HC Deb 03 November 1997 vol 300 cc11-4W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for November; and list major European Union events for the next six months. [14287]

Mr. Doug Henderson

This is the monthly forecast of business for November 1997. The following Councils are scheduled:

Venue Event
3 November Brussels Consumer Council
5 November Brussels Ecofin Council
10 November Brussels Research Council
10 November Brussels General Affairs Council
13 November Brussels Industry Council
17–18 November Brussels Agriculture Council
19 November Brussels Fisheries Council (tbc)
20 November Brussels Education Council
24 November Brussels Culture Council
24–25 November Brussels General Affairs Council
27 November Brussels Budget Council
27 November Brussels Internal Market Council
28 November Brussels Development Council

The following subjects are likely to be discussed: 3 November: Consumer Council Adoption of the Agenda. Approval of the list of A items. Consumer Guarantees. General debate on Article 1–4, and possible political agreement. Green paper on Food Safety: open debate. European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System (EHLASS): possible debate. Consumer confidence in Financial Services: Commission presentation. Proposed Directive and amend Product Liability Directive; Commission presentation. Other Business. 5 November: ECOFIN Council Approval of the Agenda. Approval of the list of A items. Employment guidelines. Other elements relevant for the extraordinary European council meeting on employment (possible item). Other business. 6 November: Social Affairs Council Preparation for the European Council on Employment: 21 November 10 November: Research Council Adoption of the agenda. Approval of the list of A Items (possible item). Fifth Research Technology Development (RTD) Framework Programme: Discussion to identify Policy guidelines: Criteria. Scientific and Technological objectives and content. General objectives and Thematic Programmes. Horizontal theme: International cooperation. Horizontal theme: Innovation and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Horizontal theme: Improving human research potential and the Knowledge Base. Structure. Arrangements for financial participation. Fifth Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Committee (EAEC) for research and training activities: Policy debate. Nuclear Fusion. Controlled Thermo-nuclear Fusion. Implementation and Management of Research Programmes. Proposal for a Council decision concerning the rules for participation and governing the dissemination of research results (possible item): presentation by the Commission. Working document on the specific programmes in the Fifth Framework Programme (possible item): Presentation by the Commission. Signature of the Scientific and Technological cooperation agreement with the United States (possible item). Other business: Eureka: Communication by the Portuguese delegation. 10 November: General Affairs Council A Points. EP Resolutions. EU/ACP Relations: Orientation Debate. Agenda 2000. Post Amsterdam: Reports of Secretary General on: Planning Cell. Integration of Schengen Secretariat. Preparation of Special European Council on Employment. OCT Mid-term Review. Albania. Turkey. Middle East Peace Process. Former Yugoslavia. Any Other Business. 13 November: Industry Council Approval of agenda. Approval of the list of A Points. The Steel Industry: 8th Monitoring Report on aid to the Steel Industry: presentation by the Commission. Commission Communication on Financial Activities and the Expiry of the European Coal Steel Community (ECSC) Treaty: presentation by the Commission. Ship Building: Commission Communication towards a new ship building policy. Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing new rules to ship building: presentation by the Commission. State Aid: Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the application articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty to certain categories horizontal state aid (the "block exemption" regulation): orientation debate. Competitiveness: Presidency Note on the Future Competitiveness Work Program "Research and Development" as a factor of competitiveness employment: to be taken over lunch with discussion based on a list of questions to be presented to Coreper on 5 November. The focus of the debate will be competitiveness not the Fifth Framework Programme. Communication by the Commission: The European aerospace industry meeting the global challenge: Presentation by the Commission. The Information Society: Action Plan for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industries: Presentation by the Commission. Communication by the Commission: A European Initiative in Electronic Commerce: Draft Council Conclusions. SMEs: Commission Recommendation of 22 April 1997 on improving and simplifying the environment for business start-ups. Communication by the Commission: European Capital Markets SMEs: prospects and potential obstacles to progress: Presentation by the Commission

17–18 November: Agriculture Council

  • —Agenda not yet available
  • 19 November: Fisheries Council (TBC)
  • —Agenda not yet available
  • 20 November: Education Council
  • —Agenda not yet available
  • 24 November: Culture Council
  • —Agenda not yet available
  • 24–25 November: General Affairs Council
  • —Agenda not yet available
  • 7 November: Budget Council
  • —Agenda not yet available
  • 27 November: Internal Market Council
  • —Agenda not yet available
  • 28 November: Development Council
  • —Agenda not yet available

Back to
Forward to