HC Deb 13 June 2003 vol 406 cc241-2W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom plans to repatriate powers in the new constitution for the EU. [116160]

Mr. MacShane

I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave him on 11 March 2003,Official Report, column 157W.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his interpretation is of the statement that the Member States shall support the Unions external and security policy actively and unreservedly in a spirit of loyalty and mutual solidarity, in the EU treaties and draft constitution. [116165]

Mr. MacShane

Article 11.2 of the existing Treaty on European Union commits Member States tosupport the Unions external and security policy actively and unreservedly in a spirit of loyalty and mutual solidarity. This means that where Member States have agreed a policy on a particular external or security issue, Member States will support that policy wholeheartedly and loyally.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what constitutes an action contrary to the interests of the Union, in the CFSP Article 3 of the draft EU constitution. [116166]

Mr. MacShane

Draft Article 3 of Part III of the draft EU Constitution reproduces language in the existing Treaty on European Union (TEU). Article 11.2 TEU states thatthe member states shall work together to enhance and develop their mutual political solidarity. They shall refrain from any action which is contrary to the interests of the Union or likely to impair its effectiveness as a cohesive force in international relations. This means that where Member States have made a commitment to respect an agreed EU position on a particular issue, they will not act to undermine that agreed position.