The Ambassadors of the Member States to the European Union (Coreper) agreed on Wednesday 24 June on the EU Council's position on the objectives and outline of the Conference on the Future of Europe, whose work will start in the autumn, as soon as the health situation permits, and will last until the summer of 2022.
The latest compromise proposal of the Croatian Presidency, dated the same day, is almost identical to the one submitted on Friday 19 June to the Member States and of which EUROPE had received a copy (see EUROPE 12511/9).
Basically, nothing changes. Member States are of the opinion that this exercise of reflection and consultation of citizens should draw lessons from the European response to the Covid-19 pandemic. They do not wish to predict from the outset that the Conference will lead to an institutional reform of the EU and call for an independent European personality, chosen by common agreement between the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council, to preside over the day-to-day work.
"We need an inclusive and open debate across Europe on the EU's future priorities and the search for concrete solutions on how to emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crisis", said Croatian State Secretary for European Affairs Andreja Metelko-Zgombić.
On Wednesday, Finland stressed the importance of involving the social partners in the discussions.
This agreement makes it possible to start the interinstitutional negotiations leading to the drafting of a joint declaration on the objectives and shape of the Conference, a sine qua non for launching the debates on the future of Europe after the summer break. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)