IMPACT OF LISBON TREATY ON EU INSTITUTIONS
Letter from the Chairman to Jim Murphy
MP, Minister for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
As you know, the Select Committee is
inquiring into the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the UK and the
EU. In our section on foreign policy, we examine the question
of the changes to EU Treaty provisions on consular protection.
We would be most grateful for supplementary
written evidence on the following question, which we hope is not
a difficult one. Does the Lisbon Treaty change anything with regards
to the responsibility of the UK Diplomatic and Consular Services
for providing assistance and protection to Commonwealth and Dependent
Territory Citizens? We would appreciate a response by Monday 18
February.
8 February 2008
Letter from Jim Murphy MP to the Chairman
Your Committee has asked that Parliament be
kept updated on discussions with EU partners on issues related
to implementation of the Lisbon Treaty.
There are a number of implementation issues to be
decided before the Treaty enters into force. Preparatory technical
discussions in some areas have already begun under the Slovene
Presidency. Whilst it is only sensible to ensure that the EU is
ready to implement the Treaty—if all countries have ratified—we
have made it clear to and agreed with our EU partners that no
final decisions can be taken until ratification is confirmed.
Preparatory technical discussions are taking
place at meetings of Permanent Representatives in Brussels, supported
by the Antici group, and with the presence of a representative
of the Commission.
These preliminary discussions so far have covered
issues including the Citizen's Initiative procedure, External
Action Service, budgetary procedures, the transition to greater
co-decision, committee structures in Justice and Home Affairs,
and the rules of procedure of the European Council and Council
of Ministers.
The Slovenian Presidency now envisage that the
following issues should be addressed over the next two months:
— Follow-up to the discussions on the
Rules of Procedure of European Council and Council.
— Discussion on Council Presidency:
Respective scope of General Affairs
Council and Foreign Affairs Council,
List of Council configurations,
Chairing of Working Groups in area
of External Relations, and
Implementing Decision on the draft
Decision contained in Declaration 9.
— Technical work on the External Action
Service.
— Follow-up discussion on the role
of COSI (Internal Security Committee) and committee structures
in the Justice and Home Affairs.
— Notification to third countries and
international organisations of the legal succession by the Union
of the Community.
I wish to re-affirm to you that the Government
will do its utmost to keep both Houses informed, across the full
range of Treaty Implementation issues through Ministerial contact
before any discussions of implementation issues at European Council
and sectoral EU Ministerial meetings.
22 April 2008
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