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Chinese President (State Visit)
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with President Jiang Zemin during his recent visit regarding protecting the environment (a) nationally and (b) globally. [100635]
Mr. Battle: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and President Jiang Zemin agreed that protecting the environment was one of a number of common challenges on which closer co-operation was desirable.
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he discussed with President Jiang Zemin during his recent visit the situation in Hong Kong since its handover in 1997. [100639]
Mr. Battle: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Hong Kong with the Chinese Foreign Minister and with the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Office of the State Council who accompanied President Jiang Zemin on his State Visit, making clear our continued commitment to the values of the Joint Declaration. The two sides agreed that the concept of "One Country, Two Systems" was working in practice.
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with President Jiang Zemin during his recent visit regarding China's role in the UN Security Council. [100634]
Mr. Battle: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and President Jiang Zemin agreed on the need for close consultations on international issues, as Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, in their meeting on 21 October.
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with President Jiang Zemin during his recent visit regarding China's role in South East Asian security. [100636]
Mr. Battle: South East Asian security was not discussed in any detail during the State Visit.
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what agreements he signed with President Jiang Zemin during his recent visit. [100633]
China
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the work of the British Council in China in the last 10 years. [100640]
Mr. Battle:
The work of the British Council in China has consistently been of a very high standard and has performed an invaluable role in promoting British culture and education in China. The Council make a major contribution to promoting links between China and the United Kingdom in areas of reform including in law and governance and in supporting rapidly growing British
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involvement in China's education and training markets. The Council's arts activities promote a positive image of Britain in China as demonstrated by the series of events staged during my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's visit to China in October 1998.
Mr. Ben Chapman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to encourage further academic exchanges with China. [100637]
Mr. Battle:
Academic and educational exchanges are an important part of our deepening relationship with China. A number of steps are being taken to encourage further academic links with China. These include:
The British Council will hold a number of high profile education events in China in 2000 including a British education festival in Beijing and Shanghai in February that will involve over 90 British institutions. Follow up to the Council's Lifelong Learning festival held in November this year in China will focus on academic co-operation and exchanges particularly for distance and vocational learning.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the imprisonment of Mrs. Leyla Zana with the Turkish authorities. [100764]
Mr. Vaz:
The British Embassy in Ankara has been following the case of Mrs. Zana closely since her arrest in 1994. In particular, we have noted that Mrs. Zana and those MPs convicted on similar charges were awarded compensation by the European Court of Human Rights for breaches of the Convention of Human Rights. These breaches related to detention length and legality of detention.
We have made a number of representations to the Turkish authorities since she was first put on trial and will continue to do so.
Mr. McCabe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian authorities regarding the political trial of Abdullah Nouri; and what assessment he has made of
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the implications of the trial for (a) United Kingdom-Iran relations and (b) the parliamentary elections promised for February. [100617]
Mr. Hain:
We and our EU partners have been following closely the trial by the Court of the Clergy of Abdullah Nouri, for which sentence was passed on 28 November.
How Mr. Nouri's sentencing to five years imprisonment will effect February's Majles elections is a matter for speculation. We hope that the elections will take place in as free and fair conditions as possible. It is too early to say what impact Mr. Nouri's conviction will have on UK/Iran relations.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues of human rights and democracy he raised with the Amir of Bahrain during his recent visit to Britain. [100666]
Mr. Hain:
Human rights were raised with the Amir as part of our policy of constructive engagement on such issues. We welcomed the positive steps Shaikh Hamad has taken towards improving Bahrain's human rights situation since his accession and offered our assistance and advice.
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what human rights abuses he raised with the Amir of Bahrain during his visit. [100805]
Mr. Hain:
Human rights were raised as part of our policy of constructive engagement on such issues. We welcomed the positive steps the Amir has taken towards improving Bahrain's human rights situation since his accession and offered our assistance and advice.
Mr. Dismore:
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 (a) December and (b) the major European Union events for the next six months. [101185]
Mr. Vaz:
The business is as follows:
Monthly forecast of EU business: December 1999
29 November-3 December--Seattle--WTO Ministerial Conference
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2 December--Brussels--Research Council
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(a) As part of the Prime Minister's initiative we are planning to increase the number of Chinese students in this country from 5,000 to 20,000.
(b) The British Council's Academic Links with China Scheme (funded by DFID) supports 33 active academic links. A recent visit to China of senior UK academics organised by the British Council has resulted in agreement with the Chinese Ministry of Education to establish a new framework for institutional collaboration.
