General Affairs Council

HC Deb 26 October 2001 vol 373 cc432-3W

Mr. Hood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 17 October; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [10370]

Peter Hain

The General Affairs Council met on 17 October in Luxembourg to discuss the EU's response to international terrorism. The GAC declared its total solidarity with the United States and confirmed its wholehearted support for the action taken in the context of legitimate defence and in accordance with the UN Charter and the UN Security Council Resolution 1368.

The GAC reiterated the importance of a multilateral and global approach under the United Nations' aegis in order to strengthen the international coalition in its fight against terrorism in all its aspects. It identified emergency humanitarian aid in Afghanistan as an absolute priority and undertook to mobilise without delay aid amounting to more than euro 320 million. The GAC supported the efforts of the UN specialised agencies and expressed its concern at the difficulties of access and of convoying humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. The GAC appealed to the countries of the region to facilitate by all means possible the humanitarian operations for hosting fresh flows of Afghan refugees and will implement the necessary means to assist them in doing so.

The GAC agreed on the following points to guide the Union's future proceedings on Afghanistan, once it is freed of the al-Qaeda network and of its terrorists: the establishment in Afghanistan of a stable, legitimate and broadly representative Government, expressing the will of the people; the essential role of the UN in seeking a peace plan for Afghanistan; maintaining absolute priority for emergency humanitarian aid; a plan for the reconstruction of the country; the regional dimension of the stabilisation of Afghanistan.

The GAC committed the EU to making contact without delay with the international community and in particular the Secretary-General of the United Nations and his personal representative, Mr. Brahimi, in order to contribute effectively to the UN effort.

The GAC decided to intensify the European Union's relations with the countries neighbouring Afghanistan in order to contribute to the stability of the region. Particular reference was made to Pakistan, India, Iran and the countries of central Asia. The GAC also expressed its determination to continue a close and co-ordinated political dialogue with its Arab and Muslim partners.

The GAC emphasised the urgent need to relaunch the middle east peace process. The Presidency issued a separate statement condemning in the strongest terms the assassination of the Israeli Minister for Tourism, Rehavam Ze'evi.

The GAC stated that the Union would be more effective in developing the common Foreign and Security Policy and making the European Security and Defence Policy operational as soon as possible.

The GAC welcomed the fact that, in all the Council's configurations, work on stepping up the fight against terrorism was progressing satisfactorily and had already produced initial results. It noted in particular the following: the measures which had already been taken, in particular pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1373, against the sources that fund terrorism, such as the political agreement on the Directive against money laundering, application in full of the FATF measures and freezing the assets of persons and organisations linked to the Taliban; work in progress to draw up a list of terrorist organisations; the Council believed that regular meetings of the intelligence services were vital if terrorism is to be combated successfully; the Council approved a system of indicators making it possible to evaluate the commitment and the co-operation of third countries in the fight against terrorism; the progress already made in the examination of the Commission proposals on the European arrest warrant and terrorist offences and the establishment of a co-ordinated EU position in the context of the conclusion of a general UN convention on international terrorism; the Council requested that consideration should be given to any measure facilitating mutual assistance with third countries concerning the pursuit of terrorists or terrorist organisations; the many current contacts with the USA, including the Troika meeting scheduled for 19 October.

The GAC also welcomed the Presidency's road map setting out all the initiatives and work carried out by the Council and listing those responsible for implementation, the time frames and progress made.