AUSTRIAN EU PRESIDENCY, FIRST HALF OF 2006 -

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