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Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr. Macdonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts Government Ministers have maintained with the representatives of missing persons from Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and if the British Government will be providing specific assistance in order to determine the fate of the missing persons. [18826]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: I met representatives of the "Women of Srebrenica" group of relatives of victims Srebrenica on 19 November. We are currently considering an appeal for donations to the 1998 exhumation project, launched on 26 November by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
Mr. Macdonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government have provided to the international programme to identify and exhume mass grave sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to identify the bodies of missing persons. [18827]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: We are currently considering how to respond to an appeal of 26 November for donations to the International Criminal Tribunal's exhumation programme for 1998. The British contingent of SFOR provides a secure environment within which ICTY's forensic teams operate.
Youth Unemployment
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral Answer of 25 November 1997, Official Report, column 765, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the decline in youth unemployment in the United Kingdom over the last four years which is attributable (a) to the fall in numbers in that age group and (b) to other factors. [18569]
Mr. Doug Henderson [holding answer 1 December 1997]: About 30 per cent. of the reduction in unemployment among young people in the last four years has been due to a decline in the overall population in this age group. The rest is due to a rise in the proportion of young people remaining in full-time education and to the economic upswing, which started earlier in this country than in other major European countries.
EU Council
Mr. Ennis:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for
3 Dec 1997 : Column: 231
December; and if he will list the major European Union events for the next six months. [19231]
| Venue | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 December | Brussels | Ecofin Council |
| 1 December | Brussels | Telecommunications Council |
| December 4 | Brussels | Health Council |
| December 4-5 | Brussels | Justice and Home Affairs Council |
| December 8 | Brussels | Energy Council |
| December 8-9 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| December 10-11 | Brussels | Transport Council |
| December 12-13 | Luxembourg | European Council |
| December 15 | Brussels | Social Affairs Council |
| December 15-16 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| December 16-17 | Brussels | Environment Council |
| December 18-19 | Copenhagen | OSCE Ministerial Council |
| December 18-19 | Brussels | Fisheries Council |
The following subjects are likely to be discussed:
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3 Dec 1997 : Column: 233
3 Dec 1997 : Column: 234
1 December: Ecofin Council
Approval of agenda.
Approval of the list of A items.
Preparation of Stage 3 of European Monetary Union:
Follow-up to the Amsterdam European Council.
Date of introduction of euro notes and coins (possible item).
Adoption of common position on the Regulation on technical characteristics of coins (possible item).
Taxation policy.
Fiscalis programme.
Export credits (possible item).
1 December: Telecommunications Council
Adoption of the agenda.
Approval of the list of A points.
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 97/33/EC with regard to operator number portability and carrier pre-selection: Common position.
Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual Community programme to stimulate the establishment of the Information Society in Europe: Adoption.
Internet: Open debate.
Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual Community action plan to promote safe use of the Internet: Presentation by Commission.
Communication from the Commission to the Council: "Ensuring security and trust in electronic communication towards a European framework for digital signatures and encryption": Council conclusions.
Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on connected telecommunications equipment and the mutual recognition of the conformity of equipment: Progress report.
Communication from the Commission: "Strategy and guidelines on the further development of mobile and wireless communications": Exchange of views--Council conclusions.
Communication from the Commission on the implementation of the telecommunications regulatory package: First update--Presentation by the Commission.
Green Paper on the regulatory implications of convergence in the telecommunications, audiovisual and information technology sectors: Presentation by the Commission.
Other business: Contribution from the United Kingdom delegation on the problems posed by the coming of the millennium.
4 December: Health Council
Approval of the agenda.
Adoption of the list of A items.
Tobacco advertising: Common position.
Rare diseases: Orientation debate.
Pollution related diseases--Injury prevention.
Women's health: Adoption of Resolution.
Green Paper on Food Law and Commission Communication on consumer health and food safety: Orientation debate.
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: Orientation debate.
European Union/United States taskforce on communicable diseases: Orientation debate.
Draft recommendation on screening donors and donations: Presentation by the Commission.
Any other business.
4-5 December: Justice and Home Affairs Council
Adoption of the agenda.
Approval of the list of A items.
Fight against organised crime:
Draft joint action to create a Judicial Contact Network.
Draft joint action to establish a mechanism for evaluating the application and implementation at national level of international undertakings in the fight against organised crime.
Draft joint action making it a criminal offence to participate in a criminal organisation in the Member States of the European Union.
Draft joint action on making corruption in the private sector a criminal offence.
Draft joint action establishing a programme of exchanges, training and co-operation for persons responsible for action to combat organised crime (Falcone Programme).
