APPENDIX 1
Letter from the Minister for Europe (Mr
Keith Vaz) to the Chairman of the Committee
General Affairs Council: Brussels: 18 - 19 September
As Parliament is not sitting, I am writing to inform
you of the outcome of discussions at the General Affairs Council
(GAC), in place of the usual inspired PQ.
The GAC adopted the "A" points listed in
document no. 11342/00 and noted the resolutions, decisions and
opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its session of
3-7 July in Strasbourg listed in document no. 9490/00. Copies
of these documents will be placed in the House libraries as soon
as they become available.
Western Balkans
The GAC agreed the text of a "Message to the
Serbian people" ahead of the FRY elections on 24 September.
The message emphasised that these elections give the Serbian people
an opportunity to vote for democratic change; it is up to them
to seize that opportunity by turning out to vote. The message
reaffirmed that a choice leading to democratic change will entail
a radical change in the EU's policy towards Serbia. The Council
received a report from the Presidency on its plans for the EU/Balkans
summit on 24 November in Zagreb. The Council adopted the Autonomous
Trade Measures (ATMs), giving the Western Balkans significantly
greater duty free access for their exports to EU markets.
External Aid
There was general support for the Presidency's approach,
for the timetable proposed, and for measures to improve efficiency.
The Presidency concluded that there should be a substantive debate,
drawing conclusions, at the 9 October GAC; and noted the need
to co-ordinate with ECOFIN and the Development Council.
MEDA II
Agreement was reached on the nine points put to the
GAC by the Presidency. The Regulation will now go back to Coreper
and the Working Group with the aim of adopting the Regulation
at the 9 October GAC.
Barcelona Process
The Commission presented its communication on reinvigorating
the Barcelona process. It emphasised the importance of speeding
up negotiations and ratification of Association Agreements, developing
South-South trade and applying the disciplines of the single market.
The Presidency explained that they would be touring Mediterranean
partners to consult them in the run-up to the November Euro-Med
Ministerial in Marseilles.
Bananas
The Commission provided a brief update on its efforts
to find a solution using a "first-come first-served"
system of quota-allocation. It planned to produce clear recommendations
for the 9 October GAC.
IGC
Ministers considered the issues of the extension
of Qualified Majority Voting, and the size and structure of the
Commission after enlargement. Much work remains to be done on
both issues before December. Officials will take discussions forward
in the regular IGC Preparatory Group.
Enlargement
The Presidency provided a report on the state of
play in negotiations, which emphasised their intention to make
as much progress as possible in negotiations, including tackling
some of the applicants' requests for transition periods. Member
States reaffirmed their commitment to enlargement, including to
the principle of differentiation agreed at the Helsinki European
Council; countries which started negotiations this year had the
possibility of catching up with those which had started them earlier,
they were able to do so. The Presidency reiterated the importance
they attached to a successful IGC to prepare the EU for enlargement.
MEPs Statute
The Council took note of the Presidency's work on
a Statute to regulate the salaries, expenses and conditions of
MEPs. The Presidency wants an agreement with the European Parliament
by December. I reiterated the UK's position, in particular the
need for a proper expenses regime.
I am copying this letter to Elizabeth Flood (Clerk
of your Committee) and to Tom Mohan (Clerk of the Lords Scrutiny
Committee).
29 September 2000
Letter from the Minister of State for
Energy and Competitiveness in Europe (The Rt. Hon. Helen Liddell)
to the Chairman of the Committee
I represented the UK at the Internal Market, Consumers
and Tourism Council in Brussels on 28 September.
The Council discussed working methods for the Cardiff
economic reform process and endorsed the Presidency's plans and
timetable for the IMC to make its contribution on economic reform
to the Stockholm Summit and the Broad Economic Guidelines. The
IMC will reach conclusions in March 2001 allowing assessment of
national reports produced as part of the annual Cardiff cycle.
The Commission gave a presentation on its update
of the 1996 communication on services of general economic interest.
In the open debate that followed, most Member States stressed
the importance of good quality public services and I and a number
of others stressed the benefits of liberalisation in a properly
constructed regulatory framework and cautioned against seeking
to disapply competition rules. The Presidency concluded that the
Treaty provided for protection of public services and the enforcement
of competition rules and that both applied fully. There will be
a further discussion at the Council on 30 November.
The Presidency reported progress on the Regulation
on data protection within EU institutions, which is intended to
apply rules on the protection of personal data to the EC institutions
and bodies, and was confident that an agreement could be reached
with the European Parliament at First Reading.
The Commission presented its proposal for a Community
Patent and stressed its importance for stimulating competitiveness
and innovation. The regulation would introduce a unitary patent
system with effect for the whole of the Community and make patent
protection simpler and cheaper. Member States expressed general
support for the proposal, which was called for at the Lisbon summit,
although there are issues regarding centralised jurisdiction and
the language regime which will need to be resolved. The Commission
made a progress report on its proposals relating to the use of
phthalates in toys and childcare articles, and presented its Green
Paper on the environmental issues of PVC and its proposals to
consolidate and update EU food hygiene legislation, which were
warmly welcomed.
Over lunch, the Council discussed preparations for
the introduction of euro notes and coins.
24 October 2000
Letter from the Home Secretary (Rt. Hon.
Jack Straw) to the Chairman of the Committee
Outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs
Council Meetings, 28 September and 17 October 2000
The purpose of this letter is to advise the Committee
of the outcome of the two Justice and Home Affairs Council meetings
which took place during the summer Recess, on 28 September and
17 October. These were the subjects of two Parliamentary Questions
which you tabled recently and I answered on 31 October.
I apologise if we have misunderstood the procedures
which apply during the Recess. However, I enclose copies of the
two Parliamentary Answers which I hope will be acceptable to the
Committee.
