§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to "IGC: Reform for Enlargement, Cm 4595", what study has been made by(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) the European Union of the political consequences of admission to the European Union of parts of former Yugoslavia; by whom it was made; and if its conclusions have been published. [121061]
§ Mr. VazThe Government's (and European Union's) overall objective is the fullest possible integration of the countries of the Western Balkans into the political and economic mainstream of Europe. No formal study has been made of the political consequences of admission to the European Union of parts of the former Yugoslavia.
§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to "IGC: Reform for Enlargement, Cm 4595", in relation to the adoption of the Acquis of the Community, what permanent or temporary derogations are planned to be made to any applicant state in respect of(a) the Common Fisheries Policy, (b) the Common Agricultural Policy and (c) participation in the Cohesion Fund. [121077]
§ Mr. VazIt is too early in the accession negotiations to predict the extent of any derogations.
Negotiations on Fisheries have started with six applicant countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia). The EU Common Positions agreed for these negotiations make clear that all new member states will be expected to apply the Common Fisheries Policy in full.
Negotiations have also started on Regional Policy with these countries. But their participation in the Cohesion Funds will not be determined until later in the negotiations.
We expect negotiations on Agriculture with these countries to begin in June this year.