Calls on the Council Presidency to address the lack of action by the European Union in Darfur; welcomes the African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID), unanimously approved on 31 July 2007 by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 (2007) as a small step in the right direction; notes that UNAMID took over from the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) on 31 December 2007, and has an initial mandate expiring on 31 July 2008; expects that the 7 000-strong AMIS, which has hitherto been responsible for peacekeeping, will merge into this new force and that all necessary measures to ensure the ability of UNAMID ...[+++] to fulfil its mandate will be undertaken, including periodic review of the number of peacekeepers deployed; insists, none the less, that the arrest warrants issued by the ICC in relation to Darfur must be executed as soon as possible; notes that the inadequacy of the measures to combat the humanitarian disaster in Darfur was one of the reasons behind the worsening of the political and social situation in Chad; calls for immediate measures to be taken to provide greater assistance for that country;

What is more, not only have the government's actions and inaction reversed long-standing law and policy—with respect to principle and precedent, which is troubling—they also reflect a disturbing trend that puts the priority on ideology and politics at the expense of long-standing, respected principles and policies.

12. UNDERLINES that addressing climate change has costs but also brings opportunities and incentives for innovation in support of the Lisbon Agenda goals of economic growth, full employment and sustainable development; NOTES that broader participation in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is necessary to achieve the environmental objective and will contribute to mitigate economic adjustment costs and avoid distortions in competition; EMPHASISES that when evaluating costs and benefits of future climate change policies it is vital to include monetary, non-monetary and non-tangible aspects of climate change policies into both the costs of action (taking into account such aspects as technological developments, reduction potentials and ...[+++] consumption patterns) and the costs of inaction (such as damage from more frequent severe weather events, risks of abrupt climate change, loss of biodiversity, irreversible impacts, social and safety aspects and implications for other regions, and positive effects such as ancillary benefits and the contribution of technology innovation to competitiveness and economic growth); LOOKS FORWARD to the Commission’s report on costs and benefits in view of the 2005 Spring European Council consideration of medium and longer term emission reduction strategies, including targets".

Non-action is not an option, neither is protectionism: the EU of 25 must further develop its policy approach to the sector, in line with its principles on industrial policies.

Implement employment policies aiming at achieving full employment, improving quality and productivity at work, and strengthening social and territorial cohesion; Promote a lifecycle approach to work; Ensure inclusive labour market, enhance work attractiveness, and make work pay for job-seekers, including disadvantaged people, and the inactive; Improve matching of labour market needs; Promote flexibility combined with employment security and reduce labour market segmentation, having due regard to the role of the social partners; E ...[+++]nsure employment-friendly labour cost developments and wage-setting mechanisms; Expand and improve investment in human capital; Adapt education and training systems in response to new competence requirements.

Impact analyses are beginning to quantify precisely what the cost of inaction or of simply pursuing current policies will be.