European Parliament resolution of 23 May 2007 on the annual report from the Council to the European Parliament on the main aspects and basic choices of CFSP, including the financial implications for the general budget of the European Union - 2005 (2006/2217(INI))
Date: 2007-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, European defence policy, European security, common foreign and security policy, foreign policy, general budget (EU), international relations

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54.
Calls for the creation of a joint Parliamentary Trade and Development Committee within each Eco-
nomic Partnership Agreement working with the ACP-EU JPA to publicly monitor and review the trade and
development impact of EPA implementation, to design mechanisms to ensure accountability and to address
EPA-related concerns from both regional and all-ACP perspectives;

55.
Urges the Commission to regularly consult with national parliaments in ACP countries in order to
facilitate their scrutiny of the process and, furthermore, recommends that there should be regular follow-up
by the relevant Committee of the JPA and by European and ACP parliamentarians in plenary sessions;

56.
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of
the Member States and of the ACP countries, the ACP-EU Council and the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary
Assembly.

P6_TA(2007)0205

Common Foreign and Security Policy 2005

European Parliament resolution of 23 May 2007 on the annual report from the Council to
the European Parliament on the main aspects and basic choices of CFSP, including the financial
implications for the general budget of the European Union — 2005 (2006/2217(INI))

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the annual report from the Council (10314/1/2006),

— having regard to Article 21 of the EU Treaty,

— having regard to the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (Constitutional Treaty), signed in

Rome on 29 October 2004,

— having regard to the European Security Strategy (ESS) adopted by the European Council on 12 Decem-

ber 2003,

— having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the
Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure (1),
and in particular paragraph 40 thereof,

— having regard to its decision of 17 May 2006 on the conclusion of an interinstitutional agreement on

budgetary discipline and sound financial management (2),

— having regard to the Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels European Council of 16-17 June 2005 and
in particular to its declaration on ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, as
well as to the Presidency Conclusions of the European Councils of 15-16 June and 14-15 December
2006,

— having regard to the Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels European Council of 15-16 December

2005 on the Financial Perspective 2007-2013,

— having regard to its resolution of 12 January 2005 on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for

Europe (3),

(1) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 297 E, 7.12.2006, p. 182.
(3) OJ C 247 E, 6.10.2005, p. 88.

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— having regard to its resolution of 2 February 2006 on the Common Foreign and Security Policy —

2004 (1),

— having regard to its resolution of 16 November 2006 on the implementation of the European Security

Strategy in the context of the ESDP (2),

— having regard to its resolution of 14 June 2006 on the next steps for the period of reflection and
analysis on the Future of Europe (3) and to the results of the Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Future
of Europe: From Reflection to Action, held on 4-5 December 2006 in Brussels,

— having regard to its resolution of 16 February 2006 on new financial instruments for development in

connection with the Millennium Goals (4),

— having regard to its resolutions of 15 June 2006 (5) and 13 December 2006 (6) on the EU-Russia

Summits,

— having regard to its resolution of 1 June 2006 on improving EU-US relations in the framework of a

Transatlantic Partnership Agreement (7) and on EU-US transatlantic economic relations (8),

— having regard to its resolutions of 23 October 2003 on peace and dignity in the Middle East (9) and of

7 September 2006 on the situation in the Middle East (10),

— having regard to its resolution of 7 September 2006 on EU-China Relations (11),

— having regard to the Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels European Council of 15 and 16 December

2005 on ‘The EU and Africa: Towards a Strategic Partnership’,

— having regard to its resolution of 10 March 2005 on the review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty —
Nuclear arms in North Korea and Iran (12), advocating that ‘No Say, No Pay’ is a principle which the
EU will follow in its dealings with the Korean peninsula,

— having regard to its resolution of 23 March 2006 on security of energy supply in the European

Union (13),

— having regard to its resolutions of 18 May 2006 on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World
2005 and the EU's policy on the matter (14) and of 14 February 2006 on the human rights and democ-
racy clause in European Union agreements (15),

(1) OJ C 288 E, 25.11.2006, p. 59.
(2) Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2006)0495.
(3) OJ C 300 E, 9.12.2006, p. 267.
(4) OJ C 290 E, 29.11.2006, p. 396.
(5) OJ C 300 E, 9.12.2006, p. 482.
(6) Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2006)0566.
(7) OJ C 298 E, 8.12.2006, p. 226.
(8) OJ C 298 E, 8.12.2006, 235.
(9) OJ C 82 E, 1.4.2004, p. 610.
(10) OJ C 305 E, 14.12.2006, p. 240.
(11) OJ C 305 E, 14.12.2006, p. 233.
(12) OJ C 320 E, 15.12.2005, p. 253.
(13) OJ C 292 E, 1.12.2006, p. 112.
(14) OJ C 297 E, 7.12.2006, p. 341.
(15) OJ C 290 E, 29.11.2006, p. 107.

