HC Deb 29 October 1998 vol 318 cc276-82W
Mr. John Smith

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 November; and if he will list the major European Union events for the next six months. [57730]

Ms Quin

The information is as follows:

Monthly forecast of business for November 1998
Date Venue Event
November 1998
3 Brussels Consumer Council
9 Brussels Internal Market Council
9–10 Brussels General Affairs Council
12 Brussels Health Council
16 Brussels Industry Council
17 Brussels Culture Council
20 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs Council
23 Brussels ECOFIN Council
23–24 Brussels Agriculture Council
24 Brussels Budget Council
26 Brussels Youth Council
27 Brussels Telecommunications Council
30 Brussels Development Council
30–1 December Brussels Transport Council

The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

  • November 3: Consumer Council
    • Proposal for a Council Directive on the distance selling of financial services: Commission presentation.
    • Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing a general framework for Community activities in favour of consumers: Common position.
    • Consumer preparation for introduction of Euro. Public debate.
    • Quality standards for instructions for use of technical appliances used in households: Council Resolution.
    • Commission information campaign on food safety: Presentation by the Commission.
    • Consumer dimension in the information society: Council resolution.
    • EURO-MED consumer conference: Commission report.

November 9: Internal Market Council Single Market Action Plan: Actualisation of the rolling programme—Updated version of the Scoreboard: Presentation by the Commission—Mutual recognition: Council resolution— Standardisation: Progress report. Legislative simplification: SLIM initiative: Report by the Commission, evaluation debated—Simplification of national legislation: Report by the Presidency on the outcome of the conference on "Better Regulation Serves Employment"— European Business Test Panel: Report by the Commission. Amended proposal for a Regulation on the Statute for a European Company (SE): Political agreement or progress report. Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 85/374/EEC on the harmonisation of the legislations of the Member States regarding product liability: Common position. Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No. 3259/94 laying down measures to prohibit the release for free circulation, export, re-export or entry for a suspensive procedure of counterfeit and pirated goods: Adoption. Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Council Directive 92/109/EEC relating to the manufacturing and placing on the market of certain substances used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances: Common position. Follow up to the Commission communication on public procurement: Orientation debate. Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the approximation of provisions relating to the implementation of Good Clinical Practice in the conduct of clinical tests on medicinal products for human use: (possible) Common position. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Council Regulation (EC) No. 297/95 on fees payable to the European Agency for the evaluation of medicinal products: Adoption. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on in vitro diagnostic medical devices: Common position. Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society: Common position (possible item). Follow up to the Commission Communication on Commercial communications: Report by the Commission. Amended proposal for a 13th Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Company Law concerning take-over bids: Common position. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to cableway installations designed to carry passengers: Orientation debate. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 92/23/EEC relating to tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers and to their fitting: Common position. Amended proposal for a 10th Directive of the Council based on Article 54(3)(G) of the treaty concerning cross-border mergers of public limited companies: Presentation by the Commission. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the specific aspects of the information society including electronic business communications: Presentation by the Commission. Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the legal protection of services based on, or consisting of, conditional access: Progress report. Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive relating to cocoa and chocolate products intended for human consumption: Common position (Common position). Commission communication on the Green Paper on the general principals of food law in the European Union: Presentation by the Commission. Proposal for a Council Directive relating to honey: Adoption (possible item). Proposal for a Council Directive relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption: Adoption (possible item). Proposal for a Council Directive relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweet chestnut puree intended for human consumption: Adoption (possible item). Proposal for a Council Directive relating to certain sugars intended for human consumption: Adoption (possible item). Proposal for a Council Directive relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption: Adoption (possible item). November 9–10: General Affairs Council (agenda can change up to a week before)

  • Agenda 2000.
  • Enlargement.
  • Comitology (possible item).
  • TACIS: Orientation debate (possible item).
  • Poland: Adoption of the EU position for the Association Council (possible A item).
  • Hungary: Adoption of the EU position for the Association Council (possible A item).
  • Czech Republic: Adoption of the EU position for the Association Council (possible A item).
  • Slovenia: Adoption of the EU position for the Association (co-operation) Council (possible A item).
  • Russia: Report of the EU-Russia Summit.
  • EU-USA: Preparation of the summit (possible item).
  • Western Balkans.
  • Indonesia.
  • Africa.
  • Middle East Peace Process (possible item).
  • Algeria (possible item).
  • Export controls: Assistance to the associated countries (possible A item).
  • Preparation of the OSCE Ministerial Council.

November 12: Health Council Communication from the Commission concerning the future framework for action in the public health field: Council Conclusions. Amended proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council adopting a programme of Community action from 1999 to 2003 on injury prevention in the context of action in the field of public health: Common position. Proposal for a Council Recommendation on limits for exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields: Progress report. EU-US Task Force on communicable diseases: Council Conclusions following the 4th meeting on the Task Force in October. Report from the Commission on the implementation of Directive 92/73/EEC and 92/74/EEC concerning homeopathic medicine. Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: Discussion. Progress report from the Commission on the reduction of tobacco consumption in the Community: Progress report of exchange of views (possible item).

