§ 17. Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent common policy initiatives have been taken by EC Foreign Ministers under the European political co-operation procedure.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesDuring the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Community we initiated and co-ordinated EC action in many areas of foreign policy. These included attempts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, encouragement of a constitutional settlement in South Africa, efforts to provide effective aid to Somalia and support for the coalition force implementing United Nations Security Council resolution 794, participation in the middle east peace process and playing a leading role in CSCE discussions. The United Kingdom Presidency also saw the development of EC co-operation and political dialogue with many countries and regional groups, including the United States of America, Japan and central European countries. The EC has also played an active role during the United Kingdom Presidency in the human rights field.