B3-0947, 0949 and 0951/93

Resolution on the outcome of the Copenhagen European Council meeting of 21-22 June 1993

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its resolution of 26 May 1993 on the Copenhagen European Council,

-having regard to the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council of 21-22 June 1993,

-having regard to the outcome of the Luxembourg Interinstitutional Conference of 7 June 1993,

A.whereas priority must be given to resolving the problem of employment in the Community,

B.whereas the Community institutions must work in a transparent, democratic manner,

C.whereas a prompt decision is needed on the seat for the newly-established institutions so that they can carry out their tasks to the full,

D.whereas enlargement of the Community must not weaken its already very limited decision-making capacity,

1.Notes the results of the European Council which, despite a number of weaknesses, maintain and confirm progress towards European Union after a period of uncertainty, which must be ended by the ratification of the Treaty on European Union by all the Member States, with the social chapter being an integral part thereof,

2.Deplores the tendency appearing in some Member States to transfer responsibility for the crisis to the workforce and their social security systems, an approach which is incompatible with the effort required from everybody if a way out of the crisis is to be found;

Employment and competitiveness

3.Notes with satisfaction that the Council considered a proposal for a Community policy designed to strengthen the measures taken by the Member States to deal with the economic and social situation;

4.Notes the stated resolve to address the basic problem in the Community, i.e. the reduction of unemployment, which must be done by pursuing a strategy of sustainable growth and improving the competitive position of European industry, all of which must be underpinned by a coordinated reduction in interest rates;

5.Welcomes the Council's recommendation to the Member States to take national measures in their 1994 budget planning to revive the economy by programmes geared towards infrastructure, environmental protection and urban renewal, with special attention being paid to small and medium-sized undertakings for which ECU 1 billion has been set aside and which would benefit from interest rate subsidies to a maximum of three percentage points over five years; hopes that the recommendation on fiscal measures to reduce energy consumption will be followed in all the Member States;

6.Calls on all the Member States to provide for the application of the new Structural Funds for the period 1994-1999 by having adopted as soon as possible the legislation on the reform of the Structural Funds, with Objective 4, which seeks to assist industrial sectors in decline, being endorsed with sufficient funds;

7.Endorses the Council decision concerning the 'Edinburgh' facilities and welcomes the Commission's proposal of a bridging facility designed to speed up progress with investment projects financed by the Structural Funds;

8.Takes the view that no way out of the crisis will be found unless all the social partners make a joint effort; believes that an agreement between the social partners on a European employment pact is essential;

9.Urges the Council to use the Community employment framework as the basis for the fight against unemployment problems, primarily by cooperating with local authorities, particularly in the implementation of measures to improve vocational training, enhance worker mobility, remove obstacles barring access to certain professions, make working practices more flexible and create high-productivity jobs for skilled workers;

10.Takes the view that a long-term improvement in employment levels will depend in part on the reduction of production costs;

11.Stresses that Community policy must enhance the competitiveness of European industry, using the following instruments: completion of the more competitive internal market, cutting interest rates, effective coordination of national economic and investment policies and lower budget deficits, a halt to competitive devaluations with a view to speeding up progress towards Monetary Union;

12.Welcomes the proposals made by President Delors in the annex to the conclusions, takes the view that the proposal seeking to increase funds for research and development amounting to 3% of Community GDP is a step in the right direction and points out that increased funds for industrial innovation cannot under any circumstances be deducted from the funds required for the fourth Framework Programme of Research and Development;

GATT

13.Is convinced that protectionism does not offer a solution for the unemployment problem within the Community and will only aggravate the economic and social situation; trade relations have to be fair and equitable and based on equal access to markets;

14.Welcomes the European Council's position on the necessity to complete a comprehensive, lasting and balanced agreement in the framework of the Uruguay Round before the end of the year and is convinced that only the preservation of multilateralism and free, open and fair world trade will offer possibilities for sustainable growth; welcomes the Commission's proposal to modernize GATT;

15.Repeats its view that, within the framework of GATT, account must be taken of the social and ecological aspects of world trade;

Transport

16.Notes the decision of the Council of Transport Ministers of 19 June 1993 on road transport taxation; notes that it bears little resemblance to the Commission's original proposal and therefore asks to be consulted again; takes the view that this measure may adversely affect other modes of transport which are more environmentally acceptable;

Internal market

17.Expresses its anger at the continuing obstacles to the free movement of persons provided for in Article 8a of the Treaty, even though almost six months have passed since the date when it was expected that Article 8a would come into effect;

