EUR-Lex - 32002G0713(01) - EN Avis juridique important | 32002G0713(01) Resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council of 27 June 2002 regarding the framework of European cooperation in the youth field Official Journal C 168 , 13/07/2002 P. 0002 - 0005 Resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Councilof 27 June 2002regarding the framework of European cooperation in the youth field(2002/C 168/02)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,Whereas:(1) The Commission White Paper entitled "A new impetus for European youth" (hereinafter referred to as the "White Paper") suggests a new framework for European cooperation in the youth field.(2) The Council (Education/Youth) of 29 November 2001 took a positive view of the White Paper and proposed further debate to define a framework for future cooperation.(3) In its conclusions of 14 February 2002 the Council (Education/Youth) acknowledged that the White Paper was a starting point for the establishment of a framework of European cooperation in the youth field which includes two strands: on the one hand the application of the open method of coordination (OMC), and on the other taking more into account the youth dimension in other policies. The Council also undertook to carry on drawing up such a framework with a view to adoption by the Council (Education/Youth) of 30 May 2002.(4) The Council (Education/Youth) has already adopted various Resolutions regarding youth participation(1), social inclusion of young people(2), promoting young people's initiative, enterprise and creativity(3), and the added value of voluntary activity for young people in the context of the development of Community action on youth(4), as well as the declaration on combating racism and xenophobia on the Internet by intensifying work with young people.(5) By Decision No 1031/2000/EC of 13 April 2000, the European Parliament and the Council adopted the "Youth" Community action programme(5), on the basis of Article 149 of the Treaty, implemented by the Commission, in order to allow young people to acquire knowledge, skills and competencies which may be one of the foundations of their future development, and to exercise responsible citizenship so as to become an active part of society.(6) The Laeken Declaration, annexed to the conclusions of the European Council of 14-15 December 2001, states that one of the basic challenges facing the European Union is "how to bring citizens, and primarily the young, closer to the European design and the European institutions",RECALL THAT:1. In the framework of European cooperation in the youth field, as set out in the White Paper, there are complementary aspects that need to be addressed in practical terms:(a) application of the OMC to the thematic priorities of the specific youth field;(b) taking more account of the youth dimension in other policies.STRESS THAT:2. The OMC will be applied with a flexible approach in a manner suited to the youth field, with due regard for the competencies of the Member States and the principle of subsidiarity.3. The principles of equality between men and women as set out in Article 2 and Article 3(2) and of non-discrimination as set out in Articles 12 and 13 of the Treaty must be taken into account in any proposed initiative coming within the framework of European cooperation in the youth field.4. Young people, whether organised or not, as well as youth associations as representatives of youth, should be associated with the cooperation framework both at the European and national level.5. Candidate countries should be associated with the framework of European cooperation in the youth field through whatever means are deemed appropriate.6. INVITE THE COMMISSION AND THE MEMBER STATES, EACH WITHIN THEIR OWN AREAS OF COMPETENCE, as regards the OMC and the horizontal consideration of the Youth dimension in other policies and initiatives relevant to youth, to see, where appropriate, that those policies and initiatives that affect the young people both at national and at European level, take into consideration matters such as the needs, the situation, the living conditions and the expectations of youth.CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF THE OMC:7. ENDORSE the four thematic priorities as proposed in the White Paper, and with whose importance the Council conclusions of 14 February 2002 agreed:(a) participation;(b) information;(c) voluntary activities among young people;(d) greater understanding and knowledge of youth.8. UNDERLINE the view that these thematic priorities can best be approached in a flexible, phased and progressive way, using, inter alia, as appropriate, elements of the OMC as defined in the Lisbon European Council conclusions and subsequently.9. STRESS that the following thematic priorities should be aimed at:(a) Participation- to encourage participation by young people in the exercise of active citizenship,- to involve young people in decision-making, in particular support for the work of youth associations and for different forms of active participation by young people in civil society,- to enhance participation at a local level to promote socially cohesive communities,- to stimulate the exchange of good practices, inter alia, by promoting and encouraging