European Council Helsinki 10-11/12/1999

The European Council met in Helsinki on 10 and 11 December 1999. It took certain decisions which constitute a new stage in the enlargement process. Measures were also taken to ensure that the Union itself will have effective, reformed institutions, strengthened common security and defense policy, as well as a competitive, sustainable economy that creates jobs.
Thus, among other things, the European Council approved the creation of new permanent political and military bodies, such as the European Union Military Committee (which was established by Council decision on 22 January 2001), within the framework of the EU Council.
Additionally, the Helsinki Summit decided to extend accession negotiations with 6 more candidate countries. Thus, the group of candidate countries included 13 countries: 10 countries from Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus, Malta, and Turkey. The Helsinki European Council had recognized Turkey’s status as a candidate country for accession on an equal footing with other candidate countries without, however, giving clear timetables or proceeding to start accession negotiations.
Finally, it approved the Millennium Declaration which, among other things, states:
“On the threshold of a new century and the third millennium, the Union should focus on tasks that are central to the security and well-being of its peoples. Europe faces the reality of the information society and globalization. Care must be taken for the aging population and to respond to the expectations of young people. We will develop our human potential through lifelong learning and innovation and promote a dynamic and open European knowledge-based economy to ensure growth and reduce unemployment on a permanent basis.
Europe is fully aware of the need to combat local and global environmental degradation. We will act together to achieve sustainable development and guarantee a better quality of life for future generations.
Citizens expect to be protected from crime and to be able to exercise their legal rights everywhere in the Union. We will make the Union a real area of freedom, security and justice.
The Union shares an increasing global responsibility for promoting prosperity, preventing conflicts and ensuring peace. We will enhance stability and prosperity in Europe through the enlargement of the Union and cooperation with partner countries. We will work for a more open and stable international economy that will also benefit people in the less favored parts of the world. We will create military and civilian capabilities of the Union for international crisis management and providing humanitarian aid to those in need.
Only an open, democratic and effective Union can fulfill these commitments. The Union needs the trust and active participation of its citizens and civil society organizations. The Union also needs the full support of its member states in promoting the common interest. We must revitalize the idea of a Europe for all – an idea to which each new generation must give its own imprint.”