Extract from Hansard: 1 November 2000 Cols. 419W-422W
Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary
of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice
and Home Affairs Council held in Brussels on 28 September; and
if he will make a statement. [136031]
Mr. Straw: Nigel Sheinwald,
the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European
Union, represented the United Kingdom at the 28 September Council.
The main matters dealt with at the meeting were as follows:
The list of A points was adopted in full, except
items on the Schengen Information System, Sirene, on which one
Member State maintained a Parliamentary Scrutiny Reserve, and
on minimum standards for the security of passports.
Common Visa List:
The Council agreed to a mechanism for deferring the
entry into force of a visa exemption for certain third countries.
Further discussion would take place in Committee
of Permanent Representives (COREPER) and the European Parliament
would be reconsulted. This is a measure in respect of which the
United Kingdom has not sought to opt in.
Europol: money laundering:
Political agreement was reached on extending the
Europol Convention to cover all money laundering and the accompanying
Council declaration on predicate offences, subject to consideration
of the European Parliament's Opinion. This would formally be adopted
at the Council's meeting on 30 November.
Commission Proposal for a draft Council Directive
on minimum standards on asylum procedures:
The Commission presented this proposal as its first
response to the call by the Tampere European Council in October
1999 to create a common European asylum system. The proposal set
out minimum procedural guarantees to ensure that Member States
could process cases quickly and fairly at a national level and
that secondary movements of asylum seekers were avoided. Common
standards and time limits would assist in dismissing inadmissible
and unfounded cases. Member States gave a general welcome to the
proposal, which was remitted to the Asylum Working Group for further
consideration.
Reception conditions for asylum seekers:
This was an orientation debate on key points in the
Presidency's discussion document. No conclusions were drawn but
the Presidency stressed that this was a key priority and it would
be seeking to agree conclusions at the Justice Home Affairs (JHA)
Council in November in order to provide a background to an anticipated
legislative proposal from the Commission.
Council Decision to create a provisional Eurojust
Unit:
Political orientation was reached on key elements
of the text, subject to consideration of the European Parliament's
opinion which had not yet been received. The text was remitted
to COREPER for resolution of some technical issues and the language
regime at the request of one Member State. A new Article was agreed
which would allow the Commission to be associated fully with the
general work of the unit, particularly in relation to the development
of the permanent Eurojust and which would also enable the Commission
to lend its expertise to cases considered by the unit where these
fell within Commission competence. The United Kingdom maintained
its Parliamentary scrutiny reservation.
Framework Decision relating to the status of victims
in criminal proceedings:
This text was remitted to COREPER to resolve the
outstanding issue on compensation. One Member State lifted its
scrutiny reserve provided that a recital was included to the effect
that the Decision did not imply an obligation to treat victims
as parties to criminal proceedings. The UK maintained its Parliamentary
scrutiny reservation.
Commission proposal to create a European Judicial
Network in civil and commercial matters:
The Commission presented this draft Council Decision
which was aimed at improving and developing existing judicial
co-operation arrangements and providing the public with practical
information about access to justice in cross-border litigation.
The Civil Law Committee would discuss this further.
Protection of the environment through the criminal
law: orientation debate
There was general support for the introduction of
measures to combat environmental crime, in order to establish
an European Union acquis in this area. The Presidency would
produce an initiative for a new instrument incorporating the aspects
of the 1998 Council of Europe Convention on Environmental Crime
which were acceptable to all Member States.
Preparation for the joint JHA/European Council
of Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) Council:
Over lunch, the Council prepared the joint ECOFIN/JHA
Council meeting of 17 October on financial crime. The Presidency
explained that this would feature a debate on a common and coherent
European Union strategy towards more effective co-operation in
the financial sector, law enforcement and judicial co-operation.
Brussels Regulation:
The Presidency urged Ministers to pursue this dossier
in their capitals as it was a key element of the mutual recognition
programme on civil law. The Commission advised that it would be
issuing modified proposals during the next week on the e-commerce
aspects of mutual recognition in light of the European Parliament's
Opinion.
Other items:
The Council noted a communication from Germany on
the need for Community-level action on fighting dogs, calling
for a Commission initiative on this matter. The Commission doubted
whether there was a legal basis for Community action but undertook
to examine this in greater detail.
Mixed Committee with Iceland and Norway:
The Committee heard progress reports on the draft
Common Visa List, which Iceland and Norway would apply, and on
the application of the Schengen arrangements to the Nordic countries.
Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary
of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice
and Home Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 17 October; and
if he will make a statement. [136032]
Mr. Straw: I attended
this Council meeting. The main matters dealt with at the meeting
were as follows: The list of A points was agreed in full, including
the three items outstanding from the Justice and Home Affairs
Council (JHA) held on 28 September.
Draft framework decision on money laundering,
the identification, tracing, freezing, seizing and confiscation
of instrumentalities and the proceeds of crime:
There was a broad political orientation, subject
to certain parliamentary reserves and the European Parliament
opinion to a common minimum maximum penalty of four years and
that all Member States should be obliged to lift reserves in respect
of tax offences to the 1990 Council of Europe money laundering
Convention's provisions on confiscation of assets. The Council
also agreed a declaration to the effect that minimum maximum penalties
would be considered on a case by case basis for future instruments.
Draft Convention on improving mutual assistance
in criminal matters, with particular reference to the fight against
organised crime, the laundering of the proceeds of crime and financial
crime:
There was broad agreement, on the basis of a Presidency
discussion document, to the principle that legal assistance should
not be refused solely on the grounds that an investigation concerned
a tax offence or involved the lifting of bank secrecy. A number
of Member States considered that such measures should be subject
to judicial control; others also raised the practical difficulties
involved in supplying lists of bank accounts in the absence of
a central register. The Commission acknowledged that Member States
would have flexibility in how they chose to abolish grounds of
refusal founded in bank secrecy or tax matters; they should none
the less aim to establish efficient systems for providing assistance
in such matters. Work on the Convention would continue at expert
level on the basis of the discussion document.
