Mr. Jacksonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.
§ Mr. RifkindThe usual written forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present three meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for April.
The Economic and Finance Council is expected to meet on 2 April to prepare for the Interim and the Development Committee meetings due to be held in Washington. 327W Ministers will also consider the promotion of financial integration in the Community and the Commission proposal on financing of European innovation loans.
The Foreign Affairs Council is due to meet on 9.10 April to continue its discussions on the issue of budgetary imbalances. Ministers are also expected to discuss the new common commercial policy regulation to strengthen the Community's ability to respond to illegitimate actions by third countries in international trade; a package of 15 draft directives setting agreed Community standards for industrial products; the Commission's proposal to stabilise imports of certain cereal substitutes; and preparations for the EC-ACP ministerial meeting due to take place on 2.5 May. The Commission will report to the Council on the progress of negotiations with China for the renewal of the EC-China textiles agreement. The Council will prepare the Community's position for the ministerial conference with Spain which is due to take place in the margins of the Council. A joint meeting with Ministers from EFTA countries will also be held in the margins of the Council.
The Agriculture Council is next expected to meet on 9.10 April to consider the follow-up to the European Council, New Zealand butter, agricultural structures and price fixing and CAP reform.