(c) The Chevening Scholarship Scheme will be expanded and used to support some 120 awards in China.
(d) There are a number of projects devoted to professional development and training in China. These include: the BOND scheme (funded by BTI) which expects to make 25 industrial placements from China each year, the Financial Sector Training Scheme (funded by DFID) which aims to train 225 financial professionals in the UK over four years.
No formal agenda
1-2 December--Brussels--European Parliament Plenary
Consultation procedure
(possible) Proposal for a Council regulation regarding the implementation of measures to intensify the EC-Turkey Customs Union
(possible) Council Act establishing the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the member states of the European Union
Proposal for a Council decision concerning the approval, on behalf of the Community, of the amendments to the Annexes to the Convention on the protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (Helsinki Convention)
(possible) Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of forest reproductive material
(possible) Proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No. 2201/96 on the common organisation of the markets in processed fruit and vegetable products
(possible) Proposal for a Council regulation on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products
Proposal for a Council regulation amending for the third time Regulation (EC) No. 850/98 of 30 March 1998 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms
Proposals for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No. 2596/97 extending the period provided for in Article 149(1) of the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden
Codecision procedure
First reading
(possible) Proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation regarding the implementation of measures to promote economic and social development in Turkey
(possible) Proposal for European Parliament and Council Directive relating to limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air
Codecision procedure
Second reading
(possible) Common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council decision establishing a scheme to monitor the average specific emissions of CO 2 from new passenger cars
Codecision procedure
Third reading
(possible) Joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee for a European Parliament and Council Directive on minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potential at risk from explosive atmospheres
2 December--Brussels--Energy Council
1. Adoption of the provisional agenda
2. (possible) Approval of the list of "A" items
3. Strategy for integrating environmental aspects and sustainable development into energy policy
Report to the Helsinki European Council
4. Directive 96/92/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity: State of implementation and harmonisation requirements
Information from the Commission and adoption of Council Conclusions
5. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on energy efficiency requirements for ballast for fluorescent lighting
Orientation debate
doc. 9564/99 ENER 81 ENV 242 CODEC 373
6. Communication from the Commission: Strengthening the Northern dimension of European energy policy
Presentation by the Commission and adoption of Council Conclusions
doc. 12805/99 ENER 123 RELEX 44
7. Access for electricity from renewables to the internal electricity market
Information from the Commission
8. Directive 98/30/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas: Harmonisation report
Presentation by the Commission
9. Communication from the Commission on security of EU gas supply
Presentation by the Commission
doc. 12896/99 ENER 124
10. Energy Charter Treaty
Progress report
(possible) Adoption of Negotiating Directives on an Agreement on Transit (Item on which a vote may be requested)
11. Any Other Business:
(a) Millennium bug
Information from the Commission
(b) Community Energy efficiency action plan
Information from the Commission
Possible "A" items:
1. European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion of energy efficiency--SAVE programme
Adoption
2. European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community--ALTENER programme
Adoption
1. Adoption of the agenda
2. (possible) Approval of the list of "A" items
3. Implementation of the 4th and 5th research Framework Programmes
(a) Overview of the 4th Framework Programme
(b) Outcome of the initial calls for proposals under the 5th Framework Programme
(c) Participation of the applicant CCEE and Cyprus in the 5th Framework Programme
Commission reports and exchange of views
4. Preparation for future research Framework Programmes
(a) Information from the Commission
(b) Information from the Presidency
(c) Exchange of views
(d) Approval of the Council conclusions
12370/99 RECH 105 ATO 102 + COR 1 (d)
5. European space strategy
adoption of a Council Resolution
9125/99 RECH 80 ECO 226 TRANS 144
6. Waste management and decommissioning of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) installations
approval of Council conclusions
11269/99 RECH 98 ATO 93
+ COR 1 (fi)
+ COR 2 (s)
7. Additional research programme for the high-flux reactor (HFR) at Petten (2000-03)
