Brussels, 28/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - As foreseen, the General Affairs Council on Monday stressed the importance of EU common strategies as an instrument to improve the effectiveness of the Union's external action (see EUROPE of 23 February, pages 4 and 5). In its conclusions, the Council agreed the following guidelines should apply: - common strategies should be expected to bring clear added value, identified in advance, including the improvement of coherence and coordination of external policies, both bilateral and multilateral; - they must be more focused on clearly identified issues and themes. The Secretary General/High Representative should play a central role in this framework; - the common strategies must aim to enhance the coherent use of all appropriate means and resources available to the Union, the Community and the Member States, including subsequent implementation through common positions and joint actions adopted by qualified majority; - progress in the implementation of common strategies must be evaluated on a regular basis and, where necessary, give rise to adjustment. In the context of its overall responsibility, the Council will ensure close monitoring of implementation, including an annual review in January, drawing on the contributions of the SG/HR and the Commission.