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18Jun2001 EU: EU/EUROPEAN SUMMIT OF GOTHENBURG. 
WITH "IFS", SUMMIT SAYS THAT CANDIDATES SO READY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CLOSE
ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS END-2002 - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INTEGRATED IN
LISBON STRATEGY - REFLECTION ON NEXT IGC TO CONTINUE UNTIL LAEKEN - EU TO
APPOINT REPRESENTATIVE IN SKOPJE, FOR LIMITED PERIOD.

Gothenburg, 17/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Council of 15 and 16
June was "a success", especially regarding EU enlargement and the strategy
for sustainable development, despite the presence of "criminal elements who
move between our different countries and seek to destroy democracy", said
Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson at his press conference on Saturday at
the end of the Gothenburg Summit, referring to the demonstrations that
degenerated on day before leaving several seriously injured and a lot of
damage. Mr. Persson announced that a working party had been set up with the
previous presidencies - French - and future - Belgian to see "how to protect
ourselves from these developments in the EU" (see other article). As for
President Romano Prodi, at the same press conference, he rejected these
"anti-democratic methods, that undermine the message of the peaceful
demonstrators". And the High Representative for Cfsp, Javier Solana told Mr.
Persson, before the press, alluding in particular to the "enormous efforts"
of a neutral country like Sweden to develop Cfsp during its Presidency: "You
have worked very well to make this world a better place, it is a pity that
some people don't understand it".
At the Summit, it was finally "impossible to resist" the idea of the Swedish
Presidency to set a date for the conclusion of accession negotiations with
those countries so ready, Mr. Persson underpinned. The Presidency
Conclusions state: "Provided that progress towards meeting the accession
criteria continues at an unabated pace, the road map should make it possible
to complete negotiations by the end of 2002 for those candidate countries
that are ready. The objective is that they should participate in the
European Parliament elections of 2004 as members" (whereas the Conclusions
of the European Council of Nice said that the EU undertook itself to be
ready, thanks to a review of the Treaty, to welcome these countries at that
date). Mr. Persson referred in particular to the encouragement given in
Gothenburg to Bulgaria and Romania (the conclusions state that "special
efforts" would be made to help them) and a decision to invite Ukraine and
Moldova to participate in the European Conference in future.
As for the strategy fr sustainable development, which did not take up too
much time of the Heads of State and Government but that take up about four
of the sixteen pages of the Presidency Conclusions, Mr. Persson said that
work on that subject had been "launched one day on a Cardiff parking lot"
)where the European Council of June 1998 was held: Ed.), and that Margot
Wallstrom - a "very dynamic" Commissioner for the Environment - produced a
paper "turned towards the future". And Mr. Prodi recognised that the notion
of "sustainable development" has existed for years, but only now was it
moving from words to actions (the Gothenburg Conclusions affirms in
particular that the Commission undertakes to present, at latest in January
2002 (a Communication on how EU must contribute to sustainable development
in the world).
In Gothenburg, talks on the future of Europe were not very detailed, and the
issue will be resumed under the Belgian Presidency, Persson confirmed,
noting that the possibility of setting up a "Convention" could create
problems for certain countries. Prodi (who announced that he would be going
to Ireland next week after the Summit to "contribute to the effort at
explaining" following the rejection of the Treaty of Nice, and to "listen to
the Irish people", for his part, said that this debate had to be conducted
"seriously and calmly". The Summit conclusions states that: "Reflections on
how to structure the preparatory phase for the 2004 IGC and broaden
participation in that work, including the possible creation of an open
forum, will continue up to the Laeken European Council." (You may also
recall that the Belgian presidency is considering having itself assisted by
a Group of the Wise, an that for this Group, the names of Jacques Delores,
Jean-Luc Dehaene, Giuliano Amato, former Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw
Geremek and Peter Madelson, minister under Tony Blair, are circulating:
Ed.).
The decision of the Summit to appoint, for a limited period of time, a
representative of the EU, resident in Skopje, who will act under your
authority, is that "not a complication" asked a journalist of Javier Solana.
