PURPOSE : to present the annual report from the Council on the main aspects and basic options in regard to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in 1999.
CONTENT : in conformity with point 40, section H, of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 on the budgetary discipline and the improvement of the budgetary procedure, the Council is presenting a document to the European Parliament which sets out the main aspects and basic options in regard to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including their financial implications for the Union's budget.
This third report, like the two preceding reports, focuses on the following points:
1) presenting a description of CFSP activities (joint strategies, joint actions and decisions concerning their implementation, declarations and political dialogue approaches);
2) creating an additional chapter relating to external relations of the Union in the annual report on the progress of the European Union;
3) presenting the main priorities of the Union on the subject of external relations in 2000.
The report highlights the fact that the entry into force in 1999 of the Amsterdam Treaty, which laid the foundations of a more effective CFSP, was the main achievement of 1999, along with the creation of the post of High Representative (Mr Javier SOLANA) and the establishment of a management unit and rapid alert system.
Amongst the important meetings held in 1999, the report cites the European Councils in Cologne and Helsinki which together established the main principles and modalities for the Union to deal with military and non-military crises in the context of a strengthened Common European policy in the field of security and defence.
In 1999, the EU adopted two common strategies for Russia and Ukraine with the aim of laying the foundations of a strategic partnership. In the Balkans, the Kosovo crisis attracted attention throughout the year with intense efforts in view to finding a negotiated solution to inter-ethnic conflict. The Stability Pact for South East Europe was launched in 1999 to contribute towards reinforcing peace in the region. Furthermore, the Union has given its broad support to democratic forces in the Former Yugoslav Republic and has continued to exert pressure on President Milosovic to convince him to opt for more democratic values.
In other regions of the world, the Union maintained a constructive engagement as in, for example, South Asia against the Kaboul regime, in Indonesia by launching an arms embargo with a view to supporting the process in East-Timor, in Africa where many initiatives have been taken to restore human rights and democratic principles (Ethiopia, Erithrea and Congo), in the Middle East, with the appointment of a special Union representative to this region (Mr. Miguel Moratinos).
In the field of disarmament, the Union continued its efforts to achieve the objective of the total elimination of anti-personnel land mines in the world and adopted a first report on the application of the code of conduct concerning arms exports.
With regard to the budget, expenses are generally linked to the sending of special envoys from the Union to regions at risk. These relate in particular to the Balkans which attract most of the Community financial efforts with assistance to Bosnia (EUR 16 million), former Yugoslavia and Kosovo (special envoy from the Union: EUR 500 000, as well as support to UNMIK: EUR 910 000) and Albania (EUR 2.6 million).
The other main priorities were the Stability Pact for South East Europe as well as the Royaumont Process (assistance to promote good relations with neighbouring countries in the region) for a total of EUR 5 million; the Middle East Peace Process (around EUR 3 million); the Great Lakes Region and the Congo (more than EUR 2.2 million) and Russia (around EUR 9 million with a view to financing a disarmament programme).
It should also be noted that additional financial assistance has been provided in order to continue the disarmament effort and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the world.
As regards the initiatives foreseen for the year 2000, the report clearly outlines the continuation of actions already under way in the regions with a greater emphasis on the situation in the Balkan region, Eastern Europe and Russia. A particular priority will be given to the development of the Union's abilities in terms of managing civil and military crises.
Furthermore, another objective highlighted in the report aims to overcome the bilateral trade differences which affect the positive overall relations with the Union and the United States in 2000.
Lastly, this document states that new efforts will be made in order to increase contacts with civil society and international organisations and actors.