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EU Institutions
13. Ms Rachel Squire (Dunfermline, West): If he will make a statement on his plans for increasing the democratic accountability of EU institutions. [74919]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Ms Joyce Quin): The Government have shown their commitment to improving the European Union's democratic accountability in a number of ways. We supported changes to the role of the European Parliament and to the role of national parliaments at Amsterdam. We have also introduced a number of improvements to our own scrutiny system.
During the British presidency, we made significant progress in improving access to information, including through more open debates in Council and better public access to documents. We continue to attach great importance to introducing more transparency to EU decision-making processes.
With regard to the European Commission, hon. Members will be aware that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is to make a statement shortly.
Ms Squire:
I must have been under a telepathic influence when I tabled the question two weeks ago for answer today, given the damning report that was published last night and the resignation of the EU Commissioners. Does my right hon. Friend agree that if ever the time was right for making EU institutions more democratic and accountable, it is now? In particular, does she agree that the reform of the management and accountability of the Commission should be accelerated, and that, in line with the Amsterdam treaty, the opening up of the decision-making process in the EU should be given greater priority, so that it is seen to be more responsible, accountable and relevant to the everyday lives of the people whom we represent?
Ms Quin:
I agree with my hon. Friend and congratulate her on her perspicacity. We strongly believe that the events of yesterday and today represent a real opportunity to change the European Commission's management culture and to improve EU decision making across the board.
Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East):
How can democratic accountability in the EU possibly survive if certain leading German politicians have their way? Is the right hon. Lady aware that the German Chancellor has stated:
Ms Quin:
Throughout the EU, there are many ideas on how to change EU institutions and bring them closer to the people whom we represent. During our presidency, we established an impressive programme of priorities to bring Europe closer to the citizens, and that is the agenda that we are pursuing, for which we have much support.
14. Mr. Bill Rammell (Harlow):
If he will make a statement on the progress of enlargement of the European Union. [74920]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Ms Joyce Quin):
The successful enlargement of the European Union remains a key objective for the United Kingdom. The accession negotiations are on track. The priority for the candidates and the current member states is to concentrate on our mutual preparations for enlargement. It is still too early to predict when the first accessions might take place. However, once we have
Mr. Rammell:
Given the progress that is being made on Agenda 2000 and on common agricultural policy reform, and given that some of the first-wave applicants have now joined NATO, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, in the history of the EU, setting a deadline has often led to decisions being made sooner than would otherwise have been the case? Is there not a case at the forthcoming European Council meetings for at least beginning to consider some of the deadlines and dates for membership for those countries?
Ms Quin:
I agree that deadlines can act as a stimulus, but we must not set unrealistic deadlines which cannot be met. So far, the EU accession process has proceeded satisfactorily, and it has been good to see the way in which that process has stimulated beneficial change in some of the applicant countries.
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):
Does the Minister share my concern that decisions may not now be reached on Agenda 2000 at the Council of Ministers next Wednesday and Thursday, and that because of the current turmoil in decision making, which is causing huge concern in applicant countries as well as existing EU countries, the extended market for which we all hope may well be delayed?
Ms Quin:
I share the hon. Lady's concern. It is important to focus on the need to achieve agreement next week. Despite the situation in the EU Commission, the prime decisions to be taken next week will be for national Governments in the Council of Ministers. They know what the issues are and it is for them to ensure that we reach an agreement which will not only be good for the future of the existing EU member countries, but will facilitate the enlargement process, which has such overwhelming support in the House and which can create the large and successful market to which the hon. Lady referred.
Mr. Roger Casale (Wimbledon):
As my right hon. Friend has said, one of the few matters that even the Conservative party can agree on in relation to Europe is the importance of keeping to a strict timetable for enlargement. That timetable must be respected by the applicant countries, but it is also important that it is respected by the European Union. Will she assure the House that Britain will continue to take a lead in pushing for enlargement as soon as the applicant countries are ready, and will not allow any slippage in that timetable as a result of stalling within the EU on the necessary reforms?
Ms Quin:
I am certainly happy to give my hon. Friend that assurance. As he pointed out, the enlargement process has a great deal of support on both sides of the House. I believe that the Government's policies will promote a successful enlargement.
16. Mr. Norman Baker (Lewes):
If he will make a statement on the 40th anniversary of the uprising in Lhasa. [74922]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Derek Fatchett):
We remain very concerned about human rights in Tibet. We take every opportunity to raise our concerns with the Chinese authorities, both bilaterally and in conjunction with our EU partners. I will be raising the subject when I visit China in April.
Mr. Baker:
Does the Minister recognise that, in recent months, the human rights abuses in Tibet have, if anything, worsened and that monks are being arrested simply for possessing a photograph of the Dalai Lama? I say to the Minister--without any intention of criticising him and his Government--that the policy of constructive engagement, which has been followed by this Government and by others in the west, seems, to me at least, not to be working. Will he review that policy and see what further pressure can be brought upon the Chinese authorities to loosen up in Tibet?
Mr. Fatchett:
We have not softened our criticism of China's abuses of human rights, even though there has been dialogue with China on human rights issues. The two are not mutually exclusive. We will continue to press the human rights agenda with China, in relation to both Tibet and China more generally. I can give the hon. Gentleman an assurance that we will express our concern on those issues at every opportunity.
Mr. Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby):
Can my right hon. Friend outline to the House what assistance has been given to the Tibetan refugees in the north of India since the outrages in Lhasa 40 years ago?
Mr. Fatchett:
These are issues that we keep an eye on and discuss with the Indian Government. It is obviously important on a humanitarian level that we do what we can to assist the refugees from Tibet who find themselves based in northern India.
18. Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend, East):
What progress has been made in normalising relations with Libya. [74924]
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Robin Cook):
The first step in normalising relations with Libya must be for Libya to comply with its obligations in international law--primarily by handing over the two accused of the Lockerbie bombing. With our American and Dutch partners, we have gone to great lengths to arrange for a trial in a third country and also to convince the Libyan Government that it will be a fair trial. I am encouraged by recent statements by Colonel Gaddafi, in particular his recognition that no one can criticise the fairness of Scottish justice. Those statements leave Libya no reasonable grounds on which to refuse to surrender the two suspects.
Sir Teddy Taylor:
Will the Foreign Secretary make it clear that sanctions will end, normal transport links will be restored and the Government will endeavour to restore good relations with Libya if the two suspects are handed over?
Mr. Cook:
First, we have made it perfectly plain from the start of this exercise that sanctions will be suspended from the moment that the two suspects arrive in the Netherlands. There is also a commitment under the Security Council's resolutions that, within 90 days of that occasion, the Secretary-General will report on Libya's outstanding responsibilities, for instance on the question of compensation. If Libya fully complies in those 90 days, I have every confidence that we can then proceed from suspension to lifting of the sanctions.
"National sovereignty will soon be a product of the imagination"?
Or that the German Foreign Minister has stated:
"My goal is to turn the EU into an entity under international law"?
Or even that the new German Finance Minister has stated:
"European unification is an absolute must . . . The euro is not European unification, but it is one important step towards this end."?
Does the right hon. Lady accept that, if the 20th century has taught us anything, it is the unwisdom of ignoring the pronouncements of German politicians by pretending that they do not mean what they say?
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