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— having regard to its resolution of 13 December 2006 on the institutional aspects of the European

Union's capacity to integrate new Member States (1),

Wednesday 23 May 2007

— having regard to its resolution of 13 December 2006 on the Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges

2006-2007 (2),

— having regard to Rule 112(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on

Budgets (A6-0130/2007),

A.

expecting that the Council's a posteriori approach of merely submitting a descriptive list of Common
Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) activities carried out in the previous year instead of consulting
Parliament beforehand as provided for in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union will henceforth
be corrected by means of a constructive interpretation of Points 42 and 43 of the new Interinstitutional
Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management of 17 May 2006 (3),

B. whereas the Council should once and for all replace that practice with a genuine consultation of Parlia-
ment so as to ensure that Parliament's views have a real impact on the choices made for the following
year,

C. whereas, following the fifth enlargement of the EU, 18 Member States have ratified the Constitutional
Treaty but the full ratification and entry into force of the Treaty needs to be pursued in order to ensure
that the Union is ready to face up to the global responsibilities, threats and challenges of today's world,

D. whereas the provisions of the Constitutional Treaty regarding external relations have gone unchallenged
during the ratification process, as a result of which the CFSP could play an important role in enhancing
confidence in the Union amongst the general public,

E. whereas the external action of the Union as a whole and the CFSP in particular must take into account
the interests of the Union, especially the closeness of each third country and region to the European
model and values and the fact that the Union, as a major geopolitical actor on the world stage, behaves
as a political, economic, social and environmental Union of states and peoples committed to peace
which acts in accordance with the principles of democracy, the rule of law and social justice, and
therefore needs strong and reliable political and economic partners,

F. whereas the effectiveness and credibility of the common foreign policy has been recently undermined
by the veto exercised by certain Member States on bilateral issues in spite of efforts made by other
Member States to find a compromise; whereas Member States should act even-handedly and should
refrain from using the right of veto,
limiting that procedure to highly sensitive issues of national
concern,

G. whereas developing and consolidating democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms remain key objectives of the CFSP and whereas the CFSP should concentrate
principally on economic integration, diplomacy, civilian crisis prevention and conflict management,

H. whereas, in order to be credible, the CFSP and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) must

be allocated additional resources to match their ambitions,

I. whereas the funding of military operations by the European Union in fact remains outside the scope of

the democratic scrutiny of both national parliaments and the European Parliament,

(1) Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2006)0569.
(2) Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2006)0568.
(3) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

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The ratification of the Constitutional Treaty as a main aspect and basic choice of the CFSP for 2007

1.
Is of the view that, without the Constitutional Treaty, which has been ratified by 18 countries, the
European Union cannot shape a foreign and security policy that can at least partially meet the most impor-
tant challenges such as globalisation, failed and failing states, cross-border migration, international terrorism,
energy dependency and climate change; considers that the effectiveness of the CFSP presupposes the devel-
opment of the necessary assets and capabilities in order to safeguard the security, independence and integ-
rity of the Union and its Member States; recalls in this regard the wide public support existing in all
Member States for a bigger role for the Union in the world, since Member States individually can no longer
perform that role for citizens; emphasises the need for finalisation of the Constitutional Treaty to be one of
the main priorities for the present and coming EU Presidencies;

2.
Considers it necessary that the office of Minister for Foreign Affairs be established and regards it as
essential that he or she simultaneously be a member of the Commission and chair the Foreign Affairs
Council, so that the CFSP is given continuity and coherence and Europe can speak with one voice;

3.
Takes the view, in this regard, that the creation of the new post of EU Minister for Foreign Affairs
should be accompanied by a genuine commitment from Member States to define and implement a real and
effective common foreign policy reflecting the general concerns of the European Union;

4.
Notes that the mutual assistance clause, structural cooperation, the European External Action Service
and the single legal personality are examples of the urgently needed progress provided by the Constitutional
Treaty;

Points out that a political and social consensus on greater foreign and security policy integration offers

5.
a sound basis for taking the constitutional process forward;

6.
Once again urges the Heads of State and Government to finalise the Constitutional Treaty by the end
of 2008, not only as a prerequisite for further enlargements but also in order to enable the Union to work
more effectively, more transparently and more democratically in the fields of both external action and the
CFSP/ESDP;

Improving the efficiency, coherence and visibility of CFSP

7. Welcomes the setting-up of the European Defence Agency, the development of the Battlegroups con-
cept, the establishment of the European Neighbourhood Policy and the application of the solidarity clause to
counter terrorist threats or attacks, and also the establishment of the Civilian Headlines Goals, the Civilian
Crisis Response Teams and the Peace-Building Partnership under the Stability Instrument; urges the Com-
mission to establish the Civil Peace Corps as requested by Parliament in several resolutions;

