General Affairs Council (Hansard, 26 June 2000)

§ Mr. Vaz

The General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 13 June adopted the A points listed in document no. 9278/00 and noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its part-session of 15–19 May in Strasbourg listed in document no. 8157/00. Copies of these documents will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.

1. MEPs Statute The Council took note of the Presidency's discussions with the European Parliament on a statute to regulate the salaries, expenses and conditions of MEPs. There has been no substantive progress in these discussions.

2. Feira European Council The GAC continued preparations for the Feira European Council on 19–20 June. The Presidency indicated that issues for discussion are expected to include the IGC, the Charter of Rights, economic issues, external issues, defence and enlargement.

3. IGC The GAC discussed progress to date on the IGC, and confirmed the objective of concluding by the end of the year. No conclusions were reached.

4. Common Strategy on the Mediterranean Agreement on the text of the draft Common Strategy will be sought at the Feira European Council on 19 June.

5. Defence Foreign and Defence Ministers jointly discussed European security and defence policy. They considered a Presidency report to the European Council on progress in this field since the Helsinki European Council, and agreed to submit the report to Heads of Government at Feira.

6. Sierra Leone/Liberia The Council expressed concern at the continuing crisis in Sierra Leone, welcomed the decision to put on trial Foday Sankoh, leader of the RUF, expressed concern at links between the Sierra Leone rebels and Liberia; and emphasised that EU policy, including under the Lomé convention, would take full account of Liberia's behaviour with regard to Sierra Leone.

7. Zimbabwe The Council expressed concern at the obstacles put in the way of international observers and regretted that the United Nations had had to withdraw from its role as a co-ordinator for the various election observer teams. The Council reiterated its concern at the ongoing violence and intimidation in Zimbabwe.

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8. South Africa The Council adopted a new development regulation for South Africa and agreed declarations on wines and spirits.

9. Western Balkans The Council expressed its deep concern at the continuing deterioration of the political situation in Serbia and reiterated its condemnation of the repression against the opposition and independent media. The Council requested its competent bodies to expand the visa ban list. The Council welcomed the fact that municipal elections took place in Podgorica and Herceg Novi, and reaffirmed its support to the democratic forces in Montenegro. The Council reaffirmed the EU's strong commitment to the full implementation of UNSC resolution 1244 in Kosovo. The Council condemned the ethnic violence in Kosovo and strongly supported the efforts of UNMIK and KFOR to ensure the security of the Serb minority. It urged the Serb National Congress to end its suspension of participation in the Joint Interim Administrative Structures and emphasises the importance of municipal elections. The Council reaffirmed its support for Serbian civil society. The Council agreed with the Commission's assessment that Croatia was ready to enter into negotiations with the EU towards a Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The Council emphasised the importance of speedy reform in Albania and urged all parties to participate in preparation for municipal elections this autumn. The Council heard a report from Commissioner Patten on new trade preferences for the Western Balkans and invited its competent bodies to examine it with a view to early Council adoption. The Council approved the Commission's proposal for 20 million euro in exceptional financial assistance for Montenegro.

10. Indonesia The Council met over lunch with Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab to launch an enhanced EU/Indonesia relationship. A Joint Declaration was adopted, establishing formal political dialogue.

11. East Timor The UN Secretary General's Special Representative and Transitional Administrator of East Timor, Sergio Vieira de Mello, briefed the Council on UNTAET's work in East Timor. The Council expressed its willingness to help speed up the reconstruction and rehabilitation process and called for pledges of assistance to be delivered and disbursed expeditiously.

12. Inter-Korean Summit The Council adopted a declaration welcoming the Inter-Korean Summit of 13–14 June in Pyongyang and encouraging the process of reconciliation between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea.

13. Accession Conferences with EU Applicants Accession Conferences took place with all 12 countries in negotiation for membership.

14. Association Councils with Israel, Slovakia and Slovenia Association Councils were held with Israel on 13 June and Slovakia and Slovenia on 14 June. That with Israel provided an opportunity to discuss economic and political relations. It covered a range of issues of interest to both sides, focusing particularly on the opportunities offered by the entry into force of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.