Information notes,� 12.10.1999

THE CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEES OF THE PARLIAMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (COSAC) IN HELSINKI ON 10 - 12 OCTOBER 1999

The Conference of the European Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) convened to its XXI meeting in Helsinki on 10 - 12 October 1999. Delegations from all National Parliaments of the EU member states and from the European Parliamentparticipated in the meeting. Delegations from the Parliaments of the CEE (Central and East European countries) applicant countries and Cyprus and Malta participated as observers.

COSAC discussed realisation of the EU Area of Freedom, Security and Justice after an introduction by Mr. Paavo LIPPONEN, Prime-minister of Finland, on the preparations of the Tampere extraordinary European Council. The lively and lengthy debate was commentated on by Messrs. Kari H�K�MIES, the Finnish Minister of Interier Affairs and Johannes KOSKINEN, the Finnish Minister of Justice.

COSAC debated the economic and financial implications of the EU enlargement after an introduction by Ms. Suvi-Anne SIIMES, the Finnish Minister responsible for fiscal affairs and the EU budget. Open and thorough parliamentary dialogue between the EU parliamentarians and the applicant country parliamentarians was commentated on by Mr. Erkki LIIKANEN, Member of the European Commission.

COSAC was informed of the state of the relations between the EU and Russia by Ms. Tarja HALONEN, the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs. The commitment of the EU to promote democratic development and economic transition in Russia and concern over the recent developments in the Northern Caucasus was expressed by various speakers.

The COSAC meeting adopted the revised Rules of Procedure of COSAC. They enable COSAC to fulfil the tasks entrusted to it by the Amsterdam Treaty Protocol on the Role of National Parliaments in the European Union, and to face the new challenges of the developing European construction. It was agreed that the position of the European Parliament within the COSAC cooperation will be studied during the Portuguese EU Presidency.

01.09.1999