiations for accession to the European Union be opened with the 
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 

Non-legislative action / Opinion 

Revised  Accession  Partnership  for 
Turkey 

The Revised Accession Partnership is representing the first pillar of the strategy drawn up by the 
recommendation on Turkey. In order to guarantee the sustainability and irreversibility of Turkey’s 
progress to the continued fulfilment of the Copenhagen political criteria the EU should continue 
to monitor progress of the political reforms closely. This will be done on the basis of a Revised 
Accession Partnership setting priorities for further reforms. 

Legislative Proposal / Decision 

Draft  Council  decision 
European Partnership for Croatia  

for  a 

European Partnership for Croatia in order to support effort to move closer to the European Union. 
Draft  Council  decision  on  principles,  priorities  for  action  and  conditions  contained  in  the 
European Partnership.  To set the framework for assistance programming taking stock of the new 
status of Croatia as a candidate country. 

Legislative Proposal / Decision 

2005 

Enlargement 

package: 

2005 

Enlargement 

package:

  Non-legislative action / Other 

Strategy  paper  on  progress  in  the 
process
enlargement 

Comprehensive  monitoring  reports 
Romania 
for 

Bulgaria 

and 

paper 

on 
monitoring 

process
Strategy 
Romania
Comprehensive 
Regular 
accession
Regular  report  on  Turkey’s  progress  towards  accession  /  A  general  review  of  progress  of  the 
political reforms.  

reports 
Croatia’s 

enlargement 

Bulgaria 

progress 

progress 

towards 

report 

and 

the 

for 

on 

in 

EN 

43 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regular report on Croatia’s progress 
accession 
towards 

Regular report on Turkey’s progress 
towards  accession 
/  A  general 
review  of  progress  of  the  political 
reforms.  

Report  for  Western  Balkans  -  SAP 

Annual  reports  on  the  Stabilisation 
and  Association  process  (Albania, 
Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  FYROM, 
Serbia and Montenegro) 

Report for Western Balkans - SAP report : Report on the state of advancement of the Stabilisation 
and Association Process for Western Balkans. It aims to take stock of the progress made by the 
individual countries and by the region as a whole with respect to a certain number of political and 
criteria.
economic 

Non-legislative action / Other 

Annual  reports  on  the  stabilisation  and  association  process  (Albania,  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina, 
FYROM, Serbia and Montenegro). These annual reports concern the state of implementation of 
the  stabilisation  and  association  process  and  will  be  presented  together  with  the  enlargement 
package.  They  aim  to  take  stock  of  the  progress  made  by  the  individual  countries  and  by  the 
region as a whole with respect to a certain number of political and economic criteria within the 
framework of the SAP.  

regarding 

the 
Communication 
opening  of  consultations  on  joint 
ENP  Action  Plans  with  Armenia, 
Azerbaijan 
Georgia,
and 
accompanied by 3 Country Reports 

On  the  basis  of  Country  Reports  drawn  up  by  the  services,  and  its  appraisal  of  the  overall 
situation, the Commission may issue a recommendation to the Council to decide on the opening 
of bilateral consultations with Armenia, Azerbaijan or Georgia on the establishment of joint ENP 
Action Plans. 

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Communication on EU-US relations  Communication  will  focus  on  deepening  of  economic  partnership  and  on  ways  to  upgrade  the 

framework of EU-US relations.  

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

Communication  de  la  Commission 
le  dixième  anniversaire  du 
sur 

To  review  the  ten  years  of  the  Barcelona  Process  and  make  proposals  for  refocusing  to  be 
discussed  at  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Foreign  Affairs  Ministers'  meeting  in  Luxembourg  (29-30 

Non-legislative 

action 

/ 

EN 

44 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Processus de Barcelone 

May) and at the Ministerial meeting in Barcelona (29/30 November) 

Commission Communication 

Five  European  Neighbourhood 
Action  Plans  with  Egypt  and 
Lebanon;  Armenia,  Azerbaijan  and 
Georgia,  on  the  basis  of  Country 
Reports presented earlier 

