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EU Foreign Affairs Council

Ms Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agenda and outcome of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 28 October in Luxembourg. [1533]

Mr. David Davis: The A points in document 10968/96, the texts of which will be placed in the House as soon as they are available, were approved. They include draft conclusions on the EU regional approach to developing relations with the countries of the former Yugoslavia and a common position introducing a ban on visas for senior members of the Burmese regime and on high-level bilateral visits to Burma.

The Council noted the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament in document 9600/96. A copy of the document will be placed in the House as soon as it is available.

The Council reached political agreement on a regulation and joint action to counter unacceptable extra-territorial effects of US trade legislation affecting European companies trading with Cuba, Iran and Libya.

After discussion, the Council agreed conclusions on preparations for the world trade ministerial meeting in Singapore in December. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade emphasised that the Singapore meeting should give a boost to trade liberalisation.

Commissioner Marin, Vice-President of the European Commission, gave a short report to the GAC on the state of play in the association agreement negotiations with Egypt and how the Commission hoped to take negotiations forward. This was subsequently discussed at a meeting of the EC-Egypt co-operation council.

After discussion, the Council agreed conclusions announcing the mandate and appointment of Ambassador Miguel Angel Moratinos as the European Union's special envoy to the middle east peace process.

The presidency gave a progress report to the GAC on the European Union observatory to discuss racism and xenophobia. The presidency will produce a draft statute to clarify discussion of the legal base.

The Council agreed that a joint action should be prepared for adoption at or before the 25 November General Affairs Council on support for the democratic process in Zaire, covering establishment of an EU electoral unit and a contribution to the UN trust fund. The Council also issued a statement reiterating the Union's grave concern at the escalation of fighting in eastern Zaire and its potential to worsen further the already serious humanitarian situation existing in the region, calling for an immediate ceasefire, and restating its view that a regional conference on peace, security and stability in the great lakes region under the auspices of the UN and the Organisation and African Unity, has a central role to play in the establishment of a settlement.

31 Oct 1996 : Column: 226

The Council had an exchange of views on the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe summit to be held in Lisbon on 2-3 December, in the perspective of which it adopted "EU Guidelines".

On the morning of 28 October, I signed the EC-Korea trade and co-operation agreement on behalf of the UK.

In the margins, there were discussions on the location of the plant variety office and Turkey, both of which will be discussed at the November General Affairs Council, and under any other business there was a brief discussion on the results of the recent EU-southern Africa development community ministerial in Windhoek, and a request from Greece for the Commission to consider humanitarian aid to Bulgaria.

In addition, the presidency, on behalf of the Union, published a declaration on the situation in Afghanistan.

At a ministerial session of the Intergovernmental Conference Ministers discussed the external action of the EU, focusing on common foreign and security policy--CFSP--issues, security and defence, and external economic relations. On CFSP, Ministers exchanged views on a number of practical and institutional questions. On security and defence, Ministers discussed a range of institutional issues. On external economic relations, Ministers considered options designed to ensure that the EU is able to act decisively to promote its interests in external economic forums.

The Ministerial was preceded by an exchange of views with the presidency and representatives of the European Parliament.

BP (Colombia)

Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the allegations made in the European Parliament on 24 October relating to BP's activities in Colombia; and if he will make a statement. [1211]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor: We are aware of the allegations. We are not aware of any evidence which gives substance to them.

EU Council

Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will detail forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for November; and if he will list major European Union events for the next six months. [2113]

Mr. David Davis: This calender is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

