HC Deb 08 November 1999 vol 337 cc410-7W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for November and (b) the major European Union events for the next six months. [96950]

Mr. Vaz

[pursuant to his reply, 29 October 1999, c. 1038-44]: An administrative error led to an omission in my answer of 29 October to my hon. Friend. The correct answer should read as follows:

Monthly forecast of EU Business: November 1999

November 1999

2 November—Dubai—EU-Gulf Co-operation Council (EU-GCC 9th Joint Council) Opening Statement by the President of the Meeting (United Arab Emirates) and reply by the EU Presidency

  • Adoption by the Agenda
  • Implementation of the Co-operation Agreement
  • Free trade agreement negotiations
  • Exchange of views on developments in the two regions:
  • European Union; Gulf Co-operation Council
  • Exchange of views on political questions of common interest
  • Approval of the Joint Communique and agreed minutes
  • Any other business

3-4 November—Brussels—European Parliamentary Plenary Consultation Procedure

  • (possible) Proposal for a Council Decision concluding the Agreement for scientific and technological co-operation between the European Community and the People's Republic of China
  • (possible) Proposal for a Council Decision concluding the Agreement on co-operation for science and technology between the European Community and the government of the Russia Federation
  • (possible) Proposal for a Council Decision concluding the Agreement for scientific and technological co-operation between the European Community and the Argentine Republic
Codecision Procedure Second Reading
  • (possible) Common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council Directive concerning the enforcement of seafarers' hours of work on board ships using Community ports
  • (possible) Common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 93/104/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time to cover sectors and activities excluded from that Directive
  • (possible) Common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council Directive relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars.

8 November—Brussels—ECOFIN Council Adoption of the provisional agenda Approval of the list of "A" items The Tax Package

  1. (a) Taxation of Savings
    • Key issues; reports on Dependent or Associated Territories
  2. (b) Code of Conduct on business taxation
    • state of play
  3. (c) Interests and Royalties
(possible) Energy Taxation Economic policy co-ordination
  • Draft Council report to European Council
 EIB lending: Renewal of Community guarantee for projects in third countries (possible) HIPC-initiative The introduction of euro notes and coins
  • Common statement
 Risk capital: Implementation of the Action Plan—Communication by the Commission (possible) Own Resources Decision The Employment package
  • Revised Joint Employment Report
  • Joint opinion of the EPC/ELC on the Employment Guidelines and Recommendations
 AOB (p. m.—Euro 11; Macroeconomic dialogue)

8 November—Brussels—Consumer Affairs Council Adoption of the agenda (possible) Approval of the list of "A" items Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive concerning the distance marketing of consumer financial services and modifying Directives 97/7/EC and 98/27/EC (Legal basis proposed by Commission: Articles 47[2], 55 and 95) (Item on which a vote may be called for)

  • Common position
  • 13097/98 CONSOM 76 ECOFIN 239 CODEC 622
  • 10505/99 CONSOM 46 ECOFIN 136 CODEC 456
Implementation and application of consumer protection legislation Information from the Commission on the implementation and application in the member states of certain Directives, in particular Directives on time-sharing and package holidays Consumer access to justice
  1. (a) Information from the Commission on the follow-up to its recommendation on the principles applicable to the mechanisms responsible for out-of-court settlements of consumer disputes
  2. (b) Information from the Presidency on the European Council meeting in Tampere on 15 and 16 October 1999 as regards the item on citizen's access to justice
 Food security
  1. (a) Information campaign on food security in the member states Progress report from the Commission
  2. (b) "European Food 2000" seminar
    • (Helsinki, 23 and 24 September 1999)
    • Presidency briefing on the outcome
  3. (c) Discussion
    • (15.00-16.00: open debate)
 Consumer protection and services of general interest—Discussion 11682/99 CONSOM 49 MI 93 Other business
  • Transparency for the consumer in regard to civil liability for motor vehicles (automobile insurance)
  • contribution by the Italian delegation

9 November—Brussels—Industry Council Adoption of the agenda (possible) Approval of the list of "A" items Competitiveness and entrepreneurial policy of the European Union