Action  Plans  are  the  key  instruments  in  the  process  of  bringing  our  neighbours  closer  to  the 
Union. Action Plans contain a set of jointly defined key priorities in the following selected areas: 
Political  dialogue  and  reform;  trade  and  measures  preparing  partners  for  gradually  obtaining  a 
stake in the EU’s Internal Market; justice and home affairs; energy, transport, information society, 
environment and research and innovation; and social policy and people-to-people contacts. Action 
Plans  are  tailored  to  reflect  the  specific  state  of  relations  with  each  country,  its  needs  and 
capacities,  as  well  as  the  interests  of  the  EU  and  the  partner  country  concerned.  Their 
implementation will be monitored on a regular basis, and the Action Plans adapted accordingly. 

Agreement  with  third  countries  / 
Council  Decision 
the 
for 
conclusionsof an agreement. 

A  new  approach  to  the  relations 
between  the  European  Union  and 
Latin-America 

It is necessary to update and to revisit our strategy towards Latin America. This should include 
new approaches to our relations in order to build an alliance on global governance, to promote and 
defend the EU economic interest in the region, to strengthen the economic growth and sustainable 
development including social cohesion and to enable the EU to have a strong partner in particular 
for  reasons  of  global  peace  and  security.  The  last  strategic  EC  Communication  regarding  our 
relations with Latin America dates ten years ago.  

Non-legislative 
Commission Communication 

action 

/ 

The proposed Decision will allow the Commission to open negotiations with the countries of the 
Euromed  process  (except  Turkey)  on  investment  and  trade  in  services  and  will  give  the 
Commission negotiating guidelines for these negotiations.  

Legislative Proposal / Decision 

des 

Proposition  de  décision  du  Conseil 
sur  les  directives  de  négociation 
bilatéraux 
accords 
pour 
d'intégration  économique  sur 
les 
services  et  l'investissement  entre  la 
Communauté  et  ses  Etats  Membres 
les  partenaires 
d'une  part 
méditerranéens d'autre part 

et 

EN 

45 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
ANNEX II 

Legislative proposals awaiting action by the Legislator  

Economic and Financial Affairs 

−  Proposal  for  renewal  of  the  Interinstitutional  Agreement  on  budgetary  discipline  and 

improvement of the budgetary procedure. COM(2004)498  

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  on  the  systems  of  the  European  Communities'  own 
resources  and  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  on  the  implementing  measures  for  the 
correction  of  budgetary  imbalances  in  accordance  with  Articles  4  and  5  of  the  Council 
Decision  of  (..)  on  the  system  of  the  European  Communities'  own  resources. 
(2004/0170/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  mutual  
administrative  assistance  for  the  protection  of  the  financial  interests  of  the  Community 
 against fraud and any other illegal activities (2004/0172/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the criminal-
law protection of the community’s financial interests COM(2001)272 - 2001/0115 (COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  amending  Regulation  (Euratom)  No  1074/1999 
concerning  investigations  conducted  by  the  European  Anti-Fraud  Office  (OLAF). 
(2004/0038/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending 
Regulation  (EC)  No  1073/1999  concerning  investigations  conducted  by  the  European 
Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (2004/0035/COD) 

−  Commission proposal for a Council Regulation laying down  provisions on the European 
Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund to replace 
Council Regulation 1260/1999 (2004/0163/AVC) 

−  Commission  proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  Council  on  the 
1783/1999. 

replace  Regulation 

to 

European  Regional  Development  Fund 
(2004/0167/COD) 

−  Commission proposal for a Council Regulation on the Cohesion Fund to replace Council 
Regulation  1264/1999  amending  Regulation  1164/1994  establishing  the  Cohesion  Fund  
(2004/0166/CNS) 

−  Commission  proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  Council 

establishing a European Grouping on Cross-border cooperation (2004/0168/COD) 

46 

 
 
 
 
