Referat af COSAC-formandsmøde og Trojka-møde 17-18/9-23 i Madrid

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Europaudvalget
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Dato: 2. oktober 2023
Referat af COSAC-formandsmøde og Trojka-møde 17-18/9-23 i Madrid
Til orientering fremsendes referat af COSAC-formandsmøde og Trojka-
møde, der fandt sted i Madrid den 17.-18. september 2023.
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COSAC PRESIDENTIAL TROIKA
MADRID, SPAIN, 17 SEPTEMBER 2023
PRESENT AT THE MEETING
CHAIR: Mr José Ignacio LANDALUCE CALLEJA, Member of the Spanish Senado,
and Susana SUMELZO JORDÁN, Member of the Spanish Congreso de los Diputados;
Mr Gaëtan VAN GOIDSENHOVEN, Co-Chair of the Federal Advisory Committee on
European Affairs, Belgian Sénat/Senaat;
Mr Othmar KARAS, First Vice-President, European Parliament.
(Ms Eliane TILLIEUX, Co-Chair of the Federal Advisory Committee on European
affairs, Belgian Chambre des représentants/Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers, Mr
Hans WALLMARK, Chair of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the Swedish
Riksdag, and Mr Salvatore DE MEO, Chair of the Committee for Constitutional Affairs,
European Parliament, were unable to attend).
AGENDA
PROCEEDINGS 1
1. Adoption of the agenda of the Meeting of the Presidential Troika of COSAC 2
2. Approval of the draft programme of the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC 2
3. Discussion on the draft programme for the LXX COSAC Meeting 3
4. Approval of the Outline of the 40th Bi-annual Report of COSAC 3
5. Appointment of the Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat for the period
2024/25 4
6. Letters received by the Presidency 5
7. Any other business 6
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PROCEEDINGS
1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA OF THE MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTIAL TROIKA OF COSAC
Mr José Ignacio LANDALUCE CALLEJA, Member of the Spanish Senado, and Ms
Susana SUMELZO JORDÁN, Member of the Spanish Congreso de los Diputados,
greeted the delegations of the Presidential Troika of COSAC (hereinafter referred to as
"the Troika"), expressing their wishes for a fruitful and productive work amongst them.
Mr LANDALUCE CALLEJA welcomed Mr Gaëtan VAN GOIDSENHOVEN,
Co-Chair of the Federal Advisory Committee on European Affairs, Belgian
Sénat/Senaat, who was participating in the Meeting of the Troika for the first time as the
incoming Presidency in the first semester of 2024. He also emphasised that this was one
of the first meetings of the Parliamentary dimension of the Spanish Presidency of the
Council of the EU.
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN recalled that Spain held a general parliamentary election on
23 July 2023 and that the parliamentary Committees, including the Joint Committee for
European Union Affairs, were yet to be established. She acknowledged the limitation
imposed by this circumstance on the preparation of the Presidency, expressing her belief
that the cooperation within the Troika would help overcome any difficulties.
She then referred to the agenda of the Meeting of the Troika, previously circulated to all
delegations, which was adopted without amendments.
2. APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT PROGRAMME OF THE MEETING OF THE CHAIRPERSONS OF
COSAC
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN alluded to the programme of the Meeting of the COSAC
Chairpersons, previously circulated to all delegations, which would be divided into three
sessions, besides the procedural and other general matters.
She mentioned that the opening session of the meeting of the Chairpersons would have
an intervention by Mr. LANDALUCE CALLEJA, Member of the Spanish Senado,
followed by welcome remarks by both Ms Francina ARMENGOL SOCÍAS, Speaker of
the Spanish Congreso de los Diputados, and Mr Pedro ROLLÁN OJEDA, Speaker of
the Spanish Senado.
The first session would be dedicated to the presentation of the priorities of the Spanish
Presidency of the Council of the European Union, by the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
European Union and Cooperation, Mr José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, followed by an
intervention by Mr Othmar KARAS, First Vice-President of the European Parliament.
The second session would focus on the topic of “The future of Ukraine in Europe”, with
a speech by the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the
European Union, Ukraine Verkhovna Rada, Ms Ivanna KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE
2
and an intervention by the Chair of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the
Swedish Riksdag, Mr Hans WALLMARK.
Regarding the third session, devoted to "Current affairs in the European Union", Ms
SUMELZO JORDÁN pointed out that the Presidency wished to offer the Chairpersons
an opportunity for a broader and timely debate on current affairs of special relevance to
the European Union. Amongst other topics, it could be approached as a follow-up to the
State of the Union address by the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula
VON DER LEYEN, which took place on 13 September 2023 in the Plenary Session of
the European Parliament, in Strasbourg. To some extent, this initiative followed the
precedent of a debate on current affairs held during the German Presidency of COSAC
in 2020. In this session, there would be some introductory remarks made by the
Presidency to introduce the debate, and a summary of the main ideas addressed at the
end.
The draft programme of the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC was approved
without amendments.
3. DISCUSSION ON THE DRAFT PROGRAMME FOR THE LXX COSAC MEETING
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN then referred to the draft agenda of the LXX COSAC Plenary
scheduled for 26 to 28 November 2023, in Madrid. She further clarified that, once the
Joint Committee for European Union Affairs would be established, some adjustments to
the draft programme could occur, which would in any case be communicated to the
Troika in a timely manner.
The draft programme circulated was composed of five thematic sessions which would
be covered during the LXX COSAC:
● A review of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU;
● The Pact on Migration and Asylum of the EU;
● The energy crisis and green transition;
● The situation in Ukraine and relations with the European Union;
● The EU’s open strategic autonomy and relations with Latin America.
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN concluded this point by noting the support of the Troika for
the proposed draft agenda for the LXX COSAC.
