§ Mr. Jim MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 14 and 15 February; and if he will make a statement. [110552]
§ Mr. VazThe General Affairs Council in Brussels on 14–15 February adopted the A points listed in document no. 6075/00 and noted resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its session of 3 February 2000 in Brussels, as listed in document no. 5316/00. Copies of these documents will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.
1. Preparations for Lisbon European Council
The Presidency summarised discussions so far. The UK welcomed the proposals for modernisation of the EU economy, and stressed the need for the Lisbon Special Council to agree clear objectives and a timetable for action.
937W2. Defence
The GAC agreed to establish three interim bodies as part of the follow-up to the Report to the Helsinki European Council on strengthening the Common European Security and Defence Policy: an interim Political and Security Committee, an interim military body, and a system for the detachment of national experts in the military field to the General Secretariat of the Council.
3. Charter of Rights
The Presidency gave a brief progress report on preparatory work on the draft EU Charter of Rights.
4. Commission reform
The GAC heard a presentation from the Commission Vice-President Neil Kinnock on proposals for management reform within the Commission. The GAC adopted conclusions welcoming these proposals and calling for their rapid implementation.
5. Freelance interpreters
The GAC did not reach agreement on the European Commission's proposal to restore the right of freelance interpreters employed by the Commission to be taxed at Community rates, rather than national rates. The issue will be reconsidered at a later date.
6. Opening of Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC)
Foreign Ministers inaugurated an Inter-Governmental Conference to decide institutional reforms necessary for enlargement. The President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, and the President of the Commission, Romano Prodi, made statements. Subsequent discussion focused on procedural arrangements for the IGC, such as the language regime for meetings and the order and scope of issues to be discussed.
7. Western Balkans
The GAC agreed to maintain its policy of applying maximum pressure on President Milosevic, without penalising the Serbian people. IT decided to suspend the flight ban for a period of six months, to extend the scope of the visa ban list and invited the Commission to present detailed proposals on enhancing the effectiveness of existing financial sanctions. The GAC repeated the urgency of re-establishing freedom of navigation on the Danube and agreed that responsibility in this regard lay mainly with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY).
The GAC invited the Commission to submit further proposals to address Montenegro's most pressing needs, including facilitation of trade. It reiterated the importance of including Montenegro in the regional projects to be presented at the Regional Funding Conference for the stability pact.
The GAC reiterated its condemnation of all acts of violence in Kosovo and was particularly concerned by the renewed outbreak of ethnic violence in Mitrovica and the recent attacks against members of KFOR. The GAC warned that its assistance to Kosovo was dependent on progress in inter-ethnic reconciliation. The GAC took note of the High Representative's appeal to provide more police officers for the UN Civil Police mission, and welcomed the Commission's announcement of the early disbursement of 35 million euros to the consolidated Kosovo budget.
938WThe GAC agreed on an early visit by an EU Ministerial Troika to Croatia. It also invited the Commission to prepare a feasibility study on the prospects of a Stability and Association Agreement. The Prime Minister of Croatia, Mr. Ivica Racan, joined EU Ministers for coffee after lunch.
The GAC reiterated its concern about the unwillingness of the leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement the New York declaration and efforts to unravel the Dayton-Paris General Frame Agreement for Peace.
The GAC gave its full support to the efforts of the Special Co-ordinator, the European Commission and the World bank to give a strong impetus to the Stability Pact's goal of reinvigorating the political and economic reform process and stimulating regional co-operation.
The GAC endorsed the principal findings in the Commission's report of the Stabilisation and Association process for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania. The Council hoped that the next conditionality review could show significant improvements and underlined the need for fulfilment of all conditions by these countries.
8. Middle East Peace Process
The GAC issued conclusions urging restraint in Lebanon; expressing regret and concern that the 13 February deadline for a Framework Agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians had been missed; and urging the Israelis and Palestinians to resume negotiations with a view to concluding permanent status negotiation within the agreed target period.
9. Russia
The GAC discussed the latest situation in Chechnya, called on the Russian government to take immediate steps towards a peaceful solution and stressed the need to meet the humanitarian needs of people displaced by the war. The GAC reiterated its support for the OSCE and Council of Europe's efforts to reach a peaceful settlement and expressed its concern about the missing Russian journalist Andrei Babitski.
10. Mexico
The GAC welcomed the outcome of negotiation between the EU and Mexico on a Free Trade Agreement, and reaffirmed the importance of the Agreement entering into force quickly. The GAC also agreed that the Commission should monitor and evaluate the impact of the tariff import quota granted to Mexico for orange juice, and that the provisions agreed regarding rules of origin for industrial products did not constitute a precedent for negotiations with third countries.
11. EU/South Africa
The Council discussed outstanding difficulties relating to the provisional application of the EU/South Africa Trade, development and Co-operation Agreement. The Council agreed a draft letter to South Africa, on the basis of earlier discussions between South Africa and the European Commission, proposing a solution to the outstanding difficulties and confirming the Council's agreement to the provisional application.
12. Indonesia
The Commission presented a communication on Indonesia. This will be the subject of detailed discussion at the March GAC.
939W13. Association Council with Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia
Associations Councils with Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia were held in the margins of the GAC on 14 February. The Association Councils covered preparations for accession, trade, international issues and implementation of the European Agreements.
14. Enlargement
On 15 February, six separate Inter-Governmental Conferences were launched establishing accession negotiations with Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Slovakia.