Foreign Affairs Council (Hansard, 23 November 1993)

§ Mr. Hurd

I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 8 and 9 November. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office also attended.

The Council agreed to rename the "Council of the European Communities" as the "Council of the European Union" to reflect its involvement in both EC affairs and the intergovernmental pillars; and that political declarations made in the context of common foreign and security policy would now be made in the name of the European Union. The Council also agreed on a minutes statement to the effect that these decisions did not alter the current legal position that the European Union does not enjoy international legal personality and that the designation of the parties to any international instruments having legal effects would be a matter to be decided case by case.

Sir Leon Brittan reported to the Council on his recent discussions with the United States Administration and on the state of the GATT Uruguay round negotiations in Geneva. The Council reaffirmed the need to make every effort to reach a global, durable and balanced agreement by the 15 December deadline. The Council expressed its concern over the slow progress of the negotiations and launched an urgent appeal to its main trading partners to engage more actively in the negotiations. The Council also considered a written report by the Commission on outstanding problems in the negotiations and noted that the Commission would shortly produce a further report on the audio-visual sector. The presidency decided to arrange a further discussi on at a special Council in early December.

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The Council agreed that new Commission proposals on anti-dumping procedures should be considered by the Permanent Representatives Committee with a view to a decision at the 6 December Foreign Affairs Council.

Greece raised the possible appointment of an EC observer for Cyprus. The Council agreed to defer discussion until a further Council.

Ministers had their first collective meeting with the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Mr. Arafat gave his analysis of the latest developments in the peace process, and stressed the importance of international, including EC assistance. The Council recalled that the EC is already the Palestinians' largest donor, and underlined the need for transparent, effective and accountable Palestinian aid structures in the occupied territories.

The Council agreed proposals to amend the negotiating directives for an EC/Russia partnership and co-operation agreement.

The Council adopted a joint action providing for the monitoring of the 12 December Russian elections.

The Council discussed recent developments in the former Yugoslavia relating to the search for a negotiated and durable solution to the conflict, a contribution to the implementation of a peace plan and support for humanitarian action. On the basis of guidelines from the 29 October Brussels European Council, the Council adopted a joint action on the delivery of humanitarian aid in Bosnia and agreed to meeting further on 22 November to discuss both political and aid-related aspects of the crisis.

The Council discussed the Commission's draft negotiating mandate for a new partnership agreement with Morocco and concluded that further work on the dossier was needed.

In a brief discussion of relations with Tunisia, the Commission said that it expected to present a draft negotiating mandate for a partnership agreement to the next Foreign Affairs Council.

The Council held further discussions on access to information. No decision was reached and the negotiations will continue.

The Council agreed to take forward discussion with the European Parliament over detailed rules for the operation of the Parliament's temporary committees of inquiry.

The Council agreed to lift two further sanctions measures, on civil nuclear co-operation and sales of sensitive equipment to the South African police and military, as soon as the Transitional Executive Council is established.

The Council agreed to open negotiations on various bilateral agreements with Switzerland including transport and research.

The Council discussed conclusion of the EC/Bulgaria interim agreement. No agreement was reached.

The Council authorised the Commission to negotiate agreements covering trade in aluminium with Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.

An Association Council with Turkey was held in the margins which recalled both sides' commitment to achieving customs union in 1995.

Ministerial sessions of the accession negotiations with Finland, Norway, Sweden and Austria also took place in the margins.

No formal votes were taken during the Council.