Brussels, 02/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The EP Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the report by its chairman, Elmar Brok (CDU), on the 2004 Council report on Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), considering that the “reflection period” on the Constitutional Treaty ratification process in the wake of the referendum crisis provides “an excellent occasion to further identify and examine any existing shortcomings in the CFSP/ESDP fields and how these shortcomings could be appropriately addressed”. MEPs regret the attitude adopted by “some Member States which in spite of the adoption of the Constitution by the European Council have for domestic reasons abused the right of veto in important foreign affairs matters”. They stress that the “CFSP cannot be reduced to a mere adjunct to the foreign policies of the single Member States”. They therefore invite Member States to “act in a constructive manner in line with the spirit of the Constitution so as to enable the EU to play an effective role on the world stage”. The Brok report calls on the Council to promote common foreign and security policy which is “much more open, transparent and accountable” by reporting to the EP foreign affairs committee at regular intervals after each General Affairs/External Relations Council and after each high-level summit held with key international partners. The report also stresses that the fight against terrorism must be considered as one of the EU priorities and as an essential aspect of its external policy (while respecting human rights and citizens' freedoms), as are the aspects relating to migration and the fight against illegal immigration. It also considers that the common management of external borders should be an ”essential chapter” of the EU Neighbourhood Policy and that the “Union should acquire common equipment for the protection of its external borders”. According to the report, the Council should, in spite of the EU's constitutional crisis, make the Balkans and their European aspirations “a top priority” as “the future accession of the western Balkan countries is a further step towards the reunification of Europe”.