4. APPROVAL OF THE OUTLINE OF THE 40TH BI-ANNUAL REPORT OF COSAC
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN presented the outline of the 40th Bi-annual Report of
COSAC, which would be divided into three parts: the first chapter would be dedicated
to the role of Parliaments in relation to the European goal of open strategic autonomy;
3
the second chapter would focus on the role of Parliaments in handling the energy
policies: renewable sources of energy; and, finally, the third chapter would look at the
role of the Parliaments when confronted with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The questionnaire would be sent to the delegations on 20 September 2023, with replies
expected by 20 October 2023, so that the Bi-annual Report for the scheduled COSAC
plenary in November could be drawn up on time, to be presented by the Permanent
Member of the COSAC Secretariat at the LXX COSAC.
The draft outline of COSAC's 40th Bi-annual Report was approved.
5. APPOINTMENT OF THE PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE COSAC SECRETARIAT FOR THE
PERIOD 2024/25
On the appointment of the Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat, the Chair
referred to Rule 9.3 of the Rules of Procedure of COSAC and said that the term of office
of the current Permanent Member, Mr Bruno DIAS PINHEIRO was expiring on 31
December 2023 and that the appointment for the period of 2024/25 would be made by
the COSAC Chairpersons at the LXX Meeting, in November 2023.
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN noted that the Presidency aimed at having a transparent and
impartial procedure and then alluded to the previous methodologies followed in the
appointment of the Permanent Member for a second term, namely:
- by the Finnish Presidency in 2019: despite the fact that the Maltese Kamra
tad-Deputati, which seconded the then Permanent Member, had expressed its
support for a second term, the Presidency declared the vacancy of the post, with
a follow-up letter asking Parliaments to nominate candidates within a set
deadline;
- by the Luxembourgish Presidency in 2015 that proposed an immediate and
automatic renewal of the post, following the expression of interest by the
Parliament seconding the Permanent Member (Cyprus Vouli ton Antiprosopon).
In both cases, the Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat (Mr. Kenneth CURMI,
for the period 2020/21, and Ms Christiana FRYDA, for the period 2016/17) were
reappointed for a second term.
On the current procedure of appointment for the period 2024/25, Ms SUMELZO
JORDÁN informed the Troika of a letter addressed to the Presidency by Mr Luís
CAPOULAS SANTOS, Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the Portuguese
Assembleia da República, recommending a renewal of the current Permanent Member's
term, Mr Bruno DIAS PINHEIRO. She also emphasised the good functioning of the
Secretariat, together with the need to preserve its stability, and highlighted the work of
the current Permanent Member with that regard.
4
Therefore, the Chair suggested that the procedure for this appointment should be as
follows: the Troika would take note of the need to appoint the Permanent Member for
the period of 2024/25 at the LXX COSAC meeting in November, by the Chairpersons;
the Presidency and Troika would support the renewal of the current Permanent Member
for the said period; simultaneously, and as a matter of transparency, the Presidency
would inform all the Chairpersons of this procedure and of this support, giving
delegations until 5 November 2023 to convey to the Presidency any comments deemed
relevant with this regard, so that the decision could be taken at the LXX COSAC, to be
held from 26 to 28 November.
Mr VAN GOIDSENHOVEN, expressed his appreciation for the work of the Secretariat
and of the Permanent Member and supported the methodology proposed by the
Presidency.
In relation to the co-financing of the cost for seconding the Permanent Member of the
COSAC Secretariat and other technical costs, foreseen by Article 9.5 of the Rules of
Procedure of COSAC, Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN recalled that under the previous
Swedish Presidency, all Parliaments had agreed to continue with the co-financing for the
period 2024-25.
6. LETTERS RECEIVED BY THE PRESIDENCY
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN referred to the following letters received by the Presidency
requesting invitations to attend the COSAC meetings:
- Ms Benedikt WÜRTH, President of the Swiss delegation for relations with the
European Parliament, Swiss Assemblée fédérale;
- Mr Masud GHARAHKHANI, President of the Norwegian Stortinget;
- Lord Peter RICKETTS, Chair of the European Union Committee, UK House of
Lords;
- Bjarni JÓNSSON, Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
Icelandic Althingi;
- Ms Maka BOTCHORISHVILI, Chair of the Committee on European Integration
of the Georgian Sakartvelos p'arlament'I;
- Ms Rrezarta KRASNIQI, Chair of the Committee on European Integration,
Kosovo1
Kuvendi i Kosovës;
- Mrs Brigitte BOCCONE-PAGES, President of the Monaco Conseil national, and
Mr Régis BERGONZI, National Councillor, President of the Commission for
monitoring the negotiations with the European Union.
1
This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244(1999) and
the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
5
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN informed that, following consultation with the Presidential
Troika of COSAC, invitations had been extended to all the above-mentioned
Parliaments to take part in the forthcoming Meeting of Chairpersons of COSAC, and
they would also be invited to the LXX COSAC in November.
Mr KARAS took the floor to wish the Presidency much success, ahead of the European
elections of 2024. He supported this approach of an inclusive COSAC, advocating for
these invitations to be extended and generally endorsing the transparent procedures put
forward by the Presidency at the meeting of the COSAC Presidential Troika, for this and
the previous agenda items.
7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business and both Mr LANDALUCE CALLEJA, and Ms
SUMELZO JORDÁN concluded the meeting by thanking their colleagues for the
participation and for the good cooperation within the Presidential Troika of COSAC.
