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KOSOVO CRISIS - CONCLUSIONS - CONCLUSIONS EU-US RELATIONS - CONCLUSIONS FOLLOW-UP TO THE SPECIAL EUROPEAN COUNCIL IN BERLIN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AMSTERDAM TREATY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHENGEN PROTOCOL STATUT DES DEPUTES EUROPEENS BURMA/MYANMAR - CONCLUSIONS EAST TIMOR - CONCLUSIONS NIGER - OPENING OF CONSULTATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 366 (A) OF THE LOME CONVENTION

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- UN Secretary General's report on Africa - conclusions - EU/WEU - implementation of Amsterdam Treaty - - Association Council - Slovakia - Association Council - - Association Council - Ukraine - Cooperation Council - UE-ASEAN - extension of the Cooperation Agreement to Vietnam - Estonia, Latvia and - implementation of the Association Agreements

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- Joint Action on reception and the voluntary repatriation of refugees - Schengen - negotiating directives for the Agreement with Iceland and (19,5210(17

- Sulphur content of liquid fuels - Landfill of wastes

- CO2 Monitoring Mechanism

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- Statistics concerning the audiovisual and related sectors

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- "Leonardo da Vinci" Programme

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- Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Programme

INSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

- Joint Declaration on practical arrangements for the new co-decision procedure

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- Introduction of a single Judge

)RUIXUWKHULQIRUPDWLRQFDOORU The Governments of the Member States, the European Commission and the General Secretariat of the Council were represented as follows:

%HOJLXP Mr Frans VAN DAELE Ambassador, Permanent Representative 'HQPDUN Mr Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Friis Arne PETERSEN State Secretary for Foreign Affairs *HUPDQ\ Mr Joschka FISCHER Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Günter VERHEUGEN Minister of State, Foreign Affairs *UHHFH Mr Giannos KRANIDIOTIS Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs 6SDLQ Mr Ramón DE MIGUEL State Secretary for Foreign Policy and the European Union )UDQFH Mr Pierre de BOISSIEU Ambassador, Permanent Representative ,UHODQG Mr David ANDREWS Minister for Foreign Affairs ,WDO\ Mr Umberto RANIERI State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr Piero Franco FASSINO Minister for Foreign Trade

/X[HPERXUJ Mr Jacques POOS Minister for Foreign Affairs 1HWKHUODQGV Mr Jozias VAN AARTSEN Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Dick BENSCHOP State Secretary for Foreign Affairs $XVWULD Mr Wolfgang SCHÜSSEL Minister for Foreign Affairs 3RUWXJDO Mr Jaime GAMA Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Francisco SEIXAS da COSTA State Secretary for European Affairs )LQODQG Ms Tarja HALONEN Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Kimmo SASI Minister for European Affairs 6ZHGHQ Ms Anna LINDH Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Gunnar LUND State Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs

8QLWHG.LQJGRP Ms Joyce QUIN Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

&RPPLVVLRQ Sir Leon BRITTAN Vice-President Ms Emma BONINO Member Mr Erkki LIIKANEN Member Mr Mario MONTI Member Mr Hans VAN DEN BROEK Member Member

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Mr Jürgen TRUMPF Secretary General .26292&5,6,6&21&/86,216

The Council recalled its conclusions of 8 April and expressed its strong and continuing support for maximum pressure from the international community on President Milosevic and his regime to stop their brutal campaign of forced deportation, torture and murder in Kosovo and accept the international community's five demands. It also reaffirmed the EU's commitment to contribute fully to relieving the fate of the hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons caused by President Milosevic's policy. The Council also considered the regional implications of the crisis. In particular the Council:

- commended the efforts of the international humanitarian organisations, in particular the UNHCR, which the EU and its members are supporting in every possible way;

- welcomed the Commission's commitment to the speedy implementation of the Council decision of 8 April, on the disbursement of the 150 MEURO of EC assistance for refugee relief and of the 100 MEURO of EC budget support for refugee related expenses to countries in the region;

- following the adoption of a Common Position imposing on the FRY a ban on the delivery of petroleum and petroleum products, reached a political agreement today with a view of its formal entry into force no later than Friday 30 April 1999. In this context the Council welcomed the intention of associated countries to join the EU's oil embargo, and invited third countries to follow suit;

- agreed to extend the existing EU sanctions regime and welcomed the Commission's intention to introduce proposals, on the basis of existing Common Positions where appropriate. The measures to be speedily adopted include:

- a travel ban on President Milosevic, his family, all Ministers/ senior officials of the FRY and Serbian governments, and on persons, included in a specific list, close to the regime whose activities support President Milosevic;

