Brussels, 14/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - In addition to the position on South Africa (see other article), the General Affairs Council meeting on Tuesday in Luxembourg, with Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama in the Chair, also achieved the following.
- Statute of Members of the EP. The Council took note of a report by the Presidency on work conducted with the EP Contact Group in the last six months. The four meetings improved the climate between the two institutions, which augurs well for a satisfactory solution for all parties in the near future. The incoming French Presidency has announced that it will continue to work on this issue as a matter of priority.
- European security and defence policy (ESDP). With the participation of the Defence Ministers, the Council endorsed the draft Presidency report to the Feira European Council and welcomed the progress made on development of this policy, in particular on the process of elaboration of the capabilities goals. Debate confirmed the commitment of Member States to the achievement of development of the ESDP and the importance of a successful Capabilities Commitment Conference in November.
- Montenegro. The Council gave its positive opinion on the transfer of credits proposed by the Commission to finance special aid of EUR 20 million decided by the Council on 22 May. It nonetheless deems necessary an in-depth discussion in the near future on priorities and redeployment of spending within Heading 4 of the Financial Perspectives (external relations).
- Inter Korean Summit. The Council welcomed the holding of this summit on 13 and 14 June in Pyongyang and considers it a success in itself that the summit even took place. The Council Declaration states that the EU encourages the Republic of Korea and the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea to continue the process of reconciliation and that the EU intends to make a careful evaluation of the results of the summit as soon as possible.
- European Charter for Small Enterprises. The Council adopted the draft Charter for Small Enterprises and agreed to forward the Charter for endorsement by the European Council next week.