6


MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CHAIRPERSONS OF COSAC
MADRID, SPAIN, 17-18 SEPTEMBER 2023
AGENDA
PROCEEDINGS 1
1. Opening of the meeting 2
Opening remarks by Mr José Ignacio LANDALUCE CALLEJA, Member of the
Spanish Senado 2
Welcome speech by Ms Francina ARMENGOL SOCÍAS, Speaker of the Spanish
Congreso de los Diputados 2
Welcome speech by Mr Pedro ROLLÁN OJEDA, Speaker of the Spanish Senado 3
2. Procedural and other general matters 4
Presentation of the results of the COSAC Presidential Troika Meeting 4
Draft programme for the LXX COSAC Meeting 4
Outline of the 40th Bi-annual Report of COSAC 5
Appointment of the Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat for the period 5
2024/25 5
Letters received by the Presidency 6
Any other business 6
3. First session - Presentation of the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of
the EU 7
Keynote intervention: Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and
Cooperation, Mr José Manuel ALBARES BUENO 7
First intervention: Mr Othmar KARAS, First Vice-president of the European Parliament 8
4. Second Session - The future of Ukraine in Europe 9
Chaired by Mr José Ignacio Landaluce Calleja, Member of the Spanish Senado 9
Intervention by the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into
the European Union, Ukraine Verkhovna Rada, Ms Ivanna KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE 9
Intervention by the Chairperson of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the
Swedish Riksdag, Mr Hans WALLMARK 11
5. Third Session - Current issues related to the European Union 13
6. Closing Session 14
Address by Ms Susana SUMELZO JORDÁN, Member of the Spanish Congreso de los
Diputados 14
Address by Mr Pedro ROLLÁN OJEDA, Speaker of the Spanish Senado 15
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PROCEEDINGS
IN THE CHAIR: Mr José Ignacio LANDALUCE CALLEJA, Member of the Spanish
Senado, and Ms Susana SUMELZO JORDÁN, Member of the Spanish Congreso de los
Diputados.
1. OPENING OF THE MEETING
Opening remarks by Mr José Ignacio LANDALUCE CALLEJA, Member of the
Spanish Senado
Mr LANDALUCE CALLEJA welcomed the guests to Madrid and to one of the very
first initiatives of the parliamentary dimension of the Spanish Presidency of the Council
of the European Union (EU), after the organisation of the Global Conference on the
Commemoration of the International Day of Parliamentarism, held in Léon, on June 30
– July 1. He also recalled the fact that the idea of establishing COSAC as a forum for
interparliamentary cooperation was first conceived in Madrid, during the Conference of
Speakers of the EU Parliaments held in this city in May 1989, with the aim of
strengthening the role of national Parliaments in the EU. This had triggered the
institutional developments that later led to the enshrining of this Conference in the
Treaties of the European Union.
Mr LANDALUCE CALLEJA considered that the EU was living in a challenging and
historic time which could not be dealt with lightly, and that therefore the EU should
strengthen its values.
He then expressed the wish that the COSAC proceedings during the current semester
could help foster the spirit of solidarity and cooperation amongst Member States and
Parliaments, so that the EU could remain united and strive for peace and prosperity.
Welcome speech by Ms Francina ARMENGOL SOCÍAS, Speaker of the Spanish
Congreso de los Diputados
The Speaker of the Congreso de los Diputados started by recalling that 2023 marked
Spain's fifth presidency of the Council of the European Union, the first having taken
place in 1989 and the last in 2010. She then recalled that the past ten years had seen
numerous changes, such as the economic crisis, the United Kingdom's exit from the
European Union, the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a war on
European soil and the climate emergency. She noted that, despite these changes, the
Union had been seen as an unshakable organisation, although many challenges were still
present.
Ms ARMENGOL SOCÍAS then listed the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the
Council of the EU, the first being the reindustrialisation of Europe to guarantee open
strategic autonomy of the Union; secondly, the Russian invasion of Ukraine; thirdly, the
economic recovery based on ecological transition; and fourthly, the consolidation of
European values based on the guarantee of social and economic justice for citizens.
2
Finally, she referred to the initiative taken by the the First Vice-President of the
European Parliament, Mr Othmar KARAS, to develop a “Charter on the role of
parliamentarism in a functioning liberal democracy” , which was expected to be
approved during the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments due to be held in April
2024, under Spanish Presidency.
Welcome speech by Mr Pedro ROLLÁN OJEDA, Speaker of the Spanish Senado
The Speaker of the Spanish Senado welcomed the participants to this Chamber, which
ensured the territorial representation of the Cortes Generales of the Kingdom of Spain.
He also reiterated that it was in Madrid that COSAC was conceived in 1989, when
Spain was still a new member of what was then called the European Communities.
Mr ROLLÁN OJEDA noted that Europe had come a long way in its process of political
construction since then, following a path which had never been easy, but which had
been worthy. In that context, he recalled that great progress had been made in terms of
the active participation of the national Parliaments and of the European Parliament in
defining the main lines of the Union's various policies. Mr ROLLÁN OJEDA
considered that parliamentary democracy was the identifying feature that best defined
all the countries of the Union, since it was at the very heart of its origin and was also
key to its future.
He further considered that, back in 1989, the birth of COSAC was a milestone for the
deployment of interparliamentary cooperation and that, since then, the mechanisms of
exchange between the national Parliaments of the EU had expanded in scope,
complexity and effectiveness.He noted that COSAC had maintained its pre-eminence in
this field by virtue of its cross-cutting nature, which had always facilitated its
participation in the debate on the main political and institutional issues on the EU
agenda.
Mr ROLLÁN OJEDA then mentioned that Europe was currently facing enormous
challenges, uncertainties and tensions, considering that the parliamentary perspective
should play a role in defining the direction Europe should take in defence of its shared
values and interests.
Therefore, he underlined the importance of the meeting of the COSAC Chairpersons
and the preparatory work in relation to the next COSAC Plenary, scheduled for
November, in order to fulfil the expectations from all the citizens of the EU towards
their political representatives.
3
2. PROCEDURAL AND OTHER GENERAL MATTERS
Ms Susana SUMELZO JORDÁN, Member of the Spanish Congreso de los Diputados,
began by welcoming delegates attending the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC for
the first time: Ms Judit VARGA, Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the
Hungarian Országgyűlés, Mr Ioannis PLAKIOTAKIS First Vice President of the Greek
Vouli ton Ellinon and Chair of the EU Affairs Committee, Mr Calogero PISANO, Chair
of the EU Policies Committee of the Italian Camera dei deputati, Mr Heikki AUTTO,
Chair of the Grand Committee of the Finnish Eduskunta and Mr Bastiaan VAN
APELDOORN, Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Dutch Eerste
Kamer.