8.
Regards it as more appropriate for the Council and the Commission to make use of their procedural
and organisational options, also strengthening the links between the first and third pillars in the process,
through

(a)

the submission of joint proposals from the High Representative for the CFSP and the Commission to
the Council relating to both the CFSP and external action,

(b)

regular joint meetings between the Group of External Relations Commissioners, the High Representa-
tive for the CFSP and delegations of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament in
order to better assess and coordinate strategic priorities,

(c)

regular joint meetings between the Council's Working Groups and Coreper, the Commission and Par-
liament's rapporteurs in order to better understand each other's positions,

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(d) making frequent use of the ‘EU Core Groups’ mechanism, first created for dealing with policy issues
relating to Somalia in 2004, being a mechanism that reinforces institutional links and brings together
the High Representative for the CFSP and the Council, the Commission, the Presidency and willing
Member States; emphasises, however, that this mechanism is particularly appropriate for dealing with
foreign policy matters that do not provoke major disagreements between the Member States while
remaining important for a number of them,

(e)

the unreserved sharing of information, reports and analyses compiled by the services, delegations,
Special Representatives, embassies, etc. of the EU and its institutions and of the Member States,

(f)

improving cooperation between the Directorates for External Actions of the three Community institu-
tions by facilitating regular working meetings and exchanges at high and intermediate levels, including
the rotation and exchange of European civil servants dealing with external affairs issues,

(g) encouraging a dialogue and launching procedures to set up an EU Diplomatic Academy,

(h) encouraging the Commission to develop the delegations that fall within its sphere of responsibility into

‘embassies’ of the Union,

(i)

(j)

automatically attributing the functions of the Union's Special Representative to a third country to
the Head of the EU Delegation in that country, as in the case of the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia,

improving interaction between, on the one hand, the 127 EC delegations and representations and, on
the other hand, other EU institutions and delegations, Member States' foreign ministries and embassies
by organising regular contacts and meetings, providing practical assistance and arranging the exchange
of Member States' diplomatic personnel and officials of the relevant institutions on a reciprocal basis;

Calls on the EU Member States serving on the United Nations Security Council — after briefing the
9.
other Member States — to heed their suggestions and endeavour to pursue coordinated action within the
Security Council reflecting the most widely held European views;

10.
Calls, moreover, on EU Member States which are also members of the UN Security Council to
improve their coordination within that framework in order to enhance the effectiveness of the action of
the EU on the world stage and decide in the near future on a common European seat;

Takes the view that, without the introduction of qualified majority voting in CFSP matters, the

11.
coherence, effectiveness and visibility of the external action of the Union will be deeply undermined;

the view that more can be done to strengthen political dialogue with third countries
12.
Is of
and regions,
in particular with major partners, as well as to become more proactive in relations with
international organisations; considers that the Commission's delegation network could be more flexibly
and dynamically utilised;

13.
Points out that political dialogue with third countries needs to be intensified, not least where human
rights are concerned; also believes that the Community institutions and the Member States must ensure that
the members of their delegations are aware of, build upon, and act in accordance with, the human rights
guidelines approved by the Council;

14.
Recalls in this connection the meaningful role that parliamentary diplomacy can play as a comple-
mentary tool in the Union's relations with third countries and regions; calls upon the Council and the
Commission to establish closer ties, based on cooperation, with the three major interparliamentary assem-
blies (the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly and the
EU-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly), which play an important role and which bring together par-

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liamentarians from around the world, thereby enhancing democratic legitimacy and providing valuable pol-
itical forums for overall dialogue; charges Parliament's responsible organs to coordinate and strengthen
administrative support to those interparliamentary assemblies accordingly;

Is of the view that, in order to address the current lack of coherence and to fill the present ‘cap-
15.
ability-expectations gap’, the Union should exploit all available tools in the field of external action, such as
policies covering trade, aid, foreign policy and the ESDP, as well as the external dimension of policies on the
environment, research, transport, agriculture, fisheries and home affairs;

Recommendations on various thematic aspects for 2007

16.
Insists that, in order to guarantee prosperity and security, priority should be given to targeting a
limited number of areas which better connect with the wishes and concerns of European citizens and their
expectations of the role to be played by the Union in international affairs — such as the consolidation of
democracy, human security and the fight against terrorist organisations, migration management, intercul-
tural dialogue, energy security, climate change, arms control and disarmament, non-proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction and the EU's contribution to poverty reduction and attainment of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), as well as social development;

17.
Stresses the need to implement the international nuclear non-proliferation system in all its aspects, to
work actively for the retention of the existing arms control and disarmament system, in particular for the
consistent implementation and comprehensive monitoring of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the uni-
versal application of the Convention banning landmines (the Ottawa Treaty) and the entry into force of the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and to start negotiations on new disarmament agreements
concerning, inter alia, small arms and further reductions of conventional and nuclear weapons in Europe;

