HC Deb 31 March 1994 vol 240 cc1015-6W
Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a statement on the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The information is as follows:

MONTHLY FORECAST OF BUSINESS FOR APRIL 1994

The following meetings are planned:

  • 12 April—Fisheries Council
  • 18 April—Transport Council
  • 18 and 19 April—Foreign Affairs Council
  • 19 April—Social Affairs Council
  • 21 April—Civil Protection Council
  • 21 April—Interior Council
  • 22 April—Industry Council
  • 25 and 26 April—Agriculturale Council

The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

A. 12 April—Fisheries Council

  • Spain and Portugal
  • Direct landings from third countries
  • Blue fin tuna certification
  • Mediterranean technical measures
  • Community expenditure on pilot projects
  • 15th amendment to technical conservation measures regulations—possible
  • Tariff quotas—possible

Any Other Business:

Compensation for fishermen affected by bad weather—possible

B. 18 April—Transport Council

  • Aviation "crisis"
  • Transport infrastructure—TENS
  • Road transport external relations mandate
  • Switzerland
  • Railways—licensing and access—(possible)
  • Dangerous goods—ADR—(possible)
  • Air accident investigation (possible)
  • Negiotations with third countries on inland waterways

Any Other Business:

  • —Presidency presentation on Crete transport conference
  • —Commission information on contacts with the United States on transport
  • —Report on Community road safety

C. 18 and 19 April—Foreign Affairs Council

  • White Paper: follow-up
  • Cohesion Funds
  • CFSP Financing
  • Relations with Cyprus: position for Association Council
  • Ukraine
  • EEA: Fish quotas
  • South Africa
  • Ex-Yugoslavia
  • Dual use Goods (possible)
  • Stability Pact: preparation of inaugrural conference
  • Classified Documents (possible) EC/Russia (possible)
  • Right to vote and stand in municipal elections (possible)
  • OECD: Shipyards (possible)
  • In the margins:
  • 18 April—Association Council and dinner with Cyprus

D. 19 April—Social Affairs Council —agenda unavailable

E. 21 April—Civil Protection Council —agenda unavailable

F. 21 April—Possible Interior Council —agenda unavailable

G. 22 April—Industry Council

  • EC Commission White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises
  • Council resolution on automotives
  • Council resolution on competitiveness in the EC textile and clothing sector
  • Steel—including state aid and the ECSC treaty
  • Commission communiction on the maritime industries

H. 25 and 26 April—Agriculture Council

  • Plant Variety Rights (possible)
  • Animal Welfare—Transport (possible)
  • Price Fixing
  • Milk Quotas
  • Potatoes (possible)