Presentation of the results of the COSAC Presidential Troika Meeting
After the adoption of the agenda of the Meeting of the COSAC Chairpersons, Ms
SUMELZO JORDÁN informed the delegations about the results of the Meeting of the
COSAC Presidential Troika, noting the approval of the agenda of the Meeting of the
COSAC Chairpersons, the approval of the outline of the 40th Bi-annual Report of
COSAC, and the approval of the draft agenda of the LXX COSAC.
She made a few clarifications, alluding to the need of adapting the initial agendas in the
wake of the changes in the political situation in Spain, following the holding of early
general elections on 23 July. This circumstance had posed an unforeseen obstacle to the
parliamentary dimension of the Spanish Presidency of COSAC, since this meeting had
to be organised without a full-fledged Joint Committee for European Union Affairs of
the Spanish Cortes Generales.
In this situation, it was considered appropriate to replace a debate on a specific topic
with a topical debate on European Union issues at the meeting of the COSAC
Chairpersons, as was done under the German Presidency at the virtual COSAC on 30
November 2020. This topical session (Session III of the agenda) would allow more
speaking time for parliamentarians to express their views on the topics they considered
most relevant to the European Union, both on current issues, as well as a follow-up to
the State of the Union address by the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula
VON DER LEYEN, delivered on 13 September 2023 in the Plenary Session of the
European Parliament, in Strasbourg.
She further noted that, in view of the diversity of topics that might be dealt with at this
session, and in order to structure the debate, the Troika had agreed to add an
introductory remark by the Presidency, as well as a final summary of the debate.
Draft programme for the LXX COSAC Meeting
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN then referred to the draft agenda of the LXX COSAC Plenary
scheduled for 26 to 28 November 2023, in Madrid. She further clarified that, once the
Joint Committee for European Union Affairs would be established, some adjustments to
4
the draft programme could occur, which would in any case be communicated in a timely
manner.
The draft programme circulated was composed of five thematic sessions which would
be covered during the LXX COSAC: the first session would be dedicated to a review of
the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU; the second session would discuss the
Pact on Migration and Asylum of the EU;the third session would cover the energy crisis
and the green transition; the fourth session would focus on the situation in Ukraine and
relations with the European Union; and the fifth and final session would deal with open
strategic autonomy and relations with Latin America.
Outline of the 40th Bi-annual Report of COSAC
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN presented the outline of the 40th Bi-annual Report of
COSAC, which would be divided into three parts: the first chapter would be dedicated
to the role of Parliaments in relation to the European goal of open strategic autonomy;
the second chapter would focus on the role of Parliaments in handling the energy
policies: renewable sources of energy; and, finally, the third chapter would look at the
role of the Parliaments when confronted with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The questionnaire would be sent to the delegations on 20 September 2023, with replies
expected by 20 October 2023, so that the Bi-annual Report for the scheduled COSAC
plenary in November could be drawn up on time, and be presented by the Permanent
Member of the COSAC Secretariat at the LXX COSAC.
Appointment of the Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat for the period
2024/25
On the appointment of the Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat, the Chair
referred to Rule 9.3 of the Rules of Procedure of COSAC and said that the term of office
of the current Permanent Member, Mr Bruno DIAS PINHEIRO would expire on 31
December 2023 and that the appointment for the period of 2024/25 would be made by
the COSAC Chairpersons at the LXX Meeting, in November.
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN informed the Chairpersons that the proposal of the Spanish
Presidency and of the Troika would be as follows: having regard to the letter of support
for Mr DIAS PINHEIRO sent by the Portuguese Assembleia da República to the
incoming Spanish Presidency in May 2023, and the current smooth and good
functioning of the COSAC Secretariat, the Presidency proposed to support the
continuity of the above-mentioned candidate. Simultaneously, and as a matter of
transparency, the Presidency would inform all the Chairpersons of this procedure and of
this support, giving delegations until 5 November 2023 to convey to the Presidency any
comments deemed relevant with this regard, so that the decision could be taken at the
LXX COSAC, to be held from 26 to 28 November 2023.
5
In relation to the co-financing of the cost for seconding the Permanent Member of the
COSAC Secretariat and other technical costs, foreseen by Article 9.5 of the Rules of
Procedure of COSAC, Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN recalled that under the previous
Swedish Presidency, all Parliaments had agreed to continue with the co-financing for the
period 2024-25.
Letters received by the Presidency
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN referred to the following letters received by the Presidency
requesting invitations to attend the COSAC meetings:
- Ms Benedikt WÜRTH, President of the Swiss delegation for relations with the
European Parliament, Swiss Assemblée fédérale;
- Mr Masud GHARAHKHANI, President of the Norwegian Stortinget;
- Lord Peter RICKETTS, Chair of the European Union Committee, UK House of
Lords;
- Mr Bjarni JÓNSSON, Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of
the Icelandic Althingi;
- Ms Maka BOTCHORISHVILI, Chair of the Committee on European Integration
of the Georgian Sakartvelos p'arlament'I;
- Ms Rrezarta KRASNIQI, Chair of the Committee on European Integration,
Kosovo1
Kuvendi i Kosovës.
- Ms Brigitte BOCCONE-PAGES, President of the Monaco Conseil national, and
Mr Régis BERGONZI, National Councillor, President of the Commission for
monitoring the negotiations with the European Union.
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN informed that, following consultation with the Presidential
Troika of COSAC, invitations had been extended to all the above-mentioned
Parliaments to take part in the forthcoming Meeting of Chairpersons of COSAC, and
they would also be invited to the LXX COSAC in November.
Any other business
There was no other business.
