Presidency Conclusions reached on 3 and 4 June 1999 at the Cologne European Council, following the application of the Amsterdam Treaty (1 May 1999) and the introduction of the euro (1 January 1999). The European Council reaffirms the need for the implementation of the measures of the Stability and Growth Pact and aims for a significant reduction of unemployment, to be achieved mainly through innovation and the ‘information society’. It exhorts the institutions to put into practice the action plan for the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice and calls for the development of a common European security and defence policy as well as the improvement and enhanced coordination of the EU and Member States’ non-military crisis response tools. The Council also addresses safety issues and advocates the consolidation of fundamental rights at the European level in a Charter, while dealing with issues related to EU external relations.