§ 7. Dr. Doug Naysmith (Bristol, North-West)What progress has been made in simplifying the process for those countries seeking to join the European Union. [54291]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Ms Joyce Quin)The European Union agreed a clear and inclusive enlargement process at Luxembourg last year. Britain has played a key role in pushing forward that process, which was launched during our presidency. It remains on track, and will bring the applicant countries into the Union as soon as they are ready for the demands and the obligations of membership.
On 9 November, the Commission will report on the progress made by all the countries seeking to join. The following day, substantive talks are due to start with the six applicants already in accession negotiations.
§ Dr. NaysmithI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Following the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Bulgaria and Romania, is there any progress to be reported on their meeting the criteria for membership?
§ Ms QuinYes, indeed. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had a useful visit, which included Bulgaria and Romania, and there is no doubt that the prospect of EU membership is a great stimulus in those countries to produce reforms. We welcome some of the progress that they have already made and look forward to further progress in due course.
§ Mr. William Cash (Stone)Does the Minister accept that part of the process towards enlargement necessarily involves questions of democracy? Does she further accept that the whole process of proportional representation, as expressed by a leading politician in The Times on 16 October, clearly shows that proportional representation is regarded by those in the Czech Republic as unhealthy, inequitable and leading to the blackmail of the larger parties by the smaller parties, as in Israel, and 143 to dissatisfaction, as exists in New Zealand? Will the Minister therefore accept that, whether with regard to the Westminster system of democracy in Britain or the process of European elections, the whole concept in principle of proportional representation is objectionable, for the reasons that I gave?
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)I have forgotten what the hon. Gentleman said.
§ Ms QuinIt certainly was an elaborate supplementary which took us some way away from the enlargement process. Despite that, however. I agree that democracy is a tremendously important—indeed, essential—part of the candidacy of any country for accession to the EU. But with regard to election systems, existing EU members have a variety of systems, and nothing in the enlargement process would alter that.
§ Mr. Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock)Has the Minister had an opportunity to consider the impact of the recent elections and referendum in Latvia and the general election in Slovakia? Does she agree that they justify including those countries in the fast-track process of enlargement, especially given that the Latvian impediment was its relationship with the Russian minority, which has been resolved by the consequences of the referendum result?
§ Ms QuinThe application of each country needs to be regarded on its merits. Like my hon. Friend, I very much welcome the result of the referendum that took place in Latvia and the recent encouraging signs in the Slovakian election results. They show that coming closer to the European Union can stimulate democracy and respect for human rights and ethnic minorities. I very much welcome that.
§ Mr. John D. Taylor (Strangford)Is the Minister aware of the news that, during the past week, Greece has placed fighter planes in Cyprus for the first time ever, and that, in January, the Greek Cypriot Government intend to bring in Russian missiles manned by Russian personnel? Is the European Union wise to absorb those problems into the Union before a settlement in Cyprus?
§ Ms QuinWe regard the accession process in Cyprus as an important factor in applying pressure for a settlement of the Cypriot problem and uniting the island. That is tremendously important. However, we do not want a build-up of weapons in a volatile part of the world, which is why we have expressed serious reservations about missiles in Cyprus.