US embassy cable - 05VIENNA983

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VIENNA 000983 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA, EUR/ERA, AND EUR/AGS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, ECIN, EFIN, ETRD, AU, EUN 
SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN EU PRESIDENCY, FIRST HALF OF 2006 - 
FIRST OUTLINE OF AGENDA 
 
 
1.  (SBU) This message provides an informal, first 
outline of the GoA's planned work program and a calendar 
of events for Austria's EU Presidency in the first half 
of 2006.  We developed this information from public 
sources and personal contacts.  This outline reflects a 
preliminary phase of planning.  We will update it as more 
information becomes available. 
 
2.  (SBU) Begin outline: 
 
International issues 
-------------------- 
-- EU Summit with the U.S. in Austria; 
-- EU Summit with Russia in Moscow; 
-- EU Summit with Canada, most likely in Canada; 
-- EU Summit with Latin America in Austria; 
-- EU - Balkans Summit, which will deal with the status 
of Kosovo, the Republic Srpska, and Montenegro, but only 
if there is a reasonable chance of success; 
-- Preparations for the spring IMF and World Bank 
meetings; and 
-- Preparations for the 6th ASEM (Asia-European Meeting) 
Summit in Finland in the second half of 2006. 
 
EU Enlargement 
-------------- 
-- Final preparations for the accession of Romania and 
Bulgaria in 2007; and 
-- Accession negotiations with Turkey, possibly Croatia 
and also Macedonia. 
 
EU Budget 
--------- 
-- Finalization of the EU's financial framework (EU 
Budget) for 2007-2013; and 
-- The related issues of financing for the EU's 
structural fund, the 7th framework program for research, 
and trans-European networks (TEN). 
 
Research 
-------- 
-- 7th Framework Program for Research and Development for 
2006-2010; 
-- Security research; and 
-- The European Space Program. 
 
EU Constitution 
--------------- 
-- The GoA expects it may have to deal with a possible no- 
vote from at least one member state, such as the U.K., in 
2006. 
 
Trade and Customs 
----------------- 
-- Work on a new simplified customs codex; 
-- Reform of the EU's preferential arrangements; and 
-- Implementation of decisions from the December 2005 WTO 
Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong. 
 
Still unclear, but also on the GoA's radar screen are: 
-- A Gulf Cooperation Council for the possible 
ratification of a free trade association; 
-- Mediterranean region (Euromed) negotiations with 
Syria; 
-- The potential inclusion of Libya in the Barcelona 
process; 
-- A free trade agreement with the Andean Community of 
Nations and Central America; and 
-- Some as yet unclear activity focused on South Eastern 
Europe. 
 
ECOFIN 
------ 
-- Decision on the participation of new members in stage 
three of the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II) as a 
final step before introducing the Euro; 
-- Stability and Convergence Programs; 
-- Economic policy guidelines 2006-2008; and 
-- Review of employment policy guidelines. 
 
Other issues 
------------ 
-- Possible spring summit to review progress of the 
relaunched Lisbon agenda; 
-- Work on the EU's environmental sustainability strategy 
(climate protection); 
-- A new consumer protection strategy for 2007; 
-- A new Youth Program for 2007; 
-- A successor program to "Culture 2000;" and 
-- Mediaplus - media training. 
 
3.  (SBU) Below is a calendar of events for January-June 
2006, as far as it is available now: 
 
January 2006 
 
6              Meeting of the GoA with the European 
               Commission 
12 - 14        Justice and Home Affairs Informal Council 
               in Vienna 
19 - 21        Ministerial Conference on Employment and 
               Social Affairs (possibly in Villach) 
26 - 28        Ministerial Conference on European 
               Identity in Salzburg 
 
February 2006 
 
10 - 11        Gymnich Informal EU Foreign Ministerial in 
               Salzburg 
 
March 2006 
 
2 - 3          Transportation Ministers Conference in 
               Bregenz 
7 - 8          Defense Ministers Conference in Innsbruck 
16 - 17        Education Ministers Conference 
20 - 22        European Tourism Conference 
23 - 24        European Council Meeting 
30 - April 4   Health Ministers and Youth Ministers 
               Conference in Bad Ischl 
 
April 2006 
 
6 - 7          Informal Council of Economics and Finance 
               Ministers (ECOFIN) 
8 - 9          ASEM (Asia-European Meeting)  Finance 
               Ministers Meeting 
20 - 22        Informal Ministerial Conference on 
               Competitiveness in Graz 
 
May 2006 
 
11 - 3         Latin America Summit 
19 - 21        Informal Environmental Ministers Council 
               in Rust 
25 - 26        EU - Mediterranean Conference 
28 - 30        Informal Agricultural Council in Krems 
 
June 2006 
 
15 - 16        European Council Meeting 
 
BROWN