- extension of the scope of the freeze of funds held abroad by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbian Governments to cover individuals associated with President Milosevic and companies controlled by, or acting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbian Governments;

- prohibition of provision of export finance by the private sector further to the existing moratorium on Government-financed export credits set out in Common Position 98/240 of 19 March 1998;

- xtension of the investment ban set out in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1607/98;

- widening the scope of the prohibition on the export of equipment for internal repression and its extension to include goods, services, technology and equipment for the purpose of restoring/repairing assets damaged in airstrikes; - encouragement to Member States and sporting organisations not to organise international sporting events with the participation of the FRY;

- a comprehensive flight ban between the territory of the EU and that of the FRY;

- welcomed the determination of NATO, as expressed in the statement on Kosovo issued by the Washington Summit, to achieve the aims and objectives of the international community;

- emphasised the role of the UN Security Council for a political settlement of the Kosovo crisis and the efforts of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan;

- extended an invitation to Ibrahim Rugova to address the next session of the General Affairs Council and welcomed the Presidency's intention to invite him and his family to Bonn at an earlier date;

- reiterated its strong support for the democratically elected Government of Montenegro. The Council condemned Belgrade's efforts to undermine its authority and destabilise the Republic. The European Union recalled the assistance it has already provided to Montenegro to help address the problems it faces as a result of the humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo, and stressed the importance it attaches to the rapid disbursement of assistance, whether from the European Community or from other international agencies. The European Union will additionally consider every opportunity to help Montenegro bear the burdens imposed upon it by the conflict in Kosovo, especially through further financial and economic support. In this regard, the Council welcomed the Commission's measures to assist the Montenegrin economy and instructed its competent bodies to explore the scope for a CFSP Joint Action in support of the democratically elected Government;

- considered the position of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and of Albania during the current crisis. It fully recognized the dramatically increased burdens which had been placed on these neighbouring states as a result of ethnic cleansing carried out in Kosovo by President Milosevic's régime. The Council commended the policy of moderation which the governments of the two countries have been pursuing, and expressed its profound appreciation of the sacrifices which they have made in dealing with the huge influx of refugees from Kosovo in recent weeks. The Council agreed that the policies being pursued by the two governments continued to constitute an essential contribution to the security and stability of the region as a whole, and to the wider efforts of the international community to ensure a political settlement which would allow all refugees to return in complete security to Kosovo; - stressed the particular importance of the European Union's relationship with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and with Albania. The Council looked forward to the political dialogue meetings at Ministerial level between the two countries and the EU Troika on 27 April. These will provide an important opportunity to discuss in detail our common approach in addressing the present crisis, and to review the vital contribution which these two countries are making. The Council also welcomed the intention of the European Commission to examine urgently, in the context of the regional approach and the EU contribution to a future Stability Pact, the upgrading of the contractual relations between the European Union and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and between the European Union and Albania, towards an Association Agreement;

- expressed its determination, in a spirit of solidarity, to continue to provide the necessary financial and economic assistance to the two countries to help them address the burdens posed by the present crisis in the region, noting once again the assistance which the European Union and its member states had already provided;

- looked forward to the adoption of joint statements with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania on the occasion of tomorrow's Political Dialogue meetings at ministerial level;

- invited the Commission to report, as soon as possible, on the economic consequences of the crisis on the countries most affected in the region;

- adopted the annexed Declaration in support of and Romania.

The Council agreed to start with the preparation of a Stability Pact for South- and welcomed the endorsement of the proposed Stability Pact by the international community. Work will now be carried forward urgently within the EU, with the relevant international organisations and regional initiatives, and in particular with the regional states concerned, with a view to the Conference on South-Eastern Europe which will be convened by the European Union in Bonn on 27 May 1999. In this context, the Council also welcomed the forthcoming coordination meeting of relevant international organisations and initiatives in Vienna on 7 May 1999. The Stability Pact will give all Countries in the Balkans region a concrete perspective of stability and integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.

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The Council discussed the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the presence of the High Representative Carlos Westendorp and supported his actions to ensure full respect for the Dayton/Paris peace Agreements. Recognizing the importance of keeping Bosnia Herzegovina out of the Kosovo conflict, the Council noted that Bosnia Herzegovina too shared in the perspective of European integration in accordance with the EU's Regional Approach. $QQH[

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1. The present crisis in the Western Balkans highlights the contribution of Romania and Bulgaria, two associate states, to stability in the wider region. The current situation imposes heavy burdens on these countries. The governments are to be commended for their positive responses to these challenges.

