HC Deb 02 February 1998 vol 305 cc536-9W
Dr. Stoate

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Councils of the European Union for February; and if he will list major European Union events for the next six months. [26532]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The following Councils are scheduled:

Monthly forecast of business for February 1998
Date Venue
12 February 1998 Brussels Research Council
16 February 1998 Brussels Ecofin Council
16–17 February 1998 Brussels Agriculture Council
23–24 February 1998 Brussels General Affairs Council
26 February 1998 Brussels Telecom Council

The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

12 February: Research Council Proposal for an EP and Council decision on the Fifth Framework Programme of the EC for research, technological development and demonstration and demonstration activities (1998–2002): Common position. Proposal for a Council decision on the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for research and training activities (1998–2002): Political agreement. Article 130j decision—rules of participation: Exchange of views (possible item). Divers—Working document on the specific programmes: Progress report by the Commission (possible item).

  • A points.
  • 16 February: Ecofin Council
  • Agenda not yet available.
  • 16–17 February: Agriculture Council
Organisation for Economic Coordination and Development Agriculture Ministerial: EU Coordination.
  • Reform of the tobacco regime: Commission presentation.
  • Reform of the olive oil regime: Commission presentation.
  • Operation of ewe premium: Report.
  • Agrimoney developments 1996/97: Report.
  • Laying hens in battery cages (possible item).
  • Veterinary equivalence agreements (possible item).
  • 23–24 February: General Affairs Council
  • Enlargement.
  • Lomé: Orientation discussion.
Estonia: Adoption of EU position for Association Council (possible A point). Latvia: Adoption of EU position for Association Council (possible A point). Lithuania: Adoption of EU position for Association Council (possible A point). EU/Malta: Commission Communication on future relations (possible item).
  • EU/Russia Summit: Information point.
  • ASEM II: Progress Report following senior officials meeting.
  • Western Balkans.
  • Middle East Peace Process.
  • Cyprus (possible item).
  • Belarus (possible item).
Generalised System of Preferences: Extension of Lome trade terms to Non-ACP Least Developed Countries. Generalised System of Preferences: social/environmental incentive clause (possible A point). Third Country meetings in margins: Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia Association Councils.

26 February: Telecom Council Commission Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on an International Charter for Global Communications: Debate and (possible) Conclusions. Green paper on the implications for the regulatory framework of convergence between telecommunications, audiovisual and information technology: Open debate. Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on connected telecommunications equipment and the mutual recognition of the conformity of equipment: (possible) Common Position. Commission Communication on the implementation of telecommunications legislation: Presentation (possible item). Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on universal mobile telecommunications system: Presentation (possible item). Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on digital signatures and security of communications: Presentation (possible item). Commission Communication on the century date change problem: Presentation (possible item).

European Calendar: February-July 1998 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.

Date Venue Event
February 1998
3 Brussels Political Committee
9–11 Costa Rica EU/San José Group
11–12 Brussels Select Committee on Trade and Industry visit
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.)
9–10 Manchester UK Presidency Conference
9–13 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
12–13 London Joint Social and Education (Informal)
14–15 Edinburgh Foreign Ministers' Informal
15–17 Macclesfield Seminar for Cultural and Audiovisual 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
6–8 Birmingham Audiovisual Conference
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
May 1998
1–3 Brussels Ecofin and Special EMU Council
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
Date Venue Event
12 Brussels Political Committee
11–15 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
14 London EU/Canada
14–16 London conference on Culture and Employment
15–17 Birmingham G7/8 Summit
18 London EU/US Summit
18 Brussels Development Council
18 Brussels Internal Market
19 Brussels Telecommunications Council
25–26 Brussels General Affairs Council
25–26 Brussels Agriculture Council
27–28 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
28 Brussels Culture and Audiovisual Council
28–29 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council
June 1998
2 Luxembourg Political Committee
4 Luxembourg Education and Social Affairs Committee
8 Luxembourg Fisheries Council
8–9 Luxembourg General Affairs Council (t.b.c.)
15–16 Cardiff European Council
15–19 Luxembourg European Parliament Plenary
16–17 Luxembourg Environment Council
17 Luxembourg Joint Environment and Transport Council
18 Luxembourg Transport Council
22 Luxembourg Research Council
22–23 Luxembourg Agriculture Council
29–30 Luxembourg General Affairs Council (t.b.c.)
July 1998
6 Brussels Ecofin Council
6–7 Luxembourg Political Committee
8–10 Luxembourg Employment/Social Affairs/Women (Informal)
13 Luxembourg Political Committee
13–14 Luxembourg General Affairs Council
17–19 Luxembourg Environment Council (Informal)
20–21 Luxembourg Agriculture Council
23 Luxembourg Political Committee
27 Luxembourg Budget Council