18.
Expresses its deep concern regarding the announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin of Rus-
sia's unwillingness to continue its participation in the 1990 Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe; takes
the view that this is an inadequate response to the anti-missile system plans; calls for the reopening of
political dialogue within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on security, arms control
and disarmament issues;

19.
Calls upon the Commission to focus, within those priority areas, on the political, commercial, eco-
nomic and financial instruments and policies under the first pillar of the existing treaties, in order to better
serve the Union's objectives in world affairs; is of the view that the EU's external action could also benefit
from more women occupying leading positions, including in the area of the CFSP;

20.
Reiterates that the ESS should be updated, maintaining its civil/military dual approach and its crucial
concepts of conflict prevention and effective multilateralism, and incorporating energy security, climate
change and prevention of the spread of poverty in the world as major challenges to the EU's security;
considers that particular regard should be had to the link between security and development and the special
importance of socio-economic issues;

21. Maintains that terrorism constitutes one of the main threats to the EU's security but must be fought
without offending against the universal values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental
freedoms, and the protection thereof, in close cooperation with international partners and in keeping with
the strategy laid down by the United Nations;

22.
Reiterates that, while the fight against terrorism constitutes a key part of the EU's external action,
respect for human rights and civil liberties must remain a priority for the EU; considers that much more
should be done to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against terrorism on the basis of inter-
national law and the UN Charter;

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23.
Emphasises the important foreign policy dimension of energy security issues, including the Union's
dependence on energy and other strategic supplies from countries and regions that are increasingly unstable,
as well as the question of access to and the development of alternative sources; rejects any restriction of
energy supplies as a political instrument, and underlines the need for solidarity in energy policy among EU
Member States; is of the view that every effort should be made to reduce such dependence; underlines the
need for the Union's external action to be directed towards a common strategy and support for projects
geared to the diversification of energy supplies;

24.
Stresses the vital interest of the European Union in strengthening global governance, international
institutions and the value of international law; insists on the fundamental role of the United Nations in the
development of global governance; reiterates the need to involve China and India, as emerging powers,
as well as Russia, in taking responsibility for the state of global governance and for solutions to global
challenges, together with the irreplaceable role which the transatlantic partners should jointly play in this
context;

25.
Underlines the importance of further developing the dimension of regional cooperation in the EU's
foreign policy, especially in its neighbourhood area, by strengthening relations with the Black Sea region and
by promoting cooperation both among neighbours and between the EU and its neighbours in order to
provide regional solutions promoting stability, development and prosperity;

Reminds the EU to urge its partners to pursue the development and consolidation of democracy,

26.
human rights and the rule of law, as these criteria form the basis of a prosperous and secure world;

Expresses its concern, in this respect, regarding the first test of an anti-satellite weapon carried out by
27.
China in January 2007; regards this as a sign of the escalation of weapons in space; calls on the Council to
take the initiative at the United Nations level to start multilateral negotiations for an international ban on
such weapons;

28. Welcomes the new initiative taken by the United States for consultations and permanent provision of
information about its anti-missile shield; expresses its concern about declarations made by President Putin in
reaction to the United States' plans to deploy components of its anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech
Republic; calls on all parties involved to engage in dialogue; calls on the United States to redouble its efforts
to improve consultation regarding, and explanation of, its plans for a missile defence system to counter
threats from potential emerging nuclear powers, so that both NATO and the EU remain united; demands
thorough discussion concerning these proposals,
including the necessity, the threat assessment and the
possibility of establishing different security areas within the framework of both the EU and NATO; stresses
the importance of consultation within the NATO-Russia Council regarding the missile defence system;

29.
Is of the view that much more should be done from an external action perspective to halt the spread
of poverty in the world, to fight against stigmatisation and discrimination and to combat major diseases;
reiterates the importance of maintaining the EU's commitments to the achievement of the MDGs;

30. Welcomes efforts by both the Commission and the Council to tackle the issue of illegal immigration
and settlement as a prominent part of the EU's external action, in its relations both with countries of origin
and with countries of transit; is of the view that development cooperation should also address the root
causes of massive immigration and include stronger engagement by the EU in conflict resolution in order
to achieve the MDGs, in particular in relation to African countries; underlines that the fight against illegal
immigration should be within the confines of judicial and policing actions and that EU policies should also
address the root causes of illegal immigration; points out that combating illegal immigration is a judicial and
police task excluding the use of military means and ESDP capabilities;