No, it is a good idea of having someone there "24 hours a day", the High
Representative explained (who already has a personal representative on the
ground, in the person of the British Ambassador: Ed). France presented for
this job the candidacy of former Defence Minister Francois Leotard, but the
decision should only be taken at the General Affairs Council of 25 June.
Aznar: impetus of future Spanish Presidency for enlargement
At his press conference, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar reaffirmed
that Spain was in favour of the reference to a date on enlargement in the
conclusions of the European Council and said that the future Spanish
Presidency, in the first half of 2002, would provide a "renewed impetus" to
accession negotiations. He then announced that, in September already, he
would be visiting applicant countries, and that an "ad hoc" meeting was
scheduled with them on the fringe of the Barcelona Summit next Spring. This
summit will be a "major" rendez-vous for the strategy on sustainable
development, said Aznar, announcing that Spain would present its national
strategy for sustainable development next week already. In this context, he
placed emphasis on the conclusions concerning the inter-connection of
transport networks, on biodiversity (Spain is one of the EU countries with
"the highest degree of biodiversity", he said) and on combating
desertification (phenomenon that affects some areas in Spain). Barcelona
will be an opportunity to provide "great impetus" to the Lisbon Process,
Aznar went on, placing special emphasis on the acceleration of economic
reforms, including market liberalisation, especially that of key sectors
like energy. Finally, he welcomed the reference to outlying regions in the
Summit's conclusions, that also cite the provisions of Article 229 (which he
particularly welcomed) on agricultural and structural policy.
Berlusconi: enlargement will be a "return to Europe of values"
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi told the press on Saturday that, as
newcomer, he "kept back a bit" during the Summit. Flanked by his Foreign
Minister Renato Ruggiero, Berlusconi spoke in particular of his meeting with
President Bush and enlargement, that he said, represents a "return to
values, like the founding fathers had wanted". Questioned on the Italian
deficit, Mr. Berlusconi repeated that that was a problem he was going to
address in Rome. As for the "reservations" of certain EU countries regarding
members of his government, Berlusconi said Friday afternoon: "I there are
reservations, they're well hidden". As, without being asked, he denied the
report in the press agency France Press ("it is absolutely without
foundation, there is nothing true in it") stating that his speech, over
dinner with President Bush, had essentially been anti-Communist diatribe,
and an opportunity for him to proclaim himself a "happy man" for having,
through his victory in the elections of 13 May, "liberated" Italy of
Communism. Yet, some Heads of Government - notably the Netherlands' Wim Kok
- confirmed the content of the intervention of the new Italian Prime
Minister and the embarrassment it had provoked (especially for Lionel
Jospin, Antonio Guterrer, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and costas Simitis).
Schroeder and Schussel stress that date of 2002 is but an "objective"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder welcomed the conclusions on enlargement,
even though the final text, with the mention of the date 2002 as possible
date for the end of negotiations, finally goes further than Germany wanted.
It would have been "inappropriate" for Germany to oppose the text of the
Swedish Presidency, especially as, in the end, it was isolated on this
issue, said Schroeder. "That would not have been right in relation to the
marvellous work undertaken by the Swedish Presidency in the field of
enlargement", said the Chancellor. Nevertheless, the conclusions of the
fifteen may not be considered as a firm commitment, but only as "a political
affirmation of a common goal". The EU's objective of ending negotiations by
the end of 2002 will only apply to countries the best prepared, which means
that they all have additional efforts to make in preparing for membership,
said Schroeder. "I would like Poland to be among the first, I consider this
desirable"", but there will be no "political discount" for any of the
candidates, he stressed. Regarding the conclusions of the Summit over
sustainable development, Mr. Schroeder said he was satisfied on the whole,
but that he would have preferred an even more explicit and clear reference
to the need for agricultural reforms and that of food safety. "Kyoto will
not be blocked by the Americans, but I don't expect them to change their
minds", said the Chancellor, referring to the outcome of the EU/United
States Summit. Regarding the situation in Macedonia, Schroeder stressed the
"magnificent work" of Javier Solana for whom an EU representative on the
ground, in Skopje, should soon be appointed. "I back the French candidate",
Francois Leotard, said Mr. Schroeder.