Taxation / Customs Union 

−  Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 2003/49/EC on a common system of 
taxation applicable to interest and royalty payments made between associated companies 
of different Member States (2003/0331/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 90/434/EEC of 23 July 1990 on the 
common  system  of  taxation  applicable  to  mergers,  divisions,  transfers  of  assets  and 
exchanges of shares concerning companies of different Member States  (2003/0239/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards reduced rates 

of value added tax (2003/0169/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards the place of 

supply of services (2003/0329/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Directive  on  the  common  system  of  value  added  tax  (Recast) 

(2004/0079/CNS) 

−  Travel agents  (2002/0041/CNS & 2003/0057/COD) 

−  Postal services (2003/0091/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Directive amending Regulation (EC) No 1798/2003 as regards the 
introduction  of  administrative  cooperation  arrangements  in  the  context  of  the  one-stop 
scheme and the refund procedure for value added tax. Simplification of VAT obligations 
(one stop shop) (2004/0261/CNS & 2004/0262 /CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 92/12/EEC (Articles 7 to 10) on the 
general  arrangements  for  products  subject  to  excise  duty  and  on  the  holding,  movement 
and monitoring of such products (2004/0072 /CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending 
Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  2913/92  establishing  the  Community  Customs  Code 
(2003/167/COD) 

General Affairs and External Relations – Development 

−  Mandat  de  négociations  en  vue  d’accords-cadres  individuels  de  partenariat  et  de 
coopération  avec  la  Thaïlande,  Singapour,  Indonésie,  Philippines,  Malaisie,  Brunei 
SEC(2004) 1022 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  concerning 
Community cooperation with Asian and Latin American countries and amending Council 
Regulation (EC) No 2258/96 (2002/0139/COD) 

−  Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  Council  concerning  the  conclusion  of  an 
agreement  for  R&D  co-operation  in  the  peaceful  uses  of  nuclear  energy  between  the 
European  Atomic  Energy  Community  (Euratom)  and  the  government  of  the  People's 
Republic of China COM(2004)755  

47 

 
−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  concerning 
Community cooperation with Asian and Latin American countries and amending Council 
Regulation (EC) No 2258/96  (2002/0139/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  establishing  an  Instrument  for  Pre-Accession 

Assistance (IPA) (2004/0222/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  laying  down 
general  provisions  establishing  a  European  Neighbourhood  and  Partnership  Instrument 
(2004/0219/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  establishing  a 
for  development  cooperation  and  economic  cooperation 

instrument 

financing 
(2004/0220/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  Council  establishing  an  Instrument  for  Stability 

(2004/0223/CNS) 

−  Amended  proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  concerning  trade  in  certain  equipment  and 
products  which  could  be  used  for  capital  punishment,  torture  or  other  cruel,  inhuman  or 
degrading treatment or punishment  COM(2004)731 

−  Negotiating Directives for MRA on professional qualifications SEC(2004)133  

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  on  the  application  of  certain  guidelines  in  the  field  of 

officially supported export credits  (2004/0101/ACC) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  concerning  the  establishment  of  a  voluntary  FLEGT 
licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community  (2004/0173/ACC) 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the access to 

Community External Assistance (2004/0099/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Council Decision fixing the deadline for the commitment of the funds of the 

9th European Development Fund (EDF) COM(2004)838-2 

Justice, Freedom and Security 

−  Amended  proposal  for  a  Council  Directive  on  minimum  standards  on  procedures  in 

Member States for granting and withdrawing refugee status (2000/0238/CNS) 

−  Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the 
presentation of a proposal for a directive and two proposals for recommendations on the 
admission  of  third-country  nationals  to  carry  out  scientific  research  in  the  European 
Community (2004/0061/CNS, 2004/0062/CNS & 2004/0063/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  establishing  a  secure  web-based  Information  and  Co-

ordination  Network 
(2003/0284/CNS) 

for  Member  States’  Migration  Management  Services  

−  Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 as regards the 

reciprocity mechanism (2004/0141/CNS) 