European calendar: November 1996 to April 1997

	Venue	Event
November 1996
4 to 5	Brussels	K4 Committee
7 to 9	Cork	Rural Development Conference
11	Brussels	ECOFIN Council
11 to 15	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
12	Brussels	Health Council
14	Brussels	Industry Council
14 to 15	Dublin	Political Committee
18 to 19	Brussels	Agriculture Council
19	Brussels	Budget Council
21	Brussels	Education Council
22	Brussels	Development Council
22	Brussels	Fisheries Council
25	Brussels	Consumer Council
25 to 26	Brussels	General Affairs Council
26	Brussels	Internal Market Council
27 to 28	Brussels	European Parliament Plenary
28	Brussels	Telecommunications Council
28 to 29	Brussels	Justice and Home Affairs Council
December 1996
2	Brussels	ECOFIN Council
2	Brussels	Social Affairs Council
3	Brussels	Energy Council
5	Brussels	Research Council
6	Brussels	General Affairs Council
9 to 10	Brussels	Environment Council
9 to 13	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
12 to 13	Brussels	Transport Council
13 to 14	Dublin	European Council
16	Brussels	Culture Council
16 to 17	Brussels	Agriculture Council
17	Brussels	K4 Committee
19 to 20	Brussels	Fisheries Council
January 1997
1		Dutch Presidency begins
7	Brussels	Fisheries Council
13 to 17	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
20 to 21	Brussels	General Affairs Council
20 to 21	Brussels	Agriculture Council
27	Brussels	Ecofin Council (t.b.c.)
29 to 30	Brussels	European Parliament Plenary
31	Amsterdam	Transport Council (Informal)
February 1997
1	Amsterdam	Transport Council (Informal)
1 to 2	Brussels	Economic Affairs Council (Informal)
5 to 6	Noordwijk	Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)
14 to 15	Rotterdam	Social Affairs Council (Informal)
17	Brussels	Ecofin Council
17 to 18	Brussels	Agriculture Council
17 to 21	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
24 to 25	Brussels	General Affairs Council
28	Amsterdam	Development Aid Council (Informal)
March 1997
1 to 2	Amsterdam	Development Aid Council (Informal)
3	Rotterdam	Education Council (Informal)
3 to 4	Brussels	Environment Council
6	Brussels	Telecommunications Council
10	Brussels	Internal Market Council
10 to 14	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
11 to 12	Brussels	Transport Council
15 to 16	Apeldoorn	Gymnich (Informal)
17	Brussels	Ecofin Council
17 to 19	Brussels	Agriculture Council
18 to 19	Brussels	Justice and Home Affairs Council
24 to 25	Brussels	General Affairs Council
April 1997
*4 to 6	Noordwijk	Ecofin Council (Informal)
*7 to 10	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
*10	Luxembourg	Consumer Council
*14 to 15	Luxembourg	Fisheries Council
*17	Luxembourg	Social Affairs Council
*18 to 20	Amsterdam	Environment Council (Informal)
*21 to 22	Luxembourg	Agriculture Council
*23	Brussels	European Parliament Plenary
*24	Luxembourg	Industry Council
*24 to 25	Luxembourg	ACP/EU
*25	Brussels	European Parliament Plenary
*29	Luxembourg	General Affairs Council

31 Oct 1996 : Column: 228

Subject: monthly forecast of business for November 1996
1. The following Councils are scheduled:
11 November: Ecofin Council
12 November: Health Council
14 November: Industry Council
18 November: Agriculture Council
19 November: Agriculture Council
19 November: Budget Council
21 November: Education Council
22 November: Development Council
22 November: Fisheries Council
25 November: Consumer Council
25 November: General Affairs Council
26 November: General Affairs Council
26 November: Internal Market Council
28 November: Telecommunications Council
28 November: Justice and Home Affairs Council
29 November: Justice and Home Affairs Council
2. The following subjects are likely to be discussed:
11 November: Ecofin Council
Approval of the provisional agenda.
Approval of the list of "A" points.
Preparation of the European Council:
Recommendations of the Council based on Article 109 J.
Preparation of Stage 3 of EMU:
Report by the Council to the European Council on relations between the Euro area and non-participating member states.
Commission report on the development of tax systems in the European Union.
SEM 2000 Commission presentation of report of personal representatives group.
Other business.
12 November: Health Council
Adoption of the agenda.
Adoption of the list of "A" points.
Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council creating a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the European Community.
EU-US task force on communicable diseases.
Strategy towards blood safety and self-sufficiency in the European Community: draft resolution.
Reduction of smoking in the European Community: draft resolution.
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE): draft conclusions.
Integration of health protection requirements in Community policies: draft resolution.
European health card.
Other business:
Rapid introduction of important new medicinal products (requested by Netherlands delegation).
14 November: Industry Council

