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Written Answers
Thursday, 21st October 1999.
Council of the European Union:Forthcoming Business
Lord Grenfell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for October; and list the major European Union events for the next six months.[HL4305]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.
| Date | Location | Event |
| October 1999 | ||
| 30 Sep-1 Oct | Helsinki | Ministerial Conference on Equality between Women and Men |
| 1 | Florence | Trade Ministers (Informal) |
| 4-5 | Luxembourg | Justice and Home Affairs Council |
| 4-5 | Tampere | Regional Policy Ministers |
| 4-8 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 6 | Luxembourg | Transport Council |
| 8 | Luxembourg | ECOFIN |
| 11-12 | Luxembourg | General Affairs Council |
| 12 | Luxembourg | Environment Council |
| 15-16 | Tampere | Special European Council |
| 18-19 | Luxembourg | Agriculture Council |
| 22 | Luxembourg | Labour/Social Affairs Council |
| 24-25 | Helsinki | Energy Ministers Task Force Meeting |
| 25-29 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 26 | Luxembourg | Fisheries Council |
| 28 | Luxembourg | Research Council |
| 29 | Luxembourg | Justice and Home Affairs Council |
| November 1999 | ||
| 3-4 | Brussels | European Parliament Plenary |
| 8 | Brussels | ECOFIN |
| 8 | Brussels | Consumer Affairs Council |
| 9 | Brussels | Industry Council |
| 11 | Brussels | Development Council |
| 11 | Brussels | Standing Committee Employment |
| 12 | Brussels | Labour & Social Affairs Council |
| 11-12 | Helsinki | Ministerial Conference on the Northern Dimension |
| 15-16 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 15-16 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 15-19 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 16 | Brussels | EEA Council |
| 18 | Brussels | Health Council |
| 22 | Brussels | Fisheries Council (possible) |
| 22-23 | Brussels | EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting (possible) |
| 23 | Brussels | Culture/Audiovisual Council |
| 23 | Brussels | Youth Council |
| 25-26 | Brussels | Budget Council |
| 26 | Brussels | Education Council |
| 29 | Brussels | ECOFIN/Labour and Social Affairs Council |
| 30 | Brussels | Telecommunications Council |
| December 1999 | ||
| 1-2 | Brussels | European Parliament Plenary |
| 2 | Brussels | Energy Council |
| 2 | Brussels | Research Council |
| 2-3 | Brussels | Justice and Home Affairs Council |
| 6-7 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 7 | Brussels | Internal Market Council |
| 9-10 | Brussels | Transport Council |
| 10-11 | Helsinki | European Council |
| 13 | Brussels | ECOFIN |
| 13-14 | Brussels | Environment Council |
| 13-17 | Strasbourg | European Parliament Plenary |
| 14-15 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 14-16 | Brussels | Ministerial Conference on following of progress on UN Beijing Platform for Action |
| 16-17 | Brussels | Fisheries Council |
| 16-17 | Brussels | EU-ACP Council (possible) |
| January 2000 | ||
| 14 | Brussels | Fisheries Council |
| 18 | Brussels | Budget Council |
| 24-25 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 24-25 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 28-29 | Lisbon | Development Council (Informal) |
| 31 | Brussels | ECOFIN |
| February 2000 | ||
| 11-12 | Lisbon | Social Affairs Council (Informal) |
| 14-15 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 21-22 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 28 | Brussels | ECOFIN |
| March 2000 | ||
| 3-4 | Lisbon | Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal) |
| 9 | Brussels | European Conference |
| 13 | Brussels | Social Affairs/ECOFIN Council |
| 16 | Brussels | Internal Market |
| 20-21 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 20-21 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 23-24 | Lisbon | European Council |
| 27 | Brussels | JHA Council |
| 28 | Brussels | Transport Council |
| 30 | Brussels | Environment Council |
General Affairs Council, 11 October
Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What was the outcome of the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 11 October.