2. The European Union underlines the special relations it enjoys with Romania and Bulgaria by virtue of their participation in the EU accession process reflected in the Europe Agreements which record the perspective of their membership of the Union. The European Union appreciates the support which Romania and Bulgaria have provided for the international community's actions in Kosovo in defence of the basic principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms, to which the European Union, Bulgaria and Romania together adhere. It furthermore recognises challenges and difficulties which the governments and citizens of Romania and Bulgaria are facing.

3. In recognition of these specific considerations, the Council

- notes that these Countries have consistently accepted the EU's invitations to align themselves with the Declarations, Joint Actions and Common Positions adopted within the CFSP framework, and have put into effect the measures contained in them. The Council believes that further steps to associate them with the policies of the EU on the Western Balkans should be examined within the proposed EU Common Strategy on the Western Balkans and the elaboration of the Stability Pact on South East Europe.

- acknowledges the contribution made by Bulgaria and Romania to the humanitarian effort. The Council asked its relevant bodies to ensure that, in determining the overall level of assistance, account be taken of the specific needs and burdens generated by the present crisis, and notes with satisfaction that the International Financial Institutions are taking a similar approach. The EU actions will be focused on relieving the economic and social burden resulting from the Kosovo crisis and by doing so will at the same time bring the countries concerned in a better position to bear their humanitarian responsibilities.

- in view of its decisions taken on 23 April concerning the ban on the delivery of petroleum and petroleum products to the FRY, as well as the other sanctions, welcomes the Commission's intention to provide whatever additional technical help is necessary to Bulgaria and Romania to assist them in aligning their legislation with that of the Community. The Council also calls upon the national administrations of the member states to provide appropriate advice and expertise on dealing with flows of refugees. 4. The Council appeals to private investors not to be discouraged in investing in these two countries despite the proximity of armed conflict. In this context, the Council recalls the valuable contribution which Romania and Bulgaria have made to the stability of the region, both individually and through their involvement in international organisations and by their participation in various regional initiatives. The Council welcomes the efforts and initiatives undertaken by Bulgaria and Romania, bilaterally and within regional fora, to contribute to a political solution of the crisis.

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The Council, emphasising the EU's determination to develop its strategic partnership with Russia, welcomed the progress made in developing the Common Strategy of the EU on Russia. It endorsed the general structure and content of the current text and expected agreement to be reached on the outstanding questions with a view to the Council of 17/18 May recommending the text to the European Council in Cologne for adoption. The Council noted the importance of keeping Russia informed of the development of the Common Strategy.

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The Council took note of a report by the Commission of the latest developments in the trade disputes with the US over bananas, hormone-treated beef and hushkits.

The Council, whilst welcoming the decision by the WTO in the banana dispute to reduce considerably the level of US sanctions against the EU, underlined the importance it attached to respecting fully the rulings of the recent WTO panel. To this end the Council agreed on the need to modify the EU banana regime in accordance with the panel ruling without further delay. The Council invited the Commission, in the light of further contacts with the US and other parties principally concerned, to submit proposals by the end of May 1999 for amending the banana regime.

The Council encouraged the Commission to intensify its discussions with the US and Canada on the dispute over hormone-treated beef with the aim of reaching agreement in view of the 13 May deadline on a compensation package as well as possible future options on labelling, and to reassess the situation with Member States in the light of the interim results of the scientific studies expected shortly.

The Council took note of the Commission's proposal to discuss with the US possible solutions to the problems over controls on imports of hormone-free beef. The Council agreed that these proposals should be examined in more detail by the appropriate experts.

The Council took note of the results of the continuing contacts with the US on hushkits. The Council underlined the importance it attached to reaching a mutually satisfactory solution to this issue as soon as possible. )2//2:83727+(63(&,$/(8523($1&281&,/,1%(5/,1

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The Council invited the Commission to present urgently a formal proposal concerning the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with South Africa in order to enable it to take the necessary measures for the formal adoption of this Agreement, as requested by the Berlin special European Council.

The Commission indicated that it was aware of the urgency of the matter and would come forward with its proposal as soon as possible.

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The Council endorsed the package deal - concerning the transposition into the interinstitutional agreement of the outcome of the Berlin Special European Council on the financial perspective - on which the Presidency had an intensive and continued trilogue with the European Parliament, conducted by the President of its Budget Committee, and the Commission.

The Council is now awaiting the formal reaction of the European Parliament to this package in order to be able to finalize and sign the Interinstitutional Agreement.

