HL Deb 06 July 1998 vol 591 cc95-8WA
Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for July; and what are the major events for the next six months. [HL2523]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

See below.

This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

European calendar: July—December 1998
Date Location Event
July 1998
1–2 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
6 Brussels ECOFIN Council
6–7 Vienna Political Committee
8–10 Innsbruck Employment/Social Affairs/Women (Informal)
13 Brussels Political Committee
13–14 Brussels General Affairs Council
13–17 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
17 Brussels Budget Council
17–19 Graz, Austria Environment Council (Informal)
20–21 Brussels Agriculture Council
23 Brussels Political Committee
August 1998
There are no Councils scheduled for this month.
September 1998
3 Brussels Political Committee
5–6 Salzburg Foreign Ministers (Informal)
7–8 Brussels Special Committee on Agriculture
10–11 Linz Culture Council
14–18 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
15–16 Bregenz Transport Council (Informal)
21 New York Political Committee
19–22 St. Wolfgang, Austria Agriculture Council (Informal)
24 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs
24 Brussels Internal Market
25–27 Brussels ECOFIN Council (Informal)
28–29 Brussels Agriculture Council
October 1998
Date to be confirmed Vienna Meeting of Heads of State and Government
1–2 Luxembourg Transport Council
2–3 Luxembourg Industry/Research & Technology Council (Informal)
5 Luxembourg Work & Social Affairs Council
5 Luxembourg Political Committee
5–6 Luxembourg General Affairs Council
5–9 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
6 Luxembourg Environment Council
12 Luxembourg ECOFIN Council
13 Luxembourg Research Council
13 Brussels Political Committee
19–20 Luxembourg Agriculture Council
19–23 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
22 Luxembourg Fisheries Council
23–24 Luxembourg Education Council (Informal)
26 Luxembourg Political Committee
26–27 Luxembourg General Affairs Council
28–29 Luxembourg Transport Council
29–30 Vienna Justice & Home Affairs Council (Informal)

European calendar: July-December 1998
Date Location Event
November
4–5 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
9 Brussels Political Committee
9 Brussels Internal Market Council
9–10 Brussels General Affairs Council
12 Brussels Health Council
16 Brussels Industry Council
16–20 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
17 Brussels Culture Council
20 Brussels Budget Council
23 Brussels ECOFIN Council
23–24 Brussels Agriculture Council
25 Brussels Telecommunications Council
26 Brussels Youth Council
26 Brussels Political Committee
30 Brussels Development Council
30–1 Dec Brussels Transport Council
December
1 Brussels ECOFIN Council
1–2 Brussels Work and Social Affairs Council
2–3 Brussels European Parliament Plenary
3–4 Brussels Justice & Home Affairs
4 Brussels Education Council
7 Brussels Political Committee
7–8 Brussels Environment Council
7–8 Brussels General Affairs Council
10 Brussels Research Council
11 Vienna Political Committee
11–12 Vienna European Council
14–16 Brussels Agriculture Council
14–18 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
15 Brussels Energy Council
17–18 Brussels Fisheries Council

The following Councils are scheduled:

Monthly Forecast of Business for July 1998
Date Location Event
July 1998
6 Brussels ECOFIN Council
8–10 Innsbruck Employment/Social Affairs/Women (Informal)
13–14 Brussels General Affairs Council
17 Brussels Budget Council
17–19 Brussels Environment Council (Informal)
20–21 Brussels Agriculture Council

The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

July 6: ECOFIN Council

  • Approval of the provisional agenda.
  • Approval of the list of A items.
  • Work programme of Austrian Presidency: Open debate.
  • European Council in Cardiff: Follow up.
  • Preparation of Stage 3 of EMU.
  • Commission proposals for Council Regulations on the harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (possible item).
    • WA 98
  • Electronic Commerce: Draft Council conclusions on the indirect taxation aspects.
  • Code of Conduct Group: Establishment of sub-groups (possible item).
  • Services of general economic interest in the banking sector: Presentation of report by the Commission.
  • Any other business.

July 8–10: Employment/Social Affairs/Women (Informal)

No formal agenda.

July 13–14: General Affairs Council

  • Agenda 2000: Work programme.
  • Moldova: Establishment of EU position for the 1st session of the Co-operation Council.
  • Tunisia: Establishment of EU position for the 1st session of the Association Council EC/Tunisia.
  • Mexico: Establishment of EU position for the session of the Joint Council with Mexico.
  • Albania: Preparation for the Conference on 21 July (possible item).
  • Mediterranean policy (possible item).
  • Switzerland (possible item).
  • Western Balkans.
  • Iran (possible item).
  • Middle East Peace Process.
  • Belarus (possible item).
  • Euro XI.
  • South Africa (possible item).
  • Schengen (possible item).
  • Co-operation Council with Moldova.
  • Association Council with EU/Tunisia.
  • Mexico Joint Council (possible item).

July 17: Budget Council

  • Draft 1999 budget.
  • [other items may be added later]

July 17–19: Environment Council (Informal)

No formal agenda.

July 20–21: Agriculture Council

Agenda not yet available.