---

25 Feb 1999 : Column WA125

Written Answers

Thursday, 25th February, 1999.

NATO Dialogue with Mediterranean Partners

Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proposals they will make at the April 1999 NATO Summit Meeting in Washington for the alliance to enhance the quality of its Mediterranean dialogue, with particular reference to future risks from weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles and terrorism.[HL981]

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.

Gibraltar: British Residents

Lord Wallace of Saltaire asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many British citizens are currently resident in Gibraltar.[HL1020]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: According to the latest available figures (1997) there are 24,787 British nationals resident in Gibraltar.

EU Enlargement

Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer given by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 9 February (H.L. Deb., cols. 100-101), whether they have carried out any objective research as to whether it would be in the interests of the Central and Eastern European countries to have full membership of the European Union; and (b) whether in so doing they have considered the arguments advanced in the book, The Poisoned Chalice.[HL1073]

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

25 Feb 1999 : Column WA126

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.

International Conflict: Causes

Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the debate on 26 November 1998 (H.L. Deb., cols. 196 and 220-230), whether they consider that conflict is more likely to be provoked (a) by democratic nations, or (b) within conglomerations of disparate states, especially when the ties which have bound them together are loosened.[HL1074]

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.

Malacca Strait: Chinese Military Activity

Lord Birdwood asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received any information on increased Chinese military activity near the Malacca Strait.[HL1076]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are not aware of any increased military activity by China near the Malacca Strait.

British Council Grants to Artists Scheme

The Earl of Clancarty asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the amount of funding of the British Council's Grants to Artists Scheme for each of the financial years 1988-89 to 1997-98.[HL1075]

25 Feb 1999 : Column WA127

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:

1993-94: £54,434

1994-95: £98,480

1995-96: £85,665

1996-97: £127,568

1997-98: £120,618

Turkey

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was their response to the appeal to all European governments by the Prime Minister of Italy urging them to seek a peaceful political solution to the long-standing war in south-east Turkey and adjoining areas.[HL994]

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:

What action they will take in the Council of Europe if the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Loizidou v. Turkey is not enforced.[HL995]

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.

Togo: Banning of Female Genital Mutilation

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make an official response to the Government of Togo on their campaign (including a legal ban) against female genital mutilation.[HL1013]

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.

25 Feb 1999 : Column WA128

Gibraltar: Fishing Agreement

Viscount Exmouth asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will outline the agreement, made in October 1998, between the Spanish Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, regarding fishing within British sovereign waters in the Bay of Gibraltar and ratified by the Prime Minister and the Spanish Prime Minister.[HL1053]

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.

Anglo-Spanish Ministerial Meetings

Viscount Exmouth asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the dates for the forthcoming meetings between the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Spanish Foreign Minister and likewise the date for the proposed meeting between the Prime Minister and the Spanish Prime Minister.[HL1054]

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.

European Union: Forthcoming Council Business

Baroness Turner of Camden asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for March; and list the major European Union events for the next six months.[HL1258]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: See below.

Monthly Forecast of Business: March 1999

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

25 Feb 1999 : Column WA132

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.

European Calendar: March-August 1999

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

25 Feb 1999 : Column WA133

---