Austrian EU-Presidency Priorities 2006

The Annual Operational Programme of the Council for 2006 sets out the main objectives for the work of the Council in 2006. It is drawn up by the Austrian and the incoming Finnish Presidencies on the basis of Multi-annual Strategic Programme covering the years 2004-2008. Recent debates have underlined the importance of the Union concentrating on issues which matter to citizens in their everyday lives. The Austrian Presidency will work closely together with the incoming Finnish Presidency in order to ensure that the work of the Council during 2006 contributes to economic and social welfare, protection of environment, freedom and security of European citizens as well as strengthening the role of the Union within the world. Work underway on a number of key priorities designed to ensure that the EU responds successfully to the challenges and opportunities of globalisation will be carried forward.

To this end the Austrian Presidency will cooperate with all the Member States within the Council, as well as with the European Parliament and the Commission to enhance overall effectiveness and continuity of the Union's action. We will pay particular attention to the smooth and effective functioning of the Council and to ensuring as much transparency as possible in the exercise of the function of the Presidency.

The debate on the future of the European Union

At its meeting in June 2005, the European Council decided to initiate a period of reflection on the future of Europe involving both the Member States through national debates and the institutions of the European Union. One of the main purposes is to stimulate a wide-ranging dialogue in order to identify issues of concern and policy areas where the Union action is regarded necessary to meet the future challenges of Europe. The debate should also focus on exploring ways and means on how decisions can be taken at the lowest possible level while still achieving effective action. Furthermore, the debate on the European way of life and its values should be carried forward.

The June 2005 European Council agreed that an overall assessment of the national debates would be carried out in the first half of 2006. The interim report on the period of reflection submitted to the European Council in December 2005 provides a useful starting point for this assessment. Building on this report, and in the light of the continuing debate, the European Council in June will take stock of the reflection process, and should aim to establish a clearer perspective for the future and agree on how to proceed.

Future Financing of the Union

The current Financial Perspective expires at the end of 2006. The agreement reached at the European Council in December 2005 provides the framework for the Union's finances over the next financing period. This agreement now needs to be translated in close cooperation with the European Parliament into the necessary legal instruments. It will be for the Austrian Presidency to ensure that these legal acts are adopted as soon as possible in order to provide the basis for the financing of the Union's policies over the period of 2007-2013.

Working for Growth and Jobs

The Lisbon strategy drawn up in 2000 continues to play an important role in helping the European Union and the Member States to respond to the challenges of ageing and globalisation. Delivering on this response will be one of the main priorities for the Union over the next few years. In 2005 the Lisbon strategy was adapted to help meet the key challenge of delivering on growth and creating jobs as part of the overall objective of strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy and securing the sustainability of the European welfare model.

In 2006 emphasis will be placed on ensuring the success of the new system of governance, and in particular on the implementation of the first national reform programmes, drawn up and negotiated with relevant stakeholders, as well as of action at Union level aimed at complementing national programmes. Growth and employment will be the main theme of the March European Council which will be reviewing progress in the existing multilateral framework. Further efforts will be devoted to explaining the need for reform to the public.

Future work at the EU level should focus on growth and employment inducing measures. As an essential element for enhancing economic dynamism in Europe, the Austrian Presidency will pay special attention to completing the internal market, especially for services, telecommunication, energy and financial services. Special emphasis will also be placed on fostering a supportive framework for research and development as well as creating an environment that encourages innovations and strengthens the knowledge based economy and skills. Attractiveness and quality of working life will be highlighted as means to raise the employment rate.

As part of the objective of strengthening the competitiveness of the Union, we will give particular priority to implementing the agenda of better regulation.

Sustainable Development

Economically, socially and ecologically sustainable development is a key objective of the Union policies and actions. The European Council will renew the Union Strategy for Sustainable development in June 2006.

The European Union will pursue combating climate change both at the international and the Union level.

Strengthening the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice

Ensuring freedom, security and justice is one of the main concerns of the European citizens. The Hague Programme adopted in 2004 constitutes the framework for meeting these concerns. The Austrian Presidency will have a clear focus on the implementation of this programme and on the completion of the tasks which the action plan assigns for the first half of 2006. The Programme promotes cooperation in the fields of combating terrorism, criminal and civil law, asylum and visa policy and combating corruption and organised crime.

The Austrian presidency will direct its attention to the long-term strategy and action plan against radicalisation and terrorist recruitment. Priority will be given to the promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogues, themes of an international conference in Vienna in May.

Enlargement

Enlargement allows for the stability and prosperity of the Union to be extended to an increasing number of European countries. It is therefore important both for the Union and the acceding countries that the accession process takes place in the best possible conditions.

In 2006 the monitoring of Bulgaria and Romania will be stepped up as part of the preparations for their accession scheduled for 2007. In addition, the accession negotiations with Croatia, Turkey and FYROM will be taken forward in accordance with the agreed negotiating frameworks.

Strengthening the role of the Union in the world

With almost half a billion inhabitants, a quarter of world trade and as the world's largest development aid donor, the Union has a significant role to play internationally. The principal objectives of the Union in the area of external relations are the enhancement of security, stability and democracy as well as alleviation of poverty, especially in Africa, addressing other root causes of instability and contributing to an effective multilateral system. The Union will continue in the first half of 2006 to pursue these objectives through the coherent and integrated use of the various instruments available.

A number of important summit meetings are scheduled during the Austrian Presidency. These will help the Union to enhance its strategic partnerships with the US and Canada, as well as with Latin American and Caribbean countries and with Asian ASEM partners. The Union will also concentrate on stepping up stability beyond its borders by pursuing the stabilization policy with the Western Balkans, developing its relations with its eastern and Mediterranean neighbours by giving more substance to the European Neighbourhood Policy and strengthening the Northern Dimension. The Union will also work with its partners in 2006 to achieve results in the trade talks through the Doha Development Agenda.

For full information on the Austrian Presidency, please see: www.eu2006.at

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