§ Lord Williams of Elvelasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for December, and list major European Union events for the next six months.
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
Monthly forecast of business for December 1997 Date Location Event December 1997 1 Brussels Ecofin Council 1 Brussels Telecommunications Council 4 Brussels Health Council 4–5 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs Council 8 Brussels Energy Council 8–9 Brussels General Affairs Council 10–11 Brussels Transport Council 12–13 Luxembourg European Council 15 Brussels Social Affairs Council 15–16 Brussels Agriculture Council 16–17 Brussels Environment Council 18–19 Copenhagen OSCE Ministerial Council 18–19 Brussels Fisheries Council The following subjects are likely to be discussed:
December 1: Ecofin Council
Approval of the agenda.
Approval of the list of A items.
Preparation of Stage 3 of European Monetary Union: Follow-up to the Amsterdam European Council.
Date of introduction of euro notes and coins (possible item).
Adoption of common position on the Regulation on technical characteristics of coins (possible item).
Taxation policy.
Fiscalis programme.
Export credits (possible item).
December 1: Telecommunications Council
Adoption of the agenda.
Approval of the list of A points.
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 97/33/EC with regard to operator number portability and carrier pre-selection: Common position.
Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual Community programme to stimulate the establishment of the Information Society in Europe: Adoption.
Internet: Open debate.
Proposal for a Council decision adopting a multiannual Community action plan to promote safe use of the Internet: Presentation by Commission.
Communication from the Commission to the Council: "Ensuring security and trust in electronic communication towards a European framework for digital signatures and encryption": Council conclusions.
206WAProposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on connected telecommunications equipment and the mutual recognition of the conformity of equipment: Progress report.
Communication from the Commission: "Strategy and guidelines on the further development of mobile and wireless communications": Exchange of views—Council conclusions.
Communication from the Commission on the implementation of the telecommunications regulatory package: First update—Presentation by the Commission.
Green paper on the regulatory implications of convergence in the telecommunications, audiovisual and information technology sectors: Presentation by the Commission.
Other business: Contribution from the United Kingdom delegation on the problems posed by the coming of the millennium.
December 4: Health Council
Approval of the agenda.
Adoption of the list of A items.
Tobacco advertising: Common position.
Rare diseases: Orientation debate.
Pollution related diseases—Injury prevention.
Women's health: Adoption of Resolution.
Green Paper on Food Law and Commission Communication on consumer health and food safety: Orientation debate.
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: Orientation debate.
European Union/United States taskforce on communicable diseases: Orientation debate.
Draft recommendation on screening donors and donations: Presentation by the Commission.
Any other business.
December 4–5: Justice and Home Affairs Council
Adoption of the agenda.
Approval of the list of A items.
Fight against organised crime:
Draft joint action to create a Judicial Contact Network.
Draft joint action to establish a mechanism for evaluating the application and implementation at national level of international undertakings in the fight against organised crime.
Draft joint action making it a criminal offence to participate in a criminal organisation in the Member States of the European Union.
Draft joint action on making corruption in the private sector a criminal offence.
Draft joint action establishing a programme of exchanges, training and cooperation for persons responsible for action to combat organised crime (Falcone Programme).
Report on the state of organised crime in the European Union in 1996.
207WAEuropol: Trafficking in human beings.
Draft convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters between the Member States of the European Union.
Customs co-operation:
Draft Convention on mutual assistance and co-operation between Customs Administrations (Naples II).
Draft resolution adopting a strategic programme for the Customs Administrations (3rd Pillar).
Draft Convention on driving disqualifications.
Draft Convention on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters (Brussels II).
Preparation of structured dialogue:
Draft annotated agenda for the meeting with the Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs.
Rule of law.
Eurodac:
Draft Convention concerning the establishment of "Eurodac" for the comparison of fingerprints of applicants for asylum.
Technical specifications and financial aspects.
Temporary protection.
Influx of immigrants from Iraq.
Draft joint action introducing a programme of training, exchanges and co-operation in the field of asylum, immigration, and crossing of external borders (Odysseus Programme).
Draft Resolution laying down the priorities for co-operation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs for the period from 1 January 1998 to the date of entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam.
Achievements in the field of Justice and Home Affairs during 1997 (Draft report to the European Council).
Other business.
December 8: Energy Council
Gas liberalisation: Common position.
Energy Framework: Commission presentation.
ALTENER II: Decision.
SYNERGY: Renewal for 1998.
Renewables: Commission presentation on White Paper.
Co-generation: Resolution on Commission report.
Energy Charter Treaty: Progress report.
December 8–9: General Affairs Council
Adoption of A points.
EP Resolutions of 17/21 November.
Preparation for European Council in Luxembourg.
Agenda 2000.
Post-Amsterdam: Policy Planning Cell.
OSCE: Copenhagen Ministerial.
Mediterranean Policy: Negotiating Mandates for Syria.
World Trade Organisation: Financial Services Negotiations.
208WATransatlantic Relations: Reports on European Union/United States and European Union/Canada Summits.
Relations with Switzerland (Possible item).
Russia: Co-operation Council (Possible item).
Former Yugoslavia: Political situation and Autonomous Trade measures.
Middle East Peace Process (Possible item).
European Union Armaments Policy (Possible A point).
Any other business.
December 10–11: Transport Council
Mandates for Maritime negotiations with India and China: For adoption.
