Action against terrorism and situation in the West Balkans on agenda for EU General Affairs Council


The General Affairs Council of the European Union convenes in Luxembourg on October 29-30.
Action against terrorism by the EU will be discussed on the basis of the conclusions of the Informal GAC meeting on October 17 and the Informal European Council in Gent on October 19, with a special emphasis on the coordination of the EU activities and the EU external relations. The relations with Afganistan and its neighbouring region, including Pakistan and India, will be discussed.
In Finland´s opinion, the military campaign led by the United States and its allies must be focused, and civilian victims must be avoided. The prevention of a vast humanitarian catastrophe calls for focusing on humatarian aid and ensuring its delivery. It is important that the Security Council of the United Nations has a central position in the fight against terrorism. The United Nations should also play a central role in the efforts to create a government based on the will representing widely the Afghan people.

In relation to the West Balkans, the situation in Macedonia, the elections to be held in Kosovo on November 17 and the Stability Pact for South-East Europe will be discussed. The parliamentary procedure of the constitutional amendments included in the framework treaty on Macedonia, signed in Skopje on August 13, have not taken place within the agreed timetable. As a result of pressure from the international community, the parties have promised to continue the proceedings. According to Finland, the Macedonian administration should be called to implement the framework treaty in full and as soon as possible. On October 8, President Trajkovski gave a declaration of amnesty on Albanian guerrilla and the government confirmed it the next day. Finland welcomes this gesture. The details of the enforcement of the amnesty should be clarified to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

An association agreement between the EU and Croatia will be signed in connection with the General Affairs Council.

The meeting will also deal with the regulations of the members of the European Parliament. The most difficult questions, such as taxation, compensation for expenses and the pay are yet to be solved.
The Presidency will try to achieve consensus on the taxation, which would enable the solutions of other problems as well. In Finland´s opinion the best alternative would be to tax the pay of MEPs nationally. However, Finland is prepared to accept a compromise of community tax complemented by national added tax so that the final taxation of a Finnish MEP would be comparable with the national level.

Other topics on the GAC agenda are the preparations for the 4th Ministerial meeting of the WTO, rules and financing of European political parties and action of the EU in relation to Zimbabve.

Additional information: counsellor Helena Tuuri, tel 1341 50790

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