Helsinki Council discusses employment, enlargement and institutional reform

The Finnish Presidency of the EU culminated in the Helsinki European Council summit which was held on 10–11 December 1999. Discussions focused on employment creation, enlargement and reform of the EU institutions.

The main European Council held under the outgoing Finnish Presidency took place in Helsinki on 9–10 December 1999. The Council endorsed the "employment package" (EU9909187F) approved in November 1999 by theLabour and Social Affairs Council (EU9912215N). Particular areas highlighted by the Council included the advice that, when drawing up their National Action Plans on employment, Member States should pay particular attention to the reform of their tax and benefit systems, service sector employment, work organisation, life-long learning and equal opportunities.

The Council held a debate on the progress of the current phase of enlarging the European Union, noting that this process, which was launched by the European Commission in July 1997 (EU9708143F), now comprises 13 candidate countries. The heads of state and government maintained that the EU should be in a position to accept new members by the end of 2002. They noted further that the progress of the candidate countries in fulfilling the entry requirements and adopting the acquis communautaireis being monitored and regular progress updates are planned throughout 2000. The Council also welcomed the launch of talks on 3 December in New York, aimed at solving the difficult situation in Cyprus, noting that a political settlement would facilitate this country's accession to the EU. For the first time, representatives from Turkey were present at this Council meeting, which noted this country's "positive developments" as it applies reforms with the aim of complying with EU accession criteria.

With regard to the reform of the EU institutions, the Council stated that an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) will be convened in early February 2000, with the aim of agreeing the necessary amendments to the Treaty by December 2000. The main issues to be discussed are:

• the size and composition of the Commission;

• the weighting of votes in the Council of Ministers;

• the possible extension of qualified majority voting in the Council; and

• any other necessary amendments.

The reason for the planned reform is the need to ensure that decision-making runs smoothly once enlargement has taken place.

The incoming Portuguese Presidency, which began on 1 January 2000, has included all three of the abovementioned areas in its presidential priorities for its coming six-month term (EU0001220N).