Presentation of the conclusions of the seminar
from 13-15 September on the laundering of the proceeds of organised
crime in Europe:
The Presidency presented the conclusions. There was
no discussion.
Proposal for a council decision establishing a
community mechanism for the co-ordination of civil protection
in the event of emergencies--presentation by the Commission:
The Presidency and the Commission presented their
respective proposals. Two Member States welcomed the call for
an assessment of respective national capabilities with a view
to greater co-ordination between existing national structures.
Others argued for a European Civil Protection Agency and a third
for more European Union-financed training.
Other items:
I proposed a greater operational role for the Chief
Police Officer's Task Force and proposed using a Council Decision
to place this work on a more formal footing. The Presidency concluded
that the Council should return to this as necessary.
One Member State registered the need for Justice
Ministers to have greater involvement in discussions concerning
Organization de Lutte anti-Fraud.
Finally, the Council adopted conclusions regarding
the ETA murder the previous night in Spain.
On the afternoon of 17 October, the Justice and Home
Affairs Council met jointly with the Ecofin Council. I represented
the United Kingdom.
Following a debate on strategy towards more effective
co-operation in the financial sector, law enforcement and judicial
co-operation, the Council adopted conclusions, a copy of which
have been placed in the Library.
Letter from the Economic Secretary (Miss
Melanie Johnson) to the Chairman of the Committee
Reporting on the ECOFINS held on 29 September
and 17 October
In line with normal practice, I am writing to you
with statements on the outcome of Council of Ministers' meetings
held whilst Parliament is in recess.
I attended the meeting of the Economic and Finance
Council of Ministers in Brussels on 29 September.
Political agreement was reached on the second Money
Laundering Directive. Ministers agreed that within three years
of the entry into force of this Directive the definition of criminal
activity provided for shall be amended in order to bring it into
line with the definition of serious crime of the Joint Action
98/699/JHA.
It was agreed that professionals such as lawyers
and accountants should, for the first time, be covered by the
provisions of the directive. In addition, it was agreed that the
principle of legal privilege, central to the lawyer-client relationship,
and enshrined in UK Common Law, should be preserved.
The Council considered the preparations for the joint
ECOFIN/Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council on 17th October
2000 and agreed the topics set out in the Presidency's text were
suitable as the basis for a discussion.
The Council endorsed the action plan on EMU statistical
requirements that had been put forward by the Commission with
co-operation from the European Central Bank.
Vice-President Kinnock presented the Commission's
reform proposals for both new staff and the rollover of the existing
pay system (the "methode"), the costs of which would
remain below the Financial Perspective ceiling for administration.
Ministers showed interest in the work and asked for more details,
and the Presidency has conveyed this to Commission President Prodi
in a letter.
The Paymaster General attended the Economic and Finance
Council of Ministers in Luxembourg on 17 October.
A progress report on the Taxation of Savings Directive
was given by the President of the High Level Working Group. Good
progress has been made, but a number of issues needed to be discussed
further. The Presidency called for the Working Group to present
a proposal on the substantive content of a Directive to ECOFIN
on 27 November.
The Paymaster General, as Chair, reported on the
work of the Code of Conduct Group since the July ECOFIN. The Council
asked for a further report by 27 November.
There was a further discussion on the precise arrangements
for VAT payments relating to e-commerce products sold by non-EU
firms. ECOFIN will return to this subject on 27 November.
The Employment packaged was broadly welcomed, and
the Economic Policy Commission (EPC) was invited to continue its
work.
The Chairman of the EPC reported on the Commission's
work on sharing examples of best practice in the area of tax and
benefit reform.
The Commission presented its Communication on Environment
and Growth, which sets out proposals for integrating environmental
issues with economic policy. The Cardiff European Council had
requested that all relevant Council formations establish their
own strategies for integrating environmental issues and sustainable
development into their own areas. ECOFIN will reflect on this
issue and report to the Nice European Council.
Political agreement was reached on a Directive to
amend the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable
Securities (UCITS) Directive. The UCITS Directive sets out harmonised
rules for open ended collective investment schemes (unit trusts
and open ended investment companies). The proposed amending Directive
would bring the UCITS Directive up to date with market developments
and widen the investment powers of harmonised funds to enable
them to invest in a wider range of assets including deposits and
financial derivatives.
15 November 2000
Letter from the Minister for Transport
(Lord MacDonald of Tradeston) to the Chairman of the Committee
I am writing to inform you of the outcome of the
Transport Council in Luxembourg on 2 October. I represented the
United Kingdom.
The Council adopted a Resolution on air passenger
rights, setting out desired improvements, to be achieved principally
through voluntary commitments by airlines, backed up if necessary
by Community legislation. I emphasised the importance of better
treatment for passengers, pointing out that the UK competition
authorities had recently secured improvements in IATA's recommended
conditions of carriage.
A number of other aviation issues were discussed.
The Commission reported on its proposal for an EU Aviation Safety
Agency to help draw up Community aircraft safety standards. The
Presidency undertook to make progress as soon as possible and
the December Council will address the issue again. During discussion
of airport slot allocation, the Commission noted the need for
progress on better use of airport capacity and invited delegations
to submit written comments to help it formulate a revised proposal.
The Commission reported on the continuing discussions with Russia
on the issue of royalty payments for flights over Siberia, and
on progress in the High Level Group on a Single European Sky.
There was a debate on the Commission's recent Communication
on road transport. During discussion of the need for a specific
working time directive on road transport, I made clear that UK
support for the directive depended on the way it dealt with our
concerns on night work, the maximum working week, and individual
opt-outs. A particular concern of ours has been coverage of the
self-employed. I, with a majority of other Ministers was able
to accept the provisional exclusion of the self-employed from
the directive, pending a review two years after transposition.
