Enlargement
is a long-term process affecting the whole of Europe.
The Member States of the Union and all those
European countries aspiring to membership and linked
to it through an association agreement should be
brought together in a single forum.
The
European Conference would provide an opportunity for
consultations on a broad range of issues arising in
the areas of the Common Foreign and Security Policy
and Justice and Home Affairs.
With
regard to the CFSP, the conference would provide a
framework for dialogue on international problems of
common concern, such as relations with Russia,
Ukraine and other CIS countries and European
security. The conference would enable participating
countries to be involved more closely in the
preparation and implementation of joint actions,
declarations and demarches. This would contribute to
the overall weight and coherence of decisions and
actions taken under the CFSP.
In
the field of Justice and Home Affairs, the Union and
the other participants in the conference share many
concerns in areas including the fight against
organised crime, terrorism, corruption, drug
trafficking, illegal arms sales, money laundering and
illegal immigration. The European Conference would
facilitate cooperation between national authorities,
including police and judicial officials, and
cooperation with Europol.
The
Conference would meet each year at the level of Heads
of State or Government and the President of the
Commission and, where necessary, ministerial level.