HL Deb 11 November 1999 vol 606 cc216-8WA
Lord Monkswell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 4 October. [HL4685]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

My honourable friend, the Minister of State at the Home Office (Mrs. Roche), represented the United Kingdom at the Council. The main matters dealt with were as follows:—

A ' Points

The Council agreed as 'A' points: reports on the Financial Regulation for Europol; budget estimates for the Schengen Information System installation costs for 2000; and a progress report on the work of the Collective Evaluation Group (CEG) covering confidential country reports on Poland and Estonia.

Report of the High Level Group on Asylum and Migration

The Council considered the country action plans produced by the High Level Group on Asylum and Migration. It agreed that the action plans should go forward to the General Affairs Council and the European Council at Tampere for approval.

Kosovo: Return of Displaced Persons

Presidency conclusions on this subject were adopted. The text makes clear that member states are now reviewing their special temporary protection regimes for all Kosovar displaced persons and not just illegal immigrants.

Co-operation with Russia: Seminars

The Presidency reported on two seminars which had taken place with Russia dealing respectively with migration and judicial co-operation issues.

Dublin Convention: Arrangements with Norway and Iceland

The Commission presented its proposal for a Community agreement to bring Norway and Iceland into the Dublin Convention arrangements. There are some complex legal issues to resolve and the Council Legal Service will be consulted. The Presidency remitted the matter to COREPER for urgent consideration.

European Union (EU) Drugs Strategy 2000–2004

The Commission outlined its proposals for a cross-Pillar drugs strategy. The Commission's proposals were welcomed, but there was recognition that the strategy would need to afford sufficient flexibility for member states to deal quickly with new trends, priorities and consumption patterns, such as the spread of new synthetic drugs. One member state called for the section of the Commission's document on policy co-operation to be strengthened. Others noted the need to develop the operational aspects, drawing, as appropriate, on the strategy papers prepared under the earlier United Kingdom Presidency. The Council agreed to discuss the strategy again at the December Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council and that it should then go to the Helsinki European Council for adoption.

Ratification Status of Extradition Conventions

The Council agreed conclusions urging those Member States which had not ratified the two EU Conventions dealing with extradition to do so as quickly as possible. Those which had not ratified by March next year would be required to report on why they had not done so.

Information to National Parliaments on JHA matters

One member state requested that papers for discussion at JHA Councils should be distributed at least three weeks in advance to ensure adequate time for national parliamentary consideration. The Presidency noted this and remitted the matter for future discussion.

Commission Communication on Victims of Crime

The Commission presented its communication, which was welcomed by many member states, including the United Kingdom. The Presidency concluded that consideration of these issues would continue in the light of any practical guidance on the subject which emerged from the European Council at Tampere.

Preparation of Tampere European Council

The Council discussed certain procedural issues in relation to the Tampere European Council.