EU Council (meeting) (Hansard, 5 March 1996)

§ Mr. David Davis

The following Councils are scheduled:

The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

"A" Points As advised by council secretariat.
"B" Points
Preparation of 4th session of Commission on Sustainable Development (Council conclusions)
Draft Directive on Biocides (orientation debate on annexes)
Draft Hazardous Waste Shipment Regulation (possible common position)
Draft Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances Directive (possible common position)
Draft Directive on Emissions of Off-road Machinery (orientation debate)
Open debate on Wetlands (Council conclusions)
Draft revised regulation on Leghold Traps (lunchtime orientation debate)
CO₂ from Cars (exchange of views on Commission communication)
Community strategy on the Ozone Layer (Council conclusions)
Adoption of negotiating mandate for protocol to Barcelona Convention
Adoption of negotiating mandate for Paris Convention (PARCOM)
Draft Decision revising the Community's 5th Action Programme on the environment and sustainable development (presentation by the Commission)
Joint meeting with Ministers from Central and Eastern Europe.

"A" Points
As advised by council secretariat.
"B" Points
Convergence Programmes (possibly)
Contractual Netting Directive (possibly)
Council Regulation on Community action in the field of statistics
Discharge of the Budget and Court of Auditors' report for 1994
Court of Auditors' Special Report on the Reliability of the Expenditure for 1994
Commission's report on the implementation of the Court of Auditors' recommendation and of the Council's remarks for the Budget for 1993.

"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
Aviation relations with US (debate)
Negotiations with Switzerland (Commission progress report)
Trans-European Networks (debate)
Directive on harmonisation of vehicle tests (largely consolidation of existing measures—common position)
Inland waterways liberalisation, state aid rules and scrapping scheme (common position)
Aviation statistics regulation (for agreement by simple majority).

Agenda not yet available.
21 MARCH: TELECOMS
"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
Directive on interconnection in telecommunications with regard to ensuring universal service and interoperability through applications of the principles of Open Network Provision (ONP):
Common position (possibly).
/Decision
Decision on action at Community level in the filed of satellite personal communications services in the EU:
Orientation debate.
Directive on a common framework for licensing of telecoms services:
Progress report.
Directive adapting Directives 90/387/EEC and 92/44/EEC for a competitive environment in telecommunications:
Progress report.
Directive on common rules for the development of community postal services and the improvement of quality service:
Progress report.
Council Resolution on the future development of the market for directories and other information services in a liberalised environment (possibly).
Commission Communication on universal service in telecoms (possibly):
Commission presentation.

"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
Decision adapting the fourth framework of programmes of activities in the field of research, technological development and demonstration for the European Community and European Atomic Energy Community:
Orientation debate.
Communication on International Co-operation:
Orientation debate
Council Conclusions (possibly).
Cooperation with Mediterranean countries (follow up to Barcelona Conference):
Debate.
Green Paper on Innovation:
Debate.
Joint meeting with Central and Eastern European countries:
Debate.

Agenda not yet available.
28 MARCH: INDUSTRY COUNCIL
"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
SMEs:
Conclusions on co-ordination of Community programmes in favour of SMEs;
Presentation of Commission's proposal for new multi-annual programme for SMEs.
Textiles;
Presentation of Commission communication on competitiveness of textile and clothing industry;
Conclusions on impact of international developments on EU textile and clothing sector.
Pharmaceuticals:
Resolution on competitiveness of EU pharmaceutical industry.
Defence Industry:
Presentation of Commission communication on competitiveness of defence industry.
Maritime Industry:
Presentation of Commission communication on competitiveness of maritime industry.
Research and Industry Task Force:
Commission progress report and discussion.

"A" Points
As advised by Council Secretariat.
"B" Points
Parental Leave:
Draft Directive endorsing social partners' agreement.
Draft Directive on Postal Workers.
Draft Council Recommendation on the Balanced Participation of Men and Women in Decision-Making.
Commission Communication on the Future of Social Protection:
Open Debate.
Commission Report on the Demographic Situation.
Commission Communication on the Fight against Racism and Xenophobia.
Draft Decision on Essen Programme.
Draft Decision on SAFE (health and safety) Programme.
Draft Decision on Older People Programme.