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Annex II. Final Report of the High Level Group on the Common European Economic Space to the EU-Russia Summit on 6 November 2003

Rome, Italy | 6 ноября 2003 года, N Annex II

The EU-Russia Summit in May 2001 decided to establish a joint High Level Group (HLG) on the common European economic space (CEES). In October 2001, the EU-Russia Summit asked the EU-Russia Cooperation Council to provide the HLG with a mandate to elaborate a concept for a closer economic partnership between Russia and the EU. This mandate and its implementation were to be reviewed by the Summit no later than October 2003. Russia was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Khristenko; the EU was originally represented by Commissioner Patten, later by Commissioner Verheugen.

In line with the mandate, the HLG’s task was to elaborate a concept for a closer economic relationship between Russia and the EU, based on the wider goal of bringing them closer together. The HLG considered opportunities offered by greater economic integration and legislative approximation and assessed options for further work. It also identified means and mechanisms to achieve the common objectives and considered a timescale for implementation.

The concept for the CEES was finalised and agreed by the HLG at its meeting on 28 October 2003 and will be presented to the EU-Russia Summit on 6 November 2003 in Rome.

The HLG Work Programme

At its second meeting in March 2002, the HLG adopted a detailed work plan for the concept of the CEES, establishing a targeted approach. A list of key issues for work was agreed to consider possible objectives and practical steps in those areas. The list included sectors where cooperation is expected to boost trade and investment and where the trade interest of the EU and Russia is strong. It also reflected the achievements and experience of integration in the EU.

With the objective to identify and prioritise sectors of greatest mutual interest, the HLG particularly considered the following issues and sectors: standardisation, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures; customs regulation; public procurement; competition policy; financial services; autiding and accounting services; telecommunications; space launching services; transport; metallurgy, car industry, civil aviation industry and agriculture.

The HLG assessed the potential impact of a CEES, both on the economy as a whole and across a range of its sectors, considered ultimate objectives, identified means and mechanisms to achieve common objectives and considered the time-scale for implementation.

A first report of the HLG was presented to the EU-Russia Summit on 29 May 2002 and endorsed by the Summit.

Work since the May 2002 Summit focussed on the priorities set out in the work plan, namely impact assessment and consideration of ultimate goals. A number of studies have been commissioned by the Parties from external research institutes in order to assess the impact of economic integration. Consideration has been given to the impact of market opening, regulatory convergence and trade facilitation on a number of sectors as well as on the EU and Russian economies more generally. The HLG noted that the results of the studies were in general positive. It also noted that particular emphasis was placed by the studies on the relevance of legislative approximation and removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade and investment.

In elaborating the CEES concept, the HLG particularly reflected on the size and complementarity of the EU and Russian economies, as well as on their geographic proximity and the overall EU-Russia strategic partnership. This process took into account the relevant aspects of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the impact of EU enlargement on EU-Russia relations and the economic interests of both Parties, as well as the priority placed on Russia’s accession to WTO.

In its final phase of deliberations, the HLG discussed means and mechanisms to implement the common objectives of the CEES. In particular, it identified the main instruments to achieve these objectives: market opening, regulatory convergence and trade facilitation. In addition, the HLG considered the enhancement and strengthening of the cooperation between the Parties in the field of infrastructure networks, as well as the promotion of closer and more structured permanent relations between their respective institutions.

At its fifth meeting in October 2003, the HLG finalised and agreed a joint concept for the creation of a CEES. The agreed concept sets out the main rationale for the CEES – namely the currently unused potential for growth of mutual trade and investment beyond its current pace and level – and defines the ultimate goals. It further defines the main areas in which the CEES should be implemented. The concept also reflects on institutional and legal aspects.

In its work, the HLG gave particular consideration to the ongoing deepening of the relationship between the EU and Russia, highlighted at the St. Petersburg Summit of 31 May 2003, and the intention to reinforce the relationship through the creation of a number of Common Spaces, including a common economic space.

The HLG ensured that its activities did not replace or duplicate the activities of the cooperation bodies created within the PCA. Throughout its work, the HLG ensured that the relevant PCA institutions were kept informed and took expert input of these bodies into consideration.

The HLG took fully into consideration the obligations resulting from the current or future participation of the Parties in the World Trade Organisation.

Conclusion

The HLG recommends that the leaders of the EU and Russia endorse the concept for a CEES at their Summit in Rome. The HLG believes that it is important that both sides reconfirm their commitment to actively pursue economic integration via the creation of open and transparent markets, regulatory convergence and the facilitation of trade.

In line with its original mandate, the HLG considers its task fulfilled and recommends the Summit to discharge the original mandate.

Concerning the next steps for the future creation of a CEES, the HLG recommends that the EU and Russia agree to pursue the work on the basis of the CEES concept with a view to achieving tangible results as early as possible. The HLG believes that it will become necessary to prepare practical steps for making the CEES concept operational.

The HLG recommends to the Summit to decide on a new mandate for the HLG:

for preparing the necessary practical steps for the creation of the CEES by way of elaboration of an action plan and its interim presentation to the EU – Russia summit not later than one year after the receipt of the mandate and

for the future implementation of this action plan.

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