There was general agreement with the Presidency's suggestion that
limiting driving time (rather than working time) rules should
be clarified and simplified to ensure consistent application across
the EU. All of the Minsters were in favour of greater efforts
to combat illegal employment of third country drivers. There was
similarly broad support for Commission ideas on the enforcement
of existing rules and on driver training. The Presidency concluded
the consensus existed for action on those points. It also concluded
that there was broad agreement to the provisional exclusion of
the self-employed from the road working time directive. Work will
continue with a view to reaching common position on that Directive
at a future Council on this basis.
The Council further debated two of the legislative
proposals arising from the loss of the Erika tanker off
the Brittany coast last year. The debate opened with a discussion
of the proposal on port state control of shipping, which would
give the Commission responsibility for recognising Member States'
appointed ship inspection organisations. The Presidency noted
that there was a general agreement among Member States. The Commission
was concerned that Council had weakened the impact of its proposal.
The matter will be further debated in the light of the European
Parliament's first reading. The Council agreed a common EU approach
to negotiations in the International Maritime Organisation on
the timetable for the accelerated phasing out single-hulled tankers,
with the objective of alignment with current US legislation.
The Council went on to discuss the proposals contained
in Presidency paper on further measures in maritime safety (the
"Erika II" package). During that debate, I joined other
Ministers in emphasising that, because of the international nature
of shipping, it was necessary for negotiation to take place at
global level. Following the debate, the Presidency drew the following
conclusions: surveillance of ships with hazardous cargoes should
proceed in accordance with international law; improvement in levels
of compensation for oil spills was necessary, with appropriate
action being taken within existing international conventions,
but with the possibility of an additional EU compensation régime
if necessary. The Commission would make further proposals on maritime
employment and training, and on a European maritime safety structure,
which would work with national authorities and improve co-operation
and transparency. The Erica II package was further discussed at
the European Council in Biarritz on 13 October.
The Council discussed the proposed Galileo satellite
navigation system, concentrating on four issues — financing,
system architecture, management structure and services to be provided
— which will need to be agreed if the project is to continue.
The Commission presented some figures on the costs and benefits
of the system, suggesting that it will be funded primarily from
EU budgets and through the European Space agency until the launch
phase in 2006 - 2007. I joined other Ministers in stressing the
need for more detailed information on all aspects of the project,
including a thorough cost-benefit analysis, in good time for the
Council's decision in December on whether to proceed beyond the
current definition phase of the project. The Commission promised
to submit a Communication on Galileo within a few weeks.
There was discussion of a draft regulation on allocation
of Swiss transit permits for HGVs. The Presidency noted the remaining
disagreements and concluded that Coreper should aim to reach a
decision by November on the permit allocation question.
The Commission presented two linked legislative proposals
on public transport services. The intention of the proposal on
public service requirements was to address the reality of the
Single Market in the provision of public transport services. The
other proposal relates to state aid in public transport. In its
statement on this, the Commission said that it would look favourably
on infrastructure investment, and the proposal would take into
account the needs of small islands. The Presidency concluded that
there would be an orientation debate at the December Council.
7 November 2000
Letter from the Minister for Small Business
and E-Commerce (Ms Patricia Hewitt) to the Chairman of the Committee
I am writing to inform you of the outcome of the
Telecommunications Council of Ministers meeting that took place
in Luxembourg on 3 October.
There was an orientation debate on the proposed Local
Loop Unbundling Regulation. During the debate all Member States
stressed their commitment to the Regulation and a rapid time scale
for its adoption. I strongly welcomed the Regulation as an enormously
important issue for the development of e-commerce across the European
Union, and confirmed the UK fully supported and would be fully
compliant with it. The Presidency hopes that the Regulation will
be adopted at the very latest at the next Telecommunications Council
in December.
The Council adopted a Resolution calling for a more
co-ordinated EU approach within ICANN (the Internet Corporation
for Assigned Names and Numbers). Welcoming this, the Commission
now intends to establish a network of European expertise on Internet
naming and addressing issues.
The Commission gave a progress report on the creation
of a .eu top level domain name, and it is expected that
a Commission Proposal will follow in October. The Council also
took note of a Presidency progress report on the programme to
improve the exploitation of public sector information, facilitate
access to venture capital and boost multilingual content on the
Internet. The Presidency hopes a Council Decision will be adopted
in December. There was also a Presidency progress report on the
state of discussions on the new measures under the 1999 Communications
Review.
The Council also discussed the Commission's postal
services proposal, the main provision of which is to reduce the
area reserved for incumbent national postal operators (the 'reserved
area') from deliveries weighing less than 350 grams to those under
50 grams. During discussions, Member States were divided on whether
the proposal offered an acceptable pace of liberalisation, with
several Member States calling for a target date for full liberalisation.
The Presidency hope for agreement at the next Telecommunications
Council in December.
I am writing in similar terms to Lord Tordoff and
copying this letter to the Leader of the House of Commons, Keith
Vaz, the Chief Whip of the House of Commons, Sir Richard Wilson
and the Clerk to your Committee.
1 November 2000
Letter from the Minister for Europe (Mr
Keith Vaz) to the Chairman of the Committee
General Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 9 - 10 October
As Parliament is not sitting, I am writing to inform
you of the outcome of discussions at the General Affairs Council
(GAC), in place of the usual inspired PQ.
The GAC on 9-10 October adopted the "A"
points listed in document no.11913/00 and noted the resolutions,
decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its
sessions of 4-8 and 20-21 September in Brussels listed in document
nos. 11043/00 and 11046/00. Copies of these documents will be
placed in the House libraries as soon as they become available.
