§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement during the United Kingdom presidency of the EU on the European Union's position on the export by Israel to Europe of goods originating in Jerusalem. [43834]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The Commission issued a Communication to the Council on 13 May on the implementation of the EC/Israel agreement, including the export to the EU of goods originating in Jerusalem. The UK Presidency is discussing the issues raised in the communication at technical level with other member states and the Commission. The Commission is also in consultation with Israeli officials, and will report back to the Council in due course. The EU position on the status of Jerusalem remains unchanged.
§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made during the United Kingdom presidency of the EU to the Governments of(a) France and (b) Belgium concerning domestic ratification of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. [43832]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 1 June 1998]: Parliamentary ratification procedures are a matter for individual member states. The United Kingdom has not 348W made any representations to the French or Belgian governments on this issue, though our officials remain in close contact on the progress of the ratification procedure.
§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to review the operation of the EU-Israel association agreement during the United Kingdom presidency of the EU. [43828]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The EU/Israel Association Agreement has not been ratified by all EU member states, and is therefore not yet in force. Its trade provisions are in operation under a separate EC/Israel Interim Agreement. The EU is now studying questions raised by the Commission in its Communication of 13 May about the implementations of the Interim Agreement.
§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made during the UK presidency of the EU to the European Commission concerning Israeli implementation of the EU-Israel association agreement. [43829]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The EU/Israel Association Agreement is not yet in force. As EU Presidency, the UK is in close contact with the Commission and other member states about the implementation of the EC/Israel Interim Agreement, on which the Commission issued a Communication on 13 May.
§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made during the United Kingdom presidency of the EU to Israel concerning the EU-Israel Association Agreement. [43830]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The EU/Israel Association Agreement is not yet in force, pending ratification by individual Member States. The United Kingdom has therefore made no formal representation to the Israeli government on this issue. We remain in close contact with Israel on the implementation of the EC/Israel Interim Agreement.
§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with other EU Governments during the United Kingdom presidency concerning the EU-Israel Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement. [43831]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The EU/Israel Association Agreement is not yet in force. As Presidency of the EU, the UK holds regular discussions with EU governments on the EC/Israel Interim Agreement, including on the Commission Communication on implementation of that agreement.