1. MEPs CALL FOR RADICAL OVERHAUL OF THE EU's HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY
In the week when EU foreign ministers are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Parliament is set to call on the European Commission to carry out a number reforms to improves its record on human rights, namely: carry out an annual audit of human rights world-wide, increase funding for human rights programmes and establisha specialised EU agency for human rights, at its plenary session in Strasbourg next week. The MEPs will also urge the EU to sign up to the European Convention on Human Rights that came into force almost fifty years ago. The Parliamentarians are of the view that since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights there has been some progress, but much work remains to be done. According to Greek socialist MEP Yiannis Roubatis, the most glaring shortcoming on the part of the Union is its failure to sign up to the European Convention on Human Rights This is a contradiction of the Union's commitment to human rights.
The MEPs will urge the Commission to draw up a list of key principles to be included in agreements with all countries, regardless of their size and influence as well as appoint a single European Commissioner responsible for human rights. They will also urge the EU to aim for a code of conduct on human rights for European firms active in developing countries. In a resolution drawn by all political groups the parliament severely criticises the Commission for failing to provide funding for the European Human Rights Foundation (see PAF 112). Three reports on human rights - Roubatis, Human Rights: From Rome to Maastricht and Beyond; Barros Moura, Human Rights: EU Activities; Schafner, Respect of Human Rights in the EU in 1997 - will be discussed at next week's plenary session.
At this weekend's EU Summit in Vienna, Germany and the UK will call on their EU counterparts to draw up an annual human rights report to monitor rights abuses around the world and keep track of EU initiatives in the area. The two countries are hoping that the first report is ready by the time the EU leaders meet again in June.
2. EP BUDGET COMMITTEE NARROWLY APPROVES GRANTING THE COMMISSION A DISCHARGE FOR THE 1996 BUDGET
Following the allegations of the Commission's misappropriation of funds destined for humanitarian and MEDA projects, the EP's Budget Committee just narrowly voted in favour of giving the Commission a discharge of the 1996 budget (14 to 13 votes). The report by MEP James Elles (UK Conservative) which was adopted, proposes to grant the Commission discharge of the budget, but makes a number of suggestions to ensure the modernisation of the Commission by 2000. Namely: i) the setting in place by June 1999 of the independent Anti-Fraud Office; ii) a report by 31 March 1999 on the statute for EU officials; iii) an evaluation between now and 31 march 1999 of Commission services and the separation of tasks between officials and technical assistance offices; iv) the presentation by 28 February 1999 of a draft code of conduct for the appointment of senior officials; v) presentation by 28 February 1999 of a proposal for revision of the financial regulation mentioning the personal responsibility of Commissioner; and vi) a public declaration of the Commission's financial interests. The European Parliament has postponed the discharge of the 1996 budget in March pending clarification by the Commission on the fraud allegations.
The matter will be debated upon and put to vote at the EP's plenary session on December 15-17 in Strasbourg. Meanwhile the EP's Green Group have distributed a report prepared by an assistant at the Commission's Financial Control unit on the absence of mechanisms for follow-ups in cases of irregularities and fraud. The report states that Commission has failed to forward all available information to the EP Committee on Budgetary Control and that certain investigations have been hushed up. The Commission official states that despite alleged threats of disciplinary procedures he felt it was his duty to forward the documents to the MEPs. Mr Jacques Santer on learning of the EP's possession of the document has stated that Mrs Ventura, Financial Controller at the Commission and Mr Knudsen, Director of the anti-fraud office will be available to clarify any issues mentioned in the report at next week's plenary session.
3. FORTHCOMING EVENTS DURING GERMANY's PRESIDENCY OF THE EU
The German Permanent Representation to the EU provided Eurostep with the calendar below detailing activities during the German Presidency. The formal programme stating the priorities of the Presidencies will be presented to the public on Monday 14 December.
8-9 January, Brussels Informal Meeting of Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries 14 January, Brussels EU Fisheries Council (Not yet certain) 14 January Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 18-19 January, Brussels EU Agriculture Council 25-26 January, Brussels EU General Affairs Council 25 January Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 11 February Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 22-23 February, Brussels EU General Affairs Council 22 February Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 22-23 February, Brussels EU Agriculture Council 4 March Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 11-12 March, Brussels EU Environment Council 15-16 March, Brussels EU Agriculture Council 22-23 March, Brussels EU General Affairs Council 22 March Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 29 March, Berlin Foreign Ministers of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) 30 March, Berlin Foreign Ministers of EU-ASEAN meet 30 March, Brussels EU Fisheries Council 8 April Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 19-20 April, Brussels EU Agriculture Council 20 April Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 26-27 April, Brussels EU General Affairs Council 26 April Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 6-7 May, Berlin Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 17 May Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 17-18 May EU General Affairs Council 21 May, Brussels EU Development Council 25 May Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet (not certain) 31 May, Brussels EU General Affairs Council 31 May Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 4 June Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet 10 June, Brussels EU Fisheries Council 10 June, Brussels EU Fisheries Council 21-22 June, Brussels EU General Affairs Council 21 June, Brussels EU Fisheries Council 24-25 June, Brussels EU Environment Council 29 June Political Directors of EU Foreign Ministries meet (not certain)
In addition the 2nd Committee of EU Member State Permanent Representatives
to the EU, (COREPER II ) that deals with development issues will take place
almost weekly starting from 7 January in Brussels.