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Written Ministerial Statements
Friday 17 March 2006
TREASURY
Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2006
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Des Browne): Following the announcement that the Budget will take place on 22 March, HM Treasury plans to publish "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2006" on Tuesday 2 May 2006.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
General Affairs and External Relations Council
The Minister for Europe (Mr. Douglas Alexander): The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will be held on 20 March in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I will represent the UK.
The agenda items are as follows:
Preparation of the European Council, 23–24 March
The Council will review the latest set of European Council conclusions focusing on jobs and growth, and Hampton Court follow-up.
Financial Perspective: Inter-Institutional Agreement (IIA)
The Council may discuss the new Inter-Institutional Agreement for the 2007–13 Financial Perspective. The Government's priority on the Inter-Institutional Agreement is to secure an agreement that fully reflects the deal reached in December by the EU Heads of State and Government and the President of the European Commission.
World Trade Organisation/Doha Development Agenda (WTO/DDA)
Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson will brief the Council on progress in the WTO Round. This follows the Brazilian state visit to the UK (7–9 March) and the meeting of the G4/G6 (EU, US, Brazil and India, plus Australia and Japan) in London (10–12 March). We expect a short discussion without conclusions.
The Council is expected to have a short discussion focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council is expected to agree conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU-Western Balkans informal Foreign Ministers meeting held in the margins of the Gymnich on 10–11 March and the death of Milosevic. The Government welcome the expected conclusions particularly on Bosnia and Herzegovina which reflect the need for her to fulfil stabilisation and association agreement conditions (legislative and administrative
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capacity, police and public broadcasting reform and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia) as well as the need for progress on constitutional reform.
We expect the Council to take stock of the developments on the ground following the Israeli seizure of Palestinian militant leader Ahmed Saadat. Discussions may also cover EC assistance to the Palestinian Authority.
The Council will discuss the latest developments on the nuclear file, and may also cover wider EU-Iran relations. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions.
The Council is expected to have a short discussion on the latest developments in the negotiations for Government formation in Iraq. The Council is also expected to approve the mandate for negotiations on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement to commence once an Iraqi Government are in office.
The Council is expected to have a discussion on the proposed transition of the African Union peace-monitoring mission in Darfur (AMIS) to a UN force, and the ongoing peace talks in Abuja.
The Government welcome the African Union's decision, at its 10 March Peace and Security Council (AU PSC), to reaffirm their support in principle for a handover of AMIS to the UN, and to extend AMIS' mandate to 30 September. We believe the EU should now press the UN to work towards this date as a deadline for handover.
The presidency has invited Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora to address the Council over lunch on the current situation on the ground.
EU Foreign Ministers' Informal Meeting
The Minister for Europe (Mr. Douglas Alexander): My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary represented the UK at the EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting (Gymnich) in Salzburg on 10–11 March 2006.
The agenda items were covered as follows:
CFSP High Representative Solana and External Relations Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner provided Ministers with an overview of recent events in the Middle East Peace Process. Foreign Ministers will return to the issue at the next General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on 20 March.
Reactions in the Muslim world to publications in the European media
Foreign Ministers had an exchange of views on how the EU might engage further with Islamic communities in the EU and the wider Islamic world.
Foreign Ministers discussed the E3's recent meeting with Iranian chief negotiator Larijani and the forthcoming UN Security Council meeting, and wider EU/Iran relations.
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The presidency reported on the recent EU-Ukraine Foreign Ministers' Troika meeting after which Foreign Ministers discussed EU-Ukraine relations in light of the forthcoming Ukrainian parliamentary elections on 26 March.
Foreign Ministers discussed the worrying and deteriorating situation in Belarus ahead of presidential elections on 19 March, and the possible EU response. They noted the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is monitoring the elections.
Foreign Ministers were joined by Martti Ahtisaari (UN Status Envoy) for their discussions on Kosovo. After receiving a report from High Representative Solana on recent developments, Foreign Ministers were briefed by Mr. Ahtisaari. Their following discussions focused on support for Mr. Ahtisaari's activities.
EU-Western Balkans Informal Foreign Ministers' meeting
Foreign Ministers discussed the Western Balkans with the Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkans and representatives from Kosovo and international players in the region. As well as recognising the progress made since the Thessaloniki European Council in 2003, discussions focused on five themes: (1) regional political development, (2) regional co-operation and free trade, (3) co-operation on justice and home affairs, (4) people-to-people contacts, and (5) science and education co-operation. A joint statement issued after the meeting.
Dialogue between cultures and religions
Foreign Ministers were joined at lunch by Western Balkans Foreign Ministers and the Turkish Foreign Minister. Foreign Ministers held a discussion on how countries might encourage mutual tolerance and respect.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Flooding (Bolivia)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Mr. Gareth Thomas): Since January Bolivia has been experiencing above average rainfall, as well as hail and freezing temperatures in the highlands. Rainfall levels are reported to be at their highest in over 75 years and more is expected over the coming weeks. Some 23 people have died as a result of flooding, while another 280,000 people have been affected. As well as causing damage to infrastructure, homes and crops, reports are emerging of increased incidence of diarrhoea, gastro-intestinal diseases and conjunctivitis in affected highland communities. Some 9,347 families have been evacuated to temporary accommodation. The Bolivian Air Force has been assisting in search and rescue efforts, and the Government are distributing relief supplies.
Following a request for international assistance from the Government of Bolivia, DFID has channelled £100,000 through Care UK to meet immediate relief needs and to rebuild livelihoods. The programme will
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target 2,700 of the worst affected families, repairing local water systems, supporting health facilities and providing urgently needed relief items such as jerry cans. It will also contribute to programmes to reduce the impact of future disasters, whilst the livelihoods support will help fill the food gap over the coming months.
The US has provided some US$ 300,000 of urgently needed relief items such as plastic sheeting and 100 tons of food. France has recently committed €1million, largely for support to health. The European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office has also provided €1 million for water and sanitation, health, food security and disaster preparedness, of which the UK's share is € 200,000 in addition to our £100,000 of bilateral support.
DFID also remains committed to Bolivia through our multilateral contributions, our support for NGO activity and through our Regional Assistance Plan (RAP) that has set the framework for DFID's involvement in Latin America. The value of DFID's regional assistance plan for 2006 is £8 million.
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