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Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): NATO's member states and Mediterranean partners are free to raise any issue which can further security and stability in the Mediterranean region, including weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles and terrorism. The Washington Summit will consider proposals to increase the frequency of multilateral and bilateral contacts between NATO and its Mediterranean partners and to expand the range of military activities in the work programme.
Lord Wallace of Saltaire asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: According to the latest available figures (1997) there are 24,787 British nationals resident in Gibraltar.
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Enlargement is in the interest of the whole of Europe, including the current member states and the applicant states. It will not only reinforce peace, stability, democracy and freedom, but create the largest single market for trade and investment in the world. But, as I underlined in the Lords on 9 February, it is for the applicants themselves
to judge if it is in their interest to join the European Union. The current applicant states have judged in favour of accession to the European Union. We are confident that the benefits of enlargement will significantly outweigh the costs.Publications like A Coming Home or a Poisoned Chalice have helpfully identified a number of the practical difficulties that will need to be addressed to make enlargement a success. We do not share the authors' pessimism about the enlargement process, but accept the necessity of avoiding any kind of second class of membership and of dealing with EU reforms before the first accessions.
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The causes of conflict are varied and complex. However, the Government believe that violent conflict is inherently less likely to be provoked within, by or between democratic countries. This is one of the reasons why the Government attach importance to their work, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, to build and strengthen democratic values and institutions.
Lord Birdwood asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are not aware of any increased military activity by China near the Malacca Strait.
The Earl of Clancarty asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Figures for the amount of funding for the British Council's Grants to Artists Scheme for the years requested are only readily available from Financial Year 1993-94. The figures from that year to 1997-98 are as follows:
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I refer the noble Lord to the Answers I gave in the House on 3 December 1998 in reply to questions from the noble Lords, Lord Rea and Lord Hylton (H.L. Deb., cols. 598-600).
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Responsibility for implementing the judgment in Loizidou v. Turkey lies with Turkey. We take such responsibilities seriously, as with all obligations in the Council of Europe, and expect other members to do likewise. We have reminded Turkey in the Committee of Ministers of these responsibilities, most recently on 9 February, and will continue to do so. We have made clear to Turkey the need to respect the Court's judgment. Turkey has confirmed its wish to uphold the authority of the European Court of Human Rights.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: This Government welcome the Government of Togo's initiative to abolish female genital mutilation and will be following it up with the Togolese authorities. We regularly look for opportunities to condemn this custom, which we see as a form of violence against women and an abuse of human rights. We are actively supporting programmes which work towards the eradication of this practice.
Viscount Exmouth asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: On 5 October 1998, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary reached an understanding with the Spanish Foreign Minister on the situation that prevailed in British waters around Gibraltar from 1991-97, when fishing took place in moderation and the fisherman respected the authority of the Gibraltar law enforcement agencies. They agreed that we should revert to that situation.
Viscount Exmouth asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Foreign Secretary met the Spanish Foreign Minister on 21 February. They agreed that officials would meet to prepare for a further meeting. No dates have been fixed, although the two Ministers see each other regularly in the course of EU business.
The Prime Minister hopes to see the Spanish Prime Minister on 25 February in Germany in the context of the informal meeting of Heads of Government to discuss Agenda 2000.
Baroness Turner of Camden asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: See below.
Date | Location | Event | ||
March 1999 | ||||
4 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
8-12 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary | ||
9 | Brussels | Social Affairs Council | ||
11-12 | Brussels | Environment Council | ||
12 | Brussels | Justice & Home Affairs Council | ||
13-14 | Reinhartshausen | Foreign Ministers (Informal) | ||
15 | Brussels | ECOFIN | ||
15-16 | Brussels | Agriculture Council | ||
22 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
22-23 | Brussels | General Affairs Council | ||
24-25 | Berlin | Special European Council | ||
26 | Brussels | K4 Committee | ||
22-23 | Brussels | European Parliamentary Plenary | ||
29 | Brussels | Transport Council | ||
29-30 | Berlin | Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers | ||
30 | Brussels | Fisheries Council | ||
The following subjects are likely to be discussed: | ||||
4 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
No agenda yet available | ||||
8-12 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary | ||
No agenda yet available | ||||
9 | Brussels | Social Affairs Council | ||
Dialogue with acceding countries on social issues | ||||
Directive on employee involvement in the Societe Europeen | ||||
Political agreement | ||||
Decision on the Standing Committee on Employment | ||||
Adoption | ||||
Code of Conduct on co-operation between authorities in the case of transnational hiring-out of workers and combating benefit fraud and illegal work | ||||
Adoption of Resolution | ||||