  • Debate and Council conclusions
    1. (a) Commission communication entitled "Structural change and adjustment in European manufacturing"
  • 11552/99 ECO 309
  • 11706/99 ECO 317
    1. (b) Competitiveness in the Information Society
    2. (c) Medium-term programme for the organisation of an ongoing debate on industrial competitiveness
    3. (d) SME
  • SME forum: Rapid growth and competitiveness through technology
Commission report on concerted action with the member states Integration of sustainable development into EU industrial policy Report to the Helsinki European Council State of the competitiveness of the EU forest-based and related industries
  • Commission communication
  • Council conclusions 1 1707/99 ECO 318
 Steel industry
  1. (a) State of the competitiveness of the steel industry in the EU
    • Commission communication
    • Commission presentation
 11708/99 SID 32 SOC 332 FIN 374 ECO 319
  1. (b) Commission report to the Council on the monitoring of aid for steel covered by Article 95 of the Treaty
    • Information from the Commission
 Shipbuilding
  1. (a) Commission report on the international shipbuilding situation
    • Council conclusions 11919/99 RC 24
  2. (b) Fourth Commission report to the Council on the monitoring of aid to certain shipyards currently being restructured in Germany and Spain
    • Commission presentation 11921/99 RC 26
 White Paper on the modernisation of the rules laid down by Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty—Commission briefing Other business—State aids
  • Note from the Danish delegation
  • 11855/99 ECO 323 FIN 379 RC 23 EEE 99

11 November—Brussels—Development Council No agenda yet available

11 November—Brussels—Standing Committee on Employment Rules of procedure

  • Confirmation of the Council's position
Co-ordinated strategy for employment
  • Commission Communication on Employment Guidelines for 2000
  • Draft Joint Report on Employment for 1999
  • Commission Recommendation for a Council Recommendation on the implementation of member states' employment policies
 The discussion will take account of the Community's economic and social objectives (i.e. the Broad Economic Guidelines).

11-12 November—Helsinki—Ministerial Conference on the Northern Dimension No formal agenda

12 November—Brussels—Accession Conference No formal agenda

12 November—Brussels—Labour and Social Affairs Council Adoption of the provisional agenda (possible) Approval of the list of "A" items Employment

  • Proposal for Guidelines for Member States' Employment Policies 2000
  • doc. 10992/99/ SOC 302 ECOFIN 159
  • Draft Joint Employment Report 1999
  • doc. 10993/99 SOC 303 ECOFIN 160 + COR1 (f)
  • Commission Recommendation for Council Recommendations on the Implementation of Member States' Employment Policies
  • doc. 10994/99 SOC 304 ECOFIN 161
Any other business

15-16 November—Brussels—Agriculture Council Adoption of the agenda Approval of the list of "A" items Strategy on environmental integration and sustainable development in the common agricultural policy (in preparation for the Helsinki European Council on 11 and 12 December 1999) 12082/99 AGRI 165 ENV 360 Beef labelling

  1. (a) Report by the Commission to the European Parliament and to the Council on the situation regarding the implementation of beef-labelling systems in the different Member States (Art. 19(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97) 12031/99 AGRILEG 163
    2. 414
  2. (b) Proposals for Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council
establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products 12030/99 AGRILEG 162 CODEC 583 Progress report Proposal for a Council Regulation on measures to promote and provide information on agricultural products in third countries (Item on which a vote may be requested) (Legal basis: Art. 37 of the Treaty) 5386/99 AGRI 7 AGRIFIN 7 (possible) Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 1765/92 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops (non-food) (Item on which a vote may be requested) (Legal basis: Art. 36 and 37 of the Treaty) 11375/95 AGRIORG 249 AGRIFIN 220 (possible) Cotton: Proposals for Council Regulations
  • adjusting, for the sixth time, the system of aid for cotton introduced by Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece
  • relating to the production aid for cotton
 (possible) Commission information on the banana dossier Extension of State aid for small producers
  • Austrian delegation's request for authorisation
 Items Within the Competence of the Permanent Representatives Committee Dioxin: Progress report (possible) Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 64/432/EEC on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine Other business
  • Use of hormones as growth promoters (request by the Danish delegation)
  • Equal opportunities for men and women and rural development (request by the Swedish delegation)
  • Organisation of future work

15-16 November—Brussels—General Affairs Council Adoption of the provisional agenda Approval of the list of "A" items Horizontal Issues Resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament at its part-sessions in Strasbourg on 417 and 25129 October 1999 Electoral procedure European Security and Defence Policy: elements for the Presidency report on military and non-military aspects of crisis management Common Strategies External Relations Negotiations for a development partnership agreement with the ACP states

  • preparation for the next Ministerial Conference
Follow-up of the EU-Russia Summit Pakistan; Western Balkans; Indonesia Bananas WTO: Ministerial Conference in Seattle AOB Items Likely to Become "A" Points Adoption of the EU position for the 12th meeting of the EEA Council Adoption of the EU position for the Association Council with Tunisia (16 November 1999) Adoption of the EU position for the 5th Association Council with Bulgaria (16 November 1999) Adoption of the EU position for the second Co-operation Council with Moldova on 16 November 1999 (possible) European armaments policy: adoption of the common position

