Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05VIENNA983
2005-03-25 09:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
AUSTRIAN EU PRESIDENCY, FIRST HALF OF 2006 -
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VIENNA 000983
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA, EUR/ERA, AND EUR/AGS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECIN EFIN ETRD AU EUN
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN EU PRESIDENCY, FIRST HALF OF 2006 -
FIRST OUTLINE OF AGENDA
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VIENNA 000983
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA, EUR/ERA, AND EUR/AGS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECIN EFIN ETRD AU EUN
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN EU PRESIDENCY, FIRST HALF OF 2006 -
FIRST OUTLINE OF AGENDA
1. (SBU) This message provides an informal, first
outline of the GoA's planned work program and a calendar
of events for Austria's EU Presidency in the first half
of 2006. We developed this information from public
sources and personal contacts. This outline reflects a
preliminary phase of planning. We will update it as more
information becomes available.
2. (SBU) Begin outline:
International issues
--------------
-- EU Summit with the U.S. in Austria;
-- EU Summit with Russia in Moscow;
-- EU Summit with Canada, most likely in Canada;
-- EU Summit with Latin America in Austria;
-- EU - Balkans Summit, which will deal with the status
of Kosovo, the Republic Srpska, and Montenegro, but only
if there is a reasonable chance of success;
-- Preparations for the spring IMF and World Bank
meetings; and
-- Preparations for the 6th ASEM (Asia-European Meeting)
Summit in Finland in the second half of 2006.
EU Enlargement
--------------
-- Final preparations for the accession of Romania and
Bulgaria in 2007; and
-- Accession negotiations with Turkey, possibly Croatia
and also Macedonia.
EU Budget
--------------
-- Finalization of the EU's financial framework (EU
Budget) for 2007-2013; and
-- The related issues of financing for the EU's
structural fund, the 7th framework program for research,
and trans-European networks (TEN).
Research
--------------
-- 7th Framework Program for Research and Development for
2006-2010;
-- Security research; and
-- The European Space Program.
EU Constitution
--------------
-- The GoA expects it may have to deal with a possible no-
vote from at least one member state, such as the U.K., in
2006.
Trade and Customs
--------------
-- Work on a new simplified customs codex;
-- Reform of the EU's preferential arrangements; and
-- Implementation of decisions from the December 2005 WTO
Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong.
Still unclear, but also on the GoA's radar screen are:
-- A Gulf Cooperation Council for the possible
ratification of a free trade association;
-- Mediterranean region (Euromed) negotiations with
Syria;
-- The potential inclusion of Libya in the Barcelona
process;
-- A free trade agreement with the Andean Community of
Nations and Central America; and
-- Some as yet unclear activity focused on South Eastern
Europe.
ECOFIN
--------------
-- Decision on the participation of new members in stage
three of the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II) as a
final step before introducing the Euro;
-- Stability and Convergence Programs;
-- Economic policy guidelines 2006-2008; and
-- Review of employment policy guidelines.
Other issues
--------------
-- Possible spring summit to review progress of the
relaunched Lisbon agenda;
-- Work on the EU's environmental sustainability strategy
(climate protection);
-- A new consumer protection strategy for 2007;
-- A new Youth Program for 2007;
-- A successor program to "Culture 2000;" and
-- Mediaplus - media training.
3. (SBU) Below is a calendar of events for January-June
2006, as far as it is available now:
January 2006
6 Meeting of the GoA with the European
Commission
12 - 14 Justice and Home Affairs Informal Council
in Vienna
19 - 21 Ministerial Conference on Employment and
Social Affairs (possibly in Villach)
26 - 28 Ministerial Conference on European
Identity in Salzburg
February 2006
10 - 11 Gymnich Informal EU Foreign Ministerial in
Salzburg
March 2006
2 - 3 Transportation Ministers Conference in
Bregenz
7 - 8 Defense Ministers Conference in Innsbruck
16 - 17 Education Ministers Conference
20 - 22 European Tourism Conference
23 - 24 European Council Meeting
30 - April 4 Health Ministers and Youth Ministers
Conference in Bad Ischl
April 2006
6 - 7 Informal Council of Economics and Finance
Ministers (ECOFIN)
8 - 9 ASEM (Asia-European Meeting) Finance
Ministers Meeting
20 - 22 Informal Ministerial Conference on
Competitiveness in Graz
May 2006
11 - 3 Latin America Summit
19 - 21 Informal Environmental Ministers Council
in Rust
25 - 26 EU - Mediterranean Conference
28 - 30 Informal Agricultural Council in Krems
June 2006
15 - 16 European Council Meeting
BROWN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA, EUR/ERA, AND EUR/AGS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECIN EFIN ETRD AU EUN
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN EU PRESIDENCY, FIRST HALF OF 2006 -
FIRST OUTLINE OF AGENDA
1. (SBU) This message provides an informal, first
outline of the GoA's planned work program and a calendar
of events for Austria's EU Presidency in the first half
of 2006. We developed this information from public
sources and personal contacts. This outline reflects a
preliminary phase of planning. We will update it as more
information becomes available.
