§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 5 April.
§ Mr. HurdMy right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office represented the United Kingdom at the Foreign Affairs Council on 5 April.
The Council agreed a revised mandate for negotiations on a partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia. This holds out the prospect of a free trade area as a long-term objective. The Council adopted a negotiating mandate for association agreements with the Czech and Slovak Republics. The Council agreed to open accession negotiations with Norway. The negotiations were later launched in the margins of the Council. The Council also agreed a trade and co-operation agreement and financial protocol with Slovenia. Signature of both instruments, and of a transport agreement, took place in the margins.
Sir Leon Brittan reported to the Council on the Commission's recent meetings with United States trade representative Kantor. The Council expressed its full support for the Commission's efforts to find negotiated solutions to individual trade disputes with the United States.
Ministers discussed relations with the European Parliament. The presidency undertook to push for conclusion of an inter-institutional agreement on subsidiarity, and also to take forward work on the European ombudsman. Member states are now discussing the European Parliament's draft proposals on how the ombudsman might function when the treaty of Maastricht enters into force.
The presidency and Commission reported on the troika visit to the middle east.
Foreign Ministers discussed latest developments in the former Yugoslavia, following a briefing from Lord Owen. They underlined the importance of all three parties accepting, and implementing, the Vance-Owen plan. Its continued repudiation by the Bosnian Serbs would have the most severe consequences and lead to the total international isolation of Serbia-Montenegro. Ministers welcomed the United Nations Security Council's preparation of a draft resolution supporting the peace plan and strengthening the sanctions regime, and a decision by WEU Ministers earlier that day to tighten enforcement of the United Nations embargo on the Danube. The Community and its member states would continue to make sanctions more effective. Ministers issued a statement to this effect, which also emphasised their concern about the humanitarian situation in Bosnia and especially the importance of immediate free access for help to eastern Bosnia.