HC Deb 13 January 1998 vol 304 cc188-9W
30. Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which east and central European countries he proposes to visit during 1998 to discuss the enlargement of the European Union. [20442]

Mr. Robin Cook

I visited Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic last November. My hon. Friend the Minister of State has recently visited the other seven Central European applicant countries. We therefore have no immediate plans to visit the region. But we will have extensive contacts with our Central European colleagues at the many events involving them during the UK Presidency of the EU in the first six months of 1998.

31. Mr. Gordon Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to use the presidency of the European Union to strengthen economic and social agreements between the European Union and those states which were formerly members of the Warsaw Pact and Soviet Union that currently have European Union association agreements. [20443]

Mr. Doug Henderson

We will work to ensure that Accession Partnerships for the 10 Central European countries that have EU Association Agreements are concluded by 15 March, as requested by the Luxembourg European Council. The Partnerships will feature a targeted programme of enhanced aid designed to help the applicants prepare for EU membership. They will, of course, be in addition to the continuing contacts within the Association Agreements for all 10.

36. Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress on enlargement of the European Union. [20448]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The decisions taken at the Luxembourg European Council have taken the enlargement process into its next stage. The way is open for the EU, with the UK as Presidency, to open accession negotiations with the six applicants who are ready, this spring. Those who need more help to prepare will get it; and all will participate on an equal footing in the European Conference to be inaugurated in London on 12 March.

38. Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government support the application of Lithuania for membership of the European Union in the next wave. [20450]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Yes. We support enlargement of the EU and look forward to all applicants joining as soon as they are ready. But we do not favour talk of "waves" of membership. Applicants will be treated on their own individual merits.

39. Mr. Wilkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the foreign ministers of Latvia and Lithuania about European Union enlargement following the Luxembourg European Union summit. [20451]

Mr. Doug Henderson

None.

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