HL Deb 05 May 1993 vol 545 cc36-8WA
Baroness Gardner of Parkes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish a statement of forthcoming business in the European Community's Council of Ministers.

10. Lord Henley

  1. 1. The following meetings are planned:
    • 4th May Industrial Affairs Council
    • 10th May Telecommunications Council
    • 10th–1lth May Foreign Affairs Council
    • 11th May Foreign Affairs/Gulf Cooperation Council
    • 17th May Cultural Affairs Council
    • 24th–25th May Agricultural Council
    • 25th May Development Council
    • 27th May Health Council
  2. 2. The following subjects are likely to be discussed:
    1. (a) Industrial Affairs Council—4th May
      • Restructuring of the steel industry of the Community ECSC Treaty.
      • Industrial competitiveness and environmental protection.
      • State aid for shipbuilding.
      • Maritime industries.
      • Small and medium sized enterprises. Community measures to intensify and ensure the continuity of a policy for enterprise.
    2. (b) Telecommunications Council—10th May
      • European telecommunications equipment industry (8304/92; 5704/92).
      • Telecommunications services review.
      • Open network provision voice telephoning directive (8840/92).
      • Postal services green paper.
      • Introduction of advanced television services (6242/92).
      • Development of technology and standards in the advanced television sector.
    3. (c) Foreign Affairs Council—10th–11 th May
      • Trade policy questions.
      • Relations with the European Parliament.
      • Commission report on access to information.
      • Russia.
      • Central and Eastern Europe.
      • Ex-Yugoslavia.
      • Preparation of EC/ACP Ministerial—17th–18th May.
      • Preparation of EC/GCC Ministerial.
      • Preparation of OECD Ministerial: trade and environment.
    4. (d) EC/Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—11th May
      • Implementation of the Cooperation Agreement.
      • Exchange of views on the development of economic relations between the countries of WA 37 the GCC and the Community.
      • Report of Joint Cooperation Committee to the Joint Cooperation Council on the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement.

Exchange of views on developments in the two regions:

  • Gulf Cooperation Council.
  • European Community.

Exchange of views on questions of political interest.

  • (e) Cultural Affairs Council—17th May
    • European Cultural Month 1995.
    • The Media Programme.
    • The Artemis Programme.
    • Draft resolution to create a scheme for the translation of dramatic works.
    • Future work on books and reading.
  • (f) Agriculture Council—24th–25th May
    • Price fixing.
    • Milk.
    • Sugar.
    • Cereal Quality.
    • GATT.
    • Potatoes.
    • CAP reform.
    • Portuguese wine distillation.
  • (g) Development Council—25th May
    • Development co-operation in the run-up to 2000.
    • Human rights, democracy and development.
    • Population policy—family planning.
    • Emergency aid.
    • Untying of aid.
    • Women in development.
    • UNCED follow-up.
    • The special EC initiative for Africa.
  • (h) Health Council—27th May
    • Resolution on future actions in the field of public health.
    • Conclusions on reduction of consumption of tobacco.
    • Policy debate on tobacco advertising.
    • Conclusions on "Europe against AIDS" programme.
    • Conclusions on "Europe against Cancer" programme (poss).
    • Conclusions on "Smoking in Public Places"—(5867/93).

The Industrial Affairs Council met on 4th May and was due to discuss restructuring of the steel industry of the Community; ECSC Treaty; industrial competitiveness and environmental protection. Ministers were also to discuss state aid for shipbuilding and maritime industries. A policy discussion on small and medium sized enterprises was expected to take place.

4. The Telecommunications Council will meet on 10th May to attempt to reach a common position on ONP voice telephony. Adoption of Council conclusions on the Commission communication on the European telecommunication equipment industry will be sought. Ministers will seek to adopt the proposed decision on the introduction of advanced television services. Adoption is also sought on the proposed Council resolution on the development of technology and standards in the advanced television sector. The postal services green paper is also scheduled for discussion.

5. The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 10th–11 th May. EC Foreign Ministers will consider trade policy questions; relations with the European Parliament; Commission report on access to information. Ministers will also consider Russia, Central and Eastern Europe and ex-Yugoslavia.

6. The Foreign Affairs/Gulf Cooperation Council will meet on 11th May to discuss the implementation of the cooperation agreement. Ministers will also exchange views on developments in the two regions and on questions of political interest.

7. The Cultural Affairs Council will meet on 17th May. The agenda has not yet been finalised, but the European Cultural Month 1995, the media programme and the Artemis programme are likely to be discussed. There may also be a draft resolution to create a scheme for the translation of dramatic works. Future work on books and reading may also be discussed.

8. The Agricultural Council will meet on 24th–25th May. Ministers will discuss price fixing; milk, sugar; cereal quality; GATT; potatoes; CAP reform and Portuguese wine distillation.

9. The Development Council is planned for 25th May. The agenda has not yet been finalised, but development cooperation in the run-up to 2000, human rights—democracy and development, and population policy—family planning are likely to be discussed. Emergency aid, untying of aid and women in development are also likely to be discussed. Ministers may also discuss UNCED follow-up and the "Special EC initiative for Africa".

The Health Council will meet on 27th May to discuss a resolution on future actions in the field of public health. Ministers will discuss the draft decision on the cancer programme which notes the Commission's report on the effectiveness of action undertaken in the "Europe Against Cancer" programme over the past five years. Ministers will discuss the conclusions on "Europe against AIDS" programme and the conclusions on reducing smoking in the Community which stress the importance of price as a mechanism to reduce tobacco consumption. The conclusions on smoking in public places will also be discussed.