§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held on 17 November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [139942]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe information is as follows:
Outcome of the 17–18 November general affairs and external relations council
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, the International Development Secretary and I, represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on 17–18 November.
Conclusions were agreed on the Western Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, ESDP, Nigeria, the annual report on development policy implementation, Governance and Development, the role of the private sector in developing countries, and the OSCE. An informal Defence Ministerial took place in parallel.
General affairs session
Commission work programme for 2004
The Council took note of the Commission presentation of its legislative and work programme for 2004.
Progress of work in other council configurations
The Presidency gave a standard progress report on work in other Councils: Employment/Social Affairs/ Health/Consumer Affairs, Justice and Home Affairs and Transport and Telecommunications.
Preparation of European council (Brussels, 12–13 December)
The Council examined the Presidency's annotated draft agenda for the 12–13 December European Council. The main issues are:
- Economic growth
- Strengthening the EU's area of freedom, security and justice
- EU enlargement
- External Relations, Common Foreign and Security Policy and European Security and Defence Policy.
Enlargement
The Commission presented its monitoring reports on the Accession States' preparations for membership of the European Union and its Strategy Paper and regular reports on progress by Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey towards accession. The Council adopted Conclusions welcoming the progress made so far, while encouraging improved progress on outstanding areas of concern.
External relations session
Western Balkans
The Presidency briefed Member States on Kosovo and the Contact Group's Strategy. The GAERC also agreed that direct dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on practical issues of mutual concern remained vital to fulfil its policy of "standards before status".
1308WEU-Russia
The Presidency de-briefed on the outcome of the 6 November EU-Russia Summit. Ministers agreed on the need to identify the core elements and priorities for the EU's relationship with Russia and to discuss the matter again early in the new year.
Iraq
There was a brief discussion of follow-up to the Madrid Donor conference (23–24 October). Partners welcomed the announcement of an accelerated transfer of power to the Iraqis and reiterated the European Union's resolve to contribute to the political as well as economic reconstruction of Iraq.
Iran
Ministers discussed the nuclear situation in Iran following the Iranian declaration on signature, ratification and immediate application of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Additional Protocol. The Council agreed that EU members of the IAEA Board of Governors should pursue a common approach at the Board's 20 November meeting. The GAERC tasked Political Directors to take this forward.
Middle east peace process
The Council discussed its approach ahead of the EU/ Israel Association Council later that day.
Afghanistan
Commissioner Patten reported on the 19 October Troika visit to Afghanistan. The Council restated the EU's commitment to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and called for free and fair elections to be held next year in order to conclude the road map devised by the Bonn Agreement, The GAERC offered EU assistance with these elections.
The Council also welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 1510 authorising the NATO-led ISAF mission to operate outside the area of Kabul. Member States were considering how to take part in the establishment of Provincial Reconstruction Teams.
Joint session with Defence Ministers
The Presidency briefed on the Defence Ministers' discussions earlier that day: this included talks on operations, EU defence capabilities, EU-NATO, and counter-terrorism. Conclusions were agreed on the European Security and Defence Policy and the Capabilities Agency.
EU-Africa
The Presidency and Commission reported on the recent EU-Africa Ministerial Troika (10 November).
WMD
The Presidency set out the progress made in implementing the WMD Action Plan agreed at the Thessaloniki European Council in May. This Included: an EU Common Position on the universalisation of non-proliferation instruments; mainstreaming of WMD concerns in EU relations with third countries; further work on EU export controls; and improved EU co-ordination in international fora. Conclusions were adopted highlighting the positive results achieved so far.
1309WAOB: OSCE ministerial
The Netherlands, as OSCE Chairman in Office for 2003, briefed colleagues on developments on Moldova and Belarus.
Annual report 2003 on development policy implementation
The council held a debate on the Commission's report on the Community's development co-operation policy and the implementation of the EU's external assistance in 2002. Conclusions were agreed.
Creation of African Peace facility
The Council approved a draft Decision (to be adopted by the ACP-EC Council of Ministers) on the use of European Development Fund resources for the creation of a Peace Facility for Africa.
Governance and development
The Council held a brief discussion (and agreed conclusions) on a communication from the Commission on the EU's strategy in support of better governance in developing countries.
Cotton production in Africa
The Council held a discussion on the problematic situation of the four major cotton producer countries in Africa. The Council invited the Commission to examine the situation in depth and to inform the Council accordingly-