52000DC0155

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS THE COMMISSION'S WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Legislative and Policy Priorities for 2000

1.Europe, its neighbours and the World

1.1.Foreign and security policy

1.2.Multi-lateral trade, development, humanitarian aid

1.3.Enlargement

2.The economic and social agenda

2.1.Economic and monetary union, the euro, managing the transformation of Europe's economy

2.2.Modernising our social model, strengthening social cohesion

2.3.Economic and Social Cohesion

2.4.The single market, financial services and tax

2.5.Enterprise, competitiveness and competition

2.6.The information society, research

2.7.Agriculture and fisheries

3.Working for the citizen

3.1.Environment

3.2.Food safety, public health, consumer confidence

3.3.Transport, energy

3.4.An area of freedom, security and justice

3.5.Education, culture, sport and audio-visual

4.Reform and Reshaping the way Europe works

4.1.Internal reform

4.1.1.Internal reform

4.1.2.Budget and financial management

4.2.Transparency and openness

4.3.The Intergovernmental Conference

Legislative and Policy Priorities for 2000

In its Communication on strategic objectives between 2000 and 2005 the Commission has identified four central issues which will transform our political project over the life of this Commission and far beyond, namely:

- Promoting new forms of European governance

- A stable Europe with a stronger voice in the world

- A new economic and social agenda

- A higher quality of life for all

The Work Programme for 2000 identifies the first steps which will be taken over the months ahead to transform the strategic objectives for the next five years into reality. It is accompanied by an indicative list setting out the legislative and policy initiatives currently foreseen for this year [1].

[1] The Strategic Objectives 2000-2005 Communication COM(2000)154, this Work Programme, the indicative list of actions corresponding to the programme for 2000 and the speech of President Prodi to the European Parliament on 15 February 2000 are available on Europa at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/off/work/index_en.htm

As in previous years this Work Programme focuses on new legislative and policy proposals.

However, it must be recalled, firstly, that whilst in some areas there are relatively few new proposals for 2000, this is often a reflection of efforts being focused on the process of steering many on-going initiatives through the stages from consultation to final legislation and/or execution of decisions taken.

Secondly, that this core conceptual work is complemented by the wide range of tasks undertaken by the Commission. These vary from managing, and implementing together with Member States, Community programmes in the areas of structural funding, agriculture and training to providing humanitarian relief in Europe and around the world. Of equal importance is the continuing day to day activity policing the implementation of existing regulation (particularly within the internal market or in the utility sectors which have been only recently opened to competition); applying competition rules; defending the Community interests in the European Court of Justice; and new forms of co-operation drawing on collaboration, benchmarking and stimulating the exchange of experience and best practice between national, regional or local administrations.

1. Europe, its neighbours and the World

1.1. Foreign and security policy

As events over the last 12 months have shown, the Union must be active on the regional and world stage if it is to contribute to stabilising our continent and to securing strategic European objectives. The Commission and Mr Solana, the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy (CSFP), are working closely together. The decision taken by the Heads of State and Government at the Helsinki European Council to develop the common European Security and Defence Policy requires increased coherence of Community and CFSP action. Attention will focus on developing a non-military crisis management capability and a proposal will be made to create a Rapid Reaction Facility. The Commission will seek greater coherence in its human rights and democratisation activity by setting out a new human rights strategy.

In preparation of the enlargement of the Union, distinctive strategic partnerships will be developed with the neighbouring countries and regions. In particular, the Commission will pursue its strategy for stabilisation and association in the Balkans and, with the Stability Pact, seek to strengthen and focus the international effort to assist the countries of this region. The Partnership and Co-operation Agreements and the Common Strategies provide a basis for developing relations with Russia and the Ukraine. Closer co-operation will also be sought with the countries of the Caucasus.

A conference in November between the Heads of State and Government of European Union and Mediterranean countries should reinforce and reinvigorate the Barcelona Process, developing over time partnerships based on the rule of law and sustainable development. This will allow Europe to strengthen its contribution to the Middle East Peace Process. Through the revitalised Euro-Mediterranean partnership, the Union will also seek to give fuller expression to its historical and political ties to the Mahgreb countries.

