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Sri Lanka
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the support for the Government forces in Sri Lanka from Israel. [124357]
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Intergovernmental Conference
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 8 May 2000, Official Report, column 259W, on the inter-Governmental conference, in what manner applicant states will be permitted (a) to operate fisheries within community waters and (b) otherwise to participate in execution of common policies. [124373]
Mr. Vaz: (a) Negotiations on Fisheries have started with six applicant countries (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia). The EU Common Positions agreed for these negotiations will make clear that all new member states will be expected to apply the Common Fisheries Policy in full and that access to fisheries resources within EU waters will be based on the principle of relative stability, which allocates national quotas according to historic catch levels. In their position papers, these countries have accepted the principle of relative stability and are only seeking to maintain access to stocks and waters which they already fish.
(b) The participation of new member states in the execution of Common Policies will be determined in the accession negotiations. At the opening of the accession negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia on 31 March 1998 during the UK Presidency, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State laid down the principles for negotiation, emphasising the necessity of "full acceptance of the actual and potential rights and obligations attaching to the Union system and its institutional framework, known as the 'acquis' of the Union". This principle covers all the Common Policies of the EU. The applicant's acceptance of the 'acquis' may give rise to technical adjustments, and exceptionally to non-permanent transitional measures. The same principles govern the accession negotiations with Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Slovakia, which began in February.
European Judges
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which published documents relating to the Court of the European Communities contain the (a) required qualifications for persons appointed to it as judges and decision makers concerning its preliminary proceedings including those conducted by the advocate general and the Court of First Instance, (b) procedures for their selection and appointment and the names of the persons appointing them and their staff; together with the names and previous experience and qualifications of the current judges and advocates general, together with the dates of their appointment and the expiry of their terms of office. [124638]
Mr. Vaz: The criteria for nomination and the appointment procedure for judges and advocates general at the European Court of Justice are set out in Article 223 TEC. The criteria for judges at the Court of First Instance are set out in Article 225.3. Profiles of the judges can be found on the Court of Justice website at www.curia.eu.int.
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the
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differences between the commitments (a) made in the final declaration of the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, held in New York in April-May and (b) entered into in 1970 by nuclear weapons states in respect of Article VI of the Treaty. [124794]
Mr. Hain: The unequivocal undertaking to the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals contained in the final document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference is the most explicit pledge ever made by the Nuclear Weapon States to work for complete global nuclear disarmament. It is an important statement of intent which we hope will provide a timely boost to international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts. The UK played a key role in securing agreement with the New Agenda Coalition for this important achievement.
EU Council
Ms Squire: 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 to June and also list the major European Union events for the next six months. [125576]
Mr. Vaz: The information is as follows:
- European Calendar: June-November 2000
- This calendar 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.
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Monthly Forecast of EU Business: June 2000
This calendar 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.
5 June--Luxembourg--ECOFIN Council
Preparation of the European Council (Santa Maria da Feira)
The Broad Economic Policy Guidelines--Report to the European Council
Taxation
Fiscal package, including Taxation on savings
(poss.) Code of Conduct (Business Taxation)--Report concerning the revision of the Code
Study on company taxation--Presentation by the Commission
Ad hoc Working Party on tax fraud--Presentation of a report and possible Council conclusions
Excise Duties: Derogation given to Denmark, Sweden and Finland on travellers allowances--Presentation of a Commission report
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Second progress report on the Financial Action Plan--Orientation debate
Efficient financial management
Protection of financial interests
Annual reports on fight against fraud for 1999
Commission work programme
AOB
| Date | Venue | Event |
|---|---|---|
| June | ||
| 6 | Luxembourg | Social Affairs Council |
| 7 | Fiji | ACP/EU Ministerial |
| 8 | Fiji | Signing of Post Lome convention |
| 8 | Luxembourg | Education Council |
| 13-14 | Luxembourg | General Affairs Council |
| 13-16 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 15 | Luxembourg | Research Council |
| 16 | Luxembourg | Fisheries Council |
| 19-20 | Luxembourg | Agriculture Council |
| 19-20 | Sta. Maria da Feira | European Council |
| 21-23 | Cyprus | 3rd Euro-Med Conference of the Ministers |
| 22-23 | Luxembourg | Environment Council |
| 26-27 | Luxembourg | Transport Council |
| 28 | Lisbon | EU/India Summit |
- No agendas yet known.
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