§ Dr. SpinkTo 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 in Brussels on 6 March 1995. [17205]
§ Mr. David DavisThe chairman of the Consultative Commission on Racism and Xenophobia—established by the Corfu European Council in June 1994—briefed the Council on proposals for a racism-xenophobia observatory and for education support targeted on urban areas.
On openness and transparency, Danish proposals were remitted to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further work.
The Commission described the state of play in negotiations with Israel, Morocco and Tunisia, and the presidency briefed the Council on preparations for the forthcoming Euro-Mediteranean conference.
The Council discussed relations with Russia, and in particular preparations for the visit to Moscow on 9 March by Foreign Ministers of the Troika.
The Council discussed the situation in former Yugoslavia and agreed a negotiating mandate for a trade and co-operation agreement with Croatia.
522WThe Commission presented a report on economic reform in Malta.
On Ukraine, the Council discussed progress in implementing the action plan on energy sector reform which was launched at the G7 summit in Naples in July 1994.
The presidency reported to the Council on the Troika ministerial visit to the middle east from 7 to 10 February.
There was a discussion on candidates for the position of executive director of UNICEF.
A partnership and co-operation agreement between the EU and Belarus was signed.
A Co-operation Council with Lebanon was held, at which it was agreed to open negotiations for a new EU/Lebanon agreement.
The presidency and the Commission discussed the preparations for the concluding conference to adopt the stability pact, which will take place in Paris on 20 to 21 March.
There was a further discussion of EDF VIII. No agreement was reached.
Agreement was reached on the abolition of quotas for ACP light rum and rum from the overseas countries and territories—OCT. A reduction of excise tax was also approved for exports of rum from the French overseas departments to metropolitan France. A quota on ACP traditional rum was set at 58,000 hectolitres, rising by 3,000 hectolitres each year before abolition in the year 2000. A declaration proposing support for Spanish sugar producers was remitted to COREPER for further discussion.
The Council agreed by qualified majority, with only Spain voting against, to increase the Community quotas on imports from China, to take account of the Community's enlargement. Some of the quotas were redefined, to exclude products not made in the Community such as work gloves and certain sports footwear. The quotas on toys were further increased as originally proposed by the Commission in July 1994.
The Council confirmed its support for Signor Renato Ruggiero's candidature for the director-generalship of the World Trade Organisation, and issued a declaration urging others to support him in the current round of consultations in Geneva.
Sir Leon Brittan introduced a Commission paper on trade and investment. The paper examines how best to liberalise investment flows world-wide. It will be discussed at the April meeting of the Council.
There was unanimous agreement on a Council statement rejecting the Canadian demand for a 60-day moratorium on the disputed Greenland halibut fishery pending bilateral discussions, and condemning the extension of Canadian enforcement powers on Spanish and Portuguese fishing vessels beyond their 200-mile limit.
The presidency noted agreement on the importance of securing a successful outcome to the forthcoming non-proliferation treaty review conference.
The presidency noted the Council's agreement that the Political Committee should examine the Council of Europe additional protocol on the cultural rights of minorities.
The Council agreed a negotiating mandate for a European agreement with Slovenia.
523WThe Council agreed on the terms of Customs Union with Turkey, together with the resumption of EU financial assistance. An Association Council with Turkey was held, attended by the Turkish Prime Minister.
The A points listed in Commission document 5342–95 were agreed unanimously, with the exception of number 22 which was withdrawn. A copy of this document is available in the Library of the House.