In our relations with the United States, we will endeavour to reduce and eliminate as far as possible the disputes in trans-Atlantic trade. We should instead build on a broad based of shared values and common interests to forge a true partnership which will allow us to achieve jointly our economic, political and security objectives around the world.

The European Union will seek to reinforce its co-ordination with other global economic players. In Asia, it will contribute to stability and security and support economic reforms. The European Union will seek to support efforts to reduce tensions in the region and improve trade co-operation, particularly with Japan and Korea. The Commission will seek to deepen the Community's relations with Latin America and will continue to negotiate association agreements with Mercosur and Chile. The European Union will focus on ensuring a meaningful implementation of the results of the Rio European Union-Latin American Summit in June 1999.

In order to improve the effectiveness of the Union's voice around the globe, the Commission's external services will be reorganised.

1.2. Multi-lateral trade, development, humanitarian aid

In our trade relations, the main objectives remain seeking further trade liberalisation as a stimulus to growth and development, strengthening the rules-based trading system so as to better harness the challenge of globalisation, and addressing the specific issues of developing countries. The absence of positive results at the Ministerial Conference in Seattle makes it more necessary than ever to continue consensus building efforts with our trading partners. This will improve the chances for a successful launch to a comprehensive new trade round. In parallel, the Commission will study whether improvements can be made or are needed in the functioning of the WTO (both internally and in its relations with the outside world). Momentum behind a WTO-led process must be maintained and scheduled negotiations on services and agriculture should begin early in 2000. In addition to this multilateral agenda, the Commission will seek to resolve a number of market access problems in bilateral trade relations with third countries.

In addition to continuing and strengthening the Community's relations with developing countries, the Commission will reformulate its development co-operation policies. It will examine the way in which these policies are delivered to strengthen further complementarity and coherence of our action. The focus on eradicating poverty must be central over the coming years. The complementarity, co-ordination and coherence of development co-operation must be increased.

Through the European Community's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) the Union will continue to be the premier aid donor throughout the world. Attention will be paid to examining the scope for improving the speed and effectiveness of our efforts and our co-operation with other institutions and agencies.

1.3. Enlargement

The Helsinki European Council decided to open accession negotiations with six further countries in February 2000 and to recognise Turkey as a candidate for membership. This brings to 12 the number of countries with whom negotiations will be underway [2]. Negotiations will proceed in step with the state of preparation of the candidates. For Turkey, the Commission will implement a pre-accession strategy, including an accession partnership. Bilateral relations and preparation for membership will continue within the Europe Agreements and through participation in Community programmes and bodies. This year will also see the first full year of enhanced financial support for the candidate countries through the PHARE programme, ISPA (structural funding for the environment and transport) and SAPARD (agricultural funding). The Commission will also present its communication strategy to ensure a broad understanding and acceptance of enlargement both within the Member States and in the candidate countries.

[2] Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

2. The economic and social agenda

The key objective of the new economic and social agenda will be to develop a long-term strategy to build a competitive, innovative and inclusive knowledge-based economy. Only this will promote strong and sustained growth achieved through policies aimed at restoring full employment and supporting social cohesion. It will draw fully on the concept of sustainable economic development.

Economic performance, employment and social cohesion are mutually reinforcing. Their interlinkage demands comprehensive and coherent action at all levels within the Union if we are to respond to an economy which is becoming ever more integrated and more open.

A special European Council in Lisbon in March on Employment, economic reforms and social cohesion - towards a Europe based on innovation and knowledge" will contribute to this goal. It will do much to set the economic and social agenda for the next few years.

2.1. Economic and monetary union, the euro, managing the transformation of Europe's economy

Activity will concentrate on action at the European level which can add real value in building on the economic achievements over the last decade. These include declining interest rates and low and converging rates of inflation. Our aim should be to complement a culture of economic stability with a new culture of economic dynamism.