The effectiveness of the EU's external action
The GAC agreed conclusions on improving Member State
and Commission co-ordination, information gathering and the management
of external assistance. It also called for an orientation debate
in January 2001 to discuss the principles and policy objectives
of future external assistance.
Western Balkans
The GAC issued a Declaration welcoming Mr Kostunica's
election as President of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY).
The Presidency would invite him to the Informal European Council
at Biarritz on 13-14 October. The GAC agreed to lift all sanctions
imposed on the FRY since 1998, except for the provisions affecting
Milosevic and his associates. The FRY would now benefit from the
EU's new assistance programme for the Balkans (CARDS) and the
work of the European Agency for Reconstruction. The GAC asked
the Commission to submit proposals for extending the asymmetric
EC trade preferences to the FRY, and to coordinate the EU's economic
and financial assistance to the FRY with the World Bank. It also
invited the FRY to participate in a Joint EU/FRY Task Force to
examine ways of progressing towards a Stabilisation and Association
Agreement. The GAC asked the Coordinator of the Stability Pact
to submit proposals for the FRY's full participation in the Pact.
The GAC welcomed the preparations for the Zagreb
summit. It invited its competent bodies to examine the draft CARDS
regulations presented by Commissioner Patten.
Bananas
The Commission presented to the Council their latest
proposal for a first-come, first-served, transitional quota regime
for the importation of bananas to the EU. The Council agreed that
the proposal provided a basis for settling the banana dispute,
which could, and must, be resolved rapidly. The Council asked
the relevant competent bodies to examine the technical aspects
of their latest proposal, taking particular account of the various
concerns expressed at the GAC. The Council also invited the Commission
to submit, in good time, the outcome of negotiations to be held
under Article XXVIII of the GATT. The Council intends to take
a decision when it has seen that report, taking into account the
situation of Community producers and consumers, and the Union's
commitments towards the ACP countries. The Council called on the
European Parliament to comment on the Commission's proposals in
order to allow the Council to examine the proposal in depth with
the aim of finalising its proceedings.
LDC market access
The Commission outlined its proposal to extend duty-free
access to the EU for all products, except arms, from Least Developed
Countries (they proposed, however, that three sensitive products
— rice, sugar and bananas — would be subject to a
three-year transition period). The UK broadly welcomed the proposal
but noted that detailed questions, particularly about the effects
that the proposal might have on non-LDC African and Caribbean
Producers, needed to be considered carefully.
Barcelona process
The Presidency announced that the Marseilles EuroMed
Ministerial will now take place on 15-16 November. A senior Presidency
diplomat would visit Mediterranean partners' capitals before the
end of October to prepare for it.
MEDA II regulation
There was no agreement on a financial reference figure.
Work will continue at official level to find a figure acceptable
to all. Otherwise, the text of the new Regulation was approved.
Middle East peace process
Over lunch, Foreign Ministers discussed recent events
in the Middle East. These discussions led to the GAC issuing a
strong statement urging the parties to take measures to de-escalate
the tension in the region. Foreign Ministers also decided to send
Dr Javier Solana, the Secretary General, High Representative for
CFSP, to the region to help to build confidence between the partners.
IGC
Ministers took part in a general exchange of views
with the President of the European Parliament. Discussion was
preceded by a Conclave on Sunday, 8 October dealing with the reweighting
of votes, closer co-operation and Article 7 TEU. Discussions would
be taken forward by officials in the IGC Preparatory Group and
the Biarritz Informal European Council.
Preparation of Biarritz
The Presidency confirmed the arrangements for the
Informal European Council in Biarritz on 13-14 October, which
was expected to focus on the IGC.
Oil
President Prodi presented a Commission Communication
on oil supplies to the Council. It was agreed to study the issues
raised further at Biarritz.
Communicable diseases
The Commission presented its strategy on combatting
the major communicable diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB). The
strategy highlighted the link between poverty and these diseases
as well as the need for enhanced co-ordination and consistency
within the EU in fighting them.
Any Other Business:
Enlargement and nuclear safety
Austria raised the issue of the levels of nuclear
safety in applicant countries. They said this was particularly
relevant for Austria in view of their concerns about the start-up
of the Temelin nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic planned
for 10 October.
The Moluccas
The Netherlands welcomed Indonesia's agreement in
principle to a visit to the Moluccas by an EU evaluation mission.
They hoped security arrangements could be put in place to enable
a visit on 11-13 October.
Budget rectifying letter
The Commission presented a Letter of Amendment to
the 2001 budget to provide for 400 new posts. These were needed
to complete the Commission's internal reforms to make itself more
transparent, accountable and efficient; other reforms proposed
include the redeployment of existing staff and a programme to
facilitate early retirement. The Commission's Letter of Amendment
was referred back to Coreper for further discussion.
I am copying this letter to Elizabeth Flood (Clerk
of your Committee).
23 October 2000
Letter from the Minister for the Environment
(The Rt. Hon. Michael Meacher) to the Chairman of the Committee
I am writing to report the outcome of the Environment
Council in Luxembourg on 10 October 2000, at which I represented
the UK. This was the first Environment Council under the French
Presidency. One common position and two sets of Council conclusions
were agreed, and a public orientation debate was held on a proposed
environmental noise directive.
Agreement was reached on a Daughter Directive under
the Air Quality Framework Directive to set target values and long-term
objectives for ground-level ozone, to protect human health and
the environment. By 2010, Member States will have to attain as
far as possible ground-level air ozone concentrations that do
not exceed 120 microgrammes per cubic metre on more than 25 days
per annum. Some flexibility will be allowed in recognition of
the difficulty of reducing ozone formation. The agreement reached
is based on the World Health Organisation guideline values and
a closely related EC proposal setting national emissions ceilings
for ozone precursor pollutants. The Directive also lays down monitoring
requirements and provides for dissemination of information to
the public.