48 

 
−  Proposal for a Council Directive relating to the conditions in which third-country nationals 
shall  have  the  freedom  to  travel  in  the  territory  of  the  Member  States  for  periods  not 
exceeding  three  months,  introducing  a  specific  travel  authorisation  and  determining  the 
conditions of entry and movement for periods not exceeding six months (2001/0155/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a Community Code on the rules governing 

the movement of persons across borders  (2004/0127/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending  the 
Convention  implementing  the  Schengen  Agreement  of  14  June  1985  on  the  gradual 
abolition  of  checks  at  common  borders  as  regards  access  to  the  Schengen  Information 
System  by  the  services  in  the  Member  States  responsible  for  issuing  registration 
certificates for vehicles (2003/0198/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  creating  a 

European order for payment procedure  (2004/0055/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects 

of mediation in civil and commercial matters (2004/0251/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  on  the  signing  by  the  European  Community  of  the 

Council of Europe Convention on contact concerning children  COM(2002)520 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Framework  Decision  on  the  European  Evidence  Warrant  for 
obtaining  objects,  documents  and  data  for  use  in  proceedings  in  criminal  matters 
(2003/0270/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  on  the  law 

applicable to Non-contractual obligations (2003/0168/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  on  the  exchange  of  information  extracted  from  the 

criminal record  (2004/0238/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Community, of 

the United Nations Convention against Corruption  COM (2003) 751 

−  Proposal for a Council Framework Decision to strengthen the criminal law framework for 

the enforcement of the law against ship source pollution  (2003/0088/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Framework  Decision  on  attacks  against  information  systems 

(2002/0086/CNS) 

−  Report from the Commission to the Council Report from the Commission to the Council 
on controls on cross-border cash movements - Proposal for a Regulation of the European 
Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the  prevention  of  money  laundering  by  means  of 
customs co-operation  (2002/0132/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  On  the  information  exchange,  risk-assessment  and  the 

control on new narcotic drugs and new synthetic drugs   (2003/0215/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the European Police College (CEPOL) as a 

body of the European Union ( 2004/0215/CNS) 

49 

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  on  working 
conditions  for  temporary  workers  Amended  proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European 
Parliament  and 
temporary  workers 
(2002/0072/COD) 

the  Council  on  working  conditions 

for 

−  Proposition  de  directive  du  PE  et  du  Conseil  concernant  les  prescriptions  minimales  de 
sécurité  de  santé  relatives  à  l'exposition  des  travailleurs  aux  risques  dus  aux  agents 
physiques (les rayonnements optiques) (1992/449/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Decision  2001/51/EC  establishing  a  Programme  relating  to  the  Community  framework 
strategy on gender equality and Decision No 848/2004/EC of the European Parliament and 
of  the  Council  establishing  a  Community  action  programme  to  promote  organisations 
active at European level in the field of equality between men and women (2004/194/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Decision  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  establishing  a 
Community  Programme  for  Employment  and  Social  Solidarity  –  PROGRESS. 
(2004/0158/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European 

Social Fund (2004/0165/COD)  

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the 
implementation  of  the  principle  of  equal  opportunities  and  equal  treatment  of  men  and 
women in matters of employment and occupation (recast version) (2004/0084/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending 
Directive  2003/88/EC  concerning  certain  aspects  of  the  organisation  of  working  time 
(2004/0209/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning unfair 
business-to-consumer  commercial  practices  in  the  Internal  Market  and  amending 
directives  84/450/EEC,  97/7/EC  and  98/27/EC  (the  Unfair  Commercial  Practices 
Directive (2003/0134/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the 
harmonisation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States 
concerning credit for consumers (2002/0222/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the EP and Council on nutrition and health claims made on 

foods (2003/0165/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the addition 

of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods (2003/0262/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending 
Directive  95/2/EC  on  food  additives  other  than  colours  and  sweeteners  and  Directive 
94/35/EC on sweeteners for use in foodstuffs (2004/0237/COD) 

50 

 
− 

 Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 87/328/EEC as regards the storage 
of semen of bovine animals intended for intra-Community trade (2004/0188/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending 
Regulation  (EC)  N°  999/2001  laying  down  rules  for  the  prevention,  control  and 
eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathy’s (2004/0270/COD)  

