§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in setting up a standing Political and Security Committee dealing with aspects of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. [137077]
§ Mr. VazThe Council of the European Union adopted a decision establishing an interim Political and Security Committee (PSC) on 14 February 2000. It met for the first time on 3 March 2000. The interim PSC meets on average twice weekly and can address the full range of Common Foreign and Security Policy issues. As a standing body it 281W can meet at short notice if required. The Government expect the interim PSC to be formally established as a permanent body in the course of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union, January-June 2001.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on incorporating the post of EU high representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy into the European Commission. [137076]
§ Mr. VazThe Government believe that the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) should continue to be based on inter-governmental cooperation. The role of High Representative provides a valuable focus for the increasingly important role played CFSP. The Government would not support proposals to incorporate this role into the Commission.