§ Ms QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU General Affairs Council held on 29 to 30 January. [13110]
§ Mr. David DavisThe A points listed in document 4564/96—which will be deposited in the Library of the House as soon as it is available—were adopted, except for items 2 and 26 which were withdrawn by the presidency.
The Council took note of the European Parliament resolutions in Docs. 12131/95 and 12945/95, PE-RE 83 and 89. Copies of these documents will be deposited in the Library of the House as soon as they are available.
The Council held an open, televised debate on the Italian presidency's programme.
The Council discussed former Yugoslavia. It heard reports from Carl Bildt and the EU's administrator in Mostar, Mr. Koschnick. The Council decided to postpone the question of recognition of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It asked the commission to produce a paper on policy towards the region by March.
The Commission outlined their ideas for a possible new agreement with Albania. They will produce draft negotiating directives no later than the Foreign Affairs Council on 25 and 26 March.
The Presidency and the Commission gave a brief situation report on the follow up to the Barcelona conference on Mediterranean. The Council also discussed the MEDA regulation on assistance to the Mediterranean. This was remitted to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further work.
The head of the EU election unit monitoring the Palestinian elections, Carl Lidbom, briefed the Council, which adopted conclusions on EU/Palestinian relations.
The Council discussed the Asia-Europe meeting on 1 and 2 March in Bangkok.
The Council adopted conclusions on a proposed trade agreement with South Africa. These note the Commission's commitment to produce studies to enable approval of a mandate at the 26 and 27 February Foreign Affairs Council, with a view to concluding by June.
856WThe presidency noted the latest applications for membership of the EU received in December and January from Lithuania, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia and agreed to invite the Commission to begin work on the options.
The Council adopted conclusions on the appointment of an EU special envoy to the great lakes region of Africa.
The Council agreed a declaration condemning the 27 January coup d' état in Niger. Ministers also discussed the situation in East Timor and Cyprus.
On 30 January, there were Association Councils with Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. The troika also had a political dialogue meeting with Albania.
No votes were taken at this Council.