HC Deb 03 December 1997 vol 302 cc230-6W
Mr. Ennis

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for December; and if he will list the major European Union events for the next six months. [19231]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The information is as follows:

Monthly forecast of business for December 1997
Venue Event
1 December Brussels Ecofin Council
1 December Brussels Telecommunications Council
December 4 Brussels Health Council
December 4–5 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council
December 8 Brussels Energy Council
December 8–9 Brussels General Affairs Council
December 10–11 Brussels Transport Council
December 12–13 Luxembourg European Council
December 15 Brussels Social Affairs Council
December 15–16 Brussels Agriculture Council
December 16–17 Brussels Environment Council
December 18–19 Copenhagen OSCE Ministerial Council
December 18–19 Brussels Fisheries Council

The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

1 December: Ecofin Council

  • Approval of agenda.
  • Approval of the list of A items.
  • Preparation of Stage 3 of European Monetary Union:
  • Follow-up to the Amsterdam European Council.
  • Date of introduction of euro notes and coins (possible item).
  • Adoption of common position on the Regulation on technical characteristics of coins (possible item).
  • Taxation policy.
  • Fiscalis programme.
  • Export credits (possible item).

1 December: Telecommunications Council

  • Adoption of the agenda.
  • Approval of the list of A points.
  • Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 97/33/EC with regard to operator number portability and carrier pre-selection: Common position.
  • Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual Community programme to stimulate the establishment of the Information Society in Europe: Adoption.
  • Internet: Open debate.
  • Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual Community action plan to promote safe use of the Internet: Presentation by Commission.
  • Communication from the Commission to the Council: "Ensuring security and trust in electronic communication towards a European framework for digital signatures and encryption": Council conclusions.
  • Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on connected telecommunications equipment and the mutual recognition of the conformity of equipment: Progress report.
  • Communication from the Commission: "Strategy and guidelines on the further development of mobile and wireless communications": Exchange of views—Council conclusions.
  • Communication from the Commission on the implementation of the telecommunications regulatory package: First update—Presentation by the Commission.
  • Green Paper on the regulatory implications of convergence in the telecommunications, audiovisual and information technology sectors: Presentation by the Commission.
    • 232
  • Other business: Contribution from the United Kingdom delegation on the problems posed by the coming of the millennium.

4 December: Health Council

  • Approval of the agenda.
  • Adoption of the list of A items.
  • Tobacco advertising: Common position.
  • Rare diseases: Orientation debate.
  • Pollution related diseases—Injury prevention.
  • Women's health: Adoption of Resolution.
  • Green Paper on Food Law and Commission Communication on consumer health and food safety: Orientation debate.
  • Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: Orientation debate.
  • European Union/United States taskforce on communicable diseases: Orientation debate.
  • Draft recommendation on screening donors and donations: Presentation by the Commission.
  • Any other business.

4–5 December: Justice and Home Affairs Council

  • Adoption of the agenda.
  • Approval of the list of A item.
  • Fight against organised crime:
  • Draft joint action to create a Judicial Contact Network.
  • Draft joint action to establish a mechanism for evaluating the application and implementation at national level of international undertakings in the fight against organised crime.
  • Draft joint action making it a criminal offence to participate in a criminal organisation in the Member States of the European Union.
  • Draft joint action on making corruption in the private sector a criminal offence.
  • Draft joint action establishing a programme of exchanges, training and co-operation for persons responsible for action to combat organised crime (Falcone Programme).
  • Report on the state of organised crime in the European Union in 1996.
  • Europol: Trafficking in human beings.
  • Draft convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters between the Member States of the European Union.
  • Customs co-operation:
  • Draft convention on mutual assistance and co-operation between Customs Administrations (Naples II).
  • Draft resolution adopting a strategic programme for the Customs Administrations (3rd Pillar).
  • Draft Convention on driving disqualifications.
  • Draft Convention on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgements in matrimonial matters (Brussels II)
  • Preparation of structured dialogue:
  • Draft annotated agenda for the meeting with the Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs.
  • Rule of law.
  • Eurodac:
  • Draft Convention concerning the establishment of "Eurodac" for the comparison of fingerprints of applicants for asylum.
  • Technical specifications and financial aspects.
  • Temporary protection.
  • Influx of immigrants from Iraq.
  • Draft joint action introducing a programm of training, exchanges and co-operation in the field of asylum, immigration, and crossing of external borders (Odysseus Programme).
    • 233
  • Draft Resolution laying down the priorities for co-operation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs for the period from 1 January 1998 to the date of entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam.
  • Achievements in the field of Justice and Home Affairs during 1997 (Draft report to the European Council).
  • Other business.

8 December: Energy Council

  • Gas liberalisation: Common position.
  • Energy Framework: Commission presentation.
  • ALTENER II: Decision.
  • SYNERGY: Renewal for 1998.
  • Renewables: Commission presentation on White Paper.
  • Co-generation: Resolution on Commission report.
  • Energy Charter Treaty: Progress report.

8–9 December: General Affairs Council

  • Adoption of A points.
  • EP Resolutions of 17–21 November.
  • Preparation for European Council in Luxembourg.
  • Agenda 2000.
  • Post-Amsterdam: Policy Planning Cell.
  • OSCE: Copenhagen Ministerial.
  • Mediterranean Policy: Negotiating Mandates for Syria.
  • World Trade Organisation: Financial Services Negotiations.
  • Transatlantic Relations: Reports on European Union/United States and European Union/Canada Summits.
  • Relations with Switzerland (Possible item). Russia: Cooperation Council (Possible item).
  • Former Yugoslavia: Political situation and Autonomous Trade measures.
  • Middle East Peace Process (Possible item).
  • European Union Armaments Policy (Possible A point). Any other business.