The draft global compromise takes into account major preoccupations of the European Parliament and covers the following elements:

- increase for category 3 - internal policies - in equal steps from the amount agreed at the Berlin European Council for the year 2000 up to 6.6 billion euros in 2006;

- as for category 5 - administrative expenditure - the amounts decided in Berlin will be maintained but the expenditure on pensions included under the ceilings for this heading is calculated net of staff contributions to the relevant scheme, within the limit of 1100 million euros for the period 2002-2006;

- allow the amounts available under the flexibility instrument - 200 million euros yearly - that would not have been used during the calendar year, to be carried forward to the next two years;

- the possibility to revise the financial perspectives up to 0,03% of GNP by qualified majority;

- as far as classification of expenditure is concerned : acceptance that a sub-item of category 1 - rural development and accompanying measures - and category 7 - the same for pre-accession countries - be regarded as non compulsory. With respect to a number of other problems, the following statements would be made:

- in view of the reduction in the total amount provided for innovatory measures relating to the URBAN initiative, the Institutions agree that they will examine the possibility of allocating up to 200 million euros for this purpose by mobilising the flexibility instrument during the period 2000-2006;

- in view of developments in the Balkan situation, particularly in Kosovo, the two arms of the budgetary authority request the Commission, when needs have been ascertained and estimated, to submit the necessary budget proposals, including, if appropriate, a proposal for a revision of the financial perspective;

- as concerns point 6 of the IIA - presentation by the Commission of a report on the implementation of this agreement, accompanied, if necessary, by proposals for modifications - the Commission states that it will take account of any request by one of the two arms of the budgetary authority when examining the need to present the report referred to in that point.

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In the light of the discussion by Ministers and given that the Treaty of Amsterdam will enter into force on 1 May 1999, the Council took note of the Presidency note on the state of preparation for implementation of the Amsterdam Treaty. It reiterated its willingness to complete this preparatory work as speedily as possible.

In this context, the Council underlined that particular attention should be paid to the integration of the Schengen Acquis (see following item).

The Council also invited the Commission to present the relevant proposals, on the one hand, on general principles and limits for public access to documents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, and on the other hand, on the establishment of an independent supervisory body in the field of data protection, before the constitution of the new "College".

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The Council reached political agreement on the draft decisions aimed at implementing the "Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the EU" which is annexed to the Amsterdam Treaty in view of its entry into force on 1 May 1999; the agreement covers the following texts :

- draft decision concerning the definition of the Schengen acquis for the purpose of its incorporation into the EU;

- draft decision determining the allocation of the legal basis for the incorporation of the Schengen acquis; - draft decision on the conclusion of the Agreement with Iceland and Norway concerning their association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis;

- draft rules of procedure of the Mixed Committee set up by the above Agreement;

- draft decision on certain arrangements for the application of the above Agreement.

Following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty and after finalization of the texts, the Council will formally adopt these texts, without debate, possibly at its session on 10 May. The signature of the Agreement with Norway and Iceland is scheduled for 18 May in the margins of the European Economic Area Council, when the first meeting of the Mixed Committee is also expected to take place.

The first draft decision establishes in concrete form which elements constitute the Schengen acquis by identifying all those provisions and decisions which either still have binding legal force, have not been replaced by provisions of Community law or other legal acts and do not fall under the exclusive competence of Member States.

On the basis of the definition of the Schengen acquis, the second draft decision determines for each provision the legal basis within the EU Treaties (first or third pillar), in view of the incorporation of the Schengen acquis into the EU framework.

Both draft decisions will be adapted to take account of the texts to be adopted by the Schengen Executive Committee at its last meeting on 28 April 1999.

The Agreement to be concluded with Iceland and Norway is based on the Schengen Protocol which in this context provides for the establishment of appropriate procedures with these two countries to enable them to be associated with the Schengen acquis and its further development by the EU. In fact these two countries had concluded with the Schengen countries the Cooperation Agreement on the abolition of controls on persons at common borders, taking account of the Nordic Passport Union established in 1957 between , , Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

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The Council reached agreement on the main elements of an overall compromise on the draft Statute for Members of the European Parliament. The Parliament had adopted its draft on 3 December 1998 and sent it to the Council. The compromise, taking as its starting point an agreement in principle on a standard parliamentary allowance, to be paid for out of the Community budget, of EUR 5 677 per month, representing the average of the current national allowances, focuses on the solution of the main outstanding problems, namely:

- the legal basis: Article 190(5) of the Treaty (as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, ex- Article 138 TEC) constitutes an adequate legal basis for all aspects whose incorporation in the Statute for Members of the European Parliament is contemplated;

- taxation: the principle of imposing Community taxation on the parliamentary allowance and on other income and emoluments disbursed by the Communities should be laid down in the Statute.