Proposal for Directives on the organisation of working time: | ||||
Progress report from the Presidency | ||||
11-12 | Brussels | Environment Council | ||
Proposal for a Council Directive on end-of-life vehicles: | ||||
Common position | ||||
Amended proposal for a Council Directive establishing a framework for Community action in the field of auto policy: | ||||
Common position | ||||
Community strategy on climate change: | ||||
Council conclusions | ||||
Preparation of the 7th session of the Commission on Sustainable development (CSD) (19-30 April 1999): | ||||
Council conclusions | ||||
Proposal for a Council regulation allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a community eco-management and audit system: | ||||
Policy debate | ||||
Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 88/609/EEC: | ||||
Policy debate | ||||
Incineration Directives: | ||||
Policy debate | ||||
Commission report on progress in accession negotiations in the environment sector: | ||||
Commission report | ||||
12 | Brussels | Justice & Home Affairs Council (Possible) | ||
Adoption of the agenda | ||||
Europol, pension fund | ||||
Europol activities report 1998 | ||||
Europol: draft Council act adopting the rules governing the transmission of personal data by Europol to 3rd states and 3rd bodies | ||||
Europol: draft decision of the Council instructing Europol to deal with forgery of money and means of payments | ||||
Europol: preparation of the taking-up of activities | ||||
EURODAC: draft Council act drawing up a protocol extending the scope ratione personae of the Convention concerning the establishment of "EURODAC" for the comparison of fingerprints of applicants for asylum | ||||
Drugs: decision on MBDB | ||||
Joint position on the EU-Convention on organised crime | ||||
Draft explanatory report on the Second Protocol to the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests | ||||
Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters | ||||
Questions relating to the transition from the Maastricht to the Amsterdam treaty with regard to conventions | ||||
Revision of the Conventions of Brussels and Lugano | ||||
Information on some ongoing activities in the field of internal market and consumer protection | ||||
Preparation of the meeting with CEECs and Cyprus | ||||
Definition and integration of the Schengen Aquis (information by the Presidency) | ||||
Any other business | ||||
13-14 | Reinhartshausen | Foreign Ministers (Informal) | ||
No Formal Agenda | ||||
15 | Brussels | ECOFIN | ||
AGENDA 2000 | ||||
Financial Framework | ||||
Institutional agreement | ||||
Report on own resources | ||||
(Possible) Stability and Growth pack: | ||||
examination of stability and convergence programmes | ||||
Report of the European Court of Auditors for the financial year 1997: | ||||
Presentation of report | ||||
Recommendation on discharge and statement of assurance | ||||
Follow-up to Vienna European Council: | ||||
Duty Free Sales | ||||
(Possible) Taxes: | ||||
Taxation of interest income | ||||
Interim report on the discussions with third countries | ||||
Energy taxation | ||||
Progress report | ||||
(Possible) Euro 11 | ||||
Multilateral monitoring and co-ordination of economic policy | ||||
15-16 | Brussels | Agricultural Council | ||
No agenda yet available | ||||
22 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
22-23 | Brussels | General Affairs Council | ||
Agenda 2000: Preparation of Special European Council (24 and 25 March, Brussels) | ||||
(Possible) Enlargement | ||||
Common Strategies | ||||
Mediterranean policy: | ||||
Situation/Prospect of TEP negotiations | ||||
EU-Latin America Summit: | ||||
Progress of preparations | ||||
EU-ASEAN relations: | ||||
Preparation of meeting of Foreign Ministers (25 March) | ||||
ASEM | ||||
Preparation of meeting of Foreign Ministers (30 March) | ||||
Western Balkans | ||||
European security and defence policy | ||||
24-25 | Berlin | Special European Council | ||
Agenda not yet available | ||||
24-25 | Brussels | European Parliament Plenary | ||
Agenda not yet available | ||||
29 | Brussels | Transport Council | ||
Land Transport | ||||
Proposals for Council Directive amendments: | ||||
Policy debate | ||||
Proposal for the amendment of: | ||||
Directive 92/106/EEC & 96/53 | ||||
Political agreement | ||||
Communication on the organisation of working time in the sectors and activities excluded from Directive 93/104/EC | ||||
Policy debate | ||||
Commission report on the use of buses and coaches of up to 15 metres in length | ||||
Council conclusions | ||||
Possible agreement on the transits of lorries through Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria | ||||
Political agreement on the draft text | ||||
Air Transport | ||||
Mandate for the revision of the Warsaw convention on uniform rules on the transport of cargo in international air transport | ||||
Agreement on the granting of the mandate to the Commission | ||||
Proposal for a regulation amending Regulation 295/91 | ||||
Adoption of the common position | ||||
Commission report on air transport and environment | ||||
Debate | ||||
All Transport Modes | ||||
Report on a proposal for the amendment of Decision 1692/96/EC | ||||
Debate | ||||
Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) | ||||
Commission proposal expected at the beginning of 1999--debate | ||||
Negotiations between the EC and Switzerland on land and air transport | ||||
Conclusion of the agreement | ||||
Political agreement on the implementation of the agreement | ||||
29-30 | Berlin | Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers | ||
Agenda not yet available | ||||
30 | Brussels | Fisheries Council | ||
Proposal for Council regulation laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding community structural assistance in the fisheries sector | ||||
Policy debate | ||||
Proposal for a Council regulation establishing a list of serious infringements in the context of the control system (Regulation (EEC) 2847/93) applicable to the common fishery policy | ||||
Policy debate | ||||
Proposals to amend Council regulation (EC) 850/96 | ||||
Final adoption | ||||
Proposals opening and providing for the administration of autonomous community tariff quotas for certain fisheries products | ||||
Final adoption | ||||
Proposal for a Council Regulation on the collection of basic fisheries data | ||||
Presentation by the Commission and initial debate |
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.
