Items Nos. 3.4, CFSP (2005) 976, and 3.5, CFSP (2005) 797, involve a Council joint action to amend the mandate of the European Union special representative for the Middle East peace process and a Council joint action on the European Union police mission for the Palestinian territories. The aim of the EU police mission is to contribute to the establishment of sustainable and effective policing arrangements under Palestinian ownership in accordance with the best international standards. The mission would also be established in co-operation with other EU programmes and other efforts to support the Middle East peace process. The establishment of the police mission necessitated the amendment of the mandate of the EU special representative for the Middle East peace process to include it as part of the EUSR's work programme. It is proposed to note the measures and that they be forwarded for information to the Joint Committee on European Affairs in the context of consideration of related issues during meetings such as the pre-GAERC meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 3.6, CFSP (2005) 807, is a Council joint action extending and amending the mandate of the European Union monitoring mission, EUMM. This joint action tasks the mission with a particular focus on Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro and neighbouring regions and sees the continuation of its work until 31 December 2006. It is proposed to note the measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 3.7, CFSP (2005) 822, is a Council joint action amending and extending Joint Action CFSP (2004) 847 on the European Union police mission in Kinshasa, ORC, regarding the integrated police unit, EUPOL Kinshasa. This joint action extends until 30 April 2006 the 2005 financing of the mission and amends the mandate to include administrative changes such as clarification concerning the role of the HQ of the mission. It is proposed to note the measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 3.8, CFSP (2005) 825, is a Council joint action amending the mandate of the European Union special representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The special representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, currently Lord Ashdown, has been tasked, inter alia, with enhancing the coherence and effectiveness of the European Union’s engagement in that country. This measure seeks to strengthen this function through also assigning a role for the EU special representative on the co-ordination of the EU police mission’s actions and its promotion of the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is proposed to note the measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 3.9, CFSP (2005) 725, is a Council common position updating common position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and repealing common position 2005/427/CFSP. It will be taken in conjunction with No. 3.10, CFSP (2005) 847, which is a Council common position updating Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and repealing common position 2005/725/CFSP. Common position 2001/931/CFSP concerns the affording of police and judicial co-operation between member states in preventing and combating terrorist acts. This is with particular regard to the agreed list of persons, groups and entities that is periodically reviewed. It is proposed to note the measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 4. is deferred documents. As there are no proposals for deferral, we will move to item No. 5, proposals proposed for no further scrutiny.
No. 5.1, COM (2005) 552, is a proposal for a regulation adjusting with effect from 1 July 2005 the remuneration and pensions of officials and other servants of the European Union. This proposal seeks approval for the adjustment of the remuneration and pensions of officials and other servants of the European Union to take account of changes in cost of living and purchasing power indicators. The resulting salary increases of 2.2% would be effective from 1 July 2005. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 5.2, COM (2005) 553, is a proposal for a Council decision on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European partnership with Albania. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 5.3, COM (2005) 555, is a proposal for a Council decision on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 5.4, COM (2005) 557, is a proposal for a Council decision on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European partnership with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 5.5, COM (2005) 558, is a proposal for a Council decision on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European partnership with Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo. The proposed partnership lists the short to medium term priorities for further integration with the European Union. Separate priorities are also listed in relation to Kosovo. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed
No. 5.6, COM (2005) 560, is a proposal for a decision on the conclusion of an agreement between the EU and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan concerning the liberalisation of trade in agricultural products. The proposal seeks approval for the conclusion of a trade liberalisation agreement which aims to increase the level of reciprocal trade between the EC and Jordan. The Department's note indicates that the adoption of the measure would have no implications for Ireland because trade in agricultural products between Ireland and Jordan is not significant. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny but that the proposed measure be forwarded for information to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 5.7, COM (2005) 595, is a Council decision on the appointment of the special co-ordinator of the stability pact for south eastern Europe. Launched in 1999, the stability pact for south-eastern Europe is a conflict prevention strategy of the international community, aimed at strengthening the efforts of the countries of in the region in fostering peace, democracy, respect for human rights and economic prosperity. Dr. Erhard Busek is the special co-ordinator for the stability pact and this proposal seeks approval for a further extension of his appointment for a period of 12 months. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 5.8, COM (2005) 614, is a proposal for a regulation imposing specific restrictive measures against persons suspected of involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Following the report of the international independent investigation commission into the 14 February terrorist bombing in Beirut which killed the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others, the UN Security Council decided on 31 October to take certain measures to support the investigation. The Security Council adopted Resolution 1636 (2005) providing for the freezing of the economic assets of those suspected of involvement. I understand determinations in this regard would be made by the UN sanctions committee. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 5.9, COM (2005) 556, is a proposal for a Council decision on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the accession partnership with Croatia. The Council adopted, in September 2004, a European partnership with Croatia. On 3 October this year, negotiations started with Croatia on its accession to the European Union. The Commission outlines in its memorandum to the proposal that it, therefore, considers it appropriate to update the partnership with Croatia. The proposed accession partnership identifies the short to medium term priorities for Croatia's preparations for further integration with the European Union. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed?
