Raadsconclusies Algemene Zaken (en) - Main contents
Brussels, 23 May 2011
President Mr János MARTONYIMinister for Foreign Affairs of Hungary
The Council discussed an annotated draft agenda for the June meeting of the European Council.
It adopted conclusions reviewing implementation of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, on
maritime surveillance and on regulation and supervision in commodity markets and related financial markets.
CONTENTS
ITEMS DEBATED
PREPARATION OF THE JUNE EUROPEAN COUNCIL .............................................................. 6
ROMA INTEGRATION STRATEGIES............................................................................................. 7
CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ...................................................................................... 8
ENLARGEMENT - CROATIA........................................................................................................... 9
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
GENERAL AFFAIRS
-
-Maritime surveillance - Council conclusions ........................................................................................................ 10
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
-
-Raw materials and commodity markets - Council conclusions ............................................................................. 10
BUDGETS
-
-EU solidarity fund for the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia ........................................................................ 11
ENVIRONMENT
-
-Protection of the Prespa park area ......................................................................................................................... 12
ITEMS DEBATED
PREPARATION OF THE JUNE EUROPEAN COUNCIL
The Council examined an annotated draft agenda for the European Council meeting to be held on
23 and 24 June (doc. 9786/11).
The European Council is expected to focus on:
· Economic policy: conclusion of the 2011 European Semester (annual monitoring of budgetary policies and structural reforms), review of progress on the EU's comprehensive response to the sovereign debt crisis.
· Migration: review of progress in implementing asylum and migration policies and issues raised by recent developments in the southern Mediterranean.
· Croatia: review of progress in negotiations on its accession to the EU.
The European Council will also be called on to decide on the appointment of a new president of the European Central Bank. It will take note of the outcome of work on the means to promote the inclusion of the Roma population (see page 7), and on the launch of a strategy for the Danube region.
The Council will further discuss preparations at its meeting on 21 June, on the basis of draft European Council conclusions.
ROMA INTEGRATION STRATEGIES
The Council took note of a report from the presidency on the outcome of work on the inclusion of the Roma population in the EU. It agreed to forward the report to the European Council for endorsement at its meeting on 23 and 24 June.
Despite efforts at both national and European level to advance Roma inclusion, many of the estimated eight million EU citizens who are Roma still face poverty, social exclusion, discrimination, segregation and insufficient access to fundamental rights. Similar problems afflict the estimated two to four million Roma who live in neighbouring European countries.
In a communication issued on 5 April, the Commission calls on the member states to present by the end of the year Roma integration strategies focusing on education, employment, healthcare and
The presidency report summarises discussions on the basis of the Commission's communication. These were held:
· at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 12 April;
· at a special session of the Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 19 May, which also adopted conclusions
; and
· at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council on 20 May, in the context of a debate on early school leaving.
Welcoming the renewed commitment voiced by all member states in support of the advancement of the inclusion of the Roma population, the Council agreed on the need to give a strong impetus to the launch of a new EU framework. .
CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
The Council adopted conclusions on implementation of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Prepared in response to a report from the Commission on the charter's application in 2010 ( 8453/11), the conclusions highlight actions taken by the Council and identify areas for potential further initiatives.
They can be found in 10139/1/11 REV 1.
ENLARGEMENT - CROATIA
Ministers held an exchange of views over dinner on how to approach the final stage of negotiations with Croatia on its accession to the EU.
They took note of the Commission's intention to submit to the Council as early as possible draft EU common positions for the remaining open chapters of the negotiations.
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
GENERAL AFFAIRS
Maritime surveillance - Council conclusions
The Council adopted conclusions on maritime surveillance (9250/11).
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Raw materials and commodity markets - Council conclusions
The Council adopted conclusions on regulation and supervision in commodity markets and related financial markets.
The conclusions, based on a communication from the Commission (5992/11), highlight the need to improve the quality and the availability of data, and to improve cooperation between the regulators of financial markets and regulators of commodity markets.
They call for increased transparency on commodity derivatives markets, in particular by requiring investors to notify their investment positions to regulators ("position reporting") so as to more effectively prevent market abuses.
The conclusions can be found in 9722/11.
BUDGETS
EU solidarity fund for the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia
The Council adopted its position on draft amending budget no 2 for 2011 , accepting the mobilisation of EUR 19.5 million in commitment and payment appropriations to provide financial assistance to the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia subsequent to heavy flooding in August and September 2010.
Financial assistance amounting to EUR 10.9 million should be provided to the Czech Republic, EUR 7.5 million for Slovenia and EUR 1.18 million for Croatia.
In line with the interinstitutional agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management, the Council wishes to use redeployments in order to cover the payments, while the commitments would come in addition to existing ones.
ENVIRONMENT
Protection of the Prespa park area
The Council approved, on behalf of the EU, a multilateral agreement for the protection and the sustainable development of the Prespa park area, a unique natural area with high ecological significance ( 16581/10).
The agreement is concluded with Greece, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which share the park area.
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