23RD REPORT: THE COMMISSION'S ANNUAL POLICY
STRATEGY FOR 2008
Letter from Jim Murphy MP, Minister for
Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Chairman
Thank you for the copy of your report on the
European Commission's Annual Policy Strategy 2008 (APS), published
on 4 July 2007.
The Government welcomes the quality of analysis
and expertise, reflected in this report, that the Committee contributes
on European issues. I read your report with interest and welcome
its conclusions.
I welcome your suggestion that the European
Commission should consider the issues raised in the report when
drafting the Annual Legislative and Work Programme for 2008.
I agree with you that the APS should provoke
constructive debate between European institutions and national
parliaments about EU priorities, and that the APS should consider
the broad priorities rather than specific proposals.
I note your welcome of the European Commission's
continuing commitment to Better Regulation, and share your view
that there should be greater prominence given to ensuring human
rights compliance of its proposals as it works on its strategic
review of Better Regulation.
I also note your suggestion that our Explanatory
Memorandum to Parliament should give a greater prominence to the
Government's views about the policy areas raised in the APS. You
will be interested to know that officials from the FCO have visited
the European Commission to discuss with officials responsible
for drafting the APS ways to improve the process.
23 October 2007
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