networks;(b) Information- to enhance the existing youth information services promoting in particular the information for those working with and for young people,- to encourage the linkage of these services and the use of new technologies;(c) Voluntary activities among young people- to facilitate opportunities for the exercise of solidarity and voluntary commitment on the part of young people, and the promotion of networks among all the actors involved,- to promote voluntary activities that allow young people to develop their sense of commitment and active citizenship, individual and social skills and to gain useful knowledge and abilities which contribute to their participation in society in general and to their greater employability,- to foster recognition and appreciation of voluntary activities, inter alia, by public authorities, enterprise sector and civil society;(d) Greater understanding and knowledge of youth- to facilitate the compilation of studies on youth matters at national and European level including by research structures and youth associations,- to facilitate the networking of research structures; to contribute to the creation of study and research tools (e.g. indicators),- to consider, in the light of existing studies, what further work, if necessary, might be needed to support current priorities, youth autonomy issues and other relevant topics for the future.10. TAKE NOTE OF THE COMMISSION'S INTENTIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER AND INVITE THE COMMISSION:(a) to draw up, in consultation with the Member States, a questionnaire for each priority, including key issues, to be transmitted to the Member States;(b) - to prepare, on the basis of the answers of the Member States, a synthesis report for each priority, identifying the good practices and the innovative approaches, which are of common interest for the Member States,- to present to the Council drafts for common objectives after consulting the European Youth Forum, without excluding other forms of consultation at European level;(c) to proceed within the indicative timetable proposed in paragraph 19 and, on the basis of the Member States' report, to follow-up the common objectives of each priority, which can lead to their adjustment;(d) to inform, in a suitable way, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.11. INVITE THE MEMBER STATES:(a) on the basis of the Commission's questionnaire, to respond to each priority following the indicative timetable proposed in paragraph 19. The questionnaire will be structured so as to be able to identify existing mechanisms, policy initiatives, measures which the Member States plan to adopt in the short and medium term as well as examples of good practice. Issues for prospective discussion in connection with the subject may also be submitted;(b) before responding to the Commission's questionnaire, to set up such channels as they deem appropriate for consultation with young people, youth associations and, where applicable, national youth councils or similar bodies;(c) within the area of their competence and in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, to implement the measures they deem appropriate to achieve the common objectives decided by the Council, as well as the procedure of follow-up which makes the reporting possible;(d) in order to allow for the follow-up of the implementation of the measures taken in the carrying out of the common objectives mentioned in point (c), to define as appropriate, at their level, follow-up mechanisms, including indicators, to assess the progress achieved for each thematic priority.12. TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:(a) The Council will establish, taking into account a Commission draft, the common objectives and a timetable for follow-up reports from the Member States for each priority, as appropriate;(b) The Council will establish, taking into account a Commission draft, the proposed adjustments of the common objectives, as appropriate;(c) The Council, in cooperation with the Commission, plays a central role through successive presidencies by ensuring continuity and maintaining the momentum of the process;(d) The Council may, in cooperation with the Commission, review the application of the OMC in the youth field in the light of progress made, and having regard to the evaluation exercise indicated in paragraph 18.CONCERNING HORIZONTAL ASPECTS (TAKING MORE ACCOUNT OF THE YOUTH DIMENSION IN OTHER POLICIES)13. CALL FOR:(a) the inclusion of the youth dimension in other policies and programmes, both at national and at European level, in line with the priorities set forth in the White Paper (education, lifelong learning, mobility, employment and social integration, combating racism and xenophobia, autonomy) and other priorities to be defined by the Council in cooperation with the Commission;(b) initiatives targeted at youth at both national and Community level, to be considered in a coherent way.14. TAKE NOTE OF THE COMMISSION'S INTENTIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER AND INVITE THE COMMISSION to explore the ways and means for matters concerning young people to be taken into consideration in its proposals and in the Community programmes and initiatives.15. TAKE NOTE