MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

16.2.2005

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Brian Crowley and Cristiana Muscardini
on behalf of the UEN Group
on the Commission's legislative and work programme for 2005

B6‑0106/2005

European Parliament resolution on the Commission's legislative and work programme for 2005

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its resolution of 18 November 2004 on the election of the new Commission,

–  having regard to the current framework agreement on relation between the European Parliament and the Commission, approved by Parliament's Conference of Presidents on 29 June 2000,

–  having regard to its Resolution of December 16 2004 on the strategic political orientations of the Barroso Commission,

–  having regard to the commitments made by the President of the Commission, Mr Barroso, to Parliament on 26 January 2005 on the legislative programme of the Commission,

–  having regard to the Hague programme agreed in 2004 for the development of the area of freedom, security and justice,

–  having regard to the policy recommendations of the Commission for the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the new dimension of the Union after enlargement imposes a pressing need to put in place a stable, comprehensive political framework with the neighbouring countries of the south and the east, as well as the reinforcement of the stabilisation and association process of the countries of the Western Balkans,

B.  whereas 2005 represents the 10th anniversary of the Conference of Barcelona which paved the way for an ongoing process of closer relations between the EU and the countries of the Mediterranean area and whereas this calls for an analysis and, possibly, some revision of this process to ensure better efficiency of the system,

A stronger actor in the world economy

1.  Stresses that the EU's Lisbon strategy currently addresses too many, often competing, objectives; urges the Commission, in the context of the Kok report and next spring's mid-term review, to invest significant political capital in streamlining and refocusing Lisbon on the central objective of economic reform, with a more precise timetable for the achievement of its goals over the next five years;

2.  Believes that within the EU's economic reform agenda prominence should be given to specific further action to complete the single market, so as to promote lower prices and wider consumer choice, notably in energy, transport, and financial and other services;

3.  Believes that, if Europe is to emerge as genuine 'knowledge-based' economy and society, higher priority will need to be given by the EU and Member States to investing in knowledge and skills through better education and life-long learning;

4.  Believes that greater emphasis should be placed on promoting European research in new technologies - especially in the biotech, environmental and medical fields - by giving it higher priority in public spending choices, pursuing a more active approach to public-private partnerships, and providing better safeguards for intellectual property rights;

5.  Believes that the ongoing reform of the EU's structural and cohesion funds should be designed to contribute as fully as possible to the modernisation of the European economy and the successful implementation of any updated Lisbon strategy;

6.  Urges the Commission to ensure that a properly resourced, strong and independent competition policy is maintained in coming years;

7.  Recognises the validity of the objectives of the Stability and Growth Pact but deems it essential to conduct a reform that guarantees not only economic and monetary stability but also growth and development, in accordance with the revised Lisbon strategy;

8.  Recognises the need to reform the sugar, wine and fruit sectors in order to achieve a more equitable and balanced world market, though without undermining the quality of European production;

Security and freedom

9.  Considers that most of the Commission's legislative programme should be targeted on the objectives of the revised Lisbon Strategy, namely delivering stronger, lasting growth and creating more and better jobs;

10.  Agrees with the identification of security and freedom in the European Union as two separate strategic objectives;

11.  Is convinced that in a borderless Europe, freedom can only be enjoyed within a framework of security provided by law; stresses therefore the need to:

• -fight against terrorism with improved intelligence exchange, effective operational cooperation and stronger action against terrorist financing;
• -combat illegal migration, human trafficking, drug trafficking and cyber crime with common rules on legal migration and return procedures, and a system of burden sharing to support the principle of solidarity in managing people flows; the integration of Europol into the Union would provide greater effectiveness, as would integrated management of external borders and a common visa policy;
• -strengthen the area of justice by reinforcing the mutual recognition of judicial decisions in civil and criminal matters;

Euro-Med relations/Neighbourhood Policy

12.  Calls on the Commission to submit a communication on this significant anniversary, which should include proposals for refocusing policy in this area, to be discussed at the Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Affairs Ministers' meetings in May and in November in the context of the new Neighbourhood Policy; the basic principles of the process should not be changed, however;

Environment, health, safety and animal welfare

13.  Stresses that environmental protection remains a key element in ensuring an improvement in quality of life for European citizens;

14.  Believes that a special effort must be made to improve the air quality in our towns and cities and the water quality in our rivers and on our coasts;

15.  Believes that Europe must continue to improve energy efficiency by showing that alternatives can be found through market-based solutions;

16.  Stresses that citizens must be afforded adequate protection by reducing the risk of natural disasters and environmental or health crises by means of early-warning and immediate-response mechanisms and long-term prevention; the creation of an European Civil Protection Agency could be considered in this context;

17.  Stresses the importance of ensuring a high level of health and food safety for Europe’s consumers and underlines the importance of ensuring full application of rules in these areas; stresses also the need for better training, improved controls and regular updating of legal texts, where appropriate;

18.  Believes that the rules governing animal health and welfare are in need of updating in order to reflect new scientific developments;

Transport

19.  Emphasises that the European Union needs clear mechanisms in place to respond to all questions relating to transport safety at a European level; believes, in this connection, that the Commission White Paper will need a mid-term review in 2005 in order to evaluate its results;

20.  Calls on the Commission to take all measures in the different transport sectors which could enhance safety for the users and consumers; in particular, the third package on maritime security should improve this aspect;

21.  Calls on the Commission carefully to check, in the mid-term review, whether the objectives of the White Paper are being attained or whether adjustments need to be made;

22.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments of the Member States.