§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the application of article J.5 of the provisions on a common foreign and security policy of the proposed treaty on European union in circumstances where United Kingdom policy or interests differ from the policy of the union as represented by the presidency.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesArticle J.5 of the treaty on European union provides for the presidency to represent the union 213W on the basis of common positions within the common foreign and security policy. In order for there to be a common position, all member states must agree to it. Where there is no common position, member states speak for themselves. Article J.5(4) specifically safeguards the United Kingdom's ability to fulfil effectively its responsibilities as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.