OF THE COMMISSION'S INTENTION to set up a working group to reflect on youth autonomy.16. INDICATE that the Council will undertake, in the framework of its competence, to see that the interests of young people are taken into consideration in other policy areas.17. INVITE THE MEMBER STATES, in the framework of their own areas of competence, to attempt as far as possible to implement the general objectives identified with regard to horizontal consideration of the youth dimension in other policies.CONCERNING EVALUATON OF THE FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION IN THE YOUTH FIELD:18. TAKE NOTE OF THE COMMISSIONS INTENTIONS, AS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER, AND INVITE THE COMMISSION no later than the end of the first implementation exercise for the application of the four thematic priorities, to prepare an evaluation report in association with the Member States on the framework for cooperation which will then, after consulting the European Youth Forum, without excluding other forms of consultation, be transmitted to the Council for consideration. The report will cover:(a) the evaluation of the OMC and, as appropriate, suggestions for its modification;(b) on the basis of information furnished by Member States, a summary of national and Community initiatives taken on the inclusion of the horizontal consideration of the youth dimension in other policies.19. PROPOSE the following indicative timetable:(a) the application of the OMC will start in July 2002, with the priorities concerning participation and information;(b) other priorities will be dealt with in a phased, flexible and progressive manner according to a timetable to be determined by the Presidency in consultation with the Member States and the Commission;(c) regarding the inclusion of the youth dimension in other policies and programmes, the timetable will be coordinated with the processes concerned;(d) the evaluation report on the framework of cooperation, mentioned in paragraph 18 will be discussed by the Council in 2004.(1) OJ C 42, 17.2.1999, p. 1.(2) OJ C 374, 28.12.2000, p. 5.(3) OJ C 196, 12.7.2001, p. 2.(4) OJ C 50, 23.2.2002, p. 3.(5) OJ L 117, 18.5.2000, p. 1.

Summary: Framework of European cooperation in the youth field Framework of European cooperation in the youth field This resolution aims to establish a framework of European cooperation to promote, in particular, the participation of young people in civil life and civil society. ACT Resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council of 27 June 2002 regarding the framework of European cooperation in the youth field [Official Journal C 168 of 13.7.2002]. SUMMARY Adopting the White Paper "A new impetus for European youth", the Commission suggested a new framework of European cooperation in the youth field, comprising two strands: firstly, the application of the open method of coordination and, secondly, taking greater account of the "youth" dimension in other policies. This resolution follows on from this White Paper by setting the priorities and the timetable for the European Union’s (EU) work up until 2004 in the field of "youth". For cooperation based on the open method of coordination In the updated cooperation framework, based in particular on the open method of coordination, the Council is proposing four priority themes: encouraging young people’s participation in the exercise of active citizenship and civil society. This means supporting the work of youth associations and other forms of active participation in order to improve young people’s participation and social cohesion. The exchange of good practices is essential here; enhancing the information addressed to young people and existing information services for young people (successive reports deal with participation and information together); promoting voluntary activities among young people . Making it easier for young people to find voluntary work so as to develop their sense of responsibility and citizenship and their active participation in society. Public authorities, businesses and civil society are called on to recognise the value of voluntary work so as to improve young people’s opportunities on the labour market; encouraging greater understanding and knowledge of youth . This comprises, in particular, the compilation of studies on youth matters and the networking of research structures. On the basis of these four priorities, the Commission will be sending targeted questionnaires to EU countries from July 2002 onwards. EU countries’ answers should be based on consultation with young people, youth associations and, where applicable, national youth councils or similar organisations. The Commission will then draw up reports in order to identify good practices of common interest for EU countries and proposals for common objectives to be adopted by the Council. For their part, EU countries are called on to implement the measures they judge appropriate in order to achieve the common objectives set by the Council. Taking greater account of the "youth" dimension in other policies The Council calls on the Commission and EU countries to give the "youth" dimension greater priority in other policies and programmes. The Council, in cooperation with the Commission, reserves