Resolution on the European Council meeting of 15-16 June 2001 in Göteborg

The European Parliament in its resolution on the Gothenburg Summit gave strong support for enlargement as an irreversible process. On the Nice Treaty, Parliament criticised the exclusively intergovernmental and closed method of treaty reform, which contributed to the negative verdict in Ireland. It calls for a Convention to be established at the Laeken summit in December to prepare for the next IGC and regrets that the European Council's proposed only the possible creation of an open forum. It also regretted that the Council was not able to agree on rules for a statute for European political parties. On sustainable development, the Swedish Presidency's emphasis on this issue is welcome, as is the integration of this policy into the Broad Economic Policy guidelines. Parliament noted with regret that the European Council has managed to agree on the general principles for a strategy but has failed to take decisions on concrete actions. The Belgian Presidency is urged to specify concrete actions and targets for sustainable development in time for the Barcelona Council in 2002. The economic and social dimensions of the Lisbon strategy must include the sustainable development strategy. On future legislation, the European council's actions on pensions and the tax package are welcomed, but Parliament regretted the lack of progress on the Single European Sky. On external relations, the House expressed its severe disappointment at the position adopted by the United States towards the Kyoto Protocol. It welcomed the termination of the banana dispute. The continued use of the death penalty is criticised as is the US missile defence system initiative. There is support for an active role by the EU in the Middle East and FYROM to bring about a peaceful resolution of the conflict. It does, however, regret the lack of substantial progress on the draft peace plan in FYROM and underlines the need to link further financial aid to the Skopje government to tangible progress in the negotiations. �