HC Deb 10 July 1995 vol 263 cc395-6W
Mr. Dicks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union. [33657]

Mr. David Davis

The following is the information:

MONTHLY FORECAST OF BUSINESS FOR JULY 1995

The following meetings are planned:

  • July 10: ECOFIN
  • July 17/18: Foreign Affairs Council Agriculture Council
  • July 24: Budget Council

The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

  • July 10: ECOFIN
  • Cannes follow-up, probably:
    • TENS
    • Employment
    • EMU Green Paper
  • Broad economic guidelines (possible adoption following Cannes discussion)
  • Recommendations to member states with excessive deficits
  • Harmonised consumer price indices (agreement of Regulation as an "A" or "false B" point)
  • Excise duty review (Presentation of expected Commission report by Commissioner Monti)

Possible items include:

  • Macrofinancial assistance to Georgia and Armenia
  • Cross border payments directive (political agreement)
  • VAT (agreement in principle on reduced rate for cut flowers, with pressure from some member states to broaden scope to other agricultural non-food products)

July 17/18: Agriculture Council

  • Bananas (possible)
  • Wine (possible)
  • Nectarine and peach grubbing scheme

July 17/18: Foreign Affairs Council

  • Agenda not yet available

July 24: Budget Council

  • First reading of draft 1996 Community Budget
  • Commission financial management (possible)