Amendment to Directive 95/21 on Port State Control: Political agreement.
Maritime external relations: Progress report.
Extension of maritime cabotage regulation to European Economic Area: Debate.
Aviation negotiations with the United States: Debate.
European Aviation Safety Authority: Debate.
Air Traffic Management: Progress report.
Airport Charging Directive: Progress report.
Directive on Cabin Crew Training: Progress report.
Overflying of Serbia: Debate.
Agreement with EUROCONTROL and ESA on satellite navigation: For Council agreement.
Directive on Heavy Goods Vehicle Taxation and charging: For common position.
Negotiations with Switzerland: Commission report.
Directive on Vehicle Registration Documents: For Political agreement.
December 12–13: European Council
Agenda not yet available.
December 15: Social Affairs Council
Approval of the agenda.
Adoption of A points (possible item).
Proposal for a Council Directive on the framework agreement on part-time work: Adoption.
Commission Proposal for guidelines on the employment policy of Member States in 1998: Possible adoption.
Draft Council Decision establishing community activities on research, analysis and co-operation in the field of employment and labour market: Adoption.
Follow-up to the Davignon report: Employee involvement in the European Company Stature: Debate.
Extension of Directives 94/45/EC (European Works Council) and 96/34/EC (Parental Leave) to the United Kingdom: Adoption.
Proposal for a Council Regulation amending the (EEC) Regulation No. 1408/71 on social security for migrant workers (extension to all insured persons): Adoption.
209WACommission White Paper on the sectors excluded from the Working Time Directive: Debate.
Proposal for a Council Directive on the burden of proof of discrimination cases on the basis of sex: Final adoption.
Follow-up to the fourth World Conference on women (Peking, September 1995): Presidency report.
Other business:
Commission presentation of the European Court of Justice judgment in Marschall.
Commission presentation of Community Action Plan for Free Movement of Workers.
Commission presentation of draft directive on transferability of occupational pensions.
Commission presentation of extension of Regulation 1408/71 to Third-Countries Nationals.
December 15–16: Agriculture Council
Agenda not yet available.
December 16–17: Environment Council
Agenda not yet available.
December 18–19: OSCE Ministerial Council
Agenda not yet available.
December 18–19: Fisheries Council
Annual total allowable catches.
Fisheries guide prices.
European Calendar: December 1997–May 1998
This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.
210WA
Date Location Event December 1997 1 Brussels Ecofin Council 1 Brussels Telecommunications Council 2 Brussels Political Committee 3–4 Brussels European Parliament Plenary 4 Brussels Health Council 4–5 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs Council 8 Brussels Energy Council 8–9 Brussels General Affairs Council 10–11 Brussels Transport Council 12–13 Luxembourg European Council 15 Brussels Social Affairs Council 15–16 Brussels Agriculture Council 15–19 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 16–17 Brussels Environment Council 18–19 Copenhagen OSCE Ministerial Council 18–19 Brussels Fisheries Council January 1998 1 UK Presidency commences 8 London Visit of College of Commissioners 12 Brussels Fisheries Council (tbc) 12–16 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 15 Brussels Political Committee 19 Brussels Ecofin Council 19–20 Brussels Agriculture Council 26–27 Brussels General Affairs Council 28–29 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
Date Location Event 29–30 Birmingham Justice & Home Affairs Council (Informal) February 1998 3 Brussels Political Committee 9–11 Costa Rica EU/San José Group 12 Brussels Research Council 12–13 Panama EU/Rio Group 12–13 London Political Committee 13–15 Cambridge Internal Market (Informal) 16 Brussels Ecofin Council 16–17 Brussels Agriculture Council 16–20 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 23–24 Brussels General Affairs Council 26 Brussels Telecom Council March 1998 3 Brussels Political Committee 9 Brussels Ecofin Council (tbc) 9–13 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 13–14 London Joint Social & Education (In formal) 14–15 Edinburgh Foreign Ministers' Informal 15–17 Manchester Seminar for Cultural Ministers 16–17 Brussels Agriculture Council 17 Brussels Transport Council 19 Brussels Political Committee 19 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs Council 20–22 York Ecofin Informal 23 Brussels Environment Council 24 Brussels Fisheries Council 30 Brussels Internal Market Council 30–31 Brussels General Affairs Council 30–31 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 31–1 April Moscow G8 Energy Ministerial April 1998 1–3 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 2–4 London ASEM 11 6 Luxembourg Social Affairs Council 7 Brussels Political Committee 16 Brussels Political Committee 20–21 Luxembourg Agriculture Council 21 Luxembourg Ecofin Council 23 Luxembourg Consumer Affairs Council 24–26 Chester Environment & Transport (Informal) 27–28 Luxembourg General Affairs Council 29–30 Brussels European Parliament 30 Luxembourg Health Council May 1998 5 Brussels Political Committee (tbc) 7 Brussels Industry Council 10–12 Newcastle Agriculture (Informal) 11 Brussels Energy Council 11 Brussels Euro-Med Energy Ministerial 12 Brussels Political Committee 11–15 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 18 Brussels Development Council 18 Brussels Internal Market 19 Brussels Telecommunications Council 25–26 Brussels General Affairs Council 25 Brussels Agriculture Council 27–28 Brussels European Parliament Plenary 28–29 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs Council