Council conclusions were agreed on common and co-ordinated
policies and measures which could reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and help to ensure that the EU and its Member States meet their
Kyoto targets. These build on previous Council conclusions, and
give guidance to the Commission, and the work of the European
Climate Change Programme, on priority areas for action, including
transport, renewable energy, combined heat and power, the elimination
of environmentally damaging subsidies, and economic instruments.
The Presidency also reported the outcome of the Lyons subsidiary
bodies meeting on climate change in October. An extraordinary
Environment Council on 7 November 2000 will prepare for the forthcoming
sixth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change (COP6), taking place between 13-24 November
2000.
The Presidency gave a progress report on global environmental
governance, and a short set of procedural Council conclusions
were agreed. Ministers agreed that further consideration of option
for improving the existing institutional arrangements was needed
and that financing was a central issue. I stressed the importance
of a step by step approach, and the need to secure developing
countries' commitment to change. The Presidency plans to develop
conclusions for adoption at the December Environment Council to
guide EU involvement at UNEP's Administrative Council in February
and the build-up to Rio + 10.
A public orientation debate was held on a proposed
directive to establish common methods for measuring and assessing
environmental noise, in order to collate and map comprehensive
information about noise exposure levels across the EU. Ministers
recognised the significance of noise as a health and quality of
life issue and broadly welcomed the proposal, which would enable
accurate comparisons of noise levels in all Member States to be
made. In noting the importance of taking action to reduce noise
levels, most commented that plans were already provided for at
the national or local level and stressed the importance of local
solutions. The Presidency indicated that it intends to reach a
common position on this proposal at the December Environment Council.
The Presidency gave progress reports on two related
directives which aim to increase re-use, recovery and recycling
rates of waste from, and limit the use of certain hazardous substances
in, electrical and electronic equipment. The Presidency aim to
reach common position in December, subject to the European Parliament
delivering its opinion before then. The Commission updated Council
on the development of its planned proposals on the traceability
and labelling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which
are expected later this year.
There were a large number of any other business items.
Ministers agreed to consider Council conclusions at the extraordinary
Environment Council in November setting out the EU position on
the revision to the Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPs). Germany proposed that the European Commission should prepare
for the early transposition into Community law of the International
Maritime Organisation global ban on organotins in marine anti-fouling
paints, and the Commission should also submit proposals for extending
restrictions on the marketing and use of organotins in a range
of consumer goods, such as textiles. They also called for prohibition
on the use of the azo-dye Navy Blue. The Austrian delegation reminded
Council of its concerns about the Temelin nuclear power station
in the Czech Republic; the Italian delegation called for a joint
Environment/Transport Council to resolve measures to tighten rules
on oil tanker safety; and the Finnish delegation outlined its
environmental concerns about the construction of a new oil terminal
at Primorsk in Russia.
The Presidency updated Council on a proposed resolution
on the Precautionary Principle, to be submitted to the Nice European
Council in December, and on preparations for the Intergovernmental
Conference for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, also taking
place in December. The Presidency indicated plans for further
Ministerial debate on the Commission's White Paper on environmental
liability in December.
Other items included Commission progress reports
on revised guidelines on state aids and the environment and the
introduction of environmental requirements into public procurement
guidelines. The Commission also briefly presented its Green Paper
on the environmental issues of PVC, its Communication on water
pricing policy, and its Communication on integrated coastal zone
management.
18 October 2000
Letter from the Minister for Employment,
Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities (The Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell)
to the Chairman of the Committee
I am writing to inform the Committee of the outcome
of the Employment and Social Policy Council (ESPC) held in Luxembourg
on 17 October 2000. I represented the UK along with Alan Johnson.
This was a busy Council with a full agenda. Political
agreement was reached on the Employment (anti-discrimination)
Directive brought forward under Article 13 (TEC). This establishes
a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation.
A letter to Lord Tordoff, dated 25 October and copied to you,
sets out in detail the Government's negotiating stance on this
issue. The letter notes the UK's success in achieving all its
objectives. Council also agreed the establishment of an action
programme under Article 13, which tackles all forms of discrimination.
The programme is to be launched in January 2001 and runs for 6
years.
The Commission introduced the Autumn Employment Package
comprising the draft Employment Guidelines for 2001, the draft
Jjoint Employment Report for 2000 and the Commission Recommendation
on Member States' employment policies. The Council gave its first
reactions to the package which will be discussed again by the
Council on 27-28 November in Brussels.
Political agreement was reached on a number of other
important issues. The Council agreed on the implementation of
the agreement between the European social partners on working
time in the civil aviation sector, replacing the provisions in
the Working Time (Excluded Sectors) Directive.
The Council reached outline political agreement on
the Directive concerning protection of health and safety for work
at heights (Scaffolding Directive). This will set minimum standards
for the selection and use of scaffolding, ladders and ropes. It
is hoped that this will be adopted by the European Parliament
on second reading.
The Council reached political agreement on a series
of objectives in the fight against poverty and social exclusion.
These objectives will be forwarded to the European Council in
Nice for approval. The Council also adopted Conclusions on the
structural indicators for employment and social cohesion. These
welcome the Commission's communication on structural indicators
and note the work of the Employment Committee and the High-Level
Group on Social Protection. The Conclusions will be included in
the annual synthesis report for the Stockholm European Council.
The Presidency introduced its summary paper on the
current state of play of the negotiations on the proposed directive
establishing a national framework for informing and consulting
workers. The UK stated its continued opposition to the proposed
directive on the grounds that it breached subsidiarity. The Presidency
will consider written comments from delegations in preparation
for renewed discussion at the Council on 27-28 November.
