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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

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 21 February; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [218156] Mr. MacShane: The information is as follows: Outcome of the 21 February 2005 General Affairs and External Relations Council My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, John Grant (UK Permanent Representative to the EU) and I represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on 21 February 2005. Conclusions were agreed on the Middle East, Iraq, Western Balkans, Ukraine and Sudan. General Affairs Session Preparations for the European Council--22/23 March, Brussels The presidency introduced the draft agenda for the March European Council. The European Council will discuss the mid-term review of the Lisbon agenda, reform of the Stability and Growth Pact, sustainable development and international issues. The next meeting of the GAERC on 16 March will or prepare discussions in detail. Future financing 2007-13 The Council had an exchange of views on competitiveness for growth and employment (spending on Lisbon-related objectives). The Government argued that the budget needed to be determined according to rigorous prioritisation and clear EU value added. The Government also argued, along with other supporters of an overall 1 per cent. GNI budget package, that the proposed budget (a threefold increase) was far too high. All member states endorsed research and development as a general priority but with different emphases on where EU value-added lay. Most member states expressed deep scepticism about the proposed Growth Adjustment Fund. The next meeting of the GAERC on 16 March will have a broader discussion of progress in the overall future financing negotiation. External Relations Session MEPP The Council discussed the recent political developments in the MEPP, including the outcomes from the Sharm al-Sheik meeting and the Israeli Government's formal decision to implement the disengagement plan, which includes withdrawal of settlements from Gaza and part of the West Bank. The UK thanked the presidency, High Representative Solana, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner and member states for their support for the 1 March London Meeting and