Economic and monetary union and with it the euro are contributing to sound public finances, stability, and business confidence. This is translating into growth and jobs. Today there is an unparalleled economic outlook across the Union. Macro-economic policy co-ordination, employment guidelines, and the Cardiff process on structural reform all stand as proof of a European model of governance in which national policy co-ordination and Community policies complement and reinforce each other. Monitoring and co-ordination of economic and monetary policies within the Member States will continue and should be strengthened around the annual Broad Economic Policy Guidelines.

A key aim will be to modernise Europe's economies and equip both citizens and the workforce with the skills needed in an on-line, Information Society. In stimulating the shift to a digital economy, a major contribution is likely to be made through the realisation of President Prodi's eEurope Initiative.

The importance of education and training of citizens throughout their working lives is a crucial factor. The Commission will propose an Action Plan on future priorities to ensure that full use is made of new technologies in education and, in particular, to set out a strategy ensuring that access to the Internet, multimedia material and suitably trained teachers is the reality in every classroom by 2002. It will also present a Communication on making Europe an area of life-long learning, as well as continuing to promote co-operation, periods of study abroad and exchanges within the framework of programmes such as SOCRATES and LEONARDO which will be launched during the year.

The preparation for the introduction of euro notes and coins in 2002 will be pursued. This will include a strengthened information strategy to prepare business and consumers, as well as a proposal for a regulation on combating counterfeiting.

2.2. Modernising our social model, strengthening social cohesion

Bringing Europe closer to the citizen will be the key driver of the European employment and social agenda during 2000 and beyond. It will be essential to ensure that the transformation of society and the economy is managed in a manner which maximises opportunities to participate in society and which promotes social cohesion. Modernising the European social model is called for in the face of fundamental changes in the society and in the economy, particularly regarding globalisation, technological innovation and demographic trends. These are all factors in the emerging knowledge-based economy.

A new Social Action Programme will be presented during the year.

More and better employment stands at the centre of the Commission's objectives. The strengthening of the European Employment Strategy, especially with 2000 as the first year of the new generation of European Social Fund (ESF) programmes, provides an operational tool for progress in this area. The monitoring of national employment practice and the development of employment guidelines in the early autumn will be supported by efforts to improve the availability of data, particularly covering the services sector.

The Commission will continue to support the Social Dialogue at the European Union level. It will also encourage the social partners to strengthen their contribution to the Employment Strategy. Following its earlier Green Paper, the Commission will launch the first stage consultation of the social partners on adaptability and modernisation of work organisation and working conditions.

The Commission will strengthen co-operation between Member States on the issue of the modernisation and sustainability of social protection systems including pensions.

Gender equality will also be important to our policy orientations. The Commission will publish its Fifth Framework Programme in favour of gender equality. The Commission will launch an initiative for co-operation at EU level between the Member States on social inclusion and will make proposals to this end under the social provisions of the Treaty (Article 137 EC). It will continue work towards the implementation of anti-discrimination measures proposed during 1999 under Article 13 EC.

2.3. Economic and Social Cohesion

The Commission will pursue economic and social cohesion aiming to reduce the disparities between the levels of development of regions within the Union. In implementing the objectives of Agenda 2000 in this area , full use will be made of existing instruments: the European Social Fund, European Regional Fund, FEOGA, IFOP and the Cohesion Fund. The management of the Structural Funds will be strengthened in co-operation with the Member States, making full use of the provisions of the new regulations. The first decisions will be taken on the new generation of economic development programmes co-financed by the Structural Funds, as well as in the framework of specific Community Initiatives. Work will continue to ensure that by the end of the year the overall strategic programming has taken place which will allow Member States to develop their detailed planning. Guidelines will also be adopted covering all the Community initiatives (INTERREG III, EQUAL, LEADER+ and URBAN II). Projects under the Cohesion Fund will be put in place.

The Second Cohesion Report foreseen under Article 159 of the Treaty will be published. It will evaluate progress in promoting social and economic cohesion and will launch a reflection on the way in which regional policy can fulfil its objectives within an enlarged Union.

Additionally, action aimed at taking account of the specific characteristics of the Union's outermost regions under Article 299(2) of the Treaty will be relaunched. This touches a range of Community's policies extending beyond issues of economic and social cohesion.

