HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 c579W
25. Mr. Luke

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role Britain is playing in helping to prepare those countries applying for accession to the EU. [23019]

Peter Hain

Since 1989, the UK has provided £350 million through the Know-How Fund to help the candidates prepare for accession. We have "Action Plans" with 11 of the 13 candidates, and will launch another soon. The plans bring together the UK's practical assistance to the candidates across a range of activities involving all Whitehall Departments.

Under the Commission's "Twinning" programme, over 40 British civil servants are seconded as long-term pre-accession advisers to Ministries in the candidate countries. Since 1998, the UK has won involvement in over 90 twinning projects—the third highest number of any member state—targeted on each candidate's priority areas for EU accession.

28. Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards EU enlargement. [23022]

Peter Hain

The enlargement negotiations have made good progress under the Belgian presidency, in line with the roadmap (timetable) for negotiations agreed at Nice. The Laeken European Council (14–15 December) confirmed its objective to complete accession negotiations by the end of 2002 with those candidates that are ready, so they can participate in the 2004 European Parliament elections as members.

Forward to