−  Proposal for a Council Decision  approving the accession of the European Community to 
the  International  Convention  for  the  Protection  of  New  varieties  of  Plants,  as  revised  at 
Geneva on 19 March 1991 (2004/0275/CNS) 

Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry and Research) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition 

of professional qualifications (2002/0061/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on services in the 

internal market (2004/0001/COD) 

−  Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Regulation concerning sales promotions 

in the Internal Market (2001/0227/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Council Regulation on the Community Patent (2000/0177/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Decision establishing the Community Patent Court (2003/0324/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the 

patentability of computer-implemented inventions (2002/0047/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending 
Directive 98/71/EC on the legal protection of designs (repairs clause)  (2004/0203/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  European  Parliament  and  Council  Regulation  on  compulsory  licensing  of 
patents relating to the manufacture of pharmaceutical products for export to countries with 
public health problems (004/0258/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Directives  72/166/EEC,  84/5/EEC,  88/357/EEC,  90/232/EEC  and  Directive  2000/26/EC 
on  insurance  against  civil  liability  in  respect  of  the  use  of  motor  vehicles  Proposal 
(2002/0124/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on reinsurance and 
amending  Council  Directives  73/239/EEC,  92/49/EEC  and  Directives  98/78/EC  and 
2002/83/EC (2004/0097/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the 
harmonisation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States 
concerning credit for consumers (2002/0222/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  cross  border 
mergers of companies with share capital (10th Company Law Directive) (2003/0277/COD) 

51 

 
−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Directive  77/91/EEC,  as  regards  the  formation  of  public  limited  liability  companies  and 
  (2nd  Company  Law  Directive) 
the  maintenance  and  alteration  of  their  capital 
(2004/0256/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  relating  to  the 
taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions (recast) - Vol I 2004/0155/COD 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention 
of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering, including terrorist 
financing (2004/0137/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on statutory audit 
of  annual  accounts  and  consolidated  accounts  and  amending  Council  Directives 
78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (8th Company Law Directive) (2004/0065/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC concerning the annual accounts of certain types 
of companies and consolidated accounts (accounting directives - directors' responsibilities, 
disclosure  of  group  structure  and  relations  and  corporate  governance  statement) 
(2004/0250/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the 
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (Reach), establishing 
a European Chemicals Agency and amending Directive 1999/45/EC and Regulation (EC) 
{on Persistent Organic Pollutants} (2003/256/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Directive 67/548/EEC in order to adapt it to Regulation (EC) of the European Parliament 
and of the Council concerning the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of 
chemicals (2003/257/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  relating  to 
restrictions  on  the  marketing  and  use  of  certain  polycyclic  aromatic  hydrocarbons  in 
extender  oils  and  tyres  (twenty-seventh  amendment  of  Council  Directive  76/769/EEC)- 
(2004/36/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  relating  to 
restrictions  on  the  marketing  and  use  of  toluene  and  trichlorobenzene  (twenty-eighth 
amendment of Council Directive 76/769/EEC (2004/111/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending, for the 
twenty-ninth  time,  Council  Directive  76/769/EEC  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on 
the  marketing  and  use  of  certain  dangerous  substances  and  preparations  (substances 
classified as carcinogen, mutagen or toxic to reproduction – c/m/r) (2004/0225/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the use 
of  frontal  protection  systems  on  motor  vehicles  and  amending  Council  Directive 
70/156/EEC (2003/226/COD) 

52 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the  type-
their  re-usability,  recyclability  and 

approval  of  motor  vehicles  with  regard 
recoverability and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC (2004/53/COD) 

to 

−  Paediatrics (Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on 
medicinal  products  for  paediatric  use  and  amending  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  n° 
1786/92, Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) n° 726/2004 (2004/217/COD) 