1
This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244(1999) and
the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
6
3. FIRST SESSION - PRESENTATION OF THE PRIORITIES OF THE SPANISH
PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU
Keynote intervention: Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and
Cooperation, Mr José Manuel ALBARES BUENO
This session was chaired by the Speaker of the Spanish Senado, Mr Pedro ROLLÁN
OJEDA, and moderated by Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN. The keynote intervention was
presented by the acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
of Spain, Mr José Manuel ALBARES BUENO. The Minister began by recalling the
special meaning COSAC had for Madrid, the city where this Conference was
established back in 1989. Thirty-four years later, COSAC came back to Madrid in
exceptional times, during the Spanish Presidency and with national Parliaments playing
an essential role in building Europe. First and foremost, he underlined the importance
which the Spanish Presidency would give to the unjust invasion of Ukraine, adding that
more than 400 meetings would be organised during this semester, at all levels of the
Council.
As a first priority, Minister ALBARES BUENO mentioned the reindustrialisation of the
EU, as means to achieve the open strategic autonomy of Europe. In this context, he
referred to the Critical Raw Materials Act, the legislation on the regulation of artificial
intelligence or the meetings of the European Political Community. He emphasised the
importance of the EU´s relation with Latin America, as put forward during the
EU-CELAC summit, that took place in Madrid in July 2023, stressing the need to hold
this summit on a biannual basis.
The second priority mentioned by the Minister was the green transition, and the need to
curb the effects of climate change, which could be seen as an opportunity to create jobs,
namely through the pending legislative files of the Fit for 55-package.
The third priority would be social and economic justice, as Europe’s future was linked
to the prosperity of all its citizens. In order to achieve this goal, files such as the
Multiannual Financial Framework and the reform of the economic governance rules
would be needed. Equal treatment, between men and women, but also the protection of
citizens with disabilities and the achievement of a common space for mobility in
Europe, should also be deemed essential.
The fourth priority would be upholding European unity, as a prerequisite to enable all
other policies. European unity was threatened by increased geopolitical tensions that
affected the European identifying traits, as European values were attacked from the
outside. In this line, a true European horizon should be offered to candidate countries,
and a more efficient management of migration should be achieved. All efforts would be
made during the Spanish Presidency in order to achieve those objectives.
7
First intervention: Mr Othmar KARAS, First Vice-president of the European
Parliament
Mr KARAS recalled the critical moment Europe was living in, facing multiple crises,
less than 200 days before the European elections in June 2024. He urged the Spanish
Presidency to finalise as many open files as possible, e.g. the Pact on Migration and
Asylum, the regulation of artificial intelligence, the economic governance review and
the Fit for 55-package. A special mention was devoted to the Common Foreign and
Security Policy (CFSP) and the need for Europe to stand united in the world, especially
in the face of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Mr KARAS briefly mentioned his
proposal of a “Charter on the role of parliamentarism in a functioning liberal
democracy”, presented during the Conference on Parliamentarism, held in León on 30
June 2023, and likely to be approved at the Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of
the EU to be held in Spain in April 2024.
During the ensuing debate, 30 speakers asked for the floor, and there was a general
support for the priorities of the Spanish Presidency, with different files being mentioned
by a number of speakers.
The 30th anniversary of the single market in 2023 was highlighted by Mr Hans
WALLMARK, Swedish Riksdag, who stressed the need of adapting the single market to
the current challenges, after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of
Ukraine. Mr Luís CAPOULAS SANTOS, Portuguese Assembleia da República,
considered that the priorities of the Presidency were aligned with the challenges Europe
was facing. However, he noted that they did not address the establishment of a
permanent financial mechanism to deal with crises and the creation of new own
resources for the EU, proposals which Portugal has been advocating for.
In relation to the enlargement of the EU, which was mentioned by a large number of
speakers, specific proposals were made, like the need to avoid creating two categories of
candidate countries, as mentioned by Mr Christian BUCHMANN, Austrian Bundesrat,
or to avoid applying fast-track procedures to specific candidate countries, as referred to
by Ms Judit VARGA, Hungarian Országgyűlés.
The Pact on Migration and Asylum was another topic that was mentioned by a large
number of speakers, who called for EU cooperation as the only way to prevent deaths in
the Mediterranean, as done by Mr Pieyre Alexandre ANGLADE, French Assemblée
nationale. The need to avoid the use of migration policies as leverage in negotiations
that aim to achieve greater political influence was also mentioned by Mr Ioannis
PLAKIOTAKIS, Greek Vouli ton Ellinon. Three key principles were referred to by Mr
Giuliomaria TERZI DI SANT´AGATA, Italian Senato della Repubblica, who
considered that solidarity, responsibility and cohesiveness must be fully implemented in
the migration policies, offering concrete measures to deal with this emergency,
specifically in relation to Lampedusa and its critical situation in the days before the
COSAC Chairs meeting.
8
The accession of both Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area was strongly
advocated by representatives of the national Parliaments of both countries, Mr Kiril
PETKOV, Bulgarian Narodno sabranie and Mr Stefan MUȘOIU, Romanian Camera
Deputaţilor.
The opportunity and possible outcome of the relations of the EU with Türkiye were
mentioned, from opposite perspectives, by the national parliamentarians of Cyprus, Mr
Harris GEORGIADES, Cypriot Vouli ton Antiproposon and of Türkiye, Mr Burhan
KAYATÜRK, Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi.
