European Council releases Presidency Conclusions

The European Council, which took place on 19 and 20 June, has released its Presidency Conclusions, which cover a wide range of topics. These include the Western Balkans, the MDGs, and the two initiatives for increased cooperation with the EU’s neighbours; namely the Union for the Mediterranean and the Eastern Partnership.

Nothing new was announced in terms of the Western Balkans. The Council reaffirmed its support for the European perspective of the countries in the region, stressing the need for political and economic reform and underlining the need for recent progress to be consolidated, through the Stabilisation and Association Process.

The Council turned its attention to the Millennium Development Goals because of the importance of 2008 as a ‘turning point in enhancing the collective efforts to eradicate poverty in the context of sustainable development.’ The Council seems much more optimistic about the possibilities of achieving the MDGs than most other actors, although despite being convinced they can all be achieved, it does admit concern at current trends. ODA commitments were restated, and the member states are being encouraged to establish indicative timetables. Other related areas also covered by the conclusions are aid effectiveness, policy coherence for development (PCD) and Aid for Trade.

The compromise between the heavily criticised Barcelona Process, which has been in place since 1995, and the newly re-proposed Mediterranean Union, has been given the title Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean and is seen by the Council as an opportunity to ‘inject further momentum into the Union’s relations with the Mediterranean.’ The EU will consult its Mediterranean partners in order to prepare a joint declaration to be adopted at the Paris summit for the Mediterranean on 13 July.

The Eastern Partnership, recently proposed by Poland in response to the increased cooperation foreseen for the Mediterranean region, was welcomed by the Council as a way of developing the eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and enhancing regional cooperation.

The full Presidency Conclusions can be downloaded from: http://www.eu2008.si/en/News_and_Documents/Council_Conclusions/June/0619_EC-CON.pdf

Information provided by Rebecca Steel, TRIALOG