What the EU’s leaders agreed

Date: 27/06/02

THE summit decided to:

• Increase security at external borders with joint operations at ports and airports, and to set up a special unit of heads of border control from member states;
• Pass new rules encouraging increased penalties for people-trafficking.

Enlargement.

The summit reassured the ten leading applicant countries that they should be able to finish negotiations by the end of the year, sign a formal treaty of accession in 2003 and join in 2004.

Institutional reform

The meeting agreed to allow TV cameras into the Council of Ministers for part of the opening debate and to film the formal vote on issues and an explanation of the vote.

It was agreed that over the next few months the current 16 configurations of the Councils will be merged to create only nine:

General Affairs and External Relations; Economic and Financial Affairs; Justice and Home Affairs; Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs; Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry and Research); Transport, Telecommunications and Energy; Agriculture and Fisheries; Environment; Education, Youth and Culture.

Summary of agreements reached at the European Council, Seville, 21-22 June 2002.