HC Deb 19 March 2002 vol 382 cc190-3W
Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason no devolved Administration Minister attended the 2416 European Union Council of Ministers (General Affairs) meeting on 11 March; which particular suggestions or matters of concern from the Scottish Executive were raised in their absence by the UK Government delegation; and what information is being provided by his Department to guarantee effective post-council scrutiny by the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament. [44317]

Peter Hain

Decisions on ministerial attendance at Council meetings are taken on a case-by-case basis by the lead UK Minister. I attended this meeting, representing all parts of the UK.

It is the responsibility of the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament to scrutinise the Scottish Executive's involvement in preparations for EU Council meetings. These arrangements are a matter for the Committee and the Scottish Executive. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides information to Scottish Executive officials as part of that process.

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 11 and 12 March; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [44057]

Peter Hain

I represented the UK at the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Brussels on 11th March. The Council adopted the "A" points listed in document 6924/02 (with the exception of point 5, where a scrutiny reserve was introduced). It also noted the resolution, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament listed in document 5899/2. Copies of these documents will be placed in the Library of the House. No formal votes were taken. Joint actions, a common position and council conclusions were all adopted by consensus.

Preparation of the Barcelona European Council The Presidency briefed on preparations for the European Council. The Council noted a document drawing on contributions from work in various formations of the Council (ECOFIN, Employment and Social Policy, Internal Market, Consumer Affairs and Tourism and Environment Councils) on the Union's economic, social and environmental situation. The Council endorsed an updated road map, which outlines implementation plans for the sustainable development strategy agreed in Goteborg. It also adopted a framework document proposing a strategy for better integrating environmental concerns into the Union's external relations. The Council noted a Commission document on the Lisbon strategy's external dimension, which focuses on the Doha development agenda, the Monterrey Conference on Financing for Development and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Annual Policy Strategy 2003 The President of the Commission presented an overview of the Annual Policy Strategy for 2003. The Council noted the Commission's policy priorities and welcomed the Commission's intention to hold a comprehensive dialogue on the strategy. Discussion of the dossier will continue at the General Affairs Council in May.

Situation in the Great Lakes Region The Council adopted conclusions welcoming the signing of the National Indicative Programme for the DRC on 5 February 2002. The Council adopted a common position on EU support for the implementation of the Lusaka cease-fire agreement and the DRC peace process.

Preparation of Monterrey Conference The Council discussed how best to achieve success at the UN Conference on financing for development, (Montserrey, Mexico, 18–22 March). As the world's largest contributor of development aid, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling the development goals outlined in the UN Millennium accord. As agreed at Goteburg, it would seek to achieve the UN target for official development assistance (ODA) of 0.7 per cent. of GDP as soon as possible.

External aspects of the sustainable development strategy The Commission's communication towards a global partnership for sustainable development was discussed and broadly welcomed by the Council. The Council agreed that work should continue so as to enable the General Affairs Council to co-ordinate the Union's position in advance of the Johannesburg World Summit in September.

Middle East Peace Process The Council exchanged views on recent developments and agreed to continue working on how to best promote progress towards peace in the region. The UK supported the Presidency's idea of a statement on the MEPP at the Barcelona European Council.

Western Balkans The Council welcomed a presentation by the UN Secretary General Special for Kosovo, Michael Steiner. The Council agreed with his objectives: to lay the foundation for economic progress, develop the rule of law, (including the fight against crime and violence), and to build a fair and just society. The Council welcomed the prospect of the donor's meeting for FYROM, co-hosted by the European Commission and the world bank, in Brussels on 12 March. It called on all parties and community leaders in FYROM to match the international community's determination to achieve economic recovery, inter-ethnic reconciliation and stability through the framework agreement and in the context of the stabilisation and association process. The Council welcomed the recent high-level talks between Belgrde and Podgorica and called on both sides to intensify their efforts and to co-operate with the High Representative to achieve early agreement on future constitutional arrangements between Serbia and Montenegro. The Council expressed full support for the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and noted improvement in co-operation between the countries of the region and ICTY over the last year. It underlined that co-operation with the Tribunal will be an essential element of the full realisation of the European perspectives of the countries in the region. The Council welcomed Special Co-ordinator for the Stability Pact, Erhard Busek, and endorsed his priority objectives for 2002 in the areas of trade and investment, infrastructure, refugee issues, cross-border co-operation, small arms and light weapons and organised crime. Following its conclusions of 18 February, the Council adopted a joint action establishing a European Union Police Mission (EUPM) to provide the follow-on to the UN International Police Task Force (IPTF) in Bosnia-and-Herzegovina (BiH) from 1 January 2003. The Council also adopted a joint action concerning the appointment of Lord Ashdown as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.

Zimbabwe The Council took stock of the latest development in the Presidential elections in Zimbabwe and agreed to monitor the situation closely over the coming days.

Human Rights and the next UN Commission in Geneva The Council reaffirmed the EU's commitment to liberty, democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. It recalled the adoption of EU guidelines on human rights dialogues on 13 December 2001 and the addition of supplementary guidelines on the death penalty and torture, reflecting the overriding importance the EU attaches to this subject. It reaffirmed that the fight against terrorism must respect human rights and the rule of law. The Council expressed its satisfaction with the central role the Commission on Human Rights has achieved and the major role played by the EU and its member states at this forum. At the next CHR forum, the EU will present a significant number of country and thematic initiatives: on the death penalty, the rights of the child and the human rights situation in specific countries. The Council reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an essential means for promoting respect for humanitarian and human rights law and welcomed the fact that the ratification of the Rome statute of the ICC was advancing at a fast pace. The Council decided that the EU at the UN Commission on Human Rights would convey its deep concern at the serious violations of human rights in China and the lack of progress in a number of areas. The EU will urge China to take a number of specific steps to improve the situation on the ground. If a draft resolution on human rights in China is tabled at the 58th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, the EU will study its contents carefully. If such a draft resolution is put to a vote, EU members of the Commission will consider favourably voting for its adoption.