31.
Reiterates Parliament's abovementioned resolution of 14 February 2006 on the human rights and
democracy clause in European Union agreements, and calls on the Commission and the Council to heed
the recommendations set out in that resolution, in order to better govern agreements of all kinds between
the EU and the numerous partner states, where democracy clauses consistently form an essential element;
reiterates its commitment to combating impunity for those guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity
and other serious human rights violations, inter alia by strengthening the role of the International Criminal
Court;

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32.
Calls on the Council and the Commission to assume their responsibilities and, without delay, to
implement the recommendations contained in Parliament's resolution of 14 February 2007 on the alleged
use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners (1);

33.
Stresses the need for the effective implementation of human rights, non-proliferation and counter-
terrorism clauses in agreements of all kinds with third countries, avoiding ad hoc modifications in order to
ensure coherence and effectiveness; calls on the Commission to present proposals within the framework of
the new Stability Instrument, Instrument for Pre-Accession, European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument and
Development Cooperation Instrument to provide, within the respective legal scope of those instruments,
technical and financial assistance to third countries so as to help them meet their commitments resulting
from the abovementioned clauses; underlines the need for those new instruments to be applied in a manner
consistent with, and complementary to, the new European Democracy and Human Rights Instrument;

Priorities in the geographical areas for 2007

34.
Recommends that steps be taken to maintain the enlargement of the EU as a key objective of the
EU's political agenda in 2007, albeit one which must be consistent with the EU's capacity to integrate new
Member States (taking account of the impact of enlargement on its institutions, its financial resources and
its capacity to pursue its political objectives), to reinforce the European Neighbourhood Policy, including by
means of initiatives to strengthen economic, political, security and energy relations between the EU and the
countries in the Black Sea area, to pursue efforts to contribute to stabilisation of the Western Balkans
in line with the ‘Thessaloniki Agenda’, to resume negotiations
including preparations for EU accession,
with Serbia on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, to enhance EU-Mediterranean cooperation, to
develop a balanced, wide-ranging partnership with Russia, encompassing international challenges, trade
and energy, but above all human rights and democratisation issues, and to deepen relations with Central
Asia through full cooperation with the relevant international bodies active in the region;

Considers that promoting national solidarity, stability, peace and democratic and economic develop-
35.
ment must continue to be among the priorities of the EU's policy towards Afghanistan over the coming
years; calls for these tasks to be allocated reliable funding which can be planned over the medium term;
considers that there is a need for the EU to support, in particular, the development of strong national and
state institutions, the economic and cultural development of the country, the disarming of private militias
and the fight against the cultivation of, and trading in, drugs;

36. Welcomes the new Central Asia Initiative presented by the German Presidency, which could result in
a more effective and engaged approach in the EU's external policy towards the region; considers that the
Initiative could develop a unique, wide-ranging cooperation between the EU and the countries of Central
Asia; takes the view that the EU has a vital interest in seeing greater economic development stability and
better governance and human right records in the region;

Reiterates, in the light of effective multilateralism, the need to continue UN reform in its entirety,
37.
with a special focus on reforming the UN Security Council; welcomes in this respect the promising reform
efforts initiated by the President of the UN General Assembly;

Is of the view that every effort should be made to stabilise the situation in Lebanon, and that the
38.
Commission should monitor precisely and in depth the ways in which EU financial assistance is used; calls
on the Council to intensify efforts, within the framework of the Middle East Quartet (the EU, the USA, the
Russian Federation and the UN), to foster negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians for a comprehensive
peace solution on the basis of two secure and viable States; recommends a more intensive commitment by
the EU to the Quartet's position (commitment to non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of
previous agreements and obligations including the Road Map); considers that the new Palestinian Govern-
ment of national unity and the recognition of the previous agreements with Israel should prompt the EU to
intensify its involvement in Palestine; regardless of the preceding point, believes that the Israeli and Palesti-
nian governments should, as a matter of principle, respect the 1967 borders as the dividing line between
two mutually recognised independent states; is of the view that the direct involvement of Arab countries
could also prove fruitful in this regard; supports the Quartet's call for continued international assistance to
the Palestinian people;

(1) Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2007)0032.

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39.
Also recommends that steps be taken to strengthen transatlantic relations with the United States, on
the one hand, and with Latin America, boosting its integration processes, on the other, on an equal basis,
including the fight against terrorism, while respecting human rights and international law, through a new
Transatlantic Partnership Agreement replacing the currently existing New Transatlantic Agenda; suggests in
this regard the establishment of a regular review mechanism for such Transatlantic Partnership Agreement
similar to the ESS review mechanism, whereby experts from the EU and the United States strive constantly
to improve the Transatlantic Partnership so as to exploit its full potential;

40.
Further recommends that negotiation of the Partnership Agreement with China be driven forward,
subject to substantial progress in the field of democracy and human rights; that the strategic partnership
with India be deepened and that political and economic cooperation with Japan and ASEAN be enhanced,
while seeking an active role for the EU on outstanding issues in the Korean peninsular which is not merely
confined to financing;