10–11 December: Transport Council

  • Mandates for Maritime negotiations with India and China: For adoption.
  • Amendment to Directive 95/21 on Port State Control: Political agreement.
  • Maritime external relations: Progress report.
  • Extension of maritime cabotage regulation to European Economic Area: Debate.
  • Aviation negotiations with the United States: Debate.
  • European Aviation Safety Authority: Debate.
  • Air Traffic Management: Progress report.
  • Airport Charging Directive: Progress report.
  • Directive on Cabin Crew Training: Progress report.
  • Overflying of Serbia: Debate.
  • Agreement with EUROCONTROL and ESA on satellite navigation: For Council agreement.
  • Directive on Heavy Goods Vehicle Taxation and charging: For common position.
  • Negotiations with Switzerland: Commission report.
  • Directive on Vehicle Registration Documents: For Political agreement.

12–13 December: European Council

  • Agenda not yet available.

15 December: Social Affairs Council

  • Approval of the agenda.
  • Adoption of A points (possible item).
  • Proposal for a Council Directive on the framework agreement on part-time work: Adoption.
  • Commission Proposal for guidelines on the employment policy of Member State in 1998: Possible adoption.
  • Draft Council Decision establishing community activities on research, analysis and co-operation in the field of employment and labour market: Adoption.
  • Follow-up to the Davignon report: Employee involvement in the European Company Stature: Debate.
  • Extension of Directives 94/45/EC (European Works Council) and 96/34/EC (Parental Leave) to the United Kingdom: Adoption.
  • Proposal for a Council Regulation amending the (EEC) Regulation No. 1408/71 on social security for migrant workers (extension to all insured persons): Adoption.
  • Commission White Paper on the sectors excluded from the Working Time Directive: Debate.
  • Proposal for a Council Directive on the burden of proof of discrimination cases on the basis of sex: Final adoption.
  • Follow-up to the fourth World Conference on women (Peking, September 1995): Presidency report.
  • Other business:
  • Commission presentation of the European Court of Justice judgement in Marschall.
  • Commission Presentation of Community Action Plan for Free Movement of Workers.
  • Commission presentation of draft directive on transferability of occupational pensions.
  • Commission presentation of extension of Regulation 1408/71 to Third-Countries Nationals.

15–16 December: Agriculture Council

  • Agenda not yet available.

16–17 December: Environment Council

  • Agenda not yet available.

18–19 December: OSCE Ministerial Council

  • Agenda not yet available.

18–19 December: Fisheries Council

  • Annual total allowable catches.
  • Fisheries guide prices.

This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

European calendar: December 1997 to May 1998
Venue Event
December 1997
1 Brussels Ecofin Council
1 Brussels Telecommunications Council
2 Brussels Political Committee
3–4 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
4 Brussels Health Council
4–5 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council
8 Brussels Energy Council
8–9 Brussels General Affairs Council
10–11 Brussels Transport Council

European calendar: December 1997 to May 1998
Venue Event
12–13 Luxembourg European Council
15 Brussels Social Affairs Council
15–16 Brussels Agriculture Council
15–19 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
16–17 Brussels Environment Council
18–19 Copenhagen OSCE Ministerial Council
18–19 Brussels Fisheries Council
January 1998
1 UK Presidency commences
8 London Visit of college of Commissioners
12 Brussels Fisheries Council (tbc)
12–16 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
15 Brussels Political Committee
19 Brussels Ecofin Council
19–20 Brussels Agriculture Council
26–27 Brussels General Affairs Council
28–29 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
29–30 Birmingham Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)
February 1998
3 Brussels Political Committee
9–11 Costa Rica EU/San José Group
12 Brussels Research Council
12–13 Panama EU/Rio Group
12–13 London Political Committee
13–15 Cambridge Internal Market (Informal)
16 Brussels Ecofin Council
16–17 Brussels Agriculture Council
16–20 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
23–24 Brussels General Affairs Council
26 Brussels Telecom Council
March 1998
3 Brussels Political Committee
9 Brussels ECOFIN Council (t.b.c.)
9–13 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
13–14 London Joint Social and Education (Informal)
14–15 Edinburgh Foreign Ministers' Informal
15–17 Manchester Seminar for Cultural Ministers
16–17 Brussels Agriculture Council
17 Brussels Transport Council
19 Brussels Political Committee
19 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council
20–22 York ECOFIN Informal
23 Brussels Environment Council
24 Brussels Fisheries Council
30 Brussels Internal Market Council
30–31 Brussels General Affairs Council
30–31 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
31–1 April Moscow G8 Energy Ministerial
April 1998
1–3 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
2–4 London ASEM II
6 Luxembourg Social Affairs Council
7 Brussels Political Committee
16 Brussels Political Committee
20–21 Luxembourg Agriculture Council
21 Luxembourg ECOFIN Council
23 Luxembourg Consumer Affairs Council
24–26 Chester Environment and Transport (Informal)
27–28 Luxembourg General Affairs Council
29–30 Brussels European Parliament
30 Luxembourg Health Council

European calendar: December 1997 to May 1998
Venue Event
May 1998
5 Brussels Political Committee (t.b.c.)
7 Brussels Industry Council
10–12 Newcastle Agriculture (Informal)
11 Brussels Energy Council
11 Brussels Euro-Med Energy Ministerial
12 Brussels Political Committee
11–15 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
18 Brussels Development Council
18 Brussels Internal Market
19 Brussels Telecommunications Council
25–26 Brussels General Affairs Council
25–25 Brussels Agricultural Council
27–28 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
28–29 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council