However, the option is open for Member States to impose additional national taxes on the income of Members coming under their national taxation systems. Member States which wish to take up this option must state their intention before the final adoption of the Statute by the European Parliament. The sums thus raised in national taxation should preferably be paid over to the budget of the European Communities.

The Statute should also cover the following: incompatibilities, the independent mandate, immunity, verification of credentials and validity of mandate, vacant seats, substitution, reimbursement of costs actually incurred by Members, end-of-service allowance, retirement pension, invalidity pension, survivor's pension, sickness, pregnancy and accident cover and a register of Members' interests.

The Council instructed the Presidency to communicate the outcome of its discussions to the European Parliament. It underlined its willingness to take a decision very quickly (by written procedure) on a revised draft formally submitted to it by the European Parliament after 1 May 1999, the date of entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam. The European Parliament could thus be in a position to adopt its Statute during its final part-session, from 3 to 7 May 1999.

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The Council expressed its deep concern at the continuing human rights violations and the increased repression of the democratic opposition in Burma/Myanmar. It renewed the Common Position (1) on Burma/Myanmar, which imposes restrictive measures, for a further six months (until 29 October 1999). The Council called once more on the Government of Burma/Myanmar to take early and concrete steps towards democracy, respect for human rights, and national reconciliation. The Council expressed its strong wish to initiate a meaningful political dialogue with Burma/Myanmar as soon as possible.

(1) The Common Position, initially adopted on 28 October 1996, had confirmed existing sanctions (expulsion of military personnel attached to Burmese diplomatic representations, arms embargo and suspension of non-humanitarian aid) and had established new ones such as a ban on the issue of visas to the leadership of the régime and to senior army officers as well as the suspension of high-level government visits. This Common Position had been further strengthened on 26 October 1998 when the Council widened the visa ban to explicitly include transit visas and to cover Burmese authorities in the tourism sector. The Council will consider further restrictive measures in the light of the worsening of the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar.

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The Council was briefed by the Irish Foreign Minister on his recent visit to East Timor and shared his concern at the violence in the territory.

Recalling the Presidency Declaration on the latest incidents in East Timor, issued on 20 April on behalf of the European Union, the Council reaffirms that it remains the obligation of the Indonesian Government to maintain security, stability and public order in the territory, to disarm militias and to hold accountable those responsible for the killings, in order to preserve the spirit of the peace process. In this context, the Council reiterated that a United Nations presence in East Timor is urgently needed to help prevent further violence.

The Council was also briefed by the Portuguese Foreign Minister on the results of the 13th round of talks between Portugal and Indonesia under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary General, and welcomed progress made leading to the signing of a final agreement on 5 May in New York.

In order to support the process of transition in East Timor, the Council instructed its relevant bodies and invited the Commission to consider urgently possible appropriate measures with a view:

- to supporting the consultation process of the East Timorese people, to be conducted by the United Nations;

- to providing humanitarian assistance to the East Timorese people;

- to developing economic and social programmes to assist the East Timorese people and enhance its institution capacity-building.

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The Council took note of a presentation of the Commission's communication concerning the opening of consultations with the ACP side under Article 366(a) of the Lomé Convention following the coup d'état in Niger and the assassination of the Nigerian Head of State.

The Council endorsed the Commission's proposal and instructed the Permanent Representatives Committee to finalize the texts regarding the opening of these consultations to be submitted to the Council (Industry) of 29 April for formal approval. 27+(5'(&,6,216

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"The European Union welcomes the Secretary-General's Report of 13 April 1998 on "the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa" submitted to the Security Council and the General Assembly. The EU notes with satisfaction the large measure of support expressed in the United Nations for the contents of the Report, and in particular for the follow-up to the Report initiated within these bodies, as well as within the Secretariat. The Report as well as its follow-up are important contributions to raising the international community's awareness of the need for promoting durable peace and sustainable development in Africa. The EU is committed to participating actively in the continued follow-up process in close co-operation with other actors concerned.

The EU commends the Secretary-General's strong advocacy of African development and African security and his efforts to mobilize the international community in support of the continent, inter alia through the United Nations system within a coordinated framework. The EU reiterates its strong support for the Report providing a clear analysis of the sources of conflict and the basis for a comprehensive policy of peace-building, conflict prevention, management and resolution and the promotion of development. The EU shares and strongly supports the Secretary-General's view of the need for enhancing mutual information and co-operation. The EU underlines the SG's conclusion that policy coherence of, and among donors, both multilateral and bilateral, is essential.