41.
Strongly recommends that steps be taken for decisive engagement when implementing the EU-Africa
strategy beyond the traditional development and aid policies, in view of the forthcoming Portuguese Pre-
sidency which is due to host the next EU-Africa Summit, and to boost the Latin American regional integra-
tion processes by concluding the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement and commencing negotiations for
similar agreements with the Central American countries and the Andean Community;

Underlines the need to give the Barcelona Process new impetus with the aim of enhancing balanced

42.
economic, social and democratic development of the countries concerned;

Takes the view that, in light of the forthcoming UN Security Council decision on a comprehensive
43.
proposal for a Kosovo status settlement, the EU must be fully prepared to carry out its new tasks and
responsibilities in the region and therefore to declare a united and common position on the new Security
Council resolution replacing Resolution 1244 (1999); furthermore, calls on the Council to take stronger and
more effective action as regards the frozen conflicts in the South Caucasus and Transnistria;

44.
Refers to its extensive resolutions and reports concerning the different geographical areas of
interest to the EU, since they contain valuable contributions to the debate on the way in which the EU's
policy vis-à-vis those geographical areas should evolve;

Parliamentary scrutiny of the CFSP

45.
Takes note of the descriptive annual report on CFSP activities in 2005 submitted by the Council on
30 June 2006; reiterates the need for the Council not only to inform Parliament but above all to fully
involve Parliament in the main aspects and basic choices of the CFSP for 2007; regrets that the Council
has once more neglected the right of Parliament to be consulted annually ex ante on forthcoming aspects
and choices for 2006 as provided for in Article 21 of the EU Treaty and in the Interinstitutional Agreement
of 6 May 1999;

46.
Notes that, despite the Council's infringement of Article 21 of the EU Treaty, for procedural reasons it
is not possible to refer the Council's practice to the Court of Justice, since Article 46 of the EU Treaty does
not include Article 21 in the exhaustive list of cases where the EC Treaty provisions regarding actions before
the Court of Justice also apply to the CFSP field;

47.
Reiterates its disappointment, however, that the Council has limited itself to merely informing Parlia-
ment and submitting a descriptive list of CFSP activities carried out in the previous year, which is stated
even by the Council itself in the preambles to the annual reports, instead of really consulting Parliament at
the beginning of each year on the main aspects and basic choices to be made for that year, including its
financial implications, as provided for in Article 28 of the EU Treaty, and subsequently reporting to Parlia-
ment whether — and, if so, how — Parliament's contribution has been taken into account, and stresses that
this practice constitutes a de facto infringement of the very substance of Article 21;

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48.
Calls upon the Council to correct this situation by interpreting Points 42 and 43 of the new Inter-
institutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management of 17 May 2006, which
came into force on 1 January 2007, in a wider, more flexible sense so as to ensure Parliament's right to be
consulted annually ex ante on forthcoming aspects and choices of the CFSP; stresses that nothing in the
existing Treaties suggests that the term ‘consultation’ has any different meaning in the abovementioned
Article 21 from its usual meaning in EU law;

49.
Takes note, in particular, of Points 42 and 43 of the 2006 Interinstitutional Agreement, which con-
cern the financing of the CFSP and provide for a structured dialogue between the Council and Parliament,
and which could contribute to a genuine consultation with the Committee responsible if interpreted in a
constructive and flexible way; to that end, regards the explanatory exchange of letters between the Finnish
Presidency and the Chairmen of the two Committees involved as partially fulfilling the requirement that
Parliament be consulted;

Cautions against any restrictive interpretation of Point 43 of the 2006 Interinstitutional Agreement
50.
which could lead to a situation whereby Parliament's right to genuine consultation, at the beginning of each
year, on the main aspects and basic choices to be made for that year in accordance with Article 21 of the
EU Treaty is circumvented;

51.
Highlights its readiness, at the beginning of every year, to hold a debate with the Council and the
High Representative/Secretary-General of the Council on the main aspects and basic choices of the CFSP for
that coming year, since this offers an ideal opportunity to consult Parliament; considers, moreover, that it
would be particularly useful for candidates for the post of High Representative/Secretary-General to present
their programmes before the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs;

52.
Encourages both the Council and the Member States to further strengthen parliamentary scrutiny of
the ESDP, by ensuring that the European Parliament plays a major role by using the structured dialogue
mechanism provided for in the new Interinstitutional Agreement and by closer cooperation between the
European Parliament and national parliaments;

Underlines the importance of substantively involving Parliament in discussions about, and the pro-

53.
cedure for concluding, international treaties and agreements between the EU and third countries;

Proposes that measures be taken to strengthen, in particular, the scrutiny by Parliament of intelli-