2.4. The single market, financial services and tax

The new Single Market Strategy, endorsed at the Helsinki European Council, requires the Commission to review and update its targets for the removal of barriers to the functioning of the single market. Central to the new strategy is the process of annual review and updating of the targets in the light of the analysis of national markets and progress achieved. The first review will take place in April, ensuring that the development of the single market can also contribute to the formulation of the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines to be submitted to the European Council in June. The Commission will continue to benchmark progress and encourage the sharing of best practice and peer review. Particular attention will be paid over the year to Europe's public procurement rules and to postal services. An assessment will made of whether further adaptation of single market rules may need to meet the challenge of electronic commerce. A key concern will be providing a predictable environment within which e-businesses can develop, whilst ensuring consumers a high level of confidence and effective means of redress. The Dialogue with Citizens and its feedback mechanisms will be reinforced to help consumers and citizens to become active participants in a Union-wide market place. Decisions during the year will taken under the Community's data protection legislation on the adequacy of certain third country's data protection rules.

Further steps to realise the Financial Services Action Plan will be a major component of single market activities, given the potential contribution of this sector to job creation and competitiveness. Priorities for 2000 will be to develop the framework for securities markets and investment services and to ensure effective safeguards for consumers and investors. Legislative activity will focus on establishing a legal framework for supplementary pensions, amending existing legislation on insurance brokers (insurance intermediaries) and reviewing the Prospectuses Directive with a view to making it easier for companies to raise capital Europe-wide. Other non-legislative initiatives will address retail payments, accounting rules, the adaptation of financial regulation in the light of e-commerce and the possible overhaul of the Investment Services Directive.

In the area of taxation, building on the long-term priorities of stopping the erosion of certain classes of tax revenues, removing fiscal barriers within the single market and making tax systems more employment friendly, the Commission will continue efforts to modernise and simplify the VAT and excise systems. It will also seek further progress on the co-ordination of tax policy. The Commission will propose Communications on its future strategy on taxation and on the customs union. It will also bring forward amendments to current VAT legislation to adapt it to electronic commerce.

2.5. Enterprise, competitiveness and competition

Enhancing enterprise and innovation will help in maintaining and improving the Union's competitive position in a global economy. The promotion of entrepreneurship in Europe in combination with measures to improve the competitiveness of European businesses will be the main objective of enterprise policy. Activity will be coherent with other policy priorities, such as the environment and consumer protection. Fostering the single market for goods and services will also contribute to competitiveness.

A new strategy for enterprise and competitiveness will be set out in a Communication on enterprise in the spring, together with a new Multi-annual programme on Enterprise and Enterpreneurship. Other actions will focus on assessing progress made at a European and national level on simplifying the business environment; as well as benchmarking good practice. The Commission, as indicated in the eEurope Initiative, will complete a review of current financing instruments for innovation and venture capital. It will make proposals for refocusing the Community's financial instruments towards supporting innovation and risk. Given the shift of the economy towards services and on-line activities, greater attention will be paid, for example in the annual competitiveness report, to service industries and to innovation.

The Commission will continue its rigorous enforcement of competition rules. The on-going process of reform of those rules in the areas of anti-trust, merger control and state aid will contribute to their effectiveness. It will help to make the European market place more attractive and more competitive. In the area of anti-trust, existing procedural legislation for the enforcement of the rules will be simplified. Guidance will be provided to companies on how new rules on vertical agreements will be applied. A review of the treatment of horizontal co-operation agreements will also be carried out. Guidance will also be provided on different aspects of the merger control rules. An evaluation report regarding the group exemption regulation on car distribution (which expires in 2002) will be drawn up and a regulation will be presented renewing the block exemption for liner shipping consortia..

Attention in State aid will focus on developing block exemption regulations covering aids for SMEs, training and employment. The transparency of the financial arrangements between the State and enterprises in charge of public service missions will be increased and new rules for aid to the cinema and TV sectors, and for car manufacturing will be developed.

