Following a seven plus hour deliberation procedure, EU’s 27 leaders meeting in Bratislava, finally adopted what they call “the Bratislava Declaration” – a practical reform roadmap, leading to the 60 year anniversary Summit of Rome, in March 2017.
According to a text distributed on spot – since an informal Summit cannot produce official Summit conclusions – the EU 27 commit to a series of actions on migration, economy and defence.
On Migration, the 27 agree never to allow return to uncontrolled flows of last year and further bring down number of irregular migrants, ensure full control of our external borders and get back to Schengen and broaden the EU consensus on long term migration policy and apply the principles of responsibility and solidarity.
They also vouch on the full commitment to implementing the EU-Turkey statement as well as continued support to the countries of the Western Balkans, plus a immediate assistance to strengthen the protection of Bulgaria’s border with Turkey, and continue supporting other front line States, while welcoming European Border and Coast Guard activation by year end.
The 27 plan to address security by intensified cooperation and information-exchange among security services of the Member States, adopting the necessary measures to ensure that all persons, including nationals from EU Member States, crossing the Union’s external borders will be checked against the relevant databases, that must be interconnected and starting a Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
On Defence they plan to decide by December on a concrete implementation plan on security and defence and on how to make better use of the options in the Treaties, especially as regards capabilities and quickly start implementing the joint declaration with NATO immediately.
Finally on the economy, they plan to mach half a trillion euro on investment, through the so called Juncker investment plan – EFSI and by Spring 2017 review progress and proceed with Single Market strategies including Digital Single Market, Capital Markets Union and the Energy Union.
The 27 acknowledge that the EU secured peace, democracy and enabled countries to prosper and appear determined to make a success of the EU with 27 Member States, building on
“The EU is not perfect”, they state, “but it is the best instrument we have for addressing the new challenges we are facing.
“We need the EU not only to guarantee peace and democracy but also the security of our people” they declare. “We need the EU to serve better their needs and wishes to live, study, work, move and prosper freely across our continent and benefit from the rich European cultural heritage”.
According to the statement the EU 27 will try improve the communication with each other – among Member States and with EU institutions, but most importantly “with our citizens”, inject more clarity into the EU decisions, use clear and honest language and focus on citizens’ expectations, with strong courage to challenge simplistic solutions of extreme or populist political forces.
Source: CNA
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