−  Draft Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down 
rules  on  nominal  quantities  for  pre-packed  products,  repealing  Council  Directives 
75/106/EEC  and  80/232/EEC,  and  amending  Council  Directive  76/211/EEC 
(2004/248/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approval of 
motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units 
intended for such vehicles (Recast version) (2003/153/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council On establishing a 
framework  for  the  setting  of  Eco-design  requirements  for  Energy-Using  Products  and 
amending Council Directive 92/42/EEC (2003/172/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Directive 77/541/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to 
safety belts and restraint systems of motor vehicles (2003/130/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Directive 76/115/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to 
anchorages for motor-vehicle safety belts (2003/136/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Directive  74/408/EEC  relating  to  motor  vehicles  with  regards  to  the  seats,  their 
anchorages and head restraints (2003/128/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on machinery and 

amending Directive 95/16/EC (2001/0004/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending for the 
22nd  time  Directive  76/769/EEC  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws,  regulations  and 
administrative  provisions  of  the  Member  States  relating  to  restrictions  on  the  marketing 
and  use  of  certain  dangerous  substances  and  preparations  (phthalates)  and  amending 
Council  Directive  88/378/EEC  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member  States 
concerning the safety of toys (1999/0238/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the 
approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member  States  relating  to  the  measures  to  be  taken 
against  the  emission  of  gaseous  and  particulate  pollutants  from  compression  ignition 
engines for use in vehicles, and the emission of gaseous pollutants from positive-ignition 
engines  fuelled  with  natural  gas  or  liquefied  petroleum  gas  for  use  in  vehicles  (Recast 
version) (2003/205/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Decision2000/819/EC  on  a  multiannual  programme  for  enterprise  and  entrepreneurship, 

53 

in  particular  for  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises  (SMEs)  (2001-2005) 

and 
(2004/0272/COD) 

Transport, telecommunications and energy 

−  Proposition  de  directive  du  Parlement  européen  et  du  Conseil  modifiant  la  directive 
1999/62/CE  relative  à  la  taxation  des  poids  lourds  pour  l’utilisation  de  certaines 
infrastructures  («Eurovignette»):  la  Commission  demande  au  Conseil  d’arriver  très 
prochainement à une position commune (2003/0175/COD) 

−  Proposition  de  règlement  du  Parlement  européen  et  du  Conseil  modifiant  le  règlement 
CEE no 3922/91 du Conseil relatif à l’harmonisation de règles techniques et de procédures 
administratives dans le domaine de l’aviation civile: la Commission demande au Conseil 
d’arriver très prochainement à une position commune (2000/0069/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council determining the 
general rules for the granting of community financial aid in the field of the trans-european 
transport  networks  and  energy  and  amending  council  regulation  (ec)  n°  2236/95  
(2004/0154/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  on  the 
implementation  of  the  deployment  and  commercial  operating  phases  of  the  European 
programme of satellite radio navigation (Galileo) (2004/0156/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the 
second  “Marco  Polo”  programme  for  the  granting  of  Community  financial  assistance  to 
improve the environmental performance of the freight transport system ("Marco Polo II") 
(2004/0157/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  on  the  implementation  of  Protocol  No  9  on  the 
Bohunice  V1  nuclear  power  plant  in  Slovakia,  as  annexed  to  the  Act  concerning  the 
conditions  of  accession  to  the  European  Union  of  the  Czech  Republic,  Estonia,  Cyprus, 
Latvia,  Lithuania,  Hungary,  Malta,  Poland,  Slovenia  and  Slovakia  (Fonds  de 
démantèlement) (2004/0221/CNS) 

Nuclear safety:  

−  Proposition modifiée de directive (Euratom) du Conseil définissant les obligations de base 
et  les  principes  généraux  dans  le  domaine  de  la  sûreté  des  installations  nucléaires 
(2003/0021/CNS) 

−  Proposition  modifiée  de  directive  (Euratom)  du  Conseil  sur  la  gestion  du  combustible 

nucléaire irradié et des déchets radioactifs (2003/0022/CNS) 

3rd Railways package (4 items) :  

−  Proposition  de  directive  du  Parlement  européen  et  du  Conseil  modifiant  la  directive 
91/440/CEE  du  Conseil  relative  au  développement  de  chemins  de  fer  communautaires 
(2004/0047/COD) 