  • November 16: Industry Council
    • Report from the Commission on the competitiveness of European Industry: Presentation.
    • Business services—Commission communication: Presentation.
    • Results of benchmarking analysis—Financing Innovation— Skills—Logistics—Adoption of ITCs and organisational change: Presentation and (possible) conclusions.
    • Sectorial issues and Commission communications (possible item).
    • Commission communication—Competitiveness of the recycling industry: Presentation.
    • Mid-term work programme for the organisation of an ongoing debate on industrial competitiveness: Debate.
    • The follow-up of the recommendation of the BEST Task Force: Progress report.
    • Information of the Presidency on the results of the Forum/Roundtable in Baden: Presidency conclusions.
    • Results of the conference on supplier industries in Graz: Information by the Presidency.
    • Structured dialogue with PECOs and Cyprus: Preparation of the meeting.
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    • Proposal for a Council Directive combating late payment in commercial transactions: Debate, (possible) adoption.
    • Shipbuilding—Monitoring report on aid to certain shipyards undergoing restructuring: Presentation.
    • State Aid: Proposal for a Council Regulation laying down detailed rules on the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty: Debate, (possible) adoption.
    • 10th Monitoring Report on the control of aid to the steel industry: Presentation.
    • Future of ECSC Treaty—Expiry of the ECSC Treaty: Commission communication—Financial activities—Non-financial Activities concerning the Steel Aid Code: (possible) Decision.
    • Communication from the Commission on a global approach to promote regional and social conversion and to facilitate industrial restructuring in the Central and Eastern European Countries: Presentation.
    • Competition policy—XXVIIth report on competition policy: Presentation.
    • Electronic commerce: Oral report on the Ottawa Conference: (possible) conclusions.
    • November 17: Culture Council
      • Proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision establishing a Community initiative for the "European City of Culture" event: (possible) Adoption or progress report.
      • Proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation (1st European Community framework programme in support of culture, 2000–2004): (possible) Common position or progress report.
      • Culture and Employment: Debate.
      • Cross-border fixed book prices in European linguistic areas: Report by the Commission.
      • Evaluation of the MEDIA II programme: Report by the Commission (possible item).
      • European audiovisual sector: Presidency report.
      • Commission communication on the future of the audiovisual policy in the European Union: Public debate.
      • Consultation process regarding the Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors, and the implications for regulation: Report by the Commission.
      • Council decision on an information infrastructure on audiovisual issues: Progress report or adoption (possible item).
      • High level Audiovisual Group set up by Commissioner Oreja: Report by the Commission.
    • November 20: Employment and Social Affairs Council
      • Joint Employment report 1998: Debate.
      • Commission Draft Employment Guidelines 1999: Debate.
    • November 23: ECOFIN Council (provisional agenda)
      • Preparation of Stage 3 of EMU.
      • Taxes.
      • SEM 2000/Fraud prevention—Protection of financial interests/Discharge in respect of the 1996 budget (Report from the Commission to the EP)/Court of Auditors' report on the 1997 EU budget.
      • Employment.
      • Agenda 2000.
      • Financial services (possible item).
      • Stability and convergence programmes (possible item).
    • November 23–24 Agriculture Council
      • Agenda not yet available.
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    • November 24: Budget Council (provisional agenda)
      • Draft general budget for the financial year 1999. (possibly) Draft supplementary and amending Budget for 1998.
    • November 26: Youth Council
      • Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Community action programme for youth: Common position or progress report.
      • Pilot project on European voluntary service for young people: Report by the Commission.
    • November 27: Telecommunications Council
      • Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on electronic signature: (possible) Common position. Political agreement on Articles (possible).
      • Convergence of telecommunication sectors, media and information technologies: Elementary implications: Commission communication on the result of consultations and exchange of views.
      • Globalisation and information society: Strengthening of the international coordination: Progress report.
      • Commission communication on a Community policy in the field of frequencies: Presentation by the Commission.
      • Proposals for Decisions concerning a second phase for IDA programme: Orientation debate and (possible) political agreement on 1 of 2 Decisions.
      • Commission communication on the implementation of the relevant Community legislation on telecommunication: Presentation by the Commission.
      • Management of the Internet: Progress report.
      • November 30: Development Council
      • Peace-building, conflict prevention and resolution.
      • Tourism and development.
      • Operational coordination.
      • Evaluation.
      • Indigenous peoples.
      • Microfinance and development.
      • Anti-personnel mines.
      • Private sector in ACP countries
      • Decentralised cooperation—NGO co-financing.
      • Gender.
      • Democratisation and Human Rights—Article 130W—Article 235.
      • Renegotiation Food Aid Convention 1995.
      • Coordination with a view to meetings of the WFP Executive Board.
      • November 30-December 1: Transport Council