2. (SBU) Begin outline:
International issues
--------------
-- EU Summit with the U.S. in Austria;
-- EU Summit with Russia in Moscow;
-- EU Summit with Canada, most likely in Canada;
-- EU Summit with Latin America in Austria;
-- EU - Balkans Summit, which will deal with the status
of Kosovo, the Republic Srpska, and Montenegro, but only
if there is a reasonable chance of success;
-- Preparations for the spring IMF and World Bank
meetings; and
-- Preparations for the 6th ASEM (Asia-European Meeting)
Summit in Finland in the second half of 2006.
EU Enlargement
--------------
-- Final preparations for the accession of Romania and
Bulgaria in 2007; and
-- Accession negotiations with Turkey, possibly Croatia
and also Macedonia.
EU Budget
--------------
-- Finalization of the EU's financial framework (EU
Budget) for 2007-2013; and
-- The related issues of financing for the EU's
structural fund, the 7th framework program for research,
and trans-European networks (TEN).
Research
--------------
-- 7th Framework Program for Research and Development for
2006-2010;
-- Security research; and
-- The European Space Program.
EU Constitution
--------------
-- The GoA expects it may have to deal with a possible no-
vote from at least one member state, such as the U.K., in
2006.
Trade and Customs
--------------
-- Work on a new simplified customs codex;
-- Reform of the EU's preferential arrangements; and
-- Implementation of decisions from the December 2005 WTO
Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong.
Still unclear, but also on the GoA's radar screen are:
-- A Gulf Cooperation Council for the possible
ratification of a free trade association;
-- Mediterranean region (Euromed) negotiations with
Syria;
-- The potential inclusion of Libya in the Barcelona
process;
-- A free trade agreement with the Andean Community of
Nations and Central America; and
-- Some as yet unclear activity focused on South Eastern
Europe.
ECOFIN
--------------
-- Decision on the participation of new members in stage
three of the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II) as a
final step before introducing the Euro;
-- Stability and Convergence Programs;
-- Economic policy guidelines 2006-2008; and
-- Review of employment policy guidelines.
Other issues
--------------
-- Possible spring summit to review progress of the
relaunched Lisbon agenda;
-- Work on the EU's environmental sustainability strategy
(climate protection);
-- A new consumer protection strategy for 2007;
-- A new Youth Program for 2007;
-- A successor program to "Culture 2000;" and
-- Mediaplus - media training.
3. (SBU) Below is a calendar of events for January-June
2006, as far as it is available now:
January 2006
6 Meeting of the GoA with the European
Commission
12 - 14 Justice and Home Affairs Informal Council
in Vienna
19 - 21 Ministerial Conference on Employment and
Social Affairs (possibly in Villach)
26 - 28 Ministerial Conference on European
Identity in Salzburg
February 2006
10 - 11 Gymnich Informal EU Foreign Ministerial in
Salzburg
March 2006
2 - 3 Transportation Ministers Conference in
Bregenz
7 - 8 Defense Ministers Conference in Innsbruck
16 - 17 Education Ministers Conference
20 - 22 European Tourism Conference
23 - 24 European Council Meeting
30 - April 4 Health Ministers and Youth Ministers
Conference in Bad Ischl
April 2006
6 - 7 Informal Council of Economics and Finance
Ministers (ECOFIN)
8 - 9 ASEM (Asia-European Meeting) Finance
Ministers Meeting
20 - 22 Informal Ministerial Conference on
Competitiveness in Graz
May 2006
11 - 3 Latin America Summit
19 - 21 Informal Environmental Ministers Council
in Rust
25 - 26 EU - Mediterranean Conference
28 - 30 Informal Agricultural Council in Krems
June 2006
15 - 16 European Council Meeting
BROWN