54 

 
−  Proposition de directive du Parlement européen et du Conseil relative à la certification du 
personnel de bord assurant la conduite de locomotives et de trains sur le réseau  ferroviaire 
de la Communauté (2004/0048/COD) 

−  Proposition de règlement du Parlement européen et du Conseil sur les droits et obligations 

des voyageurs ferroviaires internationaux (2004/0049/COD) 

−  Proposition  de  règlement  du  Parlement  européen  et  du  Conseil  concernant  les 
compensations  en  cas  de  non-respect  des  exigences  de  qualité  contractuelles  applicables 
aux services de fret ferroviaire (2004/050/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Decision  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  establishing  a 
multiannual  Community  programme  to  make  digital  content  in  Europe  more  accessible, 
usable and exploitable. (2004/0025/COD) 

−  Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a 
multiannual  Community  programme  on  promoting  safer  use  of  Internet  and  new  online 
technologies. (2004/0023/COD) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  2236/95/EC  laying  down  general  rules  for  the  granting  of 
Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks (2003/0086/COD) 

−  Proposition de décision du PE et du Conseil portant sur la mise en œuvre d'un programme 

de soutien au secteur audiovisuel européen (MEDIA 2007) (2004/0151/COD) 

−  Proposition de recommandation du PE et du Conseil sur le patrimoine cinématographique 

et la compétitivité des activités industrielles connexes (2004/0066/COD) 

−  Proposition de recommandation du PE et du Conseil sur la protection des mineurs et de la 
dignité  humaine  et  le  droit  de  réponse  en  lien  avec  la  compétitivité  de  l’industrie 
européenne des services audiovisuels et d’information (2004/0117/COD) 

Agriculture and Fisheries 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  on  support  for  rural  development  by  the  European 

Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD. (2004/0161/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  on  the  financing  of  the  common  agricultural  policy 

(2004/0164/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  amending  Regulation  (EC)  No  850/98  as  regards  the 
protection  of  deep-water  coral  reefs  from  the  effects  of  trawling  in  certain  areas  of  the 
Atlantic Ocean  (2004/0020/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  establishing  measures  for  the  recovery  of  the  sole 

stocks in the Western Channel and the Bay of Biscay (2003/0327/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing measures for the recovery of the Southern 
hake and Norway lobster stocks in the Cantabrian Sea and Western Iberian peninsula and 
amending Regulation (EC) No 850/98 (2003/0318/CNS) 

55 

 
−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  concerning  management  measures  for  the  sustainable 
exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea and amending Regulations (EC) 
No 2847/93 and (EC) No 973/2001 (2003/0229/CNS) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  establishing  a  Community  Fisheries  Control  Agency 
and amending Regulation (EC) No 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the 
Common Fisheries Policy (2004/0108/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Regulation on the European Fisheries Fund (2004/0169/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a rebuilding plan for Greenland halibut in 

the framework of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (2004/0229/CNS) 

−  Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the electronic transmission  of information 

on fishing activities and the use of vessel detection systems. (2004/0252/CNS) 

Education, Youth and Culture 

−  Proposition de décision du PE et du Conseil établissant le programme Culture 2007 (2007-

2013) (2004/150/COD) 

− 

  Proposition  de  décision  du  PE  et  du  Conseil  établissant  le  programme  « Jeunesse  en 
action » pour la période 2007-2013 (2004/0152/COD) 

−  Proposition  de  décision  du  PE  et  du  Conseil  établissant  un  programme  d'action  intégré 
dans le domaine de l'éducation et de la formation tout au long de la vie (2004/0153/COD) 

− 

  Proposition  de  recommandation  du  PE  et  du  Conseil  concernant  la  poursuite  de  la 
coopération  européenne  visant  la  garantie  de  la  qualité  dans  l’enseignement  supérieur 
(2004/0239/COD) 