15-19 November—Strasbourg—European Parliament Plenary No agenda yet available

16 November—Brussels—EEA Council No agenda yet available

18 November—Brussels—Health Council No agenda yet available

22 November—Brussels—Fisheries Council (possible) No agenda yet available

23 November—Brussels—Culture/Audiovisual Council No agenda yet available

23 November—Brussels—Youth Council No agenda yet available

25-26 November—Brussels—Budget Council No agenda yet available

26 November—Brussels—Education Council No agenda yet available

29 November—Brussels—Labour and Social Affairs Council No agenda yet available

29 November—Brussels—ECOFIN Council Preparation of the European Council in Helsinki

  • Economic policy cooperation, report by the Council Employment
  • Joint annual employment report of Council and Commission Employment Guidelines 2000
  • Report on reinforced tax policy co-operation
  • Effective fight against fraud
  • Report by the Council
Tax Package
  • Code of Conduct (Business Taxation)
  • Final report
  • Taxation of Savings—Political agreement on Draft Directive
  • Interest and Royalties—Political agreement on Draft Directive
 Implementation of Stability and Growth Pact Financial Services Policy Group
  • Report by the Commission
 Amendment of the UCITS Directive
  • Political agreement
 Annual Report of the Court of Auditors concerning financial year 1998 EURO 11—Joint meeting with Labour and Social Affairs Council (Employment Guidelines 2000 and joint annual employment report)

30 November—Brussels—Telecommunications Council No agenda yet available

30 November-3 December—Seattle—WTO Ministerial Conference No formal agenda.

European Calendar: November 1999—April 2000 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 1999
2 Dubai EU-Gulf Co-operation Council (EU-GCC 9th Joint Council)
3-4 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
8 Brussels ECOFIN Council
8 Brussels Consumer Affairs Council
9 Brussels Industry Council
11 Brussels Development Council
11 Brussels Standing Committee on Employment
11-12 Helsinki Ministerial Conference on the Northern Dimension
12 Brussels Accession Conference
12 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs Council
15-16 Brussels Agriculture Council
15-16 Brussels General Affairs Council
15-19 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
16 Brussels EEA Council
18 Brussels Health Council
22 Brussels Fisheries Council (possible)
23 Brussels Culture/Audiovisual Council
23 Brussels Youth Council
25-26 Brussels Budget Council
26 Brussels Education Council
29 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs Council
29 Brussels ECOFIN Council
30 Brussels Telecommunications Council
30 November-3 December Seattle WTO Ministerial Conference
December 1999
30 November-3 December Seattle WTO Ministerial Conference
1-2 December Brussels European Parliament Plenary
2 Brussels Energy Council

Date Venue Event
2 Brussels Research Council
2-3 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council
6-7 Brussels General Affairs Council
7 Brussels Internal Market Council
7 Brussels Accession Conference
7-8 Brussels EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting (probable)
9-10 Brussels Transport Council
10-11 Helsinki European Council
13 Brussels ECOFIN Council
13-14 Brussels Environment Council
13-17 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
14-15 Brussels Agriculture Council
14-16 Brussels Ministerial Conference on Follow-up of Progress on UN Beijing Platform for Action
16-17 Brussels Fisheries Council
January 2000
14 Brussels Fisheries Council
17-21 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
18 Brussels Budget Council
24-25 Brussels General Affairs Council
24-25 Brussels Agriculture Council
28-29 Lisbon Development Council (Informal)
31 Brussels ECOFIN Council
February 2000
2-3 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
11-12 Lisbon Social Affairs Council (Informal)
14-15 Brussels General Affairs Council
14-18 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
21-22 Brussels Agriculture Council
21-23 Vilamoura San Jose Meeting
23-25 Vilamoura Rio Group Meeting
28 Brussels ECOFIN Council
March 2000
1-2 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
3-4 Lisbon Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)
9 Brussels European Conference
13 Brussels Social Affairs/ECOFIN Council
13-17 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
16 Brussels Internal Market Council
20-21 Brussels General Affairs Council
20-21 Brussels Agriculture Council
23-24 Lisbon European Council
27 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council
28 Brussels Transport Council
29-30 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
30 Brussels Environment Council
April 2000
3 Luxembourg Fisheries Council
4 Luxembourg Social Affairs Council
4 Cairo EU-Africa Summit
7-8 Luxembourg ECOFIN Council (Informal)
10-11 Luxembourg General Affairs Council
10-14 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
13 Luxembourg Consumer Affairs Council
15-16 Oporto Environment Council (Informal)
17-18 Luxembourg Agriculture Council