§ 23. Mr. Rhodri MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what preparations he has set in train for the UK presidency of the European Council of Ministers and its summit meetings. [1180]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonPlanning for the Presidency is already underway. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary chairs a Ministerial Task Force on the UK Presidency which has looked at a number of issues including policy priorities and presentational strategy. In addition to the European Council being held in Cardiff in June 1998, other Summit level meetings might include: a Council of Heads of State or Government to decide the participants in stage III of EMU; an event to mark the formal start of the EU Enlargement process; a number of meetings with third countries. Copies of the preliminary Calendar of Councils for our Presidency have been placed in the Libraries of the House.