−  Proposition  de  décision  du  Parlement  européen  et  du  Conseil  modifiant  la  décision 
1419/1999/CE  instituant  une  action  communautaire  en  faveur  de  la  manifestation 
"Capitale européenne de la culture" pour les années 2005 à 2019 (2003/0274/COD) 

Environment 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Protection 

of the Environment through Criminal Law (COD/2001/76) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  concerning  the 

quality of bathing water (COD/2002/254) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending 
Directive  1999/32/EC  as  regards  the  sulphur  content  of  marine  fuels  -  volume  ii 
(COD/2002/259) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the 

management of waste from the extractive industries (COD/2003/107) 

56 

 
 
−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on shipments of 

Waste (COD/2003/139) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  certain 

fluorinated greenhouse gases (COD/2003/189) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to arsenic, 
cadmium,  mercury,  nickel  and  polycyclic  aromatic  hydrocarbons  in  ambient  air 
(COD/2003/164) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending  the 
Directive establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the 
Community, in respect of the Kyoto Protocol's project mechanisms (COD/2003/173) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection 

of groundwater against pollution (COD/2003/210) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the 
application  of  the  provisions  of  the  Århus  Convention  on  Access  to  Information,  Public 
Participation  in  Decision-making  and  Access  to  Justice  in  Environmental  Matters  to  EC 
institutions and bodies (COD/2003/242) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  access  to 

justice in environmental matters (COD/2003/246 ) 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the 
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (Reach), establishing 
a European Chemicals Agency and amending Directive 1999/45/EC and Regulation (EC) 
{on Persistent Organic Pollutants} (COD/2003/256)  

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council 
Directive 67/548/EEC in order to adapt it to Regulation (EC) of the European Parliament 
and of the Council concerning the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of 
chemicals (COD/2003/257)  

−  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  amending 
Regulation (EC) N° 1655/2000 concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment 
(LIFE) (COD/2003/260) 

−  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on batteries and 

accumulators and spent batteries and accumulators (COD/2003/282) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  introducing 

humane trapping standards for certain animal species (COD/2004/183) 

−  Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  establishing  an 
infrastructure for spatial information in the Community (INSPIRE)  (COD/2004/175) 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the 

Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE +) (COD/2004/218) 

57 

−  Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the 
establishment  of  a  European  Pollutant  Release  and  Transfer  Register  and  amending 
Council Directives 91/689/EEC and 96/61/EC (COD/2004/231). 

58 

− 

ANNEX III 

SIMPLIFICATION8 

The  following  items  for  adoption  in  the  Work  Programme  would  make  a  significant 
contribution to the programme of simplification:  

Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution  

Thematic Strategy on Prevention and Recycling of Waste 

8 

In February 2003, the Commission presented an ambitious Simplification Programme (COM(2003) 71) 
designed  to  simplify  and  up-date  the  content  of  existing  EU  legislation,  and  reduce  its  volume.  This 
initiative resulted in a rolling programme for simplification which has been updated by the Commission 
on  regular  basis.  Some  of  the  initiatives  listed  in  the  present  annex  implement  this  simplification 
programme. It should be recalled also that the Council endorsed in November 2004 a list of priorities 
for  simplification based on  suggestions  from  Member  States  and  invited  the  Commission  to  take  any 
appropriate action. The Council list of proposals include the following items: Plant protection products; 
Annual  accounts;  Twelfth  company  law  directive;  Waste  oils;  Waste  directive;  Hazardous  waste; 
Incineration of waste; Food labelling; International vs. EU motor vehicles rules; Construction products; 
Medical devices; Pressure vessels; Health and safety at work; Structural business statistics. The present 
work programme for 2005 already contains the Commission’s response on some of Council’s priorities 
and  it  should  be  noted  that  the  pursuit  of  Council’s  simplification  priorities  do  not  always  require 
legislative initiatives from the Commission. 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
Proposal for a Council Regulation on Community financing for the implementation of 
the Common Fisheries Policy 

Proposal for a directive on payments services in the Internal Market 

Council  regulation amending and updating  the Community regime for  the control of 
exports of dual-use items & technology 

Plant protection product directive 

Medical Devices directive 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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