8. Other business
ASEM Ministerial Conference, 14 and 15 October 1999: information from the Presidency and the Commission
Possible "A" items:
Adoption of Council Decisions concerning:
the conclusion of a scientific and technological co-operation agreement with Argentina
the conclusion of a scientific and technological co-operation agreement with China
the conclusion of a scientific and technological co-operation agreement with Russia
2 December--Brussels--Justice and Home Affairs Council
1. Adoption of the Agenda
2. Approval of the list of "A" items
3. Tampere follow-up:
Information on the state of preparation of the 'scoreboard'
4. Draft Convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters between the member states of the European Union
doc. 13451/99 COPEN 60
5. Draft Framework Decision on increasing protection by penal sanctions against counterfeiting in connection with the introduction of the euro
doc. 13450/99 DROIPEN 21
6. Initiative for a Council Regulation on insolvency proceedings
doc. 13465/99 JUSTCIV 177 MI 120
7. Proposal for a Council Regulation on the Service in the member states of judicial and extra-judicial documents in civil or commercial matters
docs
13466/99 JUSTCIV 178
8671/99 JUSTCIV 81
8. Organised crime:
(a) The Prevention and Control of Organised Crime: A European Union Strategy for the beginning of the new Millennium--oral report
(b) 1998 EU Organised Crime Situation Report--oral report
9. Eurodac--Regulation on comparison of fingerprints of asylum applicants and certain other aliens
doc. 13408/99 EURODAC 24
10. Draft negotiation mandate on Dublin parallel agreement with Norway and Iceland
adoption 1
doc. 13407/99 ASILE 42
11. Admission: Commission proposal on family reunification
Presentation by the Commission
12. Council Decision concerning the UK application to participate in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis 1
doc. 11177/4/99 SCHENGEN 74 REV 4
13. Europol:
Future activities of Europol after Tampere European Council
Information from the Presidency
14. Adoption of the decisions discussed in the Mixed Committee at Ministerial level (after the Mixed Committee meeting) 1
15. Proposal for a directive on electronic commerce--criminal law aspects:
Information by the Swedish delegation
doc. 13309/99 JAI 103 MI 119
16. Measures to combat child sex tourism
doc. 12629/99 JEUN 65 TOUR 10 JAI 96
17. Any Other Business
6-7 December--Brussels--General Affairs Council
Adoption of the provisional agenda
Approval of the list of "A" items
Horizontal issues
Resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament at its part-sessions in Brussels on 3-4 November 1999 and Strasbourg on 15-19 November 1999
Preparation of the Helsinki European Council (10-11 December 1999)
Overall co-ordination
Common strategies
European Security and Defence Policy: Presidency reports on military and non-military aspects of crisis management
Enlargement
Presidency report on the Intergovernmental Conference
An effective Council for an enlarged Union
Draft Statute for MEPs
EP electoral procedure
External relations
Negotiations for a development partnership agreement with the ACP states
= Financial allocation for the 9th European Development Fund
= Trade co-operation
Indonesia
Transatlantic Relations
Western Balkans
Items likely to become "A" items
Enlargement
Adoption of EU common position with a view to the Accession Conferences with Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia at Ministerial level on 7 December 1999
Association with Hungary
Establishment of the EU position for the 6th Association Council meeting on 7 December 1999
Association with Poland
Establishment of the EU position for the 6th Association Council meeting on 7 December 1999
Association with the Czech Republic
Establishment of the EU position for the 5th Association Council meeting on 7 December 1999
Arms destruction: joint action (Russian Strategy)
TACIS: adoption of new regulation
6-7 December--Brussels--Internal Market Council
Strategy for the Internal Market
Presentation by the Commission--Exchange of views
Joint Work Programme of the Three Presidencies (FIN, P, F)
Progress report--Exchange of views
Scoreboard (new version)
Presentation by the Commission--Exchange of views
SLIM Initiative--phase IV
Presentation by the Commission--Exchange of views
Mutual recognition of diplomas (SLIM Directive)--Political agreement
Copyright in the information society--Progress report
Directive on legal aspects of electronic commerce--Political agreement
Resale right--Political agreement
Take-over bids--Political agreement
Community Customs Code--Political agreement
Directive on distance selling of financial services--Political agreement
Parallel imports/Exhaustion of trade mark rights--Oral report
Public Procurement--Progress report by the Commission
(possible) Buses and coaches--Political agreement
Revision of chemical product policy--Presentation by the Commission
Follow-up to the Council Resolution on Standardisation
Vertical Directives on foodstuffs
Sugars
Preserved milk
(possible) fruit juices--Political agreement
(possible) Regulation on data protection within EU institutions
Progress report
Any Other Business