The international dimension of competition and merger cases is becoming increasingly important. Bi-lateral contacts with our major trading partners will be strengthened. Enforcement of the multi-lateral framework will also be intensified.

2.6. The information society, research

The realisation of the eEurope Initiative will be at the heart of the information society policies of the Community. Foremost amongst these during the first half of this year will be completion of the Communications Review launched in November 1999 which aims at enhancing competition further, as well as at simplifying existing legislation and adapting it to the reality of an on-line economy and the convergence of communications technologies and industries. This will lead to a legislative package covering licensing, universal service, interconnection and access and data protection measures. Alongside the Review attention will be paid to continuing international co-operation in various fora to promote a common regulatory understanding of the impact of the information society. Furthermore, the need for reinforced co-operation in relation to the management of radio-spectrum will be addressed. Communications will be adopted on cybercrime, on recent developments in the management of the Internet and on the results of the consultation on the Green Paper on access to public sector information. The Commission will support the creation of a ".eu" Internet address, alongside current national and generic top level domains. Finally, a successor will be brought forward to the INFO 2000 programme which has done much to strengthen European multimedia content production.

In the research area, in addition to the day to day management of the 5th Framework Programme covering a wide range of research activity, a fundamental debate has been launched about the role of research and the needs of Europe's economy. The Commission proposes the creation of a European Research Area. This point of departure for this initiative is the fact that there is a significant gulf between the research efforts in Member States and those within our principal competitors. Furthermore, there is a lack of coherence within those efforts and the impact is much less than that which might be obtained.

On the basis of a 5 year evaluation report, the Commission will present its first orientations concerning the future 6th Framework Programme. In the related domain of space policy, efforts will continue to develop a comprehensive space strategy engaging all interested actors and making use of the synergies between the Union and the European Space Agency.

2.7. Agriculture and fisheries

Agriculture and fisheries, whilst impacted less by current technological changes are themselves in the process of adapting to global pressures, the challenges of enlargement, scientific advances, the impact of environmental pressures and concerns of consumers with regard to the quality and safety of produce. In the agricultural area, action will be split between action at an international level and within the Union. Internationally there is : the need to safeguard the European agricultural model within any international trade negotiations, to conclude a number of bilateral international agreements, and to support for the process of enlargement, including putting into practice the pre-Accession strategy. Within the Union action will be focused on the implementation of the programmes and changes introduced by the Agenda 2000 agreement on the future financing of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as efforts to promote the quality of agricultural produce and to streamline complex legislation. Furthermore, the approval of around more than 150 rural development projects will help to launch this new dimension of agricultural policy. Two additional areas of activity will be integrating environmental considerations more firmly into the CAP and addressing problems in several individual markets (notably, olive oil, sugar, rice and pigmeat).

The Commission will continue to pursue the objective of improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the fisheries sector. Fundamental to this is getting the balance right between capture capacity and the level of fish stocks, and implementing the decisions on markets and structures taken by Council at the end of 1999. One important aspect will be proposals to consolidate over 20 existing regulations within a single legal text. In formulating appropriate legislation particular attention will be paid to consistency with environmental and development policy goals. A key international priority will be the conclusion of a new co-operation framework for fisheries with Morocco. Progress will be sought on the issue of Community participation in regional fisheries organisations.

3. Working for the citizen

Beyond the social and economic Europe, people increasingly look to Europe to offer solutions to local and regional problems which touch their everyday lives and which require a common response; be it in relation to their environment, the quality of their food, their rights as consumers, their wish to travel safely or their concerns about crime, justice and immigration, where they see that each of these challenges extend beyond national borders. At the same time, they see in Europe a recognition of their rich diversity and varied cultures, which gives shape to a sense of European, national or local identity.