The Presidency gave a procedural update on its work
towards the agreement in Nice of a New European Social Agenda.
The Presidency intends to circulate a paper in the near future,
following the recent tour of capitals and contacts with social
partners, NGOs and the EP.
I look forward to discussing these matters further
in my meetings with the Committees on the 1 and 15 November.
I am copying this letter to Alan Johnson and the
Clerks of Committees of both Houses.
30 October 2000
Letter from the Minister of State at the
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (The Rt. Hon. Joyce
Quin) to the Chairman of the Committee
Parliamentary scrutiny of EC proposals
I am writing to let you know of nine proposals adopted
during Recess, or expected to be adopted, prior to consideration
by your Committee. Also to let you have details of four negotiating
mandates which have recently been agreed. Details are set out
below:
Council regulation amending Annex II of council
regulation (EC) No. 2377/90, which establishes maximum residue
levels (MRLs) of veterinary medicinal products in food (10526/00)
This Regulation adds recombinant bovine somatotropin
(rBST) to Annex II of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2377/90. Annex
II is a list of substances used in veterinary medicinal products
which are not subject to maximum residue levels. The use of rBST
is prohibited in the EU (Council Decision 1999/879/EC). Nonetheless,
the Court of First Instance of the EC has ruled that the Commission
is under an obligation (to Monsanto and Elanco, producers of rBST)
to propose the addition of rBST into Annex II of Council Regulation
(EEC) No. 2377/90.
The Commission's proposal was considered by the Standing
Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products on 4 February when
it did not receive qualified majority support. The independent
Veterinary Products Committee had advised the Government that
the use of rBST poses a small human health risk. The UK, therefore,
and nine other Member States, voted against the proposal. The
proposal was then referred to Council in accordance with the usual
comitology procedures.
In accordance with the Regulatory Committee procedure
laid down in Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No. 2377/90, the Council
was required to take a decision by 13 October 2000 on the action
to be taken on the proposal. The Council, on the basis of the
precautionary principle, proposed that it was inappropriate at
this time to fix an MRL for rBST and would call upon the Commission
to continue further studies on the matter. This proposal was adopted
as an 'A' point at the Internal Market Council on 28 September.
Explanatory Memorandum 10526/00 was submitted on
25 September.
Proposal for a council decision concerning the
extension of the international agreement on olive oil and table
olives, 1986 (11276/00)
This proposal for a Council Decision, authorises
the Commission, on behalf of the European Community, to vote in
favour of the extension of the International Agreement on Olive
Oil and Table Olives for a further two year period until 31 December
2002. The Agreement, which entered into force on 1 July 1986,
is designed to foster international co-operation for the integrated
development of the world olive products economy. Its executive
body, the International Olive Oil Council based in Madrid, supports
research and development, carries out market analysis and promotion
of olive oil consumption and aims to modernise olive cultivation
and processing through a series of publications and training courses.
The current signatories of the Agreement are Algeria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Egypt, the European Community, Israel, the Lebanon, Morocco,
Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The Agreement was amended and extended in 1993 until
1998, under the 1993 Protocol to the 1986 Agreement. The 1993
Protocol provided for the Agreement to be extended by the International
Olive Oil Council for successive periods of up to 2 years after
that date. The two-year period of extension decided in 1998 is
due to expire on 31 December 2000.
The French Presidency is keen that the proposal be
adopted at this week's Agriculture Council. As the proposal is
uncontroversial and merely an extension of existing arrangements,
we propose to agree to its adoption as an 'A' point, prior to
consideration by your Committee.
Explanatory Memorandum 11276/00 was submitted on
9 October.
Council regulations relating to agricultural concessions
between the EU and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia
and Romania (10733/00, 10729/00, 10730/00, 10731/00 and 10732/00)
The purpose of these Regulations is to implement
further concessions on imports of agricultural products from these
countries into the EU. They provide for full liberalisation of
imports of agricultural products into the Community where tariffs
are already below 10%. They also increase concessions granted
within tariff quotas. The Regulations are intended to be autonomous
and transitional measures pending the entry into force of a new
Additional Protocol to the Europe agreement with these five applicant
countries. Parallel measures with Estonia and Hungary are already
in force.
These measures aim to make it easier for the applicant
countries to align their trade with that of the Community prior
to accession. The concessions had been negotiated over a long
period, and the Commission was eager for them to enter into force
without force. The UK is in favour of trade liberalisation and,
so as not to be seen to be delaying progress in this area, agreed
to the adoption of the Bulgaria proposal as an 'A' point at the
General Affairs Council on 9 October and the other four proposals
as 'A' points at the ECOFIN Council on 17 October.
Explanatory Memoranda were submitted on 28 September.
Proposal for a council decision concerning Isle
of Man special import licences for sheepmeat, beef and veal (10586/00
and 10587/00)
This proposal (10587/00) renews Council Decision
82/530/EEC authorising the UK to permit the Isle of Man authorities
to apply a system of special import licences to sheepmeat and
beef and veal for a further five years until 31 December 2005.
The Commission's Report, Document 10586/00, endorses the effectiveness
of these import arrangements.
If Council agrees to extend Council Decision 82/530/EEC
before the end of the year, the special licensing will, from 1
January 2001, have potentially no authority in Community law.
Unless there is some import control, the effect of the Isle of
Man's obligations under the Treaty of Accession and Council Regulation
No. 706/73/EEC to accept meat from Member States and Third Countries
would seriously threaten the position of its sheepmeat and beef
producers.
The current authorisation expires on 31 December
2000. The proposal for the extension was discussed and agreed
in the Special Committee on Agriculture early in September. It
is expected to go as an 'A' point to the Agriculture Council this
week, prior to consideration by your Committee.
An Explanatory Memorandum was submitted on 25 September.