      • Proposal for a Council directive on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures: (possible) adoption of a common position.
      • Negotiations between the European Community and Switzerland on inland and air transport: Progress report/conclusion.
      • Framework for a solution for the environmental problems caused by heavy goods vehicles: Policy debate, Commission communication expected (possible item).
      • Proposal to amend Regulation 3820/85 concerning working time in road transport: Policy debate, Commission proposal expected (possible item).
      • Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 92/106/EEC on the establishment of common rules for certain types of combined transport of goods between Member States and amending Council Directive 96/53/EEC, as far as the maximum authorised weights in international traffic are concerned: (possible) Common position (possible item).
      • Rail infrastructure: Policy debate/(possible) common position on specific directives (possible item).
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      • Commission communication on the interoperability in conventional rail transport: Policy debate (possible item).
      • Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 82/714/EEC laying down technical requirements for inland waterway vessels: Policy debate.
      • Implementation of Decision 1692/96 (TEN-Guidelines): Policy debate, Commission report expected (possible item).
      • Transport Infrastructure Needs Assessment (TINA): Policy debate, Commission report expected (possible item).
      • Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 94/55/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by road: Policy debate.
      • Commission Communication on common policy on manning if regular passenger and ferry services operating between Member States—Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3577/92 on 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States—Proposal for a Council Directive on manning conditions for regular passenger and ferry services operating between Member States: Policy debate and (possible) Common position.
      • Proposal concerning the RO-RO ferries: (possible) Common position.
      • EU/US aviation relations—policy debate.
      • Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No. 295/91 establishing common rules for a denied-boarding compensation system in scheduled air transport: Common position.
      • Green paper "Civil aviation and the environment": Policy debate (possible item).
      • Commission communication on air transport market: Policy debate.
      • European Calendar: November 1998—April 1999
      • 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
November 1998
3 Brussels Political Committee
3 Brussels Consumer Council
3–4 Vienna EU/SADC Ministerial Meeting
3–4 Vienna Defence Ministers (Informal)
4–5 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
9 Brussels Internal Market Council
9 Brussels Political Committee
9–10 Brussels General Affairs Council
12 Brussels Health Council
16 Brussels Industry Council
16–20 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
17 Brussels Culture Council
19 Brussels Political Committee (if necessary)
20 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs Council
23 Brussels ECOFIN Council
23–24 Brussels Agriculture Council
24 Brussels Budget Council
26 Brussels Youth Council
26 Brussels Political Committee
27 Brussels Telecommunications Council
30 Brussels Development Council
30–1 Dec Brussels Transport Council
December 1998
1 Brussels ECOFIN Council
1 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs and ECOFIN Council
1 Vienna Parliamentary Heads
2 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs Council
2–3 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
3–4 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs
4 Brussels Education Council
7 Brussels Political Committee
Date Venue Event
7–8 Brussels General Affairs Council
10 Brussels Research Council
11 Vienna Political Committee
11–12 Vienna European Council
14–16 Brussels Agriculture Council
14–18 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
15 Brussels Energy Council
17–18 Brussels Fisheries Council
21 Brussels Environment Council
January 1999
1 Brussels ECOFIN
11–15 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
14 Brussels Fisheries Council (possible)
18 Brussels Agriculture Council
18 Brussels ECOFIN
19 Brussels Agriculture Council
25 Brussels Political Committee
25–26 Brussels General Affairs Council
27–28 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
February 1999
4–6 Bonn Ministers for Labour and Social Affairs (Informal)
8 Brussels ECOFIN
8–12 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
11–12 Berlin Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs (Informal)
18 Brussels Research Council (possible)
22 Brussels Political Committee
22–23 Brussels General Affairs Council
22–23 Brussels Agriculture Council
24–25 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
25 Brussels Internal market
March 1999
9 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs Council
11–12 Brussels Environment Council
12 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council (possible)
13–14 Reinhartshausen Foreign Ministers (Informal)
15 Brussels ECOFIN
15–16 Brussels Agriculture Council
22 Brussels Political Committee
22–23 Brussels General Affairs Council
24–25 Brussels Special European Council (possible)
24–25 Frankfurt Asia-Europe Finance Ministers
25 Brussels Fisheries Council
29 Brussels Transport Council
29–30 Berlin Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers
April 1999
13 Luxembourg Consumer Affairs Council
15–16 Stuttgart Barcelona III
16–18 Dresden ECOFIN (Informal)
19–20 Luxembourg Agriculture Council
22 Luxembourg Telecommunications Council
23–25 Mecklenburg Environment Ministers (Informal)
24–25 Luxembourg NATO Summit
26–27 Luxembourg General Affairs Council
29 Luxembourg Industry Council