§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 March 1998,Official Report, column 311, if he will make it his policy to seek agreement with other member states so that the subjects discussed at the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy working groups can be disclosed. [38918]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 24 April 1998]: Several Member States have consistently made clear their objection to publication of documents that reveal details of their negotiating position. As my answer of 27 March 1998, Official Report, column 311 stated, the Government are committed to ensuring more effective parliamentary scrutiny of CFSP business, and have published proposals to that effect.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 March 1998,Official Report, column 311, if he will publish in advance the dates on which EU Common Foreign and Security Policy working groups meet. [38919]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 24 April 1998]: The calendar of Common Foreign and Security Policy working groups for the remainder of the UK Presidency of the European Union is as follows:
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Date Working groups April 1998 Wednesday 22 Security, Asia, Middle East/ Gulf Friday 24 Planners, Global Disarmament Wednesday 29 Central Europe, Conventional Arms Exports Thursday 30 Africa May 1998 Tuesday 5 Euro-Mediterranean Wednesday 6 Mashraq/Maghreb, Eastern Europe/Central Asia, Terrorism Thursday 7 Western Balkans Region, Asia, Middle East Peace Process Friday 8 Armaments Policy, South East Europe Monday 11 OSCE Wednesday 13 Human Rights Thursday 14 Human Rights Tuesday 19 Latin America, Drugs Wednesday 27 United Nations, Euro-Mediterranean Thursday 28 Euro-Mediterranean Thursday 28 Euro-Mediterranean, Non-Proliferation Friday 29 Communications June 1998 Wednesday 3 Central Europe, Middle East/Gulf, Africa, Armaments Policy Thursday 4 Western Balkans Region, Middle East Peace Process, Africa, Global Disarmament Wednesday 10 Security Thursday 11 Conventional Arms Exports, Asia, Eastern Europe/Central Asia, Public International Law Friday 12 Law of the Sea Wednesday 17 OSCE Thursday 18 Administrative Affairs Wednesday 24 Consular Affairs Austria, the next holder of the EU Presidency, have not yet circulated their calendar of Common Foreign and Security working group meetings. This will be placed in the Libraries when finalised.