JOINT PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT - Building one Europe, 250903

JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND

THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Impact of the future Constitutional Treaty on the cooperation between the European Union
and the Council of Europe and the concept of a wider Europe
Freedom of Movement, Migration and Border Control

The Presidents of the European Parliament and of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe:

Express the commitment of the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly to a common European approach on issues directly concerning all Europe's citizens and affecting Europe’s shared values and principles.

Recall that, when it comes to the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, there should be only one Europe, and that the European Union and the Council of Europe have a common responsibility in building such a Europe, based on uniform respect for their common values and principles.

Confirm, against the background of the imminent accession of ten new member states to the European Union, their willingness to co-operate in the shaping of a strategy for the wider Europe. This strategy should reach out to all European countries sharing these common values and principles, and should help to develop regional and subregional cooperation and integration where this can contribute to a favourable political and economic development, stability and the reduction of poverty and social division in Europe.

Insist that such co-operation and integration should be complementary to the existing activities of the Council of Europe and should make full use of programmes, mechanisms and institutions which already exist at the all-European level.

Welcome the successful conclusion of the work of the Convention on the future of Europe and take the view that the Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe must form the sole basis for the work of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Endorse the Convention’s support for the European Union’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Underline the importance of carrying forward into the IGC the more open, pluralistic and consensual spirit of the Convention and call for continued co-operation between national parliamentarians and members of the European Parliament which took part in the Convention. , throughout the IGC.

Call for a new and inclusive regional approach in shaping relations between the European Union and European countries which are not members of the European Union that would help keep and promote peace and foster stability and security throughout the wider Europe, ultimately promoting the emergence of better global governance.

Agree that the possibilities for strengthening relations with the new neighbours of the enlarged European Union must take into account the different state of relations between the European Union and the countries involved, as well as their respect for their commitments and obligations as members of the Council of Europe.

Call for the enhancement of cooperation between the European Union and the wider Europe, not least in the areas of trade and markets, monetary regimes, sectoral policies (scientific research, environment, transport, energy, education and culture), justice and home affairs and foreign and security policies. Such cooperation, where relevant, should not duplicate but rather reinforce and complement existing activities in the framework of the Council of Europe.

Encourage the participation of non-EU countries in agencies of the European Union, such as the European Environment Agency, European Training Foundation, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug-Addiction, European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, Office for the Harmonisation in the Internal Market, Agency for Safety and Health at Work, and call for reinforced co-operation of these agencies, where applicable, with their counterparts at the all-European level.

Reaffirm the need to maintain an overall, coherent approach to a common EU policy on asylum and migration, taking into account the wider Europe dimension and human rights standards contained in Council of Europe instruments, and in particular the European Convention on Human Rights.

Emphasise that the effective management of the external borders of EU member states should be developed with a coherent and structured Community framework and methods in cooperation with European countries bordering the enlarged European Union, while noting the particular needs of the new member states.

Consider that integrating migration issues in EU relations with third countries is an important part of a balanced approach to improve management of migration and underline the need to coordinate the policy in this area with the neighbouring countries and at the all-European level

Further, the Presidents of the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Welcome the "Charter of European Political Parties for a Non-Racist Society" and encourage political parties in the EU and the Council of Europe Member States to sign the Charter.

Express their satisfaction with regard to the interparliamentary cooperation on election observation and related matters between the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE and express their desire to further enhance the interparliamentary cooperation of any future election observation via a memorandum of understanding between the parties concerned.

Call for strengthening the cooperation between the three parliamentary institutions and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in the area of election observation.

Call on the Council of Europe and the European Union to use all possible synergies to enhance the complementarity of their activities and to avoid duplication of work in order to ensure maximum benefit for all countries in the wider Europe.