Proposal for a council regulation authorising
the commission to allow Finland to grant aid for certain quantities
of herbaceous seeds (11277/00 and 11278/00)
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2358/71 on the common
organisation of the market in seeds allows measures to be taken
to stabilise the market and ensure a fair income to producers.
Under this Regulation, EC Seed Production Aid is payable on specified
species to offset part of the production costs.
Severe climatic conditions in Finland restrict the
number of varieties suitable for cultivation as seed crops. This
proposal would allow Finland to continue paying until 31 December
2005, national production aid on indigenous varieties of herbaceous
seeds to safeguard their supply situation because of the absence
of suitable alternative varieties elsewhere in the Community.
Document 11278/00 is a report from the Commission to the Council
on Finland's justification for seeking to grant national aid on
certain varieties of herbaceous and cereal seeds.
The UK's ability to supply Finland with suitable
alternative varieties is extremely limited. The effect of the
proposal on the UK seed industry, is, therefore, negligible. In
these circumstances, we propose to agree to its adoption as an
'A' point at the Agriculture Council this week.
An Explanatory Memorandum was submitted on 2 October
Negotiating mandate on the review of the agriculture
protocols to the Euro-Mediterranean agreements with Morocco, Tunisia
and Israel
The Budget Council on 20 July adopted a negotiating
mandate authorising the Commission, in respect of matters within
Community competence, to participate on behalf of the Community
in the negotiations with Morocco, Tunisia and Israel to review
the agricultural protocols of three Euro-Mediterranean Agreements.
The EU-Tunisia Association Agreement came into force
in March 1998 with the EU-Morocco Association Agreement and EU-Israel
Association Agreement taking effect from 1 March 2000 and 1 June
2000 respectively. These are trade agreements which include transitional
periods for the gradual removal of tariffs leading towards development
of free trade areas over a 12 year period. The Agreements also
provide for political dialogue between the parties, primarily
through annual Association Councils at Ministerial level.
The Association Agreements give Tunisia, Morocco
and Israel limited agricultural concessions on quotas and tariffs
for access to the EU. Similar concessions apply to imports of
EU products into these countries. The agriculture protocols in
each Agreement provide for the parties to progressively introduce
greater liberalisation of trade in agricultural products. To meet
this objective the partner countries will review the protocols
and agree new measures to be applied from 1 January 2001 to trade
in agricultural products.
In relation to exports of agricultural products from
Tunisia, Morocco and Israel, the mandate aims to extend product
coverage (with or without tariff quotas), improve existing concessions
and the abolition of reference quantities. In return, it will
improve market access to the partner countries for EU exports
with a better balance in reciprocal preferences.
In accordance with the usual procedures, an Explanatory
Memorandum will be submitted once the negotiations are completed.
Negotiating mandate between the EU and the government
of Denmark for a fourth fisheries protocol covering the years
2001 and 2006
The current Fisheries Agreement with Greenland dates
back to 1985, shortly after Greenland left the EC. It provides
for the EC to receive fishing opportunities in Greenland waters
in exchange for financial compensation. The detailed arrangements
are set out in multi-annual protocols, the current one covering
1996-2000. The UK has substantial shares in the fishing quotas
allocated to the EU. In view of the importance of this Agreement
it was in the UK's interest to agree the mandate in order to allow
negotiations to commence at the earliest opportunity. Failure
to agree a new Protocol before the current Protocol expires could
have resulted in the UK fishing sector being unable to utilise
the UK quota.
A decision to authorise the Commission to negotiate
a Fourth Fisheries Protocol with Greenland was therefore adopted
by written procedure on 4 August.
In accordance with the usual procedures, an Explanatory
Memorandum will be submitted once the negotiations are completed.
Negotiating mandate on the negotiation of a new
international coffee agreement
On 18 September, the General Affairs Council adopted
a mandate for negotiation of an international agreement to succeed
the International Coffee Agreement 1994.
The International Coffee Agreement 1994 has been
extended and will expire on 30 September 2001. It established
a forum for international co-operation on world coffee matters,
through the International Coffee Organisation (ICO). The UK is
legally obliged to be a member of the International Coffee Agreement
through membership of the EU. Within the organisation, the UK
is the seventh largest importing member, and London is a major
centre for the world coffee trade. The ICO exists to put the aims
and objectives of this agreement into practice. The UK is advised
by the trade, and represents their interests within the overall
context of promoting and protecting the world coffee economy.
The ICO has its headquarters in London and participation in this
agreement has historical and political importance.
Negotiations were completed on 28 September and,
in accordance with the usual procedure, an Explanatory Memorandum
will be submitted as soon as possible.
Negotiating mandate on the negotiation of a new
international cocoa agreement
On 18 September, the General Affairs Council also
adopted a mandate for negotiation of an international agreement
to succeed the International Cocoa Agreement 1993.
The International Cocoa Agreement 1993 has been extended
and will expire on 30 September 2001. It established a forum for
international co-operation on world cocoa matters, through the
International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO). As with the International
Coffee Agreement, the UK is legally obliged to be a member of
the International Cocoa Agreement through membership of the EU.
Within the organisation, the UK is the fifth largest importing
member, and London is a major centre for the world cocoa trade.
The ICCO exists to put the aims and objectives of this agreement
into practice. The UK is advised by the trade, and represents
their interests within the overall context of promoting and protecting
the world cocoa economy. The ICCO has its headquarters in London
and participation in this agreement has historical and political
importance.
Negotiations are expected to be concluded at a United
Nations Cocoa Conference in Geneva in November. In accordance
with the usual procedure, an Explanatory Memorandum will be submitted
once the negotiations are completed.
I am copying this letter to Lord Tordoff, Margaret
Beckett, Keith Vaz, Ann Taylor, Sir Richard Wilson and the Clerk
to your Committee.
25 October 2000
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