3.1. Environment

Emphasis will be placed on developing a 6th Environmental Action Programme which will constitute the environmental pillar of the more comprehensive sustainable development programme which will be prepared in advance of the Rio + 10 Conference in 2002. The key challenge remains reconciling sustainable environmental development with social progress and sustainable economic development. The future programme will draw on the experience of the previous programme and on citizen's growing expectations in relation to the environment. To meet those expectations attention will once again be devoted to ensuring implementation of existing rules, as well to steps taken to improve access to information concerning the environment. A key element in environmental strategy will be continuing the process of integrating environmental considerations in other sectors and Community policies. Specific action will be undertaken to improve the legal framework for genetically modified organisms and to complete legislation in the field of water and air quality. A White Paper on environmental liability will be published. Strategies will be presented for the future treatment of PVC and for the chemical industry.

3.2. Food safety, public health, consumer confidence

Foremost amongst consumer expectations is that of safe and high quality food. The Commission early in January adopted a White Paper on food safety which proposes the creation of an European Food Authority, establishment of food safety principles, traceability, control and emergency procedures which will apply from farm to the table. The Commission will work to carry out its programme amounting to a comprehensive reform of legislation covering food and foodstuffs. Animal welfare during production and transport is another area where legislative initiatives will be brought forward.

More generally, the Commission will present, using its new powers under the Amsterdam Treaty, a Communication on a health strategy for the European Union suggesting how effect can be given to the health and health-related provisions in the Treaty. This will complement an Action Programme on Health, the further development of alert systems between Member States for communicable diseases and a directive promoting high standards in relation to blood and blood derivatives.

Meeting consumer expectations by providing them with rules which safeguard their rights in a diverse, increasingly border-free and on-line economy, remains central to consumer-related activity during 2000. Priorities will include safety of products and of services, misleading advertising, consumer credit and mortgages, improving co-operation between national administrations and issues of access to utility and other general interest services.

3.3. Transport, energy

Citizen's will continue to be concerned about mobility, air traffic delays, the impact of traffic congestion and of energy choices on the environment, about air and maritime safety and equally about the prices they pay for gas and electricity. For these reasons, both transport and energy will be important parts of the 2000 Work Programme.

Against the background of the Community's obligations following the Kyoto conference on the reduction of greenhouse gases, a strategic document will be brought forward on different energy sources, and in particular, the issue of security of supply both inside and outside the Union. The current guidelines for Trans-European Networks in the energy and transport areas will be revised to focus on remaining bottlenecks and to improve interoperability of networks. The Commission will update its 1992 guidelines on the future development of Community transport policy, focussing in particular on the balance between road, rail and maritime transport. 2000 will also be crucial for the prospects for the European satellite navigation system (GALILEO) with the aim during the year of setting up a joint venture to bring about the project.

Consideration will be given to whether further action is needed to promote the cross-border supply of energy given the rules which have opened electricity and gas markets to competition. The Commission will propose a framework designed to create a Single European Airspace, which together with a proposal to create a European air safety agency, will contribute to overcoming delays in air travel and reinforce consumer and business confidence in the sector. It will make proposals to strengthen safety standards and improve training for the maritime sector.

The impact of transport and energy on the environment and on climate change will be key themes in a Green Paper which will examine the role of public transport and of private cars in cities. A further Communication will propose that a technology strategy for climate change must be adopted.

3.4. An area of freedom, security and justice

The Treaty of Amsterdam set the need to develop the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice as a priority objective for the Union.

Consequently, the Commission will work to implement the ambitious programme which flows from the Tampere European Council in October 1999 on freedom, security and justice.

The first step will be to establish a "scoreboard" as a mechanism to monitor progress in the measures taken in the creation of the area of freedom, security and justice. During 2000, the Commission will in particular act in the following fields.

On asylum and immigration, a balance must be struck between the openness reflecting both Europe's traditions and international obligations, and the need to secure the Union's external frontiers. The issue of procedures related to asylum applications will be addressed.

In relation to access to justice, the Commission will propose a Communication and appropriate measures on enhancing the mutual recognition of judgements in the area of civil and commercial law. It will also prepare a Green Paper on legal aid and examine the issue of victims rights. In the relation to criminal activities which have a European dimension, attention will focus on combating organised crime, in particular through enhanced police co-operation.

Proposals will be brought forward for a new regulation on the right of residence of EC citizens in the Community integrating into a single measure the various provisions currently in place.