The EU recalls that, on the basis of the 1997 Common Position and Council Conclusions on "Conflict prevention and resolution in Africa" and a series of related policy documents, it has already adopted an active, comprehensive and integrated approach towards the issue of violent conflicts in Africa. The need for strong political will, African ownership and capacity-building, for focusing on the prevention of violent conflicts in particular by addressing their root-causes at an early stage with an adequate combination of all available instruments, and for closing the gap between analysis, early warning and early action, figure among the key principles of this approach. The EU is determined to further increase its efforts to pursue an active policy of conflict prevention in accordance with these principles. The EU also recalls its firm belief that a stable and democratic political environment is an indispensable precondition for sustainable development. In this context, the EU reiterates its call also on the governments of African countries to continue and, where necessary, to reinforce their efforts to create such an environment. Measures in the field of respect for human rights, the rule of law, democratisation and good governance have a pivotal role to play in this regard. Equality of rights, opportunities and access to resources between men and women are also fundamental requirements, as stated in the Secretary General's report. These values are also at the core of the European Union's policy of international co-operation, as the EU only recently outlined at the first negotiating conference on the future EU/ACP-co-operation held in Dakar on February 8/9.

The EU, in the spirit of global partnership, renews its commitment to the assumption of the responsibilities by the international community as outlined in the Secretary-General's Report. The Union as the most important donor to African countries will continue to contribute actively to the creation of durable peace and sustainable development in particular through its efforts in assisting in the creation of a stable and democratic environment, in eradicating poverty and in integrating African countries into the world economy. In this spirit, the proposed EU-Africa summit in the year 2000 will constitute an excellent opportunity to reach solid ground for an effective, integrated and comprehensive relationship between the two continents. The envisaged partnership agreement between the Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries which is being negotiated, and which is to replace the Lomé Convention by the year 2000, will play an important role in this regard. Taking into consideration the effects of globalisation and trade liberalisation EU and ACP countries agreed in Dakar to reshape their co-operation in order to adapt to these new conditions at the beginning of the 21st century. The EU shares the Secretary General's view that the current unsustainable debt burden many African countries face poses a threat to the economic security and long-term stability of Africa and requires comprehensive and decisive action by the international community. The EU is committed to the HIPC programme, which is currently under review. Subject to this review the terms of the Initiative may be alleviated provided that the debtor countries are committed to the necessary reforms and other obligations under the programme. The EU particularly welcomes the beneficial effect that the HIPC programme will have for some African countries.

The EU will also continue to focus on supporting solutions to existing crises and the prevention of the outbreak or recurrence of violent conflicts, including at an early stage, and on post-conflict peace-building. In this context, the EU will in particular continue and intensify its dialogue with regional and subregional organisations. The EU will continue to support relevant activities in the field of conflict prevention and resolution under the auspices of the UN, also considering that increased attention should be given to matters related to illicit arms flows to and in Africa as well as to safeguarding of the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps and settlements. The EU supports the ongoing efforts to improve co-operation between the UN and regional and subregional organisations. In particular, it welcomes the initiative of the UN Secretariat to establish a Working Group on Enhancing African Peacekeeping Training Capacity as part of the follow-up to the SG's Report and hopes that the establishment of a UN Preventive Action Liaison Office in the OAU will be implemented quickly. The EU welcomes the decision taken by ECOSOC to devote the session of the co-ordination segment to the implementation and co-ordinated follow-up by the United Nations system of initiatives on African development and will work to ensure that the co-ordination segment produces a concrete plan of action for follow-up, with allocation of responsibilities and realistic and measurable targets in priority areas. The EU hopes that the outcome of ECOSOC discussions will form a good basis for the deliberations of the open-ended working group of the General Assembly, which is to prepare the discussion at the 54th GA. "

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The Council agreed in principle on the draft Decision concerning the practical arrangements for the full participation of all EU Member States (i.e. including those which are not full WEU members) in tasks under article 17.2 of the Amsterdam Treaty (humanitarian and rescue tasks, peace-keeping tasks and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peace-making) for which the EU avails itself of the WEU.

The Council also agreed in principle on the draft Decision approving the arrangements for enhanced cooperation between the EU and the WEU, as provided for under the Protocol on Article 17 of the Amsterdam Treaty. These arrangements cover i.a. the improvement of the coordination of EU/WEU consultation and decision making processes, in particular in crisis situations, the holding of joint meetings of the relevant bodies of the two organisations, the harmonisation as much as possible of the sequence of the Presidencies of the WEU and the EU as well as their administrative rules and practices, the close coordination of the work of the staff of the General Secretariats of the two organisations, etc.

