General Affairs Council (Hansard, 2 July 1998)

§ Mr. Doug Henderson

The Council approved the A Points in document 9835/98. The Council also noted the European Parliament Resolutions, Decisions and Opinions of its part sessions of 27–28 May, listed in document 8462/98. Copies of both documents will be placed in the Library as soon as they become available.

The Council agreed a EU mandate for the negotiations on a new Lomé Convention due to open in September. It authorised the Commission to carry out the negotiations. All UK national objectives have been met including: making poverty eradication the primary objective; renewing the EU-ACP—African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries—partnership; streamlining development assistance to make it more efficient; and new trade arrangements which will be World Trade Organisation compatible and help ACP countries integrate into the world trading system. The Council agreed that Cuba should be accorded observer status in the negotiation process subject to strict political conditionality.

The Council expressed concern about the tension on the ground in Kosovo. It called for full and immediate implementation of the undertakings given by President Milosevic to President Yeltsin on 16 June. The Council regretted Belgrade's refusal to accept an increase in the size of the European Community Monitoring Mission presence in Kosovo and reaffirmed its determination to provide an increased monitoring presence.

The Council voiced its strong disappointment that the commitments made by President Milosevic in Moscow did not cover all the requirements set out in the Cardiff 275W Declaration, in particular the withdrawal of security units used for civilian repression; and that the conditions had not been created for rapid progress in the political dialogue with the Kosovar Albanian leadership, with international involvement.

The Council reaffirmed the demand for the withdrawal by Belgrade of the security forces from Kosovo. All those in a leadership role in the Kosovar Albanian community should unite responsibly in making clear their commitment to dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the problems of Kosovo, and their rejection of violence and acts of terrorism. The EU remains firmly opposed to independence: it continues to support a special status, including a large degree of autonomy for Kosovo, within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The Council welcomed the recent adoption by the Croatian parliament of a plan for return of refugees. It re-emphasised the EU's expectation that the Plan would be implemented immediately and in full. The Council confirmed the EU's willingness to participate in conference on reconstruction and development organised by the Croatian Government in the light of such implementation.

The Council welcomed the positive reception in Bosnia and elsewhere for the 8 June Declaration and the launch of the EU/Bosnia Consultative Task Force (CTF). It looked forward to the first Sarajevo meeting of the CTF on 30 June, and to its contributing to the development of modern Bosnia.

Ministers discussed the role of the General Affairs Council in preparing for the informal meeting of Heads of State and Government planned for the autumn. It was agreed that Ministers would discuss this in more detail in September. There was also a wide-ranging discussion of the need to review the working methods of the Council, and the overall coordinating role of the GAC, in particular in the context of Agenda 2000.

The Council discussed the mandate for opening negotiations with Norway and Iceland over their future association with Schengen after the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty. Good progress was made. Some points still remain to be settled; but agreement was reached on the main principles which should guide the EU in negotiations.

On the bilateral negotiations between the EU and Switzerland, Ministers noted with satisfaction the Commission's assessment that significant progress had been made recently, particularly on the issues of free movement of people and agriculture. However, Ministers also noted that further work was needed to conclude a balanced overall agreement covering all the sectors under negotiation.

Ministers discussed the situation in Belarus. They expressed strong disapproval of Belarusian action in removing Ambassadors from their residences at Drozdy. The EU stands ready to resume a dialogue with the Belarusian Government when the latter is ready to respect its international obligations. Further possible measures will be considered in response to the position taken by the Belarusian Government.

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The Council reiterated its full support for the current US efforts in the Middle East Peace Process, while underlining the need for early action to bring them to fruition. It welcomed Palestinian acceptance of US ideas for relaunching negotiations on the Palestinian track, and called on Israel to give a clear and positive response to these ideas.

The Council reiterated its deep concern at the Israeli Government's endorsement of plans which would extend the administrative boundaries and alter the demographic balance in the Jerusalem area. Unilateral acts only complicate the peace process at a very sensitive time. The EU's position is that the final status of Jerusalem should be determined in final status talks and that neither side should pre-empt this.

The Council also adopted Conclusions on the recent Commission Communications on EC/Israel trade and regional cumulation of origin. The Council encouraged the Commission to pursue its technical talks with Israel on the problems identified in the first of these Communications, stressing that these should lead to concrete results. The Council recognised the contribution which the establishment of cumulation could play in promoting regional economic development and regional integration.

The Council discussed the provision of extra project aid to Azerbaijan. Ministers agreed that increased aid should be provided using existing instruments.

The Council welcomed progress at the first session of Burundi peace talks in Arusha. It urged all parties to return to the negotiations in July and hoped there would be sufficient progress in the negotiations for regional leaders to re-examine the sanctions they imposed in 1996.

The Council reiterated its concern at the humanitarian situation in Sudan. It noted the substantial assistance provided by the EU over recent years, but noted also the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

The Council reaffirmed its support for efforts by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote long term peace through a negotiated settlement. The council welcomed the proposal that the IGAD Partnership Forum (IPF) send a mission at Ministerial level to Khartoum and Nairobi to explore the possibility of securing a break in the fighting in the areas most affected by hunger to allow for the provision of humanitarian aid.

The Council expressed concern about the situation in Guinea Bissau. It called on both sides to reach a peaceful solution. It expressed support for mediation efforts undertaken by the Foreign Ministers of Portugal and Angola. It welcomed the efforts of ECHO and International organisations to provide humanitarian assistance and urged all concerned to allow humanitarian assistance to reach those who need it.

Over dinner, the Troika and Commission debriefed Ministers from the Central European applicant countries and Cyprus on the discussions at the Cardiff European Council.