European Foreign Policies

HC Deb 14 April 1993 vol 222 cc813-5

4. Mr. Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next proposes to have discussions with his European Community partners concerning the development of common European foreign policies.

Mr. Garel-Jones

We meet our European partners regularly to discuss the strengthening of intergovernmental co-operation on foreign policy.

Mr. Knox

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the foreign affairs and security provisions in the Maastrich treaty build on the concept of political co-operation, which was an important part of the Single European Act? Does he further agree that this country has played a major part in the development of that political co-operation?

Mr. Garel-Jones

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. European political co-operation and the single market were two of the great achievements of the Single European Act. The Government have played and will continue to play a forward role in European political co-operation and in the common foreign and security policy when it is set up after ratification of the Maastricht treaty.

Mr. Charles Kennedy

Does the Minister agree that those of us who support ratification of the Maastricht treaty must be mindful of the criticisms being made of western Europe and the European Community—by, among others, Baroness Thatcher last night—in relation to the tragedy in the former Yugoslavia? Will the Minister take the opportunity to remind the House and others outside that what that means is that we must ratify Maastricht, build on those provisions and move towards a more united and coherent defence and foreign policy for the European Community as a whole so that tragedies of that nature within our own perimeter of influence can be much more urgently addressed?

Mr. Garel-Jones

I agree with the hon. Gentleman to the extent that he hopes for a peaceful settlement in Yugoslavia. That rests on the Vance-Owen initiative, which has been strongly supported by the European Community and this Administration.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

Has my right hon. Friend had an opportunity to discuss with his opposite number in Paris the possible withdrawal of General Philippe Morillon from his United Nations command in Bosnia? Will my right hon. Friend pay tribute to that highly controversial general, who, none the less, has shown great dedication to the cause of the United Nations and whose courage is exemplary?

Mr. Garel-Jones

I shall be travelling to Paris on Friday to meet my new opposite number. I will not hesitate to pay tribute to the courage and dedication of General Morillon.

Dr. John Cunningham

Does the Minister accept that, where possible, European Community foreign policies should be welcome and effective? In that connection, will he work with our European partners to construct a common foreign policy towards South Africa, and particularly to assist in progress towards a democratic, non-racial South Africa? Should not Europe unite in condemning the appalling brutal murder of Chris Hani, which is a tragedy for the whole of South Africa? Should we not also welcome the statesmanship of Nelson Mandela in appealing for calm and continued progress and work towards a democratic, non-racial South Africa?

Mr. Garel-Jones

I certainly join the right hon. Gentleman in applauding the approach that Mr. Mandela has taken. I think that Mr. Mandela and this Government are right to believe that the best tribute to the man who has been assassinated is to continue to pursue the peace process. Certainly the European Community, through the election monitors it has sent and the police training it has offered, is supporting the democratic forces for change in South Africa.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Returning to the question put by the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye (Mr. Kennedy), does my right hon. Friend agree that what is needed is not just the courage shown by the French general and many of the troops of all nations in the United Nations force in the former Yugoslavia, but to build on the emotional demands for a rational way forward so that we make matters not worse but better?

Mr. Garel-Jones

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend. Like me, he will not be surprised that many Members and also people outside the House feel very strongly about what is going on in the former Yugoslavia, given the horrific nature of the events taking place there. Nevertheless, the course that the Government and the European Community have pursued—that of support for the Owen-Vance initiative, difficult furrow though it is to plough—is the right one.