The Commission will also work with Member States to continue the development of a European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

3.5. Education, culture, sport and audio-visual

By advancing in the areas of education, culture, audio-visual policy, youth and sport the Commission can make a clear choice in favour of the citizen and of a European identity drawing strength from our shared cultural heritage. Education and training remain at the centre of strategies outlined above for modernising Europe's economies and ensuring an inclusive society in the face of the broad take up of new technologies. eEurope establishes the key objective of ensuring all school leavers are digitally literate by the end of 2003.

In the areas of sport and the media, the adoption and implementation of the programmes proposed by the Commission at the end of last year (i.e. the Support programme against doping in sport and MEDIA Plus) will focus European action in two areas which are of great interest to citizens. The Commission will also examine the impact of existing recommendations which contribute to creating confidence in audio-visual services by protecting minors from harmful audio-visual content.

Two new multi-annual programmes, Culture and JEUNESSE (in addition to SOCRATES and LEONARDO highlighted above), will be launched throughout the year. These contribute to the exchange of students, workers and young people and support the cultural development of the Community. A dialogue with young people will be maintained during the year with a view to developing in 2001 a new strategy for youth policy in the Union.

4. Reform and Reshaping the way Europe works

Today, there is hardly any sector of social and economic activity which is not affected by European Union policy and where authorities in our Member States are not an integral part of European governance. The pace of integration is accelerating as the single market is achieved, key sectors of the economy have been opened to competition and hundreds of thousands of students, young people, executives and workers work, study and spend time in other Member States.

This success has already required new ways of steering our activities. Macro-economic policy co-ordination, employment guidelines, the Cardiff process on structural reform all indicate the degree to which policy co-ordination and Community policies complementary and mutually reinforce each other. Managing Europe today is about interdependence and partnership, peer review and benchmarking. Yet a central theme for this Commission must be to offer a way of operating which regains the confidence of Europe's citizens, of local, regional and national actors and which gives them greater "ownership" of Europe's policies.

4.1. Internal reform

4.1.1. Internal reform

Whilst such reflections will continue throughout its life, this Commission has announced an objective of establishing itself once again as a world class public service. The far reaching programme of reform of its own operations and structures will be accelerated by its forthcoming White Paper on reform. It has reorganised its services in a more coherent manner. Work in 2000 will centre on preparing a shift to Activity-Based Budgeting (ABB) to improve the working methods of the Commission; the creation of a new planning and programming service under the President to assist in determining priorities and resources; and fundamental changes in personnel policy, focusing on training, career development, recruitment and promotion.

4.1.2. Budget and financial management

The Commission will propose the preliminary draft budget (PDB) 2001 together with a proposal for the revision of the financial perspective in order to finance the Stability Pact for the Balkans.

As part of Activity Based Management, the Commission will introduce Activity Based Budgeting (ABB) as a means to ensure greater coherence in the allocation of operational appropriations and human resources. The Commission will propose a complete overhaul of the Financial Regulation which will allow the implementation of the new financial management and audit structure within the Commission. The Commission will also make a proposal with regard to the protection of the Community's financial interests in the context of the fight against fraud.

4.2. Transparency and openness

The Commission will further develop its approach of transparency, dialogue and openness. It will present a Communication setting out a new communications strategy designed to ensure a continuous and interactive exchange with Europe's citizens. In the field of the single market it will continue its dialogue with business and citizens responding to the questions and problems they encounter. The Commission will consult civil society on creating a reinforced partnership between the Community and non governmental organisations. The Commission has presented its proposal for a Regulation on access to documents within the Community institutions and will establish a public register of the Presidents' correspondence on the Internet. The Commission will continue to make full use of the Internet and other electronic means to consult widely on its future proposals.

4.3. The Intergovernmental Conference

The reform agenda finds a parallel in the changes needed to the Union and its institutions as a whole to ensure it can function more effectively, particularly in the context of a Europe of more than 25 Member States. This is the central challenge for the Intergovernmental Conference which will be formally convened to address these issues in February. The Commission continues to argue that the agenda, currently focusing on the weighting of votes in Council, majority voting and the composition of the Commission, must take a broad view of the changes needed to accommodate enlargement. The Commission adopted its formal opinion on January 26 and will contribute further to the work of the Conference on various issues.