7 December--Brussels--Accession Conferences with Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia
No formal agenda
7 December--Brussels--Association Councils with the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland
No agenda yet available
7-8 December--Brussels--3rd EU-ACP Ministerial Conference
No formal agenda
9-10 December--Luxembourg--Transport Council
1. Adoption of draft agenda
2. Approval of "A" points
Maritime transport
3. Short Sea Shipping--Commission Communication
Council Conclusions/Resolution
Horizontal issues
4. Intermodality and intermodal freight transport
Commission Communication
Council conclusions
Land transport
5. Railways
(a) Rail infrastructure package 1 --Common position
(b) Rail interoperability--Commission Communication and draft directive
Debate
(c) Alleviation of rail bottlenecks
Commission presentation and exchange of views
6. Working time in road transport
Commission report and debate
Air transport
7. Aviation noise: short and long-term problems
Briefing by Commission and/or (possible) draft regulation/Debate
8. EASA--Debate
9. (possible) Agreement with (CEECs)
Exchange of views/progress report
10. Agreement with Cyprus 1 --Adoption of negotiating mandate
11. Air traffic delays--Commission Communication
Commission presentation
12. Galileo--negotiations with US and Russia
Commission progress report
13A. Ferry Manning: economic impact of draft directive
Commission working paper--Commission presentation
13B. Transport and Environment (TERM)--Commission report on indicators
Commission presentation
13C. Innovation forum--Commission presentation
13D. Eurocontrol--Community accession
Commission progress report
13E. EU/US dialogue on aviation
Commission information on Chicago Conference
13F. Air transport and the environment--Commission Communication
Commission presentation
10-11 December--Helsinki--European Council
No formal agenda
13 December--Brussels--ECOFIN Council
No agenda yet available
13-14 December--Brussels--Environment Council
1 Adoption of the agenda
2. (possible) Approval of the "A" list items
3. Proposal for a Council Recommendation providing for minimum criteria for environmental inspections in the member states 1 (Legal basis proposed by the Commission: Art. 175(1))
Common position
5086/99 ENV 1 PRO-COOP 1
4. Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 88/609/EEC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants 1
(Legal basis proposed by the Commission: Art. 175(1))
Common position
10916/98 ENV 364 PRO-COOP 144
5. Amended proposal for a Council Directive on assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment 1
(Legal basis proposed by the Commission: Art. 175(1))
Common position
7093/97 ENV 104 PRO-COOP 32
6333/99 ENV 59 PRO-COOP 40
6. Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air 1
(Legal basis proposed by the Commission: Art. 175(1))
Common position
5518/99 ENV 14 PRO-COOP 10
7. International negotiations concerning the Protocol on biosafety
Council conclusions
8. Overall assessment of the Fifth Action Programme and environmental sectoral indicators
Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
9. Proposal for a Directive of the European parliament and of the Council on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants, and Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council relating to ozone in ambient air
Progress report
10232/99 ENV 262 CODEC 425
10 The Commission's work programme for 2000
Briefing by the Commission
11 Community strategy on chemical products
Progress report from the Commission
12. Other business
(a) Brominated flame retardants
request by the Danish and Swedish delegations
(b) "Car-free day" event
briefing by the French delegation
(c) (possible) Situation of the SAVE and ALTENER programmes
statement by the Spanish delegation
13-17 December--Strasbourg--European Parliament Plenary
No agenda yet available
14-15 December--Brussels--Agriculture Council
No agenda yet available
14-16 December--Brussels--Ministerial Conference on Follow-up of Progress on UN Beijing Platform for Action
No formal agenda
16-17 December--Brussels--Fisheries Council
1. Adoption of the Agenda
2. Approval of the list of "A" items
3. Proposal for a Council Regulation fixing for 2000 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in other waters where limitations in catch are required 1
Legal basis: Article 8(4) of Reg. (EEC) no. 3760/92
Adoption
4. (possible) Morocco: future fisheries relations
State of play by Commission
5. Proposal for a Council Regulation laying down certain control measures applicable in the area covered by the Convention on Future Multilateral Co-operation in the North-East Atlantic Fisheries 1
Legal basis: Article 37 of the Treaty
Adoption
Doc. 10074/99 PECHE 144
6. (possible) Proposal for a Council Regulation amending for the fifth time Regulation (EC) no. 850/98 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms (sandeels)
7. Any other Business
(possible) Regional meetings
Presentation of the Communication by the Commission
Organisation of future work
1 Items on which a vote may be requested
European Calendar: December 1999-May 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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