In his replies, Minister ALBARES BUENO expressed his appreciation for the vitality of
COSAC debates, and focused on those topics that had been repeatedly mentioned during
the discussion. In relation to enlargement, he confirmed that the Spanish Presidency was
ready to advance as much as possible, and stressed the merit-based procedure that
should be applied in all cases, as well as the heroic situation in which Ukraine had
undertaken this path. As to the migration policies, the Minister underlined the need for a
European and solidarity-based solution to the crisis. Regarding Ukraine, he recalled that
the abolition of war in Europe was at the heart of the European project since its
conception, and that its core principles had been utterly challenged by the Russian
aggression. In relation to the ecological transition, he defended the promotion of
renewable sources of energy, and expressed his hope that the Iberian solution could
become a European solution as well. Not without mentioning other files that were to be
dealt with during the Spanish Presidency, the Minister closed his intervention referring
to the 30th anniversary of the single market, and the idea that competitiveness should
not be incompatible with social progress, as aimed by the Spanish Presidency of the
Council.
4. SECOND SESSION - THE FUTURE OF UKRAINE IN EUROPE
Chaired by Mr José Ignacio Landaluce Calleja, Member of the Spanish Senado.
Intervention by the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Ukraine’s
Integration into the European Union, Ukraine Verkhovna Rada, Ms Ivanna
KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE
In her introduction, Ms KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE expressed her gratitude to the
Parliamentary Dimension of the Spanish Presidency for putting Ukraine’s future in
Europe and the European Union on the agenda. She also thanked all the
parliamentarians for the humanitarian, financial, and military support their countries had
provided since the beginning of the war.
She then referred to reports in international media on the ongoing war in Ukraine,
noting the fact that many media outlets used the date of the full-scale invasion of
Ukraine in February 2022 as a starting point to count the days of the war gave a false
image. In reality, she claimed that the war had started more than nine years ago with
9
Russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2014. She argued that it was important to keep in mind
that the Ukrainian people had already been fighting for their territorial integrity,
independence, and for the right to define their own future for many years.
Ms KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE recalled that the previous night was another terrible
one in Kyiv with heavy Russian air strikes. In total 18 kamikaze drones and 17 cruise
missiles were shot down by the Ukrainian defence forces with the help of advanced
military equipment provided by international partners. Despite these successful
examples of Ukrainian defence, she argued that many things were still worrying for the
future, regretting that the seemingly endless Russian military attacks did not reach the
front pages of the newspapers as frequently as before. She shared that many Ukrainians
also felt that the sense of urgency among international partners had faded. She warned
that this was not the time to rest on our laurels, and that everyone should instead ask
themselves if they have done everything in their power to help Ukraine win the war. She
emphasised that Ukraine had chosen freedom, democracy, and to return to the family of
European nations, but was currently in need of further support.
Ms KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE asked for enhanced dedication and increased support
from partners in order to achieve three different things. First, to win the war; second to
rebuild the country; and third, to reach the goal of becoming both an EU and NATO
member. This would be possible to achieve if Ukraine and the EU could stay united and
work together in this common cause, she said. The approach for stepping up help to
Ukraine should not be out of pity, but instead out of belief in common values such as the
rule of law and territorial integrity and with the conviction that dictatorship should never
be able to thrive in Europe.
Ms KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE said that while the barbaric war was taking place,
Ukraine was still working hard to become an EU member. She argued that the EU’s
decision of granting Ukraine candidate status, along with Moldova, had been a historic
one, which had also created a new internal dynamic within the EU, as it revitalised the
magnetic appeal of the success of the European project and refreshed the basic ideas
behind the EU. Moreover, it had given new energy to the Ukrainian people, she said.
Well aware of the magnitude of the task and the difficult circumstances, Ukraine had
been putting a great effort in meeting the seven criteria the EU had set up when
candidate status was granted.
Ms KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE hoped that Ukraine’s efforts to transform would be
duly recognised, and asked for political boldness from the EU and its Member States to
take the next step and open formal negotiations with Ukraine already in 2023. This
would allow Ukraine to access additional knowledge, instruments, and understanding in
order to faster transform and at the same time fight the war for its freedom and survival.
She further underlined that Ukraine’s future accession would be mutually beneficial for
the EU and its Member States, because it would make the Union stronger in many
respects.
10
Intervention by the Chairperson of the Committee on European Union Affairs of
the Swedish Riksdag, Mr Hans WALLMARK
In his introduction Mr WALLMARK pointed out two central aspects of the current state
of affairs in Europe. First, a full-scale war had been taking place in Europe for 18
months, which should have consequences. Second, in the foreseeable time ahead,
probably decades, the EU would have to deal with a nationalistic, imperialistic, and
well-armed Russia.
He recalled the fact that the war had been going on since 2014 when Russia annexed
Crimea and attacked the eastern parts of Ukraine. Mr WALLMARK further
acknowledged the enormous human suffering in Ukraine caused by the Russian
aggression. This brutal war was something which undermined not just stability in
Europe, but also the European project and the values it represented. He argued that
Russia’s aggression was a serious attack on the rules-based international order, and
therefore was a common concern. By its brutal invasion, he noted that Russia had
denied Ukraine’s right to exist and its right to be free. The EU must therefore keep
putting pressure on Russia and Belarus, including through sanctions. He argued that the
EU should continue to stand united and support Ukraine’s economy, society, armed
forces, and future reconstruction.
Mr WALLMARK expanded on how the EU had been providing comprehensive support
to Ukraine in many different ways. He underlined the need for the EU to be persistent in
its support until Ukraine had won the war and regained full control of its territory within
its internationally recognised borders. He referred to decisions taken by the Swedish
Riksdag on 13 separate arms packages amounting to more than two billion euros. These
decisions had been taken with support from all parties represented in the Riksdag, which
was a great strength.
Mr WALLMARK further stated that Ukraine’s future should be within the EU, and
acknowledged the progress Ukraine had made in implementing reforms related to the
judicial system and the media sector; and the hard work that had been done in order to
fight corruption. He further argued that the EU should continue to support Ukraine as
long as needed, and also had a responsibility to do so. With the support from the EU,
Ukraine should win the war, regain its freedom and be able to rebuild its country. He
said that long-term support and investments would pave the way for Ukraine’s future
inside the Union, and that the EU would stand with Ukraine and continue to provide
help, not only to tackle urgent needs but also with long-term support on its path to EU
membership. This was not just a collective responsibility Mr WALLMARK argued, but
also a way to assure that justice, human rights, and international law prevailed.
