§ Mr. SumbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in theOfficial Report a statement on forthcoming business in the European Community Council of Ministers.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThe Economic and Finance Council will meet on 3 June and Ministers are likely to discuss VAT and excise rates, in particular VAT special schemes for mail order and exempt bodies. Discussion on technical systems is not expected.
The Telecommunications Council will meet on 3 June and Ministers will consider a proposal for a decision to establish the second phase of the TEDIS programme, (trade, electronics data interchange system). The programme proposed includes actions on standardisation, legal aspects and security of EDI measures. It is expected that a statement will be made outlining the progress of discussions with interested parties on a memorandum of agreement for the promotion of the MAC technology standards for satellite broadcast. Ministers will also re-examine proposals for a Council directive on frequencies for the introduction of cordless digital telecommunications (DECT). There will also be a proposal for a Council recommendation on the co-ordinated introduction of cordless digital telecommunications. A common position has been reached on these measures, which are for adoption at this meeting. Ministers will consider Commission reports, on the results of the public consultation on the Green Paper on satellite communications, progress on a Green Paper on postal services which has been in preparation since September 1989 and a draft proposal for discussion on the proposed directive on the adoption of standardised international area codes.
The Health Council will meet on 4 June and Ministers will discuss the Commission's proposals for amending the existing directive on the labelling of cigarette packets to include other tobacco products, (this amendment also includes a ban on the marketing of oral snuff), a proposal for a programme of action against AIDS, a declaration on the use of drugs in sport, actions for the reduction of drug abuse and a report on the Europe against cancer programme. Statements are expected to be made by the Commission on progress on the establishment of a public health committee, the European year of nutrition and co-operation between the EC and World Health Organisation.
The Culture Council will meet on 7 June and Ministers will consider a draft resolution on the development of theatre in Europe, training of arts administrators, temporary entry into the United States for European artists, and draft conclusions on copyright and neighbouring rights. Ministers will also consider a progress report on the implementation of the resolutions of 18 May 1989 concerning the promotions of books and reading, and the nomination of Navplion as European city of culture for 1997. Ministers will discuss the protection of national art treasures under the single market post-1992 and a Commission report on priority projects in the cultural field.
The Economic and Finance Council will meet on 10 June and Ministers will discuss G24 assistance to eastern Europe and European investment bank lending outside the Community with a view to examining the possibility of extending EIB operations to other countries and regions. 45W Ministers will also consider the proposal on passenger baggage and possibly will continue discussing the abolition of fiscal frontiers. A directive on money laundering may be formally adopted. The EIB governors (12 Finance Ministers) will be having their annual meeting in the morning on 10 June. In the afternoon, the Ministerial meeting of the inter-governmental Conference on economic and monetary union will hold a discussion on a draft report by the Presidency for the European Council. On 11 June, the ministerial inter-governmentalconference will hold an inter-institutional meeting with the European Parliament.
The Environment Council will meet on 13 and 14 June and Ministers will consider proposals for regulations on the importation of certain furs and the northern seas action programme (NORSPA) and the proposed directive on nitrate. Ministers will discuss proposals for a directive on habitats and its associated regulation on action relating to the environment (ACNAT), regulations concerning environmental labelling, and an environment fund (LIFE).
The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 17 and 18 June. Ministers will prepare for the European Council on 28 and 29 June and review progress in the EC/EFTA negotiations on a European economic area in preparation for a joint meeting of EC/EFTA Ministers in the margins of the FAC. Ministers may consider the development of relations between the Community and dependent territories of member states and are likely to discuss political developments in Albania and EC/Albania relations. Ministers may also discuss the question of non-European participation in the European energy charter and the future integration of the Canaries, Madeira and Azores into the EC. There will also be a ministerial session of the inter-government conference on political union on 17 and 18 June.
The Internal Market Council will meet on 18 and 19 June and Ministers will discuss a number of important issues including insurance company accounts, the baggage regulation, public procurement, the Intrastat regulations and the draft Council regulation on trans-European networks.
The Transport Council will meet on 20 and 21 June and Ministers will discuss, and possibly adopt, proposals on the mutual recognition of cockpit crew licences, technical harmonisation of aviation requirements, harmonised driving licences, roadworthiness tests for cars, and the extension of inland waterway cabotage. Agreement may also be reached on proposals for the development of Community railways, public service contracts and the Loran C radionavigation system. Ministers are likely to spend some considerable time on the problem of third country transit, and may also discuss bus and coach liberalisation and road safety (including seat belt wearing).
The Labour and Social Affairs Council will meet on 25 and 26 June and Ministers are likely to discuss the proposed directives on medical assistance on board ships, health and safety on construction sites, proof of employment contract, protection of pregnant workers, protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos, atypical work (article 118A), and, possibly, working time. Ministers will also consider a report on the free movement of workers between Spain and Portugal and other member states. The decisions on the PETRA youth training programme and on the European year of health and safety are also likely to be discussed. The second day of the Council is expected to focus particularly 46W on youth issues: items which may be included are the youth for Europe programme and a resolution on priority measures for young people.
The Agriculture Council will meet on 25 and 26 June and Ministers will discuss health conditions for the production and placing on the market of fishery products, and live bivalve molluscs, veterinary checks on animals entering the Community from third countries, health rules for the production and placing on the market of fresh meat, certification aspects of food quality and geographical indications, and EC-accepted plant protection products. Ministers may also continue discussions on the 1991 agriculture price-fixing proposals and organic production of agricultural products.
The European Council will meet in Luxembourg on 28 and 29 June. Heads of Government will discuss progress in the inter-governmental conferences on political and economic and monetary union. There is likely to be discussion on the single market, GATT, and a range of international and EC external issues.