|
I. Economic facts of EU countries in 2005
To see this table please click here
II. Issues on the EU Agenda (statement from Austria’s EU presidency)
In the first half of 2006, Austria will hold the Presidency for the second time since accession to the EU in 1995 and is following after the United Kingdom’s Presidency. It first held the Presidency in 1998. Austria will be followed by Finland on 1st July 2006.
The programme outlined for the Presidency sets out the main objectives for the work of the Council in 2006. It is drawn up by the future Austrian and Finnish Presidencies on the basis of the Multi-annual Programme covering the years2004-2006. Recent debates have underlined the importance of the Union concentrating on issues which matter to citizens in their everyday lives. The two Presidencies will work closely together in order to ensure that the work of the Council during 2006 contributes to economic and social welfare, protection of environment, freedom and security of European citizens as well as strengthening the role of the Union within the world. Work underway on a number of key priorities designed to ensure that the EU responds successfully to the challenges and opportunities of globalisation will be carried forward.
To this end the Presidencies will cooperate with all the members states within the Council, as well as with the European Parliament and the Commission to enhance overall effectiveness and continuity of the Union’s action. Both Austria and Finland will pay particular attention to the smooth and effective functioning of the Council and to ensuring as much transparency as possible in the exercise of the function of the Presidency.
The two Presidencies will focus on the following issues:
Future financing of the Union
The agreement reached at the European Council in December 2005 provides the framework for the Union’s finances over the next financing period. This agreement now needs to be translated in close cooperation with the European Parliament into the necessary legal instruments. It will be for the two Presidencies to ensure that these legal acts are adopted as soon as possible in order to provide the basis for the financing of the Union’s policies over the period of 2007-2013.
Working for growth and jobs
The Lisbon strategy drawn up in 2000 continues to play an important role in helping the EU and the member states to respond to the challenges of ageing and globalisation. Delivering on this response will be one of the main priorities for the Union over the next few years. In 2005 the Lisbon strategy was adapted to help meet the key challenge of delivering on growth and creating jobs as part of the overall objective of strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy and securing the sustainability of the European welfare model.
As an essential element for enhancing economic dynamism in Europe, the Presidencies will pay special attention to completing the internal market, especially for services, telecommunication, energy and financial services. Special emphasis will also be placed on fostering a supportive framework for R&D as well as creating an environment that encourages innovations and strengthens the knowledge based economy and skills.
Strengthening the area of freedom, security and justice
The Hague programme adopted in 2004 constitutes the framework for meeting these concerns. Implementing this programme will be one of the priorities in 2006. Efforts will concentrate on implementing the external aspects of the programme, on stepping up the Union’s efforts to combat terrorism and serious crime, to improving the exchange of relevant information, on promoting mutual recognition of judicial decisions and on creating a common asylum policy as well as a common migration management.
Enlargement
In 2006 the monitoring of Bulgaria and Romania will be stepped up as part of the preparations for their accession scheduled for 2007. In addition, the accession negotiations with Croatia and Turkey will be taken forward in accordance with the agreed negotiating frameworks.
Strengthening the role of the Union in the world
With almost half a billion inhabitants, a quarter of world trade and as the world’s largest development aid donor, the Union has a significant role to play internationally. The principal objectives of the Union in the area of external relations are the enhancement of security, stability and democracy as well as alleviation of poverty especially in Africa. The Union will continue in 2006 to pursue these objectives through the coherent and integrated use of the various instruments available.
III. EAPM news
For the first time, the EAPM has got two applications from one and the same country: Two associations from Russia have applied for EAPM membership. In order to find out more about the two associations, three members of the EAPM’s Executive Committee have travelled to Moscow and presented their findings at the EAPM Executive Committee meeting on 20th January 2006.
Israel has also applied for EAPM membership but because of not being a part of Europe it seems likely that a corresponding membership – which is offered to those countries outside Europe – can be offered to the Israeli association.
The 23rd EAPM congress will take place in Vienna on 20-22 June 2007.
|