On a more personal note, Mr WALLMARK said in his conclusion that both Sweden and
Ukraine supported an open-door policy to NATO, and expressed his hope that the
military alliance in the near future would have more members than the current 31
member states.
11
In the debate which followed, 33 speakers took the floor. There was overwhelming
solidarity with Ukraine and consensus among speakers for the need to show continuous
support in these difficult times.
Several representatives of national Parliaments, including amongst others, Mr
Pieyre-Alexandre ANGLADE, French Assemblée nationale, Mr Glenn BEDINGFIELD
Maltese Kamra tad-Deputati, and Mr Arber ADEMI, North Macedonia, Sobranie,
reiterated their support for granting Ukraine candidate status and underlined that the
country’s future was within the EU. This was also highlighted by Mr Othmar KARAS,
European Parliament.
The new dynamics to EU enlargement, as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of
Ukraine and the new geopolitical reality in Europe, were highlighted by many
representatives of national Parliaments. Among others this was discussed by Ms Denitsa
SIMEONOVA, Bulgarian Narodno sabranie and Ms Elvira KOVACS, Serbia Narodna
skupština.
The need for the EU to reform in order to successfully incorporate new Member States
was discussed by Mr Bastiaan VAN APELDOORN, Dutch Eerste Kamer, Mr
BEDINGFIELD, Maltese Kamra tad-Deputati, Mr Alain CADEC, French Sénat and Mr
Bolesław PIECHA, Polish Sejm.
The conditions for peace were debated by some representatives of national
Parliaments. Ms Judit VARGA, Hungarian Országgyűlés, argued that only immediate
ceasefire and peace talks as soon as possible could stop further bloodshed. Several other
representatives of national Parliaments claimed that peace could only be achieved when
Ukraine had won the war, regained control of its territory and when all Russian troops
were withdrawn. This was highlighted by, amongst others, Ms Radvilė
ŪNAITĖ-MIKULĖNIENĖ, Lithuanian Seimas, Ms SIMEONOVA, Bulgarian Narodno
sabranie, Ms Zita PLEŠTINSKÁ Slovak Národná rada, and Mr Gaëtan VAN
GOIDSENHOVEN, Belgian Sénat/Senaat. Mr Hans-Peter PORTMANN, Switzerland
Assemblée fédérale suggested Geneva as suitable place for possible future peace
negotiations.
The need of finding ways to use frozen and immobilised Russian assets to finance
the reconstruction of Ukraine was discussed by Mr Heiki AUTTO, Finnish Eduskunta.
Mr Kim VALENTIN, Danish Folketing argued that Russia’s full-scale invasion of
Ukraine was a threat to the European security order and Mr Peter RICKETTS,
United Kingdom House of Lords considered the war in Ukraine to be the biggest
military crisis in Europe since 1945. Other aspects of the topic were also debated by
individual members of national Parliaments, e.g Ms Ine Eriksen SØREIDE, Norwegian
Stortinget argued that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was about imperialism, and that
Russia had not changed any of its strategic goals in Ukraine since the war started.
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5. THIRD SESSION - CURRENT ISSUES RELATED TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
Mr José Ignacio LANDALUCE CALLEJA, Spanish Senado, opened the session and
briefly explained that speakers could intervene on any current issues relevant to the EU.
The debate could follow-up the State of the Union address delivered by the President of
the European Commission Ms Ursula VON DER LEYEN, on 13 September 2023
during the Plenary Session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, but also include
any other topics deemed important for the European project.
Mr Gaëtan VAN GOIDSENHOVEN, Belgian Sénat/Senaat highlighted the resilience
shown and the common actions adopted by the EU when faced with unexpected
crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine,
emphasising the need for strategic autonomy. He also stressed the need to advance on
the large number of legislative proposals under negotiations before the European
Parliament elections in 2024.
Numerous speakers discussed EU enlargement against the background of growing
geopolitical challenges and divisions. Mr Luís CAPOULAS SANTOS, Portuguese
Assembleia da República, noted that a new iron curtain between autocracies and
democracies was dividing the world, and that this made EU enlargement an unavoidable
topic, for which the EU should develop a plan and a calendar. He also called for
strengthening the role of the Parliaments of candidate countries, and proposed granting
them status as permanent observers not only in COSAC but also in the European
Parliament. Mr Bogdan KLICH, Polish Senat, welcomed the reference in the State of
the Union Address to a merit-based enlargement process. He further said that
enlargement efforts should be accompanied by EU reform and further integration,
including implementing the proposals from the Conference for the Future of Europe and
strengthening the role of the European Parliament. Mr Domagoj HAJDUKOVIĆ,
Croatian Hrvatski sabor, also welcomed the renewed focus on EU enlargement, which
should include even more countries, and stressed the need to establish partnerships with
candidate countries and not to change the criteria during the accession process. Mr
İsmail Emrah KARAYEL, Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi, welcomed that enlargement
was again on top of the EU´s agenda, but warned that it would be a big mistake if
Türkiye’s accession aspirations were left aside, and called for negotiations to be revived.
He also stressed the importance of interparliamentary cooperation but noted with regret
that the European Parliament was, in his view, becoming a forum for anti-turkish
sentiments.
Mr HAJDUKOVIĆ underlined the growing geopolitical divisions and the need to
strengthen the EU's cooperation and ties with friendly countries around the world.