These two Decisions will be formally adopted at the first Council session following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty on 1 May 1999.

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The Council defined the EU's position in view of the fifth Association Council with Romania, to be held on 27 April 1999 (see Press Release UE-RO 1809/99 Presse 124).

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The Council defined the EU's position in view of the fifth Association Council with Slovakia, to be held on 27 April 1999 (see Press Release UE-SK 2007/99 Presse 125).

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The Council defined the EU's position in view of the second Association Council with Estonia, to be held on 27 April 1999 (see Press Release UE-EE 804/99 Presse 126). 8NUDLQH&RRSHUDWLRQ&RXQFLO

The Council defined the EU's position in view of the second Cooperation Council with Ukraine, to be held on the same day (see Press Release 7562/99 Presse 119).

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The Council adopted a Decision to conclude the Protocol on the extension of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and Brunei-Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and , member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, to Vietnam.

As the ASEAN countries have all already notified the Secretariat of the Council that they have accomplished the procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Protocol, signed on 14 February 1997, it will come into force on 1st May 1999 (first day of the month following conclusion by all parties of their internal procedures).

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The Council approved on behalf of the EU the Decisions of the EU/Estonia, EU/Latvia and EU/Lithuania Association Councils adopting the necessary rules for the implementation of the Europe Agreements' provisions on competition.

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The Council approved a Joint Action establishing measures to provide practical support in relation to the reception and the voluntary repatriation of refugees, displaced persons and asylum applicants, including emergency assistance to persons who have fled as a result of recent events in Kosovo. The financial assistance provided for the implementation of measures and projects under this Joint Action amounts to 15 million euro.

The general objectives of the measures or projects to benefit from this financial assistance are twofold, on the one hand the improvement of the conditions in which asylum applicants, displaced persons and refugees are received in the Member States, and supporting asylum procedures which are fair, efficient and accessible to persons in need of international protection, and on the other hand assisting the voluntary repatriation of these people to their countries of origin, and their reintegration there.

The measures may also include emergency assistance for Member States who receive persons displaced following the recent events in Kosovo, in particular if following an initiative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in the form of a contribution for their accommodation needs, means of subsistence such as food and clothing, medical, psychological or other personal assistance, and the costs of personnel administering and implementing this assistance, for a duration of 6 months. These measures may be integrated with actions to facilitate the voluntary return of displaced persons to Kosovo when conditions permit. The financial assistance from the Community budget for these measures or projects shall not exceed 80% of the total cost and will be financed subject to a selection procedure which will take into account various criteria. The general management and budgetary control will be the responsibility of the Commission including the type of measure eligible for assistance, though in relation to displaced persons from Kosovo any expenditure incurred after the adoption of this Joint Action will be taken into consideration. The Commission will be assisted in the implementation of this Joint Action by a Committee, chaired by the Commission and consisting of one representative from each Member State, which will apply different Committee rules of procedure depending on the amount involved, the thresholds being 50,000, 200,000 and 1 million euro.

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The Council approved, by unanimity of the 15 Member States, a negotiating mandate for the Presidency and the Commission, with a view to concluding the Agreement with Iceland and Norway as envisaged in Article 6(2) of the Schengen Protocol annexed to the Amsterdam Treaty.

According to Article 6(2) of the Protocol, this Agreement with Norway and Iceland must establish rights and obligations between Ireland and the , on the one hand, and Iceland and Norway, on the other hand. Those rights and obligations will only concern the areas covered by closer cooperation in the Schengen acquis and development in which Ireland or the United Kingdom or both of them take part, in accordance with procedures laid down in the Schengen Protocol.

It is recalled that the other Agreement with Norway and Iceland, concerning their association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, based on Article 6(1) of the Schengen Protocol, which has already been negotiated, is to be approved shortly by the Council by unanimity of the 13 Member States participating in Schengen (see page 17).

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The Council adopted a Directive relating to a reduction of the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels (amending Directive 93/12/EEC). The text is part of a wider Community strategy to combat acidification and concerns heavy fuel oil and gas oil. The adoption follows the Council common position of 6 October 1998 (see also Press Release no 9402/98 Presse 205 of the Environment Council meeting of 16/17 June 1998) and its approval by the European Parliament on 9 February 1999. /DQGILOORIZDVWHV

The Council adopted a Directive on the landfill of wastes aimed at preventing or reducing as far as possible negative effects on the environment (pollution of surface water, groundwater, soil and air), as well as any resulting risk to human health, during the whole life-cycle of the landfill. To this end it provides for stringent operational and technical requirements both on the wastes and on the landfills. This adoption follows the Council common position of 4 June 1998 (see also Press Release no 13373/97 Presse 399 of the Environment Council meeting of 16 December 1997), the second reading by the European Parliament on 9 February 1999 and the Commission's re- examined proposal of 29 March 1999.

