§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the proposals put forward by the German Foreign Minister, Herr Joschka Fisher, for a federal European Union; and, if they do not, how they intend to frustrate them. [HL2600]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalEnlargement presents a substantial challenge for the EU. We welcome debate on how the institutions can remain effective after enlargement. That is why we welcome this year's IGC and have a positive agenda for reform. The longer-term issues in Joschka Fischer's speech are not for this IGC, as he makes very clear. They are about how a Union of 30 or more member states might function.
On the substance of his ideas, he makes it clear that he is speaking in a personal capacity, not as a Foreign Minister, nor as a representative of the German Government. We welcome his contribution to the debate. Our own views are set out in the White Paper IGC: Reform for Enlargement.