General Affairs and External Relations Council

HC Deb 04 March 2003 vol 400 cc903-6W

Mr. Hood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held on 24–25 February; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [100141]

Mr. MacShane

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 24 and 25 February. No formal votes were taken. Conclusions were agreed by consensus.

External Relations Session

Wider Europe: New Neighbourhood

The Council continued its discussion of the 'Wider Europe; New neighbourhood'initiative, originally proposed by the UK. A Commission Communication on 'Wider Europe' would be available for the next GAERC meeting. There would be further discussion at the enlarged meeting of the European Conference in Athens on 17 April. In discussion, Ministers noted the need to develop new policy instruments in addition to EU membership to influence its relations with other countries.

Western Balkans

The Presidency, High Representative Solana and Commissioner Patten gave presentations to the Council on the morning's political dialogue meetings with Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Ministers noted Croatia's application to join the EU, for which some member states expressed their support, and noted the process for its consideration.

The Council agreed conclusions on Serbia and Montenegro, Kosovo, Republic of Macedonia and return of refugees and internally displaced persons. In a brief discussion, Ministers urged Belgrade and Pristina to refrain from any unilateral initiatives which were incompatible with the objectives of a multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo.

Iraq and the Middle East

Ministers discussed the Middle East and Iraq in the presence of the President of the Arab League, Mr. Hammoud, and of the Secretary General of the Arab League, Mr. Moussa.

The Foreign Secretary explained in general terms plans for tabling a second resolution on Iraq, and stressed the need for a tough and clear message to Saddam that Iraq had to comply with relevant UNSCRs, in particular 1441. The Arab League representatives argued for more time for inspections. Ministers reaffirmed that full co-operation by Iraq on disarmament in accordance with UNSCR 1441 was an urgent objective shared by all.

Ministers reaffirmed the importance of reinvigorating the Middle East Peace Process and supported early publication of the roadmap endorsed by the Quartet.

ESDP

High Representative Solana gave a presentation to the Council, including on the envisaged EU take-over of the international military presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UK Permanent Representative commended joint proposals tabled by France and the UK on this subject, emphasising the need for careful and thorough planning. Other Ministers joined the UK in stressing the importance of a robust mandate and close co-operation with NATO.

The Council took stock of implementation of the 'Berlin plus' permanent arrangements between the EU and NATO. It noted that the three main elements (assured access to NATO planning, presumption of availability of pre-identified NATO common assets and capabilities, and European command options including the role of DSACEUR) had been concluded. The Council also noted progress achieved in preparations for the EU's take-over of military operations in Macedonia.

EU-Russia Relations

EU-Russia relations were discussed ahead of the EU-Russia Summit on 31 May, in St. Petersburg, and in the context of the EU Common Strategy on Russia, which is coming up for review next June. The Presidency underlined the importance of making EU-Russia relations more effective and results-orientated and the need to focus on this at the Summit. The upcoming entry into force of the PCA (partnership and Co-operation Agreement)'s dispute settlement mechanism, was a step in the right direction.

AOB: EU-OSCE Co-operation

The Presidency underlined the importance it attached to EU-OSCE co-operation and referred to the EUOSCE Ministerial meeting held in the morning.

General Affairs Session

Progress of work in the Convention

Jean-Luc Dehaene, Vice Chairman of the European Convention, gave a progress report on work in the Convention on the Future of Europe. The Convention has now reached a decisive phase in its work, as it begins to flesh out a Constitutional Treaty. The first 16 draft articles (covering Titles on Establishment of the Union, Values, Objectives, Legal Personality, Fundamental Rights and Competencies), were circulated to the Convention at the plenary on 6 February. A large number of written comments have been received on these and will be the subject of a full debate at the plenary on 27–28 February. At the same time, a second batch of articles (on the Union's instruments and procedures) will be circulated.

The President of the Convention, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, will make a further report to the European Council at its meeting of 20–21 March 2003. The Convention will present a final document later this year.

Progress of work in other Council configurations

The Council noted a Presidency report on work under way in the Council's other configurations. The report draw's particular attention to: the Economic/Financial Affairs Council meeting on 18 February, where a first exchange of views was held on the economic reform strategy set at Lisbon in March 2000; the conclusions adopted by the Education, Youth and Culture Council meeting on 6 February on activities aimed at creating coherence in education and training in Europe; and the conclusions adopted by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on January 27–28 on the integration of environmental protection requirements in the Common Fisheries Policy and on the sustainable development of European aquaculture.

Preparation of the European Council in March

The Council examined a draft annotated agenda for the European Council prepared by the Presidency, in advance of substantive preparation at its next meeting on 18–19 March. At this stage the Presidency intends to limit the agenda to the Lisbon strategy of social and economic reform. The Government welcome this as the focus for discussion.

The annotated draft agenda sets out the main items that the European Council is due to address in connection with the economic reform strategy that it laid down at Lisbon in March 2000, including how the strategy can be used to support the Union's enlargement. The agenda draws on the Commission's "Spring Report" on progress made on the Lisbon strategy and suggested policy orientations.

At this stage the Presidency intends to limit the agenda to the Lisbon strategy, although there may be discussion of the international situation. The European Council will also hear a progress report on work of the European Convention from its President, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, and will hold an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox.

Economic and Social cohesion in the run-up to enlargement

The Council took note of a Commission presentation on its second interim report on economic and social cohesion in the Union. It requested the Permanent Representatives Committee to examine this document further and to report back at its meeting on 17 and 18 of June 2003. The Commission's third full cohesion report is due in autumn and will emphasise the unprecedented challenge for cohesion policy that enlargement will bring. It will also examine the conditions for implementation of a new generation of structural fund programmes for the 2007–13 period.