Resolution on the establishment of a common European security and defence policy with a view to the European Council in Feira

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the preparation of the European Council meeting in Portugal on 19 and 20 June. -On the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), Parliament expressed concern at the lack of political will shown by Member States on certain matters and particularly the extension of qualified majority voting in Council. It called for the Presidency to be given a mandate to put a number of matters on the agenda, including the incorporation into the Treaty of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The Council Presidency is asked to evaluate relations between 14 Member States and Austria and to develop, with all the parties in the EU concerned, a procedure leading to an acceptable solution. On foreign affairs, Parliament welcomed the Israeli Government's decision to withdraw from Southern Lebanon, and called on the council to play an active political role in the region. It emphasised the importance of ratifying the EU's Association Agreement with Jordan. It urges a speedy conclusion of the Association and Stabilisation Agreement with Croatia to help peaceful and democratic development there. With regard to the follow-up to the Lisbon European Council, Parliament believes that the commitments made at Lisbon should be reinforced, and insists that the new European Social Agenda be based on clear objectives and specific targets, and calls for the modernisation of social protection systems. Whilst the Presidency's willingness to negotiate with Parliament over the Broad Economic Guidelines was welcomed, Parliament reaffirmed that the democratic deficit in economic policy-making must be overcome through the conclusion of an interinstitutional agreement in order to involve the Parliament fully with the Council and Commission in drawing up future guidelines. On freedom, security and justice, Parliament was concerned about the lack of guarantees on defence rights and scrutiny in the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.