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Kashmir: UN Resolutions

Lord Ahmed asked Her Majesty's Government:

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We believe that India and Pakistan should build on both the UN resolutions and the 1972 Simla Agreement in their search for a solution to Kashmir. We continue to encourage both countries to return to bilateral dialogue to find a just and lasting solution acceptable to the people of Kashmir.

UN Resolutions and Security Council Membership

Lord Ahmed asked Her Majesty's Government:

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We would expect that compliance with international rules and standards would strengthen any country's claim to a new permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

India and Pakistan: Line of Control

Lord Ahmed asked Her Majesty's Government:

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The current tensions are a cause for concern. It is in everyone's interest to demonstrate restraint and respect for the line of control. We will continue to convey this message to both Pakistan and India.

Mohammed Yasin Malik

Lord Ahmed asked Her Majesty's Government:

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Peter Hain, raised the detention of members of the All Party Hurriyat Conference, including Mr. Malik, with the Indian authorities during his visit to India in November last year. Some have since been released. We will continue to make known our concerns about the others, including Mr. Malik.

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Human Rights Convention and the EU

Lord Cope of Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Further to the Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 13 April (H.L. Deb., col. 283), whether Commissioners of the European Union and their staff are required to take account of the European Covention on Human Rights in giving advice to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. [HL2103]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Article 6 TEU requires the Union to respect fundamental rights as guaranteed by the ECHR. This requirement is binding upon the institutions of the EU, including the Commission.

Overseas Territories Governors

Lord Hoyle asked Her Majesty's Government:

    To which overseas territories the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs appoints the governor; and in each case, what is the previous occupation and present salary of the governor.[HL2105]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The formal procedure is for governors to be appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the advice of the Foreign Secretary and with the approval of the Prime Minister.

With two exceptions, the present complement of governors are all serving members of HM Diplomatic Service. The Governor of Bermuda is a former member of the Diplomatic Service. The Governor of Gibraltar worked previously at the Department of Trade and Industry.

The government of each territory makes provision in their budget for the governor and the governor's office. In some cases HMG make additional payments to the level appropriate to senior members of the Diplomatic Service.

European Charter of Fundamental Rights

Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether, in view of the assurances given by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 13 April (H.L. Deb., cols. 282-3), they will veto the forthcoming European Charter of Fundamental Rights if it is brought before the European Council in legally binding form rather than declaratory form.[HL2129]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We will consider the draft document provided by the convention drafting body on its merits. But the convention has no mandate to decide on the legal status of the charter. This is a matter for heads of government to decide at the Nice European Council in December.

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Iran: Trial of Jews Accused of Espionage

Lord Christopher asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether they are aware of any development in the trial of Jews detained in Iran for espionage.[HL2206]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We have learned that, despite earlier announcements, the majority were accused of lesser charges, 10 of 13 defendants are being tried for espionage and that the trail is being held in closed session. We continue to press our deep concern at these developments on the Iranian authorities, in consultation with our EU partners, stressing the need for a transparent and fair trial.

Council of Europe and EU: Forthcoming Business

Lord Christopher asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether they will list the forthcoming business in the Council of Europe for May; and list the major European Union events for the next six months.[HL2207]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: See attached.

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. Monthly Forecast of EU Business: May 2000 May 2--Brussels--Telecommunications Council 1. Adoption of the agenda. 2. (poss.) Approval of the list of "A" items. 3. Commission communication entitled "The European positions for the World Radiocommunications Conference 2000 (WRC-2000)":


    Council conclusions


    6981/00 ECO 54 AVIATION 7 TRANS 37


    7788/00 ECO 89 AVIATION 14 TRANS 58. 4. Conference on Digital Terrestrial Television (DVB-T) on 17 and 18 February 2000 in Lisbon:


    Presidency briefing


    7527/00 ECO 72 AUDIO 13. 5. Review of the electronic communications regulatory package: outcome of the public consultation:


    presentation by the Commission


    policy debate


    7754/00 ECO 87. 6. (poss.) Postal services:


    Commission briefing. 7. Other business:


    (a) Outcome of the public consultation on the "EU"

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    Oral presentation by the Commission


    5971/00 ECO 26. (b) Commission communication on the organisation of the management of the Internet:


    Presentation by the Commission. (c) Recommendation and communication from the Commission on access to the local loop, including local loop unbundling:


    Presentation by the Commission. 3 to 4--Brussels--European Parliament Plenary * (poss.) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion on behalf of the European Community on the Food Aid Convention 1999. * (poss.) Proposal for a Council regulation laying down certain control measures in respect of vessels flying the flag of non-contracting parties to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO). * (poss.) Proposal for a Council regulation amending the fifth time Regulation Codecision procedure--First reading. * (poss.) Proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation (EC) (amending Regulation 5EEC) No. 3528/86 on the protection of the Community's forests against the atmospheric pollution.

Proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation extending Regulation (EC) No 443/97 on operations to aid uprooted people in Asian and Latin American developing countries. 8--Brussels--Ecofin Council * Commission recommendation on the broad economic policy guidelines--Orientation debate. * (poss.) Amendment to the UCITS Directive * (poss.) Amendment to the Money laundering Directive * (poss.) Directive on the reorganisation and winding-up of credit institutions * Draft EU budget 2001--Orientation debate * Any other business 11--Brussels--Health Council 15 to 16--Brussels--Agriculture Council 15 to 19--Brussels--European Parliament Plenary 16--Brussels--Culture Council 17--Moscow--EU/Russia Summit 18--Brussels--Industry Council 18--Brussels--Development Council 22 to 23--Brussels--General Affairs Council 23--Brussels--EEA Council 23--Brussels--Peach Implementation Council 25--Brussels--Internal Market Council 29 to 30--Brussels--Justice and Home Affairs 30--Brussels--Energy Council


    No agendas currently available.

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    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: May to October 2000

    DateLocationEvent
    May
    2Brussels Telecommunications Council
    3-4Brussels European Parliament Plenary
    5-7San Miguel, Azores Informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers
    8Brussels ECOFIN Council
    8Lisbon EU/New Zealand Ministerial
    11Brussels Health Council
    15-16Brussels Agriculture Council
    15-16Oporto WEU Council
    15-19Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
    16 Brussels Culture Council
    17Moscow EU/Russia Summit
    18Brussels Industry Council
    18Brussels Development Council
    22-23Brussels General Affairs Council
    23Brussels EEA Council
    23Brussels Peace Implementation Council
    25Brussels Internal Market Council
    25-26Lisbon EuroMed Foreign Ministers Meeting (Informal)
    28-30EvoraAgriculture Council (Informal)
    29-30Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council
    30Brussels Energy Council
    June
    5Luxembourg ECOFIN Council
    6Luxembourg Social Affairs Council
    7Fiji ACP/EU Ministerial 8
    8Fiji Signing of post Lome convention
    8Luxembourg Education Council
    13-14Luxembourg General Affairs Council
    13-16Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
    15Luxembourg Research Council
    16Luxembourg Fisheries Council
    19-20Luxembourg Agriculture Council
    19-20Sta. Maria da Feira European Council
    21-23Cyprus 3rd Euro- Mediterranean Conference of the Ministers of Industry
    22-23Luxembourg Environment Council
    26-27Luxembourg Transport Council
    28Lisbon EU/India Summit
    July
    3-7Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
    6-7Lille Culture Council
    7-8Paris Social Affairs Council (Informal)
    10-11Brussels General Affairs Council
    15-16Paris Environment Council (Informal)
    17Brussels ECOFIN Council
    17-18Brussels Agriculature Council
    24Brussels Budget Council
    27Bangkok ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial
    28-29Bangkok ASEAN Post Ministerial
    28-29Arles Justice & Home Affairs Council (Informal)
    August
    There are no Councils scheduled for this month.
    September
    1-2Evian Gymnich
    3-5Biarritz Agriculture Council (Informal)
    6New York EU/Ukraine Summit
    9-10Paris (tbc) ECOFIN Council (Informal)
    18Brussels Telecommunications Council
    18-19Brussels General Affairs Council
    25-26Brussels Agriculture Council
    28Brussels ECOFIN Council
    28Brussels Internal Market Council
    28-29Marseilles Justice and Home Affairs Council
    October
    2Luxembourg Transport Council
    9-10Luxembourg General Affairs Council
    10Luxembourg Environment Council
    13-14Biarritz European Council
    16Paris EU/US Ministerial meeting
    16Paris EU/Canada Ministerial meeting
    17Luxembourg ECOFIN Council
    19Luxembourg Fisheries Council
    19-21Seoul Europe/Asia Summit
    23China EU/China Summit
    23-24Luxembourg Agriculture Council
    25Luxembourg Education Council

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