Activites

• 2003/07/31 Final act published in Official Journal
• #2447
• 2002/07/22 Council Meeting
  • 2447
• #2437
• 2002/06/17 Council Meeting
• 2002/05/15 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T5-0240/2002 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Magdalene HOFF (PES, Germany) on the Commission communication on Kaliningrad. (Please refer to the document dated 23/04/02.) Three essential conditions must be fulfilled if cooperation with regard to Kaliningrad is to succeed: firstly, good governance in terms of efficient administration, properly functioning institutions and the actual enforcement of laws; secondly, structural reforms in the areas of legal certainty, a stable tax legislation, environment and acquisition of land; and thirdly, serious steps towards an economic and social renaissance of the region. Effective measures against corruption are crucial. The Russian side is encouraged to make administrative procedures applying to investors more consistent and less time-consuming by reducing the number of local contacts. Development of civil society and the alarming environmental situation are both emphasised in the resolution. Parliament feels that the Commission should play a more active financial role in Kaliningrad, coordinating TACIS, PHARE and Interreg more effectively and involving international financial institutions to a greater extent in the development of projects. Financial contribution should not be a one-sided programme of assistance, but a joint development project with Russia. The Commission should consider setting up a task force for Kaliningrad within the framework of the PCA to explore opportunities for an upturn in the area. TEMPUS activities might include institutional development projects. Finally, the Commission is asked to empower the local TACIS office to make funds available for small projects in the field, to support the multiplicity of private initiatives by EU citizens.�

• 2002/05/14 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2002/04/23 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A5-0156/2002
• #2406
• 2002/01/28 Council Meeting
  • 2406 summary

    With regard to the specific situation of Kaliningrad, the Council noted progress in work underway in its preparatory bodies on issues relating to the movement of persons, goods, energy, telecommunications and fisheries, as well as on the rule of law and the health sector. It agreed to disucss relations with Russia and the situation of Kaliningrad further at the March meeting of the General Affairs Council ahead of the EU-Russia Co-operation Council on 15/16 April, the EU-Russia Ministerial meeting in the field of Justice and Home Affairs on 25/26 April and the EU-Russia Summit in Moscow on 28 May. It instructured the Permanent Representatives Committee and the Political and Security Committee to ensure that the relevant preparatory bodies follow a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach on all of these issues bearing in mind the Commission's communication of January 2001 and the Laeken European Council conclusions. �

• #2356
• 2001/06/11 Council Meeting
• 2001/03/15 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• #2331
• 2001/02/26 Council Meeting
  • 2331 summary

    The Council welcomed the Commission communication of 17 January on the EU and Kaliningrad as providing a good basis for developing further EU co-operation with Russia and neighbouring countries in order to address specific problems related to the Kaliningrad region, regarding the movement of goods and people, energy supplies, fisheries, economic development, governance, democracy and the rule of law, environment and health. The Council therefore agreed on the following procedural aspects : - to take note of the Presidency/Commission/Secretariat initial discussions on Kaliningrad in the context of the consultation process leading up to the Foreign Ministers' conference on Northern Dimension in Luxembourg on 9 April; - to instruct Working Parties on Eastern Europe and Central Asia to assume the overall responsibility in preparing the EU positions on Kaliningrad; - to instruct the Working Party on Central Europe to examine the relevant parts of the Communication, in particular with a view to identifying possibilities for further co-operation with Poland and Lithuania, and report back in due time before the Co-operation Council with Russia on 10 April 2001; - to note that the Presidency may, if necessary, ask also other Council bodies to contribute in developing an EU position on Kaliningrad; - to look forward to discussions with Russia on the situation of Kaliningrad within the framework of the PCA, i.e. in the relevant sub-committees and at the forthcoming fourth meeting of the Co-operation Council; and to note the intention of the Presidency to revert to this issue at the level of the Council with a view to developing further EU positions. �

• 2001/01/17 Non-legislative basic document published
  • COM(2001)0026 summary

    PURPOSE: to present a Communication from the Commission to the Council on the EU and Kaliningrad. CONTENT: In keeping with the Commission's Enlargement Strategy paper of November 2000, the purpose of this Communication is to contribute to a debate which the EU should launch with Russia (including Kaliningrad), and with the two neighbouring future Member States, Poland and Lithuania, on issues which will affect their common future. The Communication looks at the impact of EU enlargement and distinguishes between issues which will arise for all Russian regions and those which are specific to Kaliningrad. Enlargement of the EU will be a positive development for its neighbours, contributing to stability and prosperity. Russia stands to benefit substantially from enlargement and regions such as Kaliningrad are well placed to take advantage of the new opportunities which will be created. This paper does not set out formal Commission proposals for decision, but rather outlines ideas and options for discussion between the parties. Against this background, the main suggestions contained in this Communication are the following: - the EU and Russia examine the trade impact of enlargement on Kaliningrad, in the trade and industry sub-committeee of the PCA, during the first half of 2001; - the EU, Russia, Poland and Lithuania discuss the functional manangement of border crossings, starting with the main road and rail crossings, particularly those linking the region to the Pan-European Transport Corridors I and IX. Discussion should include customs, border guard, phytosanitary, veterinary and health aspects. Discussions could be held in working groups, with Russia under the relevant PCA sub-committees and with Lithuania and Poland within the framework of the European Agreement; - the output of the Tacis study on a multi-modal transport strategy be discussed with the IFIs and the Russian and neighbouring countries authorities, with a view to securing funding for priority projects; - a Tacis study on energy needs, energy potential and possible scenarios should be undertaken; - the practical measures to conduct proper and efficient border control be continued, facilitating the movement of persons and goods across the future external borders. The use of liaison officers could be considered; - without pre-empting accession negotiaitons with Poland and Lithuania, EU technical and financial assistance can contribute to the creation of a functioning border control system, including appropriate sufficiently fake-proof travel documents; - the suitability of Community rules on small border traffic and transit for the specific situation in Kaliningrad be assessed; - in the wider context of Community policies on visas and on external borders, the cost of passports (the responsibility of Russia) could also be examined, as well as the cost of visas (responsibility of current and future EU Member States); - the EU and Russia quickly conclude a readmission agreement; - the EU should provide the administration and population of Kaliningrad and bordering regions with information on the wayin which the future external border of the EU will function taking into account the need for fast and efficient border crossing for goods and people while preventing illegal activities; - the EU-Kaliningrad fisheries relations to be reviewed in light of the consequences of enlargement on fishing access and of future fisheries agreements between the EU and Russia; - the EU and Russia discuss key issues of environmental concern in Kaliningrad and finally, - issues concering Kaliningrad be addressed in co-operation with Russia in the relevant PCA bodies and, in parallel, that the EU continue to discuss the same issues with Lithuania and Poland in the framework of the Europe Agreements. �

  • DG ['External Relations'],

Documents

• Non-legislative basic document published: COM(2001)0026
• Debate in Council: 2331
• Debate in Council: 2406
• Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A5-0156/2002
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0240/2002
• Debate in Council: 2447

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)