§ Mr. CoxTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what are her Department's main objectives during the British presidency of the European Union in 1998. [24075]
§ Mrs. BeckettIn November I wrote to the Trade and Industry Committee [Supplementary Memorandum to Minutes of Evidence, dated 4 November 1997] with a list 61W of dossiers on which I hope to make progress during the British Presidency of the Council of the European Union. These are the practical steps which underpin my key priorities for helping business during the UK Presidency.
Improving competitiveness is a key element in our policies at home. In our Presidency we will bring this approach to Europe, working in partnership with the business community.Enhancing the scope and effectiveness of the Single European Market in line with the Action Plan agreed at Amsterdam will be a key objective. We shall also work with our partners in Europe to maintain progress towards greater liberalisation in trade in goods and services.Reducing the unacceptably high level of unemployment is one of the Europe's highest priorities. We shall pursue employability as offering better scope for individuals and greater flexibility in the European economy as a whole.Our Presidency will also cover a critical period in the negotiations for the next EU Framework Programme for RTD (Research and Technological Development). Our overriding objective will be to forge ahead with negotiations so that the timetable for introducing the new framework in 1999 can be achieved.Although the Presidency gives us the opportunity to highlight priority areas, as chair of the Council of Ministers the overarching objective is to manage the full range of European business constructively and impartially in all formations of the Council for which we are responsible (Industry, Internal Market, Research, Consumer Affairs, Energy and Telecommunications). My Department will also liaise with colleagues in other departments where we share responsibility.