Document: European Council, Helsinki, 10-11.12.99. Presidency Conclusions

The European Council, Helsinki, took place on 10-11 December 1999 and marked the end of Finland's Presidency of the EU.

The key decisions taken at the European Council are as follows:

Preparing for enlargement: the accession process now comprises 13 candidate countries within a single framework: Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Bulgaria, Slovak Republic, Romania and Turkey.

Intergovernmental Conference: The European Council welcomed the Presidency's report on the issues raised in relation to the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference. It will be convened in February 2000 and complete its work by December 2000.

Reform of the Council's operational procedures: The European Council approved a set of operational recommendations to improve the working procedures of the Council of the European Union.

Common European Policy on security and defence: The European Council adopted two Presidency progress reports on developing the Union's military and non-military crisis management capability as part of a strengthened common European policy on security and defence.

In addition, the Presidency Conclusions also touch upon the following topics: policy co-ordination for economic growth and job creation; combating fraud; transparency; tax package; Employment Guidelines and National Action Plans; internal market, competitiveness, innovation and the information society; environment and sustainable development; public health and food safety; fight against organised crime and drugs; Northern Ireland.

As regards the EU's external relations, the following topics were discussed: A Declaration on Chechnya was adopted; Common Strategy of the EU for the Ukraine; Stability for South-Eastern Europe; the Northern Dimension; Mexico; human rights; Middle East Peace Process; WTO; Macao.

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