European Council of Cologne, 03-04/06/1999

In the presence of Romano Prodi, President Designate on Thursday morning 3/06/1999, the Heads of State and Government of the EU discussed a common strategy for the European Union on Russia and adopted a declaration on strengthening Common Foreign and Security Policy. In the afternoon session, the leaders took the initiative for a European Employment Pact aimed at a sustainable reduction of unemployment. In addition, they discussed the development of institutional reforms. In the evening Ahtisaari, Finnish President, gave a report on his Kosovo mission and described the "break through" on building peace in this region. During dinner, the politicians nominated Javier Solana as the responsible person for Common Foreign and Security Policy. On Friday, 04/06/1999, the EU Heads of State and Government stressed in their final press conferences their satisfaction with the European Council results and the importance of continuing the peace process in the Balkan (stability pact). Furthermore, the European Council confirmed its intention of convening a Conference of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States early in 2000 to resolve the institutional issues left open in Amsterdam that need to be settled before enlargement. The conference should take place before the end of 2000 and the necessary amendments to the Treaties agreed upon on the same date
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