European Council 28/29 JUNE 2012 Conclusions
AFP PHOTO/GEORGES GOBET
As the European Council Summit held on 28/29 June comes to a close, the European Council came to a set of conclusions:
During the last two and a half years, the European Union has taken important and far-reaching steps to overcome the crisis and improve the governance of the EMU.
The crisis surrounding sovereign debt and the weakness of the financial sector, together with persistent low growth and macroeconomic imbalances, are slowing down economic recovery and creating risks for the stability of EMU.
The Heads of State or Government decided on a "Compact for Growth and Jobs", encompassing action to be taken by the Member States and the European Union with the aim of re- launching growth, investment and employment as well as making Europe more competitive.
"Compact for Growth and Jobs" provides a coherent framework for action at national, EU and euro area levels, using all possible levers, instruments and policies
Heads of State or Government of the participating Member States agreed on the solution for the last outstanding issue of the patents package, namely the seat of the Central Division of the Court of First Instance of the Unified Patent Court (UPC). That seat, along with the office of the President of the Court of First Instance, will be located in Paris. The first President of the Court of First Instance should come from the Member State hosting the central division.
The report "Towards a Genuine Economic and Monetary Union" presented by the President of the European Council, in cooperation with the Presidents of the Commission, Eurogroup and ECB, sets out "four essential building blocks" for the future EMU: an integrated financial framework, an integrated budgetary framework, an integrated economic policy framework and strengthened democratic legitimacy and accountability.
The European Council endorsed the decision taken by the Council to open accession negotiations with Montenegro on 29 June 2012.
It also underlined the importance of free movement within the Schengen area and noted the state of play on the proposals relating to its governance and to the Visa Regulation. It underlined the importance of solidarity and cooperation in the management of external borders, asylum and the fight against illegal immigration.
The European Union strongly condemned the brutal violence and massacres of civilians and urged the Syrian regime to stop immediately its attacks against the civilian population; called for an international, transparent, independent and prompt investigation into violations of international law and human rights with a view to ensuring accountability for those responsible.
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