For Austrian Prime Minister Wolfgang Schuessel, the conclusions on
enlargement were clearly a "positive signal" to the candidates as they
assured them that the process would be pursued "with dynamism and
determination". "The road map is binding" for the continuation of
negotiations under the Belgian and Spanish Presidencies, but like his German
colleague, Schuessel placed emphasis on the fact that the date of 2002 for
the end of negotiations was only an "objective", and not a firm commitment.
The Austrian Chancellor especially welcomed the fact that at his request, an
additional paragraph on border areas had been added to the conclusions,
calling on the Commission to submit to the Council, very shortly, is
communication which has been expected some time now on possible measures to
take with a view to supporting development in border regions (in Austria,
Germany, Italy and Finland) in the framework of enlargement. "it seemed to
us necessary to recall the Conclusions of Nice on this subject, as the
Commission is lagging behind in preparing this report", said Schuessel.
According to him, the Commission has now undertaken to submit its proposals
"before the summer still". In reaction to comments from Vienna (where
representatives of his coalition partner are said to have spoken out in
favour of a referendum on EU enlargement), the Austrian Chancellor was very
clear: "I could never agree to a referendum on that issue".
Chirac pleads in favour of a European model of sustainable development and
Jospin stresses
that candidate countries must not let up in their efforts
The President of the French Republic, Jacques Chirac welcomed this Summit
that "enabled Europeans to move forward and state their unity", notably
regarding climate change. "We had a very open and agreeable conversation
with President Bush, but on the essential issues, we clearly and unanimously
expressed our stance: it is essential that the Kyoto Protocol be implemented
as planned. I hope that our unanimous determination will be taken into
account" he declared. For Mr. Chirac, this summit "will remain important
from an environmental point of view", as "the European Union laid down the
foundations for a genuine strategy for sustainable development", the
principles of which were approved, but not yet the modalities. "Our aim is
to take a step in the development of a European model of development" the
President declared, satisfied that the environmental dimension should have
been added to the economic and social chapters.
Regarding the Irish referendum, Chirac stressed the Council's respect for
the Irish vote, but also its "unanimous refusal to reopen the Treaty, its
will to promote its ratification in the time allowed and to guarantee that
there will be no delay in enlargement". He welcomed the fact that the
Council had "affirmed the definitive, irreversible nature of enlargement",
while addressing "a clear and strong message perfectly understood by the
candidate countries".
Regarding security, Gothenburg was, according to Chirac, "an essential date"
in that it marked "a political awareness raising of the need to combat
proliferation effectively, notably in the ballistic field". He welcomed the
fact that the Fifteen had taken on board the French proposal of rendering
universal the MTCR code of conduct (see declaration joined to the Summit
Conclusions), stressing that "prevention" was a means, just as effective, as
the American missile shield proposal. Regarding Macedonia, the President
welcomed the decision taken by the Fifteen of sending a permanent
representative to Skopje for a few months. Turning to the Union's actions in
the Middle East, in liaison with the United States, he was pleased to not
that the Union, much more present in this process than it used to be, was
now "an acknowledged actor".
Prime Minister Lionel Jospin also welcomed "the strong political message to
the candidate countries", stressing that these countries had not to let up
on their efforts, and that "2002 is no deadline". Turning to the Broad
Economic Policy Guidelines, he stressed that France had recalled the "need
to make progress on the tax package".
Lipponen satisfied with details over agencies, Rasmussen on date of
enlargement and Guterres
on strengthening of Lisbon Strategy
Speaking to the press, Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen said he was
satisfied with the results on enlargement and, regarding the seats of the
new EU agencies (Helsinki would like to host the future Food Authority), he
welcomed the reference made in the Gothenburg conclusions to the decision of
the Edinburgh Summit of December 1992 by which, in particular preference
would be given to countries that still do not host an EU body.