Annex: Detailed planning. Indicative list of actions foreseen for 2000

ANNEX

THE COMMISSION'S WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2000

Detailed planning

Indicative list of actions foreseen

Table 1 : Legislative proposals

Table 2 : Non legislative projects

Table 3 : Autonomous acts

LIST OF AREAS OF ACTIVITY

Français // English //

Administration et personnel // Administration and personnel //

Agriculture et développement rural // Agriculture and rural development //

Aide humanitaire // Humanitarian aid //

Audit // Audit //

Budget // Budget //

Codification // Codification //

Commerce extérieur // External trade //

Concurrence // Competition //

Développement // Development //

Douane // Customs //

Economie et finances // Economy and finance //

Education, culture et sport // Education, culture and sport //

Elargissement // Enlargement //

Emploi et affaires sociales // Employment and social affairs //

Energie // Energie //

Entreprises // Entreprises //

Environnement // Environment //

Fiscalité // Taxation //

Justice et affaires intérieures // Justice and home affairs //

Lutte contre la fraude // Fight against fraud //

Marché intérieur // Internal market //

Pêche // Fisheries //

Politique régionale // Regional policy //

Presse et communication // Press and communication //

Questions institutionnelles // Institutional questions //

Recherche // Research //

Relations extérieures // External relations //

Santé et protection des consommateurs // Health and consumer protection //

Société de l'information // Information society //

Statistiques // Statistics //

Transports // Transports //

Autres questions // Other questions //

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND THEIR EQUIVALENCE

// Français // English //

SG // Secrétariat général // Secretariat General //

SJ // Service juridique // Legal Service //

PRESS // Service Presse et communication // Press and Communication Service //

ECFIN // DG Affaires économiques et financières // Economic and Financial Affairs DG //

ENTR // DG Entreprises // Enterprise DG //

COMP // DG Concurrence // Competition DG //

EMPL // DG Emploi et affaires sociales // Employment and Social Affairs DG //

AGRI // DG Agriculture // Agriculture DG //

TREN // DG Energie et Transports // Energy and Transport DG //

ENV // DG Environnement // Environment DG //

RTD // DG Recherche // Research DG //

JRC // Centre commun de recherche // Joint Research Centre //

INFSO // DG Société de l'information // Information Society DG //

FISH // DG Pêche // Fisheries DG //

MARKT // DG Marché intérieur // Internal Market DG //

REGIO // DG Politique régionale // Regional Policy DG //

TAXUD // DG Fiscalité et union douanière // Taxation and Customs Union DG //

EAC // DG Éducation et culture // Education and Culture DG //

SANCO // DG Santé et protection des consommateurs // Health and Consumer Protection DG //

JAI // DG Justice et affaires intérieures // Justice and Home Affairs DG //

RELEX // DG Relations extérieures // External Relations DG //

TRADE // DG Commerce // Trade DG //

DEV // DG Développement // Development DG //

ELARG // DG Élargissement // Enlargement DG //

SCR // Service commun des relations extérieures // Common Service for External Relations //

ECHO // Office d'aide humanitaire // Humanitarian Aid Office //

ESTAT // Eurostat // Eurostat //

ADMIN // DG Personnel et administration // Personnel and Administration DG //

IGS // Inspection générale des services // Inspectorate General //

BUDG // DG Budget // Budget DG //

AUDIT // DG Contrôle financier // Financial Control DG //

OLAF // Office européen de lutte antifraude // European Anti-Fraud Office //

SCIC // Service commun Interprétation- conférences // Joint Interpreting and Conference Service //

SDT // Service de traduction // Translation Service //

OPOCE // Office des publications // Publications Office //

INDICATIVE LIST OF ACTIONS FORESEEN

TABLE 1: LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

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TABLE 2: NON LEGISLATIVE PROJECTS

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TABLE 3: AUTONOMOUS ACTS

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