EU General Affairs Council (Hansard, 15 October 2002)

§ Peter Hain

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary represented the UK at the July Council. The Council adopted the "A" points listed in document 12354/1/02 PTS A 44 and noted the Resolutions, Decisions and Opinions of the European Parliament listed in document 10110/02.

Presidency Priorities

The Presidency presented its work programme, with emphasis on completing enlargement negotiations with up to 10 countries by Copenhagen. Greece, which will preside over Council discussions with defence implications, briefed on ESDP priorities, particularly progress towards the Headline Goal.

Enlargement

The Presidency presented its programme, underlining its commitment to respect the targets set by the European Council. This involves aiming to resolve all remaining non-budgetary aspects by September, with the objective of the Brussels European Council naming the countries that could conclude negotiations by the end of 2002 and taking decisions which will enable the EU to inform the candidates early in November about the financial aspects of the package. The UK strongly supports this approach.

Seville European Council: Follow-up

The Council adopted revised rules of procedure, incorporating the changes agreed at Seville and setting out the role and future areas of activity of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The UK 531W welcomes the reforms agreed at Seville. The Commission noted its intention to complete by September, as requested at Seville, a study on options for resolution of the transit issue affecting Kaliningrad.

Work in other Council Formations

The Presidency briefed, in particular noting the first discussion in the 15 July Agriculture Council of the midterm review of the CAP, the debate in the 12 July ECOFIN on negotiations with Switzerland on taxation of savings and in the 19 July ECOFIN on the draft 2003 budget.

Zimbabwe

The Council confirmed that Zimbabwe was continuing to fail to respect its obligations in democracy, human rights and rule of law. The Council, with strong UK support, decided to extend the list of those in the ruling party and government affected by the EU measures set out in the 18 February Common Position. This will include all remaining Cabinet Ministers, Politburo Secretaries, Deputy Ministers, Assistant Secretaries of the Politburo and the wife of President Mugabe. The Council condemned the Mugabe government's land reforms as a major cause of the humanitarian crisis and urged Zimbabwe to implement the process agreed at Abuja in September 2001 and to review its land reform as proposed by UNDP in early 2002. The EU will continue to supply humanitarian aid to the people of Zimbabwe.

Southern Africa

The Council discussed the humanitarian crisis in the region, noting the EU's contribution of €130 million in food and humanitarian aid. It called on the governments in the region to work with the international community to address the underlying causes of the crisis.

Conflict Prevention

The CFSP High Representative and Commissioner Patten briefed on EU priorities in Conflict Prevention. The Council adopted Conclusions welcoming this work, and tasking the Political and Security Committee to keep it under review.

Middle East

Council Conclusions welcomed the outcome of the EU/US/UN/Russia ("Quartet") meeting on 16 July and stressed the need for parallel work on economic, political and security issues. The Council underlined the need for a roadmap towards the goal, within 3 years, of a final settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. The Council endorsed the appeal by the Quartet for Israel to lift closures, withdraw their forces to positions held before 28 September 2000, resume transfer of revenues due to the Palestinian Authority and to stop settlement activity. The Council condemned the recent terrorist acts against Israeli civilians. The Council urged Israel to refrain from unjustified deportations.

Western Balkans

Conclusions called for protection of the rights of refugees and internally displaced across the region, for enhanced co-operation between states, noted progress 532W in the FRY, including the recent understanding between the FRY and UNMIK in Kosovo, and noted forthcoming elections in Macdeonia and Bosnia.

Afghanistan

Conclusions welcomed the outcome of the Loya Jirga and the new transitional government, and welcomed Turkey's assumption of command of the international force (ISAF). The Council noted the recent appointment of Fransesc Vendrell as EU Special Representative.

India/Pakistan

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary briefed colleagues on his recent trip to India and Pakistan. Ministers underlined the importance that the elections in Pakistan and in Jammu and Kashmir to be held later in the year be free and fair. They invited SG/HR Solana to make this clear during his forthcoming visit to the region.

World Summit on Sustainable Development

The Presidency briefed on preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to take place in Johannesburg from 26 August to 4 September 2002. The Council adopted Conclusions on the key messages for an EU Communication strategy for Johannesburg and on EU initiatives based on the Conclusions of the Seville European Council.