For Danish Prime Minister, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, the conclusions on
sustainable development marked a good start, even though he did regret that
no precise goals appeared in them. The reference to a date for enlargement
is a good thing, he said, recalling that negotiations on the agricultural
chapter would take place under the Danish Presidency, in the second half of
2002.As for Portuguese Prime minister Antonio Guterres, he particularly
welcomed the integration of sustainable development in the Lisbon Process,
already enriched by the European Council of Stockholm.
Blair, Verhofstadt and Juncker praise work of Presidency
Having stressed the "excellent wotk of the Swedish Presidency" Tony Blair
welcomed the fact that the Fifteen had reaffirmed their "commitment" to
concluding the first negotiations in 2002 and to have the new Member States
participate in the elections t the European Parliament in 2004. The British
Prime Minister swept aside questions on the euro, simply stating that his
government's line remained the same (a referendum will be convened when a
certain number of criteria have been met). Regarding the meeting of the
Fifteen with the American President, Blair considered that George W. Bush
"made a good impression on the European leaders". Of course, there are
disagreements, like over the Kyoto Protocol, "but what unites us is stronger
than what divides us". Furthermore, the head of New Labour sees "no reason
not to talk about" anti-missile protection. "the world has changed, there
are countries with weapons, chemical notably, we must therefore embark on
this debate", he said. Friday morning, Tony Blair had a face to face meeting
with Silvio Berlusconi. "There is common ground. "There is common ground in
their reflections on the reforms necessary for the European economy",
declared a spokesperson of the Labour Leader.
For Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, this Summit was a defining date
for enlargement as the spirit of Nice became, in Gothenburg, an objective.
Enlargement must happen quickly, but well, and candidate countries really
must be ready for membership, which rules out their participation in
European elections before their accession to the Community, he stipulated.
Mr. Verhofstadt, moreover, expressed the hope that the European Summit of
Laeken would adopt a strong declaration on Europe and its citizens to take
account of the need better to explain the stakes off the Union to the
European public. Asked about the indicators of sustainable development, that
the Belgian Presidency will have to draw up, he answered that they would,
for example, refer to the percentage of renewable energy, the quantity of
energy used, the quantity of chemical products entering the manufacture of a
product.
Speaking to the press, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker also
paid tribute to the Swedish Presidency and its performances regarding the
Union's external relations, and for its "exception record" regarding
enlargement: closure of many chapters in negotiations, respect for the Road
Map drawn up in Nice, and conclusion of disputed subjects such as the free
movement of workers "even though I don't much like the solution found", he
added. Mr. Juncker welcomed the fact that the European Council should have
sent a "strong message to candidate countries", stressing that, "despite the
Irish referendum, the accession process has not slowed down, nor is it
threatened".
Referring to the debate on the future of Europe, he considered that the
Presidency had "done well to broach the subject without deepening it", and
made the wish that the Belgian Presidency would be able "surprise us".
Concerning the meeting with President Bush and the joint statement on
climate, Juncker declared: "we said what needed saying. We disagree but do
not despair of finding paths for the United States not to block the process,
and we are sufficiently partners to guarantee the ratification of the Kyoto
Protocol". The suggestion, made by Luxembourg, of sending a high-level
mission to Japan was taken on board in the Summit's conclusions, he
stressed, welcoming this breakthrough given that "the American Secretary of
State Colin Powell is going to Japan a week on Monday" EUROPE recalls that
the latest official Japanese declarations refer to a refusal to follow the
Europeans if the United States does not accept the Kyoto Protocol.
Asked about the significance of the Irish "no" to ratification of the Nice
Treaty, Mr. Juncker considered that this rejection did, not, as people were
trying to make him say, reflect an unease between the leading classes and
public opinion, but a "demarcation line, that crosses the Union as a whole,
between part of public opinion that wants to move forward, and the other
that wants to slow down". To remedy this, "we shall have to deploy a
pedagogy that we, government, still do not have", he added.
The candidate countries were generally satisfied with the "signal" provided
in Gothenburg and the goal of concluding negotiations by end-2002. EUROPE
will return to this tomorrow.
Not Available for Re-dissemination.
(c) Agence EUROPE, Brussels 2001. 
Source: AGENCE EUROPE 18/06/2001 
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