[HL4303]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The GAC adopted the A points listed in document 11573/99 and noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its session of 13-17 September listed in document 10352/1/99. Copies of the documents listing the A points and resolutions will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available. Preparation of Tampere European Council The Presidency briefed the GAC on Finnish Prime Minister Lipponen's tour of capitals. The traditional letter of invitation to Tampere would issue very shortly. The Presidency also briefly mentioned external aspects of Justice and Home Affairs co-operation, in the context of preparation for Tampere. There was no discussion. Charter of Fundamental Rights After a very brief discussion, the Presidency concluded that there was agreement on its proposals for the composition and rules of procedures of the body responsible for preparing the first draft of the Charter. ESDP Military and Non-Military Crisis Management: Preparation in View of the European Council in Helsinki The Presidency briefed Ministers on work under way on European defence. Earthquake in Greece The Greek Foreign Minister reported to the Council on the extensive damage caused by the earthquake in Athens on 7 September. The Council encouraged the Commission to examine all possible ways of assisting Greece, making full use of the possibilities offered under the structural funds, on the basis of a specific evaluation of the damage. Northern Caucasus/Chechnya Ministers expressed their strong concern at the deteriorating human rights situation in Chechnya and at the risks of the conflict spreading. They supported the Commission package of 1.2 million euro of humanitarian aid. Western Balkans The Council agreed the Commission's proposal for a pilot of the “Energy for Democracy" programme in Serbia, which will supply heating oil and diesel to the towns of Nis and Pirot, where opposition parties run the local administration. The Council discussed the possibility of lifting the flight ban on Serbia, but no consensus was reached. The Council welcomed initiatives proposed by the UK on tackling organised crime in Kosovo. The Council asked the Commission and other relevant bodies to come up with proposals. Foreign Ministers will discuss the issue further when they meet at the Tampere Special European Council. Burma Foreign Ministers expressed their concern at the lack of progress on human rights in Burma. Ministers offered their full support for the forthcoming mission of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Burma and hoped that it would lead to an
improvement in human rights and the promotion of democracy. The Council extended the EU's Common Position on Burma for a further six months, agreeing to review it after Mr de Soto's mission. EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports The GAC approved the first consolidated report on the operation of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and agreed to publish the report in the Official Journal. The report summarises actions taken by member states to implement the provisions of the code and outlines priorities for future action. East Timor Foreign Ministers welcomed the deployment of the International Force in East Timor. The Commission announced its intention to provide further EC funds for the UN Mission in East Timor and for the eventual UN Transitional Authority in East Timor. Preparation for Seattle Ministerial The GAC discussed the EU's approach to the negotiations on a new multilateral trade round. They confirmed the EU's strong support for a comprehensive Round to be launched at the WTO Ministerial conference in Seattle (30 November to 3 December). Foreign Ministers had lunch with the Israeli Foreign Minister, David Levy. Mr Levy stressed the Israeli Government's commitment to the Middle East Peace Process, and the importance of restarting all tracks of the Process. He called for strengthened links between the EU and Israel. The GAC welcomed EU Special Envoy Moratinos' initiative for an “EU-Israel Forum". Meeting with Serb Opposition leaders The GAC met with representatives of democratic forces in the FRY. Foreign Ministers underlined the EU's readiness to support the people of the FRY in their efforts to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and the development of good regional and international relations. Co-operation Councils with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia The first ever Co-operation Councils with the three South Caucasus states took place on 12 October. Discussion covered political co-operation, trade and investment, democracy and human rights and co-operation in Justice and Home Affairs.Millennium Preparedness Information:FCO Website
Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What information they have about the preparedness of other countries to deal with the millennium bug.[HL4304]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been actively gathering information about the preparedness of other countries
to deal with the millennium bug. This information is being made publicly available on the FCO website at http://www.fco.gov.uk. So far, we have published information on 70 countries and these are continuously updated. More will follow soon. Copies of these statements have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
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