Report on the state of organised crime in the European Union in 1996.
Europol: Trafficking in human beings.
Draft convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters between the Member States of the European Union.
Customs co-operation:
Draft convention on mutual assistance and co-operation between Customs Administrations (Naples II).
Draft resolution adopting a strategic programme for the Customs Administrations (3rd Pillar).
Draft Convention on driving disqualifications.
Draft Convention on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgements in matrimonial matters (Brussels II)
Preparation of structured dialogue:
Draft annotated agenda for the meeting with the Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs.
Rule of law.
Eurodac:
Draft Convention concerning the establishment of "Eurodac" for the comparison of fingerprints of applicants for asylum.
Technical specifications and financial aspects.
Temporary protection.
Influx of immigrants from Iraq.
Draft joint action introducing a programm of training, exchanges and co-operation in the field of asylum, immigration, and crossing of external borders (Odysseus Programme).
Draft Resolution laying down the priorities for co-operation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs for the period from 1 January 1998 to the date of entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam.
Achievements in the field of Justice and Home Affairs during 1997 (Draft report to the European Council).
Other business.
8 December: Energy Council
Gas liberalisation: Common position.
Energy Framework: Commission presentation.
ALTENER II: Decision.
SYNERGY: Renewal for 1998.
Renewables: Commission presentation on White Paper.
Co-generation: Resolution on Commission report.
Energy Charter Treaty: Progress report.
8-9 December: General Affairs Council
Adoption of A points.
EP Resolutions of 17-21 November.
Preparation for European Council in Luxembourg.
Agenda 2000.
Post-Amsterdam: Policy Planning Cell.
OSCE: Copenhagen Ministerial.
Mediterranean Policy: Negotiating Mandates for Syria.
World Trade Organisation: Financial Services Negotiations.
Transatlantic Relations: Reports on European Union/United States and European Union/Canada Summits.
Relations with Switzerland (Possible item).
Russia: Cooperation Council (Possible item).
Former Yugoslavia: Political situation and Autonomous Trade measures.
Middle East Peace Process (Possible item).
European Union Armaments Policy (Possible A point).
Any other business.
10-11 December: Transport Council
Mandates for Maritime negotiations with India and China: For adoption.
Amendment to Directive 95/21 on Port State Control: Political agreement.
Maritime external relations: Progress report.
Extension of maritime cabotage regulation to European Economic Area: Debate.
Aviation negotiations with the United States: Debate.
European Aviation Safety Authority: Debate.
Air Traffic Management: Progress report.
Airport Charging Directive: Progress report.
Directive on Cabin Crew Training: Progress report.
Overflying of Serbia: Debate.
Agreement with EUROCONTROL and ESA on satellite navigation: For Council agreement.
Directive on Heavy Goods Vehicle Taxation and charging: For common position.
Negotiations with Switzerland: Commission report.
Directive on Vehicle Registration Documents: For Political agreement.
12-13 December: European Council
15 December: Social Affairs Council
Approval of the agenda.
Adoption of A points (possible item).
Proposal for a Council Directive on the framework agreement on part-time work: Adoption.
Commission Proposal for guidelines on the employment policy of Member State in 1998: Possible adoption.
Draft Council Decision establishing community activities on research, analysis and co-operation in the field of employment and labour market: Adoption.
Follow-up to the Davignon report: Employee involvement in the European Company Stature: Debate.
Extension of Directives 94/45/EC (European Works Council) and 96/34/EC (Parental Leave) to the United Kingdom: Adoption.
Proposal for a Council Regulation amending the (EEC) Regulation No. 1408/71 on social security for migrant workers (extension to all insured persons): Adoption.
Commission White Paper on the sectors excluded from the Working Time Directive: Debate.
Proposal for a Council Directive on the burden of proof of discrimination cases on the basis of sex: Final adoption.
Follow-up to the fourth World Conference on women (Peking, September 1995): Presidency report.
Other business:
Commission presentation of the European Court of Justice judgement in Marschall.
Commission Presentation of Community Action Plan for Free Movement of Workers.
Commission presentation of draft directive on transferability of occupational pensions.
Commission presentation of extension of Regulation 1408/71 to Third-Countries Nationals.
15-16 December: Agriculture Council
Agenda not yet available.
16-17 December: Environment Council
Agenda not yet available.
18-19 December: OSCE Ministerial Council
Agenda not yet available.
18-19 December: Fisheries Council
Annual total allowable catches.
Fisheries guide prices.
3 Dec 1997 : Column: 236
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