General Affairs Council (Hansard, 23 November 1999)

§ Mr. Vaz

The General Affairs Council in Brussels on 15 November adopted the A points listed in document 12700/99 and noted the resolutions, decisions and opinion adopted by the European Parliament in its session of 25–29 October listed in document 11449/99. Copies of the documents listing the A points and resolutions will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.

Preparation for Helsinki European Council

(A) European Security and Defence Policy 1. For the first time, Foreign Ministers were joined in the General Affairs Council by Defence Ministers. They discussed progress on follow up to the Cologne Declaration on strengthening the common European policy on security and defence in preparation for the Helsinki European Council. They considered the need for improvements to European military capabilities, including through the setting of targets for European forces capable of being deployed at short notice, and also the need for new structures within the 83W European Union to enable Ministers to take informed decisions on the deployment of military forces on peacekeeping or crisis management operations.

(B) Common Strategies Ministers were briefed by the Presidency on the implementation of the Common Strategy on Russia and on preparation of further Common Strategies commissioned by the Vienna European Council. They agreed that the Common Strategy on Ukraine should be ready for Heads of Government to consider at the Helsinki European Council.

(C) Enlargement The Council had a preliminary discussion of the Commission's Recommendations on enlargement in advance of the Helsinki European Council. The Council will return to the subject on 6 December.

Negotiations on a development partnership with ACPs/9^th European Development Fund 2. The Commission proposed maintaining the volume of the next European Development Fund (EDF 9) at the same level as the previous one in real terms. The Secretary of State for International Development, representing the United Kingdom, called for a more realistic assessment of needs to form the basis of discussion on replenishing the EDF. The Council will come back to this at the General Affairs Council on 6 December.

Bananas 3. The Commission presented its proposal for a new banana regime. The Council took note and referred the proposals to the relevant Council bodies for detailed examination.

WTO: Ministerial Conference in Seattle 4. The Council discussed the preparations for the WTO Ministerial Conference at Seattle. It reiterated its support for a comprehensive trade round, responding to the interests of all WTO members, and those of civil society.

EU/South Africa 5. Following discussion among Ministers, the Commission said that it would renew contacts with South Africa to pursue a solution allowing the Agreement on Trade, Co-operation and Development with South Africa to be applied provisionally from 1 January 2000.

Northern Caucasus/Chechnya 6. The Council expressed its deep concern over the continuing military campaign in Chechnya. It called on Russia to observe its commitments under international humanitarian law to avoid civilian casualties and to keep the Chechen-Ingush border open in order to ensure access to safety for IDPs. The Council strongly urged the Russian Government to seek a negotiated settlement and to use the good offices of the OSCE.

Pakistan 7. The Council discussed developments in Pakistan following the 12 October military coup. Ministers reiterated the EU's call for a speedy restoration of democratic civilian rule and urged the military to produce a timetable for this, with clear benchmarks for progress. The Council called for Nawaz Sharif to have a fair and open trial, and for Pakistan to sign and ratify the CTBT.

Western Balkans 8. The Council underlined its continued support for the Serbian people through humanitarian aid, help to democratic political forces and independent media organisations, and preparation for the reconstruction and international re-integration of a democratic Serbia. The EU will also continue to support the democratically elected government of President Djukanovic in Montenegro, including through technical advice and reconstruction aid. 84W 9. The Council adopted amendments to the OBNOVA regulation, which will allow the EU Reconstruction Agency—Kosovo to be set up as soon as possible. The Agency will be responsible for the delivery of EU long-term reconstruction assistance. 10. The Council stressed the need for all political leaders in Kosovo to work actively to prevent the harassment of minority communities, and the need for EU financial and other support for the activities of UNMiK. The Council further confirmed the EU's readiness to help regional states to clear the Danube at Novi Sad, once the FRY has undertaken to meet its obligations under the Danube Conventions. 11. The Council emphasised the importance of free and fair elections in Croatia, and regretted Croatia's failure to take the international community's concerns about its electoral and media laws fully into account. The Council emphasised that Croatia should cooperate fully with ICTY, and can expect active support for a closer and deeper relationship with the EU only if it is willing to take the necessary steps. The EU also welcomed the constitutionality of the recent change in government in Albania, and called on Albania to pursue the priorities of democratisation and the fight against corruption.

Indonesia 12. The Council reviewed recent events in Indonesia and welcomed the establishment of a new broadly based Indonesian government. Foreign Ministers looked forward to working closely with Indonesia on a wide range of issues.

AOB: North Korea (Humanitarian situation) 13. Germany raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in North Korea. The Commission outlined the humanitarian assistance already being provided, including food aid, medical supplies and projects on agricultural rehabilitation, water and sanitation. There was a general discussion about possible measures the Commission might take to encourage North Korea into further economic reform and dialogue with the international community.

AOB: Death Penalty 14. The Council reaffirmed the importance of a common approach to the question of the death penalty, under consideration at the General Assembly in New York. Partners regretted that discussions in New York with all interested delegations had been unable to find consensus on important language relating to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

EEA: Council 15. The EEA Council took place in the margins of the GAC. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the functioning of the EEA Agreement.