EU Presidency Conclusions.pdf

The European Council meeting on June 16-17, 2005, addressed several key issues, including:

1. Financial Perspective: The Council regretted the lack of an overall agreement on the Financial Perspective, but undertook to continue efforts to achieve this objective.
2. Economic, Social, and Environmental Issues:
Sustainable Development: The Council reaffirmed its attachment to sustainable development and approved the "Declaration on the guiding principles for sustainable development".
Lisbon Strategy: The Council relaunched the Lisbon Strategy, focusing on growth and employment, and approved the Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs 2005-2008.
3. Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice:
The Hague Programme: The Council adopted the Action Plan implementing the Hague Programme and emphasized the importance of operational cooperation between actors involved in internal security.
Fight against Terrorism: The Council took note of the progress made on the legislative front in combating terrorism and welcomed the Drugs Action Plan (2005-2008).
4. External Relations: The Council addressed external relations, including the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union.
5. Other Business: The Council also discussed other issues, including the signing of the Accession Treaty and the participation of Bulgaria and Romania as active observers in the European Council and its preparatory bodies.