European Union's role worldwide: annual debate 1998, financing the CFSP and EC budget

The European Parliament adopted its Resolution on the EU's common strategy towards Russia and the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security policy for 1998, drafted by Mr. Tom SPENCER (EPP, UK). The resolution stresses the need to create an effective CFSP. It goes on to welcome the acceptance by Council of the importance of accelerating the process of integrating Macedonia into the EU and calls on the Council to remove all obstacles to Macedonia's eventual membership. An amendment also welcomes the prospect of eventual Albanian membership and calls for a genuine Marshall Plan for the country and the opening of negotiations with Tirana with a view to concluding an association agreement.