FUNDS
FOR TRANS-EUROPEAN NETWORKS In
December 2001 the European Parliament adopted a resolution approving the
Commission's financing of the TENs programmes in 1999. 1999 marked the approval
of a €4.6bn funding programme for the period 2000-2006 and the commitment to
the Galileo satellite navigation system.
Some €520m was also agreed to form pre-accession aid for the candidate countries. MEPs wish to see greater project evaluation in the future, including an assessment of additional funding provided by national or local authorities and the private sector. The Commission is also requested to monitor progress in Member States towards deregulation of the gas and electricity markets. Priority should also be given towards developing transport links with a positive impact on the environment such as rail and waterway networks. European Parliament Report Ref: Doc.: A5-0439/2001
COMMISSION
LEGISLATION NEWS: In December the
European Commission announced that it wished to reduce the volume of Community
legislation by at least 25% by January 2005.
It has also decided to withdraw around 100 legislative proposals it does
not regard as being of topical interest.
Community
laws, rules and regulations, known as the acquis
communautaire fill some 80,000 pages of the Official Journal –
representing around 10% of existing bodies of law at national level.
Nothing can be achieved without support from the Council of Ministers and
the European parliament and so a plan of action will now appear till June 2002,
following “inter-institutional discussions”.
PRIORITIES
FOR SPAIN’S PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION – January – June 2002
Spain
has adopted the slogan “More Europe” for its Presidency to emphasise the
pro-European character of its activity at a time when 12 EU Member States are
adopting the new European currency.
Spain
has committed to accomplish the following:
1.
Combat terrorism
2.
Successful introduction of the
Euro
3.
To promote the Lisbon Process
during the Barcelona European Council
4.
European Union enlargement
5.
Foreign Affairs: More Europe
around the world
6.
Debate Europe’s future
The
third of the six priorities relates largely to liberalisation of Europe’s
economy. Impetus will be given to
five specific areas which are:
a) a
European transport and telecommunications space
b) A
single energy market – complete opening up of the electricity and gas markets
c) A
single financial market – seen as a logical consequence of the Euro
d) The
aim of full employment in Europe by 2010
e)
To achieve a knowledge-based, competitive and dynamic economy
With
regard to enlargement an Accession Treaty Draft Group will be formed during the
Spanish Presidency.
Spain’s
priorities for Foreign Affairs are:
1.
The Common Foreign and Security Policy to ensure more efficient crisis
management action
2.
The Trans-Atlantic Relationship (including environmental matters, the
fight against terrorism, poverty in developing countries, increased
multi-lateral trade).
3.
The situation in Afghanistan (to include strengthening EU relationships
with the neighbouring countries of India, Pakistan and the Republic of Central
Asia).
4.
The Middle East Process -efforts to stem violence and find a political
solution are considered more urgent than ever.
5.
The Euro-Mediterranean Association is of particular interest to Spain.
6.
Russia: to emphasise current collaboration and support from Russia, a
Russia Summit is scheduled for May 2002.
7.
Western Balkans – continued management of the Stabilisation and
Association Process.
8.
Latin America – Spain will pay particular attention to the second Eu-Latin
America/Caribbean Summit and will arrange separate summit meetings with Mercosur,
the Andean Community, Mexico and Chile.
9.
Asia – preparation will be made for the Fourth Asia-Europe Summit
scheduled for late 2002.
10.
Sub-saharan Africa: formulas will be sought to solve the most important
armed conflicts.
11.
United Nations – relations will include the fight against terrorism
12.
Development Co-operation: Negotiations will start on new Economic
Partnership Agreements with the future ACP regional free trade areas
The
Spanish Presidency will also mark the launch of formal pan-European activity on
the future of Europe.
Former
French President Valery Giscard-D’Estaing has been appointed to lead the
Convention which will commence discussions in March 2002.
The two Vice-Chairmen of the Convention are Guiliano Amato and Jean-Luc
Dehaene. The Convention will be
further supported by a “Praesidium” comprising representatives of Spain,
Italy and Greece, the three countries that will hold the EU Presidency during
the Convention’s period of activity.
D E Maxwell, December 2001/January 2002