HC Deb 13 January 2003 vol 397 c380W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's aspirations for the Convention on the Future of Europe. [89583]

Mr. MacShane

The Government believe the Convention on the Future of Europe is an important opportunity to consider how to make the European Union more effective and efficient. We want a Union that is better organised, more accessible, and better able to deliver real and practical benefits to citizens.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on the principle of loyal co-operation proposed for inclusion in the conclusions of the Convention on the Future of Europe. [89585]

Mr. MacShane

The draft Constitutional Treaty of the Praesidium of the Convention on the Future of Europe makes provision for a phrase setting out 'the obligation of loyal co-operation of Member States vis-a-vis the Union'. The principle exists in the present Treaties (Article 10 of the Treaty on European Community and Article 11(2) the Treaty on European Union). The Government support this principle.