31 Oct 1996 : Column: 229

At this stage, all of the below would seem likely to be discussed.
EC merger regulation.
Presidency paper on state aids.
Benchmarking.
Communication on competitiveness of chemicals industry.
Communication on competitiveness of automotive industry.
Communication on competitiveness of textiles industry.
Third SME multi-annual programme (1997-2000)--particularly its budget.
Resolution on realising the full potential of SMEs, including very small and micro enterprises.
18-19 November: Agriculture Council
Beef and cereals package.
Reform of the tobacco sector.
Reform of the olive oil sector.
Durum wheat (possible item).
Plant health--solidarity and responsibility (possible item).

BSE (possible item).
Veterinary and Phytosanitary Agency (possible item).
19 November: Budget Council
1997 Budget
Legal base (possible item).
21 November: Educational Council (provisional agenda)
School effectiveness: discussion document and Council conclusions. This will be the topic for the open debate.
Lifelong learning: discussion document and Council conclusions.
Local community development through education: council conclusions.
Quality of higher education: Presentation of recommendation.
Paedophilia conclusions-declaration.
Green Paper on obstacles to mobility: presentation by the Commission.
Quality Assessment of first and second level education systems: oral report from the Commission.
SOCRATES: information from the Commission.
European Commission white paper: Commission report on five thematic conferences.
Transferability of grants: Information on commission proposal for a Council recommendation.
TEMPUS II (Information--Decision depending on timeframe): Proposal for a Council Decision amending Decision 93/246/EEC of 29 April 1993 adopting the second phase of the trans-European co-operation scheme for higher education (TEMPUS II) (1994-1998).
Learning in the information society: information from the Commission.
Meeting with the Education Ministers of the countries of central and eastern Europe (the Council will adjourn its formal business at 1200 to have the formal part of the structured dialogue until 1300. This will continue over lunch and the Council will reconvene formally at approximately 1500 to conclude its business).
22 November: Fisheries Council
Multi-annual guidance programme IV.
Fish prices.
Autonomous tariff quotas.
22 November: Development Council (provisional agenda)
First ministerial exchange of views on ACP/EU relations post Lome IV (Commission green paper).
Further exchange of views on relief, rehabilitation and development.
Resolution on human and social development.

31 Oct 1996 : Column: 230

Adoption of a common position on the regulation on north-south co-operation in the fight against drugs.
Adoption of a common position on the regulation on aid for population policies and programmes.
Approval after EP second reading of the regulations on rehabilitation and construction in developing countries, Refugees in Asia and Latin America, environmental measures in developing countries and HIV/AIDS-related operations in developing countries.
Horizon 2000--coherence, complementarity and co-ordination.

25 November: Consumer Council
Draft directive on injunctions (access to justice).
Action plan on access to justice.
Directive on consumer credit (on formula used for APR).
Discussion of green paper on "Financial services: meeting consumers' expectations".
Discussion of green paper on "Commercial Communications".
Presidency paper on vulnerable groups.
Commission presentation on consumer guarantees.
There will also be an open debate on consumers and the information society.
25-26 November: General Affairs Council
Agenda not yet known.
26 November: Internal Market Council
Agenda not yet known.
28 November: Telecommunications Council
Directive on the application of open network provision to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive environment: Common position.
Directive on common rules for the development of Community postal services and the improvement of the quality of service: Common position (possible item).
Decision regarding the definition and implementation of Community Policy in the field of communications and postal services: adoption.
Illegal material on the Internet: conclusions/recommendations (possible item).
Communication on numbering: presentation (possible item).
Directive on the approximation of the laws of member states concerning the connected telecommunications equipment, including the mutual recognition of their conformity and applicability: presentation (possible item).
28-29 November: Justice and Home Affairs Council
Agenda not yet known.

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