1.
COMMISSION PRESIDENT PUTS OUT LONG AWAITED WHITE PAPER ON
GOVERNANCE IN THE EU - AN AIM FOR GREATER CIVIL SOCIETY
PARTICIPATION IN EU SYSTEM?
The
long awaited European Commission paper on EU Governance was
adopted by the Commission this week. The Paper has now been sent
around widely to civil society organisations, along with a cover
letter from Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, for reactions.
However, the document already has the status of a ‘White
Paper’, which implies that it is a final document, which
cannot be amended. Still, according to a Commission spokesperson,
the Commission would very much like to encourage wide debate on
the issue and would appreciate comments from civil society.
In
the cover letter to the document, Mr Prodi states that the paper
is part of the Commission’s initiative adopted in February
2000 to open up the EU system to greater participation, and make
it more accountable, effective and coherent. “It is an
attempt that requires everyone – European institutions,
Member States, regions, local bodies, the social partners,
associations and NGOs – to shoulder their responsibilities
so that we can achieve the objectives we have set ourselves.
… this is a beginning, not the end: the White Paper will
launch a further phase of consultation ..”
The
Paper makes a number of proposals in a number of areas. This
includes the following:
Þ
Up-to-date, on-line information on preparation of policy through
all stages of decision-making
Þ
Establish and publish minimum standards for consultation on EU
policy
Þ
Promote greater use of different policy tools (regulations,
“framework directives”, co-regulatory mechanisms)
Þ
Publish guidelines on collection and use of expert advice, so
that it is clear what advice is given, where it is coming from,
how it is used and what alternative views are available.
Þ
Improve the dialogue with governmental and non-governmental
actors of third countries when developing policy proposals with
an international dimension.
Þ
Reinforce attempts to ensure policy coherence and identify
long-term objectives.
The
Commission also calls on the Council to reinforce its capacity to
take decisions and cut through different sectoral interests. The
Council and the European Parliament are also asked to focus
on defining the essential elements of policy and controlling the
way in which policies are executed.
[email protected] before 31 March 2002. The Commission has also set up a website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/governance/index_en.htm which is supposed to provide updated information and links to interactive debates on governance initiated by institutional and NGO actors.
2.
EU REACTIONS TO G8 SUMMIT IN GENOA
Mr.
Romano Prodi, the President of the European Commission, in
reaction to the violence and results of the G8 Summit, this week
said, “Genoa was a major summit for violence. This is
undeniable and unacceptable”. President in Office of the
EU Council, Mr Guy Verhofstadt - the Prime Minister of Belgium -
called upon anti-globalisation movements to disassociate
themselves publicly from the rioters. Mr Verhofstadt said the
Genoa Plan for Africa agreed by the G8 proposes paths to develop
private investment in Africa, increase internal and external good
governance, conflict prevention and combat hunger.
However,
the European Parliament Green Party/EFA Group has painted a less
rosy picture of the outcome of the Summit. In a press release
deploring the ‘sorry outcome’ of the G8, the Green/EFA
Group state, “the Genoa Summit answered no
legitimate questions put by those disputing globalisation
organised by and for multinational financial groups and whose
ecological and social consequences are disastrous”.
According to the Group, the G8 only confirmed its faith in free
trade and inequitable rules of international trade.
The
Parliamentary Group also heavily criticises the G8’s
sanctioning of brutal and indiscriminate repression of the forces
of law and order. The Group intends to ask the Commission and
EU Council to explain themselves on the events in Genoa, and set
out political initiatives aimed at organising genuine political
dialogue with civil society, at the next WTO Ministerial meeting
in Doha, and the forthcoming EU Summit in Laeken.
3.
COMMISSION ADOPTS STRATEGY TO PROMOTE CORE LABOUR STANDARDS
The
European Commission last week adopted a communication promoting
core labour standards and social governance globally. According
to a Commission press release, the Commission proposes action at
European and at international levels, to support the
effective application of core labour standards at global level.
The development dimension is supposed to be central to this
action, which aims to help developing countries apply core labour
standards for social development. The action involves,
inter alia:
§
A better balance of the global governance system, through both
strengthening and use of more effectively ILO instruments, and
the fostering of joint work by international organisations.
§
The establishment of a high-level international dialogue, with
the participation of international organisations like the ILO and
the WTO, as well as development organisations such as United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World
Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
This international dialogue would help identify best practices
and policies that will further the contribution of trade to
social development worldwide.
§
The integration of core labour standards in EU development policy
and strengthening capacity in developing countries to apply core
labour standards. It also suggests that core labour standards
should have their place in bilateral agreements between Europe
and third countries.
The full text of the Communication
can be found at the following website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/miti/devel/cls.htm
4.
IN BRIEF
The European Parliament’s
Committee on Women’s Rights has adopted a report (E.
Valenciano Martinez-Orozco-Spain) calling for legislation to
eradicate practises of genital mutilation. It calls on the EU
to define all forms of female genital mutilation as a crime
(whether or not the women consents to it). The EU is also called
upon to reward countries, through external aid, that have taken
legislative and administrative measures banning genital
mutilation.
Belgian Foreign Minister, Louis
Michel -President in Office of the EU General Affairs Council
– reiterated the EU’s support for the East Timor
independence process at a meeting with officials from the Timor
Government and the UN. Mr Michel said the EU would
continue to support East Timor after its foreseen independence in
2002.
The EU through its Belgian
Presidency has welcomed the transfer of power in Indonesia. The
EU described the process as democratic and peaceful.
The EU has condemned the recent
coup attempts in Burundi. In a declaration the EU also welcomes
the announcement, at the recent regional summit of Heads of State
in Arusha, Tanzania, of the implementation of the peace plan for
Burundi devised by Nelson Mandela.