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The Council adopted an amendment to Decision No 93/389/EEC for a monitoring mechanism of Community CO² and other greenhouse gas emissions.

The purpose of the new Decision is not only to update Decision 93/389/EEC by extending monitoring beyond 2000 and taking into account greenhouse gases other than CO2, as proposed by the Commission, but also to establish a mechanism for

- monitoring all anthropogenic (i.e. man-made) emissions of greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol on ozone-depleting substances; - evaluating progress towards meeting commitments in respect of these emissions, also taking into account the Kyoto Protocol of December 1997.

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The Council adopted the Decision establishing a Community statistical information infrastructure relating to the industry and markets of the audiovisual and related sectors.

The general aim of the Decision is to ensure a better knowledge of the industry which should be beneficial to the Community institutions (in particular when managing and evaluating the programmes in this area) but also to Member States, the industry itself, professional organizations, researchers, etc.

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The Council adopted its common position on the decision establishing the second phase of the Community vocational training action programme "Leonardo da Vinci". The main features of this programme are explained in the Press release n°13676/98 (Presse 430) of 4 December 1998 .

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The Council adopted the decision regarding the signature by the European Community of the agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Programme.

The objectives of this Agreement are:

- to progressively reduce incidental dolphin mortalities in the tuna purse-seine fishery in the Agreement Area to levels approaching zero through the setting of annual limits, - with the goal of eliminating dolphin mortality in this fishery, to seek ecologically sound means of capturing large yellowfin tunas not in association with dolphins, and - to ensure the long term sustainability of the tuna stocks in the Agreement Area as well as that of the living marine resources related to this fishery, taking into consideration the interrelationship in the ecosystem with special emphasis, on, inter alia, avoiding, reducing and minimising by-catch and discards of juvenile tunas and non-target species.

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The Council approved the text of a joint declaration of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the practical arrangements for the new co-decision procedure. The declaration has been drawn up in the light of the new provisions contained in Article 251 of the Treaty of Amsterdam; it is intended to replace the current arrangements agreed between the three institutions in 1993 as regards proceedings in the Conciliation Committee provided for in Article 189b of the Maastricht Treaty.

The draft declaration is the result of a long series of technical talks and interinstitutional meetings which began under the Austrian Presidency and has continued under the present one.

Since the last instrument of ratification of the Treaty of Amsterdam has now been lodged, allowing its entry into force on 1 May 1999, the joint signing of the Declaration by the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission is expected to take place soon. The text will be published in the "C" series of the Official Journal. &28572)),567,167$1&(

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The Council amended Decision 88/591/ECSC, EEC, Euratom establishing a Court of First Instance of the European Communities, in order to enable it to give decisions in cases when constituted by a single Judge.

To this end the Council also approved amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Court of First Instance to determine the cases and circumstances in which a single Judge may be called upon to give a decision.

These amendments have to be seen against the background that since its creation the workload of the Court of First Instance has considerably increased and that a further substantial increase is to be expected in the near future. The advantages to be gained from the recourse to a single Judge would be that by reducing the number of Judges called upon to sit on a case - at present three - two other Judges would be released from attending the hearing and taking part in the deliberations. The number of cases which may be heard by the Court of First Instance will hence increase considerably.

Cases mentioned in the Rules of Procedure which may, under certain circumstances, be heard by a single Judge comprise in particular those brought pursuant to Article 179 (disputes with civil servants), to Article 173 (cases relating to the legality of acts of the Community institutions concerning natural or legal persons), as well as to Article 181 (judgments pursuant to any arbitration clause contained in a contract concluded by or on behalf of the Community) of the EC Treaty. The decision to delegate a case to a single Judge shall be taken after the parties have been heard unanimously by the chamber composed of three Judges before which the case is pending.

Delegation to a single Judge shall not be possible in cases which raise issues as to the legality of an act of general applications; in cases concerning the implementation of the rules on competition and on control of concentrations, relating to aid granted by States, relating to measures to protect trade, relating to the common organisation of the agricultural markets, with the exception of cases that form part of a series of cases in which the same relief is sought and where one of those cases has already been finally decided; in the cases referred to in Article 130(1) of the Rules of Procedure (i.a. trademark cases).