The Council of the European Union met in Brussels from 22-23 March, addressing a number of issues including the: Stability and Growth Pact; Mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy; Sustainable development; Climate change; ITER; Preparations for the UN Summit in September 2005; and Lebanon.

On sustainable development, the Council agreed to adopt at its June meeting a declaration on guiding principles for sustainable development, which will serve as the basis for renewing the sustainable development strategy that was adopted at the 2001 Council meeting in Göteborg. Regarding the new EU sustainable development strategy to be adopted by the end of 2005, the Council stated that a new, more comprehensive and more ambitious strategy, comprising targets, indicators and an effective monitoring procedure, should be based on a positive long-term vision and should fully integrate internal and external dimensions.
On climate change, the Council acknowledged that climate change is likely to have major negative global environmental, economic and social implications, and confirmed that the global annual mean surface temperature increase should not exceed 2ºC above pre-industrial levels. The Council also emphasized the EU’s determination to reinvigorate international negotiations by: exploring options for a post-2012 arrangement in the context of the UN climate change process, ensuring the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their participation in an effective and appropriate international response; developing a medium and long-term EU strategy to combat climate change consistent with meeting the 2ºC objective; and promoting cost-efficient measures to cut emissions.
On preparations for the UN Summit in September 2005, the Council reaffirmed the EU’s resolve to play a major role within the UN in general and in preparations for the Summit in particular. The Council noted the EU’s determination that this process should result in the devising of common responses to key development, security and human rights problems.
In its discussions, the Council also underlined the particular importance of Africa in 2005, welcomed the Commission’s intention to submit early proposals designed to make a substantial contribution to the review of the Millennium Development Goals and to reinforce the Union’s support for the African continent, and noted the recent report of the Commission for Africa.
Links to further information
Presidency Conclusions, Brussels, 22-23 March 2005
Council meeting website