Date | Location | Event | ||
March 1999 | ||||
4 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
8-12 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary | ||
9 | Brussels | Social Affairs Council | ||
11-12 | Brussels | Environment Council | ||
12 | Brussels | Justice & Home Affairs Council | ||
13-14 | Reinhartshausen | Foreign Ministers (informal) | ||
15 | Brussels | ECOFIN | ||
15-16 | Brussels | Agriculture Council | ||
22 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
22-23 | Brussels | General Affairs Council | ||
22-23 | Brussels | European Parliament Plenary | ||
24-25 | Berlin | Special European Council | ||
26 | Brussels | K4 Committee | ||
29 | Brussels | Transport Council | ||
29-30 | Berlin | Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers | ||
30 | Brussels | Fisheries Council | ||
April 1999 | ||||
8 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
12-16 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary | ||
13 | Luxembourg | Consumer Affairs Council | ||
15-16 | Stuttgart | Euro-Med Foreign Ministers Conference "Barcelona III" | ||
16-18 | Dresden | ECOFIN (informal) | ||
19-20 | Luxembourg | Agriculture Council | ||
20 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
22 | Luxembourg | Telecommunications Council | ||
23-25 | Mecklenburg | Environment Ministers (Informal) (TBC) | ||
24-25 | Luxembourg | NATO Summit | ||
26 | Luxembourg | Political Committee | ||
26-27 | Luxembourg | General Affairs Council | ||
29 | Luxembourg | Industry Council | ||
29-30 | Brussels | K4 Committee | ||
May 1999 | ||||
3-7 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary | ||
6-7 | Berlin | Political Committee | ||
6 | Brussels | EU-ACP Ministerial meeting | ||
7-9 | Mecklenburg | Environment Ministers (informal) (TBC) | ||
10 | Brussels | ECOFIN | ||
10 | Bremen | WEU Council | ||
10-11 | Berlin | Trade Ministers (informal) | ||
11 | Brussels | Energy Council | ||
17 | Brussels | K4 Committee | ||
17 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
17-18 | Brussels | General Affairs Council | ||
17-18 | Brussels | Agriculture Council | ||
18 | Brussels | EEA Council | ||
18 | Brussels | Co-operation Council with Russia | ||
18-19 | Weimar | Culture Ministers (informal) | ||
20 | Brussels | Research Council | ||
21 | Brussels | Development Council | ||
25 | Brussels | Joint ECOFIN and Labour & Social Affairs Council | ||
25 | Brussels | Social Affairs Council | ||
25 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
27 | Brussels | Youth Council | ||
27-28 | Brussels | Justice & Home Affairs Council | ||
31 | Brussels | General Affairs Council | ||
30 May-1 June | Dresden | Agriculture Ministers (informal) | ||
June 1999 | ||||
1 | Dresden | Agriculture Ministers (informal) | ||
3-4 | Cologne | European Council | ||
7 | Luxembourg | Education Council | ||
8 | Luxembourg | Health Council | ||
10 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
10 | Luxembourg | Fisheries Council | ||
10-13 | European Parliament Elections | |||
14 | Luxembourg | ECOFIN (possible) | ||
14-15 | Luxembourg | Agriculture Council | ||
14-15 | Brussels | K4 Committee | ||
17 | Bonn | EU-Japan Summit | ||
17-18 | Luxembourg | Transport Council | ||
18-20 | Cologne | G8 | ||
21 | Luxembourg | Internal Market | ||
21 | Bonn | EU/USA/Canada Summit | ||
21-22 | Luxembourg | General Affairs Council | ||
22 | Luxembourg | Labour & Social Affairs Council (possible) | ||
24-25 | Luxembourg | Environment Council | ||
25-29 | Rio de Janeiro | EU-Latin America/Caribbean Summit | ||
28 | Luxembourg | Culture Council | ||
29 | Brussels | Political Committee (possible) | ||
July 1999 | ||||
2-3 | Oulu | Industry and Research Ministers (informal) | ||
6-7 | Savonlinna | Culture Ministers | ||
8 | Hameenlinna | Political Committee | ||
9-10 | Oulu | Labour/Social Affairs Ministers (informal) | ||
12 | Brussels | ECOFIN | ||
16 | Brussels | Budget | ||
16-18 | Helsinki | Environment Ministers (informal) | ||
18-20 | Savonlinna | Culture/Audiovisual Ministers (informal) | ||
19 | Brussels | Political Committee | ||
19-20 | Brussels | General Affairs Council | ||
20-23 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary | ||
22-23 | Helsinki | K4 Committee | ||
August 1999 | ||||
No Council Business |
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