General Affairs Council (Hansard, 11 December 1996)

§ Mr. David Davis

All but three of the 25 A points in document 12425/96, which will be placed in the House as soon as it is available, were approved. The Dutch placed parliamentary scrutiny reserves on three items: stepping up the fight against organised crime; achievements in the field of justice and home affairs; and a draft report to the European Council on drugs. They expect to be able to lift all three of the reserves enabling them to be adopted before the European Council in Dublin on 13 and 14 December.

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The Council noted the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament listed in document 11428/96. A copy of the document will be placed in the House as soon as it is available. The presidency drew attention to a resolution changing the European Parliament's rules of procedure requiring the Council to express an opinion on the Commission's annual work programmed and the Parliament's subsequent resolution on priorities for the year ahead. The Council agreed that this encroached on the Council's competence and that the presidency should write to the European Parliament to restate the Council's position that it did not feel itself duty bound by an obligation imposed unilaterally by the parliament.

The presidency informed the Council about the timing and agenda at the European Council in Dublin on 13 and 14 December.

The Council discussed a presidency proposal on an approach for the future trade regime for the mid-term review of the Council decision on the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories—October. Ministers were unable to reach agreement. The Council concluded that OCT should be discussed further by the Committee of Permanent Representatives with a view to reaching agreement before the end of the year.

The Council noted the approach outlined by the Commission in a short presentation given by Sir Leon Brittan on the upcoming EU-US summit which is being held in Washington on 16 December.

After hearing a report from the Commission, the Council agreed conclusions on EU relations with Switzerland. It confirmed that considerable progress had been made in various sectors and in particular in regard to the free movement of persons. While recognising that a number of technical issues remain to be resolved at expert level, the Council expressed the view that it should now be possible to proceed to the finalisation of these negotiations. The Council also expressed the hope that a rapid conclusion of the land transport agreement based on a set of common principles could be achieved. The Council also underlined the importance of the global nature of the negotiations and the need for a balance between the different sectors and a parallel shouldering of commitments in accordance with the directives approved in 1994.

The sixth EEA Council took place at the end of the morning and over lunch.

The Commission outlined its humanitarian plan for the great lakes region in Zaire. The Council encouraged the Commission to present the plan as soon as possible. There was some discussion of the need for military intervention in the support of humanitarian activities. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs commented that the British Government remain committed to the humanitarian effort in the region, but until there is clear evidence to suggest that military intervention would help the humanitarian effort, the British Government remain unconvinced of the need for deployment of a full multi-national force.

The Council had an exchange of views on Belarus, in the light of the troika's meeting with President Lukashenko in Lisbon on 3 December. The Council reiterated its deep concern about the democratic legitimacy and constitutionality of the Belarus referendum 273W and new constitution. It decided to propose to the Belarusian authorities the sending of a European Union fact-finding mission.

Financial assistance to Turkey under the MEDA regulation was discussed over coffee.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs debriefed the Council, at the request of the presidency, on the London peace implementation conference. He noted that, while good progress had been made, the conference had realistically identified the huge amount still to be done. The Council welcomed the successful conclusion of the London peace implementation conference. It recognised the symbolic significance of the presence of all the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the conference. The Council reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to, and support for, the consolidation of peace, reconstruction and the return of refugees, notably through its regional approach. The Council expressed its deep concern at the current developments in the former republic of Yugoslavia and called for adherence to democracy and the rule of law, respect for human rights and democratic principles. The Council underlined that this would be a factor in the development of closer relations between the European Union and the former Republic of Yugoslavia in the context of the application of the regional approach.

The Council welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Palestinians on a new interim association agreement as an important step in strengthening their relations with the European Union. It looked forward to the early signature following the planned initialling by the Commission on 10 December.

The Commission proposed 20 mecu assistance for Bulgaria through the PHARE programme as part of a concerted international effort. Detailed proposals would be put to the PHARE management committee.

Foreign Ministers held a conclave to discuss the intergovernmental conference. The Irish presidency presented the draft revised treaty outline, which the Florence European Council had requested and which was placed in the House Libraries on 5 December. Ministers were able to give their first reactions to the document in preparation for the Dublin European Council discussion on 13 and 14 December. The Foreign Ministers' meeting was preceded by the normal briefing session with the European Parliament.

The conference of the representatives of the Governments of the member states agreed that the seat of the Community plant variety office will be in Angers, France.