54.
gence and security services regarding:

(a)

relations between EU institutions and agencies:

— by conferring on Parliament the authority to appoint, and dismiss, the Counter-Terrorism Coordi-

nator and the Directors of SitCen, the EU Satellite Centre (EUSC) and Eurojust;

— by ensuring that the Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and the Directors of SitCen, the EUSC and
Eurojust submit an annual report to Parliament on their activities and budget and by ensuring that
any subsequent recommendations and remarks from Parliament are duly taken into account;

(b)

relations between Member States and EU institutions and agencies:

— by developing cooperation between the European Parliament and national parliaments so as to
provide democratic scrutiny of EU intelligence agencies and organs as well as transparency and
reassurance for the citizens of the EU concerning the activities of both EU and national security
and intelligence services;

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— by updating the Interinstitutional Agreement of 7 November 2002 on the financing of

the
European Union Solidarity Fund (1) in order to include sensitive information in all CFSP activities
and to guarantee that Parliament is fully informed of any information available regarding the
entire area;

— by enhancing in particular the role of the existing Special Committee of the European Parliament,
as referred to in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 20 November 2002 concerning access by the
European Parliament to sensitive information of the Council in the sphere of security and defence
policy (2), so as to enable it to scrutinise the new intelligence organs at EU level (EUSC, SitCen, the
office of the Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Eurojust and the EU Military Staff);

— by conferring real powers on the office of the Counter-Terrorism Coordinator by strengthening the

Coordinator's remit and mandate;

(c)

relations between the EU and third countries:
— by engaging in an exchange of information and best practices between Parliament's Special Com-

mittee and the US Congress Committees on Intelligence;

— by requesting third countries, and in particular acceding or associated countries, to share available
sensitive information or intelligence material regarding the CFSP with their EU counterparts via
their respective parliaments or governments;

The financing of the CFSP/ESDP

55.
Regards the total amount of EUR 1 740 million allocated to the CFSP for the period from 2007 to
2013 as insufficient to achieve the ambitions of the EU as a global actor, while recognising that the CFSP
funding agreed for 2007, amounting to EUR 159,2 million, represents an important step forward in com-
parison with previous allocations of funds;

56. Welcomes the reinforcement of the CFSP chapter finally negotiated between Parliament and the
Council, agreeing that at least EUR 1 740 million will be available for the CFSP over the period 2007-
2013; recalls that this level will in fact more than triple the funding level of the old financial perspective
and, precisely for that reason, will need to be accompanied by strengthened measures for parliamentary
control and improved cooperation on the part of the Council;

57. Welcomes the 2006 Interinstitutional Agreement, which increases in particular Parliament's partici-
pation in the CFSP decision-making process, allows for greater democratic scrutiny of the external actions of
the EU and of the financing of CSFP actions, and consolidates and enhances the previous CFSP provisions
on regular political consultation with Parliament;

58.
Believes that a genuine assessment of the financial implications for the EU budget has hitherto been
hampered by a lack of proactive information on the part of the Council, even though joint meetings on this
issue have been held for the past few years; considers that, with the signing of the new Interinstitutional
Agreement, the time has now come to implement both the letter and the spirit of these provisions, which
have now been clearly formalised;

59.
Regrets the Council's previous attitude of only providing substantial financial information once the
final decisions have already been taken, thus defeating the very purpose of the exercise; welcomes, however,
the fact that there has been some improvement in this regard, notably in connection with the new Kosovo
mission, and expects this to continue on a regular basis;

60.
Underlines in this respect Points 42 and 43 of the 2006 Interinstitutional Agreement; specifically
emphasises the need for the Council to consult Parliament on a forward-looking document setting out the
main aspects and basic choices of the CFSP, including their financial implications, by 15 June each year in
full accordance with the new Interinstitutional Agreement; underlines that an evaluation of the measures
launched in the previous year is to be included and believes that, taken together, this could provide the basis
for genuinely improved democratic scrutiny;

(1) OJ C 283, 20.11.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 298, 30.11.2002, p. 1.

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Regrets — given the already insufficient amount allocated to the CFSP for the period 2007-2013 —
61.
that the specific article within the CFSP budget chapter devoted to EU Special Representatives does not avoid
the proliferation of envoys of that kind, who by definition should be nominated only in respect of special
cases and should not weaken the role of the Commission's delegations on the ground;

62.
Recalls that EU Special Representatives fall under the CFSP budget and that all the relevant provisions
of Point 42 of the 2006 Interinstitutional Agreement also apply as regards the financial consequences of the
extension of their mandates; is of the opinion that there is a need to establish criteria for the appointment
and evaluation of EU Special Representatives, including the definition and purpose of their tasks, length of
mandate, coordination and complementarity with the EC delegations under the first pillar and an assess-
ment of their potential ‘added value’; calls on the Council and the Commission to cooperate in this respect,
inter alia by providing timely access to the evaluation reports, which should include substantial, thorough
and objective information and be drawn up under the responsibility of the High Representative for CFSP;

63.
Expresses particular concern that mixed CFSP actions, entailing expenditure resulting from both
civilian actions and actions with military or defence implications, have hitherto been almost impossible for
any parliament to assess; points out that this results from the fragmented situation in which, on the one
hand, national parliaments have insight into the military/defence part of the financing and, on the other, the
European Parliament has insight into solely the civilian aspects; underlines that these combined civilian and
military actions should be susceptible to scrutiny as to their full scope, and therefore calls on the Council
and the Commission to cooperate fully in finding ways to obtain an overall picture of these missions and
their multiple financing structure;

Regrets that the 2006 Interinstitutional Agreement does not explicitly provide for the joint costs of
64.
military operations within the framework of the ESDP to be financed from the Community budget, thereby
discontinuing the existing practice of having recourse to Member States' subsidiary budgets or start-up
funds;

65.
Regrets, therefore, that the 2006 Interinstitutional Agreement does not change the existing rules on
ESDP operations, such as the principle that ‘costs lie where they fall’ or any other ad hoc arrangements such
as the so-called ‘Athena mechanism’; recalls that such arrangements perpetuate the financial burden on those
Member States which make the biggest contribution on the ground, thus jeopardising future participation in
ESDP operations and creating a situation which could easily be avoided by financing such operations from
the EU's budget;

Regrets that, in at least one case, the Council has financed certain costs through the inter-govern-
66.
mental ‘Athena mechanism’, even though the Commission clearly considered that the expenditure in ques-
tion should have been financed from the EU budget; considers that the Council and the Commission have
an obligation to inform and consult with Parliament in areas of doubt, and cannot accept unilateral deci-
sions by the Council;

Asks the Council to update Parliament on the new provisions concerning the ‘Athena mechanism’
67.
adopted in December 2006; is surprised that the Council did not see fit to inform Parliament on this matter
in the course of the two joint meetings held in the autumn of 2006, given the fact that this item had been
discussed earlier that year;

Reiterates in this regard its proposal for a new budgetary methodology to enhance transparency in
68.
ESDP spending and to support the development of the military and civilian capabilities needed to fulfil the
aims of the ESS by:

(a)

in an initial phase, the Council drawing up a budgetary document reflecting the commitments made by
the Member States to fulfil the Civilian Headline Goal 2008 and the Military Headline Goal 2010;

(b)

in a second phase, the Member States committing themselves to the ESDP through an indicative ‘bud-
get’, to be jointly debated by the European Parliament and the parliaments of Member States on an
annual basis, in which they would commit funds on a multi-annual basis to finance the equipment and

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personnel needed for ESDP operations, thus indicating the Member States' readiness to spend on the
ESDP and ensuring greater transparency as regards military spending;

(c)

finally, by reaching joint decisions on the rationalisation of the budget for the CFSP and the ESDP,
including the accounting of national expenditure at EU level in the security and defence dimension,
within the framework of the revised financial system of the EU envisaged for 2008-2009;

69.
Notes that any underspending, notably recoveries, in the CFSP chapter is subsequently treated by the
Commission as ‘assigned revenue’ under the terms of the Financial Regulation and is thus put back on the
lines the following year; is not convinced that this is consistent with the provisions of the Financial Regula-
tion, and asks the Court of Auditors to examine this matter;

*

*

*

70.
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments
and parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Secretary General of
NATO and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

P6_TA(2007)0206

Decent work

European Parliament resolution of 23 May 2007 on promoting decent work for all (2006/2240(INI))

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission communication on promoting decent work for all — The EU
the decent work agenda in the world (COM(2006)0249)

contribution to the implementation of
(Commission communication on decent work),

— having regard to the Commission staff working document — Annex to Commission communication

on decent work (SEC(2006)0643),

— having regard to the of the European Economic and Social Committee opinion of 17 January 2007 on

the Commission communication on decent work (1),

— having regard to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work,

— having regard to the European Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Fundamental

Freedoms,

— having regard to the ILO conventions and Core Labour Standards,

— having regard to paragraph 47 of the UN General Assembly resolution on the 2005 World Summit

Outcome, of 16 September 2005, which concerns decent work and fair globalisation,

— having regard to the adoption of the ministerial declaration by the UN Economic and Social Council on
5 July 2006 stating that there is an urgent need to create an environment at national and international
level conducive to generating full and productive employment and decent work for all as a key element
of sustainable development,

— having regard to the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation report entitled, ‘A

fair globalisation: creating opportunities for all’, of 24 February 2004,

(1) OJ C 93, 27.4.2007, p. 38.