He noted the potential of trade agreements with democratic countries such as India,
Indonesia, Australia or even with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
regional grouping. Mr Heikki AUTTO, Finnish Eduskunta, echoed the need for a
strategic approach and a strong EU that could strengthen its multilateral ties with
allies. He underlined that this should be accompanied by a deepening of the EU’s single
13
market so that all Member States, and not only big ones, could benefit from this. Mr
Stefan MUȘOIU, Romanian Camera Deputaţilor, stressed the need to work for a safer
and more prosperous EU. He welcomed efforts to boost the EU’s reindustrialisation, and
to reduce dependencies on foreign countries, and expressed his expectation that the
October 2023 European Council meeting on open strategic autonomy could address
these challenges.
Mr Vasile DÎNCU, Romanian Senat, highlighted the need to address the EU’s
democracy crisis; otherwise he argued, the EU could not overcome any of the other
crises the union was facing. He further noted the importance of some of the
recommendations included in the European Parliament resolution of 14 September 2023
on “Parliamentarism, European citizenship and democracy”. Mr Anton HOFREITER,
German Bundestag, expressed his concern with the challenge posed by Russian
propaganda ahead of the European Parliament elections in 2024. He called on
national Parliaments and the European Commission to do more to counter this threat.
Mr Ioannis PLAKIOTAKIS, Greek Vouli ton Ellinon, expressed his condolences to the
families of the five Greek humanitarian workers who died in Libya when providing
assistance in the aftermath of storm Daniel, which also affected Greece. He expressed
his concern with the management of natural disasters and called for more funds to be
made available for the response. Mr Franc BREZNIK, Slovenian Državni zbor, also
noted the growing threat posed by natural disasters, but stated that implementing the
Green Deal should be done with “green realism”, by adopting measures that did not
harm economic prospects. Other topics mentioned in the debate included: the challenge
posed by growing illegal migration in Slovakia, noted by Ms Zita PLEŠTINSKÁ,
Slovak Národná rada, and the burning of copies of the Coran in countries such as
Sweden, which Mr Burhan KAYATÜRK, Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi, considered to
be worrying examples of religious intolerance.
Mr LANDALUCE CALLEJA summarised the debate before closing and listed the
central issues discussed: EU enlargement, the strengthening of EU trade relations, the
challenges for European democracy, the need to respond to natural disasters, advancing
on the green transition with realism, and addressing irregular migration.
6. CLOSING SESSION
Address by Ms Susana SUMELZO JORDÁN, Member of the Spanish Congreso de
los Diputados
Ms SUMELZO JORDÁN ended the proceedings and thanked all participants for the
very interesting and constructive debates. She recalled that COSAC had been
established 35 years ago, and that this framework brought more democratic legitimacy
to the EU political process. She emphasised the responsibility of parliamentarians to
work for better living conditions for EU citizens, while alluding to the key role to be
14
played by the parliamentary dimension of the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council
and, in particular, by COSAC.
She noted that the current challenges demand a strengthened interparliamentary
cooperation, and that Europe should be a place of certainty, freedom and peace, while
thanking the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the
European Union, of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada, Ms Ivanna
KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE for her intervention.
Address by Mr Pedro ROLLÁN OJEDA, Speaker of the Spanish Senado
Mr ROLLÁN OJEDA, Speaker of the Senado made the final intervention of the
proceedings, noting that the COSAC Chairpersons had discussed several relevant topics
such as the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council, and the main current
issues affecting the European Union, with special attention to the war in Ukraine.
He emphasised that the parliamentary dimension was essential to the European political
project, since it was based on the fundamental principles of liberal democracy, at the
heart of which were the parliaments, as the depositaries of the political representation of
citizens. For that reason, he noted that the steps towards a greater political union have
always been accompanied by a strengthening of both the European Parliament and the
interparliamentary cooperation bodies, namely COSAC.
Mr ROLLÁN OJEDA regretted that liberal and parliamentary democracy was being
challenged by illiberal and anti-parliamentary alternatives which were, in reality,
variants of authoritarianism.
He noted that 1989 was the year in which COSAC obtained its birth certificate in
Madrid, but it was also the year of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a historic event which
marked the beginning of a new era in which democracy and freedom spread throughout
the European continent.
However, Mr ROLLÁN OJEDA alluded to the old ghosts of the past that had once again
emerged from the darkness of history, noting that democracy was the most advanced
political system built by human societies, but was also highly vulnerable. In fact, he
recalled that Ukraine was forced, in the face of the Russian invasion, to fight in defence
of its sovereignty and freedom and that the Russian regime, led by Mr Vladimir PUTIN,
was seeking to impose its force on reason, based on a supremacist and aggressive
nationalism.
He alluded to the intervention by Ms KLYMPUSH-TSINTSADZE, which was a
testimony not rescued from the European history books of the first half of the 20th
century, but from the current days.
15
In this context, he highlighted the firm response given from the outset by the European
Union, both through the EU institutions and its Member States, with extensive political,
economic, financial and, of course, military support for Ukraine. He emphasised that the
commitment should be as firm and lasting as the war itself and that its objective should
be the resolution of the conflict in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations
and the principles of international law. He noted that this was the position of Spain's
current acting government, but expressed his confidence that, regardless of the
composition of the next government, this position would not vary in substance.
Mr ROLLÁN OJEDA considered that this was a military aggression that concerned all
Europeans, since Russia was challenging the EU’s way of understanding the world, and
that the EU should not let its guard down in protecting Europe from the risk of
autocratic devolution.
He noted that parliamentarians bore a special responsibility with this regard, since they
had been entrusted by the citizens with their political representation. Moreover, the
principles and values that inspired the European democratic systems and the European
political project, such as the rule of law, the separation of powers, with absolute respect
for the independence of judges and courts; freedom of information; the effective
guarantee of the rights and freedoms of all citizens, must be protected.
Therefore, he advised against the risk of an excessive concentration of uncontrolled
power in the executives, emphasising that Parliaments should keep their essential role as
the centre of political debate and legislative decision-making, through a transparent and
constructive deliberative process.
Mr ROLLÁN OJEDA concluded by thanking all the participants for their work in
preparing this conference and invited them to the next COSAC plenary meeting.
16