EU Foreign Ministers to discuss Financial Perspectives, Constitutional Treaty and EU's future role in Kosovo

Government Information Unit
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Press release 186/2005
10 June 2005





The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council will meet on 13 and 14 June in Luxembourg. The meeting is to prepare the June European Council that focuses on EU's new Financial Perspectives and the state of the draft Constitutional Treaty. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja, will represent Finland at the Luxemburg meeting.

The Foreign Ministers will make preparations for the European Council in Brussels on 16 and 17 June. The main theme of the European Council is the aim of reaching political agreement on the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013. In addition, the meeting is to discuss the state of ratifications of the draft Constitutional Treaty following the results of the referenda in France and the Netherlands. The agenda of the meeting also includes the Lisbon Strategy, Declaration on Sustainable Development, the action plan related to the Hague Programme, fight against terrorism, enlargement and key issues related to external relations.

Finland supports the Presidency's efforts to reach political agreement on the Financial Perspectives. Discussion on the EU financial frameworks will continue on 12 June at the ministerial conclave on the financial perspective. The discussion will be based on the renewed negotiation box which now includes more precise information on the Presidency's views on the final framework regarding all the expenditure headings and the revenue estimates. Finland has in the recent phases of the negotiations paid special attention to the cohesion policy and funds allocated to the regional development of rural areas. In addition, Finland has emphasised that the system concerning revenue estimates must be as transparent and simple as possible.

As far as the Constitutional Treaty is concerned, Finland considers that the European Council should find such a solution to the ratification process that can be followed by all countries. The Member States should commit to the continuation of the ratification process together or decide on a hiatus and postponement of the process.

The Council will also discuss EU's future role in Kosovo. The discussion will be based on a report on the situation prepared jointly by Commissioner Olli Rehn and High Representative Javier Solana. The process of deciding on the future position of the self-governing territory of Kosovo was initiated on 27 May when the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Ambassador Kai Eide to carry out a comprehensive review of the current situation in Kosovo and the preconditions for initiating the status discussion. The situation will be reviewed in the light of Eide's report in September. The process may be launched if the evaluation is favourable.

Finland is of the opinion that the implementation of the Standards set for Kosovo's development so far must also be emphasised while the conditions for launching the status process are reviewed. Key issues are the reformation of local government and minorities' rights. In addition, the reorganisation of UNMIK, the UN civil operation in Kosovo, and the priorities of EU activities are to be agreed on. EU supports the transfer of UNMIK's responsibilities from the UN to Kosovo's own authorities, as well as local ownership and lightening the international presence in the area.

The Foreign Ministers will prepare the EU-US Summit which will be organised on 20 June in Washington. The EU and the US have already agreed on most of the agenda and topics for declarations. The emphasis is no longer only on transatlantic relations; the aim is now to launch a strategic dialogue on how the EU and the US could meet global challenges together more efficiently. The Summit will be built on three main themes. In connection with the Democracy and Freedom theme the discussion will focus on the situation of countries which have taken or are taking significant steps as regards the development of their democracy. The Security and Peace theme will cover areas such as fight against terrorism, non proliferation of weapons of mass-destruction, issues related to Africa, justice and home affairs, conflict prevention and crisis management. In connection with the Welfare theme, economic issues will be handled.

The Council will also prepare the autumn United Nations Summit which will discuss the implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration and reform of the UN structures. Finland considers it important that, as part of the preparation of the Summit, the EU is committed to the objectives set to increasing development aid. Finland supports the comprehensive reform of the United Nations in areas such as focusing the authority of the General Assembly, enhancing the role of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), reform of the Security Council and replacement of the Commission of Human Rights by a Human Rights Council. The other reforms should not be drawn back because of the most difficult issue - the reform of the Security Council.

The Council will also discuss Uzbekistan, the situation in the Middle East and the EU-US ministerial conference on Iraq on 22 June in Brussels.

Further information: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2182 and Anne Huhtamäki, Counsellor, Department for Europe, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 6097