18.Is concerned at the Council's failure to support the proposed legislation on the European Company Statute and European Works Council as set out by Denmark in the programme for its presidency; calls for the early adoption of this legislation, which is now more necessary than ever;

19.Takes the view that the multiplier effect of the internal market will only be fully exploited when monetary and fiscal cohesion is at a maximum; takes the view that, if the EMS is to function properly, all currencies must participate, since a combination of currency devaluation and a lowering of social security levels will create the conditions for a serious breakdown which could jeopardize the internal market;

Institutional framework

20.Notes with regret that the Council and Commission have decided to define and implement unilaterally the principle of subsidiarity without waiting for Parliament's agreement, a requirement laid down by the Edinburgh decision; regrets that this principle is to be implemented solely on the basis of a narrow vision of the smooth functioning of the institutions and hopes that the draft interinstitutional agreement will soon be adopted;

21.Notes that reference to the three guiding principles of democracy, transparency and subsidiarity is becoming a ritual exercise in empty rhetoric quite at odds with the day-to-day attitude of the Council, as exemplified by the obscure nature of the comitology arrangements;

22.Criticizes the Council's failure to grant the Ombudsman the right to obtain all the information needed to carry out his task in line with the requirements of transparency;

23.Regards as deeply regrettable the lack of any decision on the seats of the institutions and the bodies now being set up, in particular the European Monetary Institute, the European Environment Agency, the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products and EUROPOL, and stresses that the Council's failure to shoulder its responsibilities is delaying, in a damaging way, the establishment of the institutions and bodies fundamental to the establishment of European Union;

24.Cannot accept that the decision to proceed as quickly as possible to the enlargement of the Community to include four new Member States should not be accompanied by consideration of the need to ensure the smooth functioning of an enlarged Community or the need to make the requisite institutional changes accordingly; recalls, in this connection, that Parliament's assent is required for the admission of any new Member State;

Central and Eastern Europe

25.Welcomes the decision by the European Council to offer the prospect of accession to the European Union to those countries in Central and Eastern Europe which have signed European association agreements or with which negotiations for such agreements are taking place, while respecting the acquis communautaire;

26.Requests all the Member States which have not yet done so to ratify the Europe Agreements concluded with these countries without delay;

27.Notes, however, that since the fall of the Berlin Wall the trade balance between the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the European Community has increased in favour of the latter; therefore asks for:

-a European Community-sponsored 'Inner, Central and East European Export Guarantee System' to be established in order to increase trade between the countries of Central and Eastern Europe,

-import restrictions on products from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to be phased out as quickly as possible, taking account of the difficult position of some industrial and agricultural sectors within the EC,

-a financial aid scheme for restructuring sectors hit by the phasing out of import quotas to be established;

28.Stresses that accession must take place in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty and in the light of the internal situation in the Community, on the one hand, which would enable it to be enlarged without the disruption of its normal operation, and, on the other hand, the political, economic, social and human rights situation in the applicant countries;

29.Reiterates its decision that a revision of the institutional framework of the Community should take place before accession of these countries to the European Union;

30.Emphasizes in this connection the need for a structured relationship between the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the institutions of the Union; is of the opinion that political dialogue with these countries should be intensified and should be of a multilateral nature;

Pact on stability in Europe

31.Welcomes the fact that the European Council has taken up the French proposal for a pact on stability in Europe and that this will be further developed by the next European Council;

32.Asks to be involved in the further elaboration of this proposal and in the work of the preparatory conference that will take place on this issue;

Africa

33.Welcomes the European Council's recognition of the importance of further expansion of cooperation in democratization, peaceful development and development assistance in the African continent;

34.Notes therefore with satisfaction the European Council's specific concern about the situation in Sudan, Somalia, Angola, Mozambique, Liberia and Zaire as regards the violation of human rights, the continuation of violent conflicts and the need for humanitarian aid and economic and social development in these countries;

35.Welcomes the European Council's decision on a special rehabilitation initiative for the developing countries in Africa; is however of the opinion that a stronger financial commitment will be necessary;

36.Emphasizes the Community's support for the process of democratization and the efforts to curb violence in South Africa, especially through its commitment to provide support to the first free elections there scheduled for April 1994; welcomes the European Council's commitment to contribute to the economic and social development of the new South Africa;

Racism and xenophobia

37.Welcomes the European Council's condemnation of racist attacks on immigrants and refugees; expects the Member States and the Commission to implement this declaration of principle and to strengthen it by specific measures; trusts that measures against racial discrimination will be adopted and applied and that measures for the integration of minorities into our multicultural societies will be encouraged;

38.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Heads of State or Government, the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.