the right to add to the priority areas stated in the White Paper (education and lifelong learning, mobility, employment and social integration, combating racism and xenophobia and other priorities). UPDATED FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION The new framework for cooperation is updated by the resolution adopted by the Council on 24 November 2005. This framework for cooperation comprises three strands: Promoting active citizenship among young people The open method of coordination in the field of youth allows EU countries to cooperate with a view to sharing best practice on participation by young people, information for young people, voluntary activities and a greater knowledge of the field of youth, while respecting the areas of responsibility set out in the Treaties. The European Pact for Youth The European Pact highlights youth issues in key areas of the Lisbon partnership for growth and jobs, particularly in relation to young people’s access to the labour market, development of their creativity and the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills. The European Pact also highlights skills acquired through high-quality, relevant education, training and mobility experiences in the formal as well as the non-formal sector, and reconciliation of working life and family life. Incorporating a youth dimension Incorporating a youth dimension in other European policies will concern in particular anti-discrimination, healthy lifestyles, including sport, and research on youth issues. RELATED ACTS Communication from the Commission to the Council of 25 October 2004 – Follow-up to the White Paper on a New Impetus for European Youth: evaluation of activities conducted in the framework of European cooperation in the youth field [COM(2004) 694 final – Not published in the Official Journal]. Last updated: 26.11.2010


EUR-Lex - 32002E0589 - EN Avis juridique important | 32002E0589 Council Joint Action of 12 July 2002 on the European Union's contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons and repealing Joint Action 1999/34/CFSP Official Journal L 191 , 19/07/2002 P. 0001 - 0004 Council Joint Actionof 12 July 2002on the European Union's contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons and repealing Joint Action 1999/34/CFSP(2002/589/CFSP)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 14 thereof,Whereas:(1) On 17 December 1998 the Council adopted Joint Action 1999/34/CFSP on the European Union's contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons(1).(2) The report of the Panel of Governmental Experts on Small Arms recognises ammunition as a cause for concern in conflicts affected by small arms and light weapons.(3) A new Joint Action should be adopted in order to include, where appropriate, ammunition of small arms and light weapons and Joint Action 1999/34/CFSP should therefore be repealed,HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:Article 11. The objectives of this Joint Action are:- to combat, and contribute to ending, the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms,- to contribute to the reduction of existing accumulations of these weapons and their ammunition to levels consistent with countries' legitimate security needs, and- to help solve the problems caused by such accumulations.2. This Joint Action shall entail the following elements:- building consensus on the principles and measures referred to in Title I,- making a multifaceted contribution as referred to in Title II.3. This Joint Action shall apply to weapons listed in the Annex.TITLE IPrinciples on preventive and reactive aspectsArticle 2The Union shall enhance efforts to build consensus in the relevant regional and international forums (for example, the UN and OSCE) and among affected States on the principles and measures set out in Article 3 and on those set out in Articles 4 and 5 as the basis for regional and incremental approaches to the problem and, where appropriate, global international instruments on small arms.Article 3In pursuing the objectives set out in Article 1, the Union shall aim at building consensus in the relevant international forums, and in a regional context as appropriate, for the realisation of the following principles and measures to prevent the further destabilising accumulation of small arms:(a) a commitment by all countries to import and hold small arms only for their legitimate security needs, to a level commensurate with their legitimate self-defence and security requirements, including their ability to participate in UN peacekeeping operations;(b) a commitment by exporting countries to supply small arms only to governments (either directly or through duly licensed entities authorised to procure weapons on their behalf) in accordance with appropriate international and regional restrictive arms export criteria, as provided in particular in the EU code of conduct, including officially authorised end-use certificates or, when appropriate, other relevant information on end-use;(c) a commitment by all countries to produce small arms only for holdings as outlined in (a) or exports as outlined in (b);(d) in order to ensure control, the establishment and maintenance of national inventories of legally-held weapons owned by the country's authorities and the establishment of restrictive national weapons legislation for small arms including penal sanctions and effective administrative control;(e) the establishment of confidence-building measures, including measures to promote increased transparency and openness, through regional registers on small arms and regular exchanges of available information, on exports, imports, production and holdings of small arms, and on national weapons legislation, and through consultations between the relevant parties on the information exchanged;(f) the commitment to combat illicit trafficking of small arms through the implementation of effective national controls, such as efficient border and customs mechanisms, regional and international cooperation and enhanced information exchange;(g) the commitment to challenge and reverse "cultures of violence", by enhancing public involvement through public education and awareness programmes.Article 4In pursuing the objectives set out in Article 1, the efforts of the Union shall aim at building consensus in the relevant international forums, and in a regional context as appropriate, for the realisation of the following principles and measures to reduce existing accumulations of small arms and their ammunition:(a) the assistance as appropriate to countries requesting support for controlling or eliminating surplus small arms and their ammunition on their territory, in particular where this may help to prevent armed conflict or in post-conflict situations;(b) the promotion of confidence-building measures and incentives to encourage the voluntary surrender of surplus or illegally-held small arms and their ammunition, the demobilisation of combatants and their subsequent rehabilitation and reintegration, such measures to include compliance with peace and arms control agreements under combined or third party supervision, respect of human rights and humanitarian law, the protection of the rule of law, in particular as regards the personal safety of former combatants and small arms amnesties, as well as community-based development projects and other economic and social incentives;(c) the effective removal of surplus small arms encompassing safe storage as well as quick and effective destruction of these weapons and their ammunition, preferably under international supervision;(d) the rendering of assistance through appropriate international organisations, programmes and agencies as well as regional arrangements.Article 5Member States shall promote, where appropriate, in the context of resolving armed conflicts:(a) the inclusion of provisions with regard to demobilisation, elimination of surplus weapons and their ammunition and integration of ex-combatants into peace agreements between the parties to the conflict, into mandates of peace-support operations or other relevant missions in support of the peaceful settlement;(b) the consideration of the possibility of making necessary provision for measures ensuring the removal of small arms and their ammunition in the context of demobilisation by the UN Security Council in case the country or parties concerned are not in a position to comply with the relevant obligations.TITLE IIContribution by the Union to specific actionsArticle 61. The Union shall provide financial and technical assistance to programmes and projects which make a direct and identifiable contribution to the principles and measures referred to in Title I, including relevant programmes or projects conducted by the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, other international organisations and regional arrangements and NGOs. Such projects might include, inter alia, weapons collection, security sector reform and demobilisation and reintegration programmes as well as specific victim assistance programmes.2. In providing such assistance, the Union shall take into account in particular the recipients' commitments to comply with the principles mentioned in Article 3; their respect of human rights; their compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of the rule of law; and their compliance with their international commitments, in particular with regard to existing peace treaties and international arms control agreements.Article 71. The Council shall decide on:- the allocation of the financial and technical assistance referred to in Article 6,- the priorities for the use of those funds,- the conditions for implementing specific actions of the Union, including the possibility of designating, in certain instances, a person responsible for its implementation.2. The Council shall decide on the principle, arrangements and financing of such projects on the basis of concrete and properly-costed project proposals and on a case-by-case basis, without prejudice to Member States' bilateral contributions and operation of the Community.3. The Presidency shall under the conditions set out in Article 18(2) of the Treaty:- ensure liaison with the United Nations and any other relevant organisation involved,- establish, with regional arrangements and third countries, the contacts needed to implement the Union's specific actions.It shall keep the Council informed.Article 8The Council notes that the Commission intends to direct its action towards achieving the objectives and the priorities of this Joint Action, where appropriate by pertinent Community measures.Article 91. The Council and the Commission shall be responsible for ensuring the consistency of the Union's activities in the field of small arms, in particular with regard to its development policies. For this purpose, Member States and the Commission shall submit any relevant information to the relevant Council bodies. The Council and the Commission shall ensure implementation of their respective action, each in accordance with its powers.2. Member States shall equally seek to increase the effectiveness of their national actions in the field of small arms. As far as possible, actions taken pursuant to Article 6 shall be coordinated with those of Member States and of the Community.Article 10Joint Action 1999/34/CFSP is hereby repealed.Article 11The Council shall review annually the actions taken in the framework of this Joint Action.Article 12This Joint Action shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.Article 13This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.Done at Brussels, 12 July 2002.For the CouncilThe PresidentT. Pedersen(1) OJ L 9, 15.1.1999, p. 1.ANNEXThe Joint Action shall apply to the following categories of weapons, while not prejudging any future internationally agreed definition of small arms and light weapons. These categories may be subject to further clarification, and may be reviewed in the light of any such future internationally agreed definition.(a) Small arms and accessories specially designed for military use:- machine-guns (including heavy machine-guns),- sub-machine guns, including machine pistols,- fully automatic rifles,- semi-automatic rifles, if developed and/or introduced as a model for an armed force,- moderators (silencers).(b) Man or crew-portable light weapons:- cannon (including automatic cannon), howitzers and mortars of less than 100 mm calibre,- grenade launchers,- anti-tank weapons, recoilless guns (shoulder-fired rockets),- anti-tank missiles and launchers,- anti-aircraft missiles/man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS).

Summary: Small arms and light weapons: combating their accumulation Small arms and light weapons: combating their accumulation SUMMARY OF: EU strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and ammunition WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE STRATEGY? It provides an action plan to combat the threat associated with the illegal accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW)* and their ammunition, taking advantage of the wide range of mechanisms available to the EU. KEY POINTS The SALW Strategy pulls together EU countries’ civilian and military capabilities, Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) instruments, and police, customs and judiciary action within the EU to advance its objectives. Effective multilateralism is needed in order to develop international, regional and national mechanisms. At the international level, priority is given to implementing the United Nations’ programme of action on SALW; tracing SALW through a global reporting mechanism (iTrace II); and ratifying the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms. The EU will also seek to persuade non-EU countries that are SALW exporters to comply with the above. At the regional level, the EU provides financial support to concrete programmes aimed at tackling security threats related to illegal SALW in Libya, South Eastern Europe and the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe area. The strategy is also advanced by the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, which helps prevent and respond to crises, and to create a safe and stable environment around the world. The Council of the EU continuously monitors the implementation of the EU SALW Strategy. Every 6 months, the European External Action Service presents a progress report to the Council for its endorsement. BACKGROUND The consequences of the excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread of SALW are central to 4 of the 5 challenges (terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, state failure and organised crime) identified in the European Security Strategy. For more information, see: ‘The fight against excessive accumulation and illicit trafficking of SALW and their ammunition’ on the website of the European External Action Service. * KEY TERMS Small arms and light weapons (SALW): any man-portable lethal weapon. Small arms include handguns, shotguns, assault rifles and light machineguns. Light weapons include heavy machineguns, grenade launchers, and anti-tank guns. MAIN DOCUMENT EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition, Council of the European Union, Brussels, 13 January 2006 RELATED ACTS Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing an instrument contributing to stability and peace (OJ L 77, 15.3.2014, pp. 1-10) Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1908 of 22 October 2015 in support of a global reporting mechanism on illicit small arms and light weapons and other illicit conventional weapons and ammunition to reduce the risk of their illicit trade (‘iTrace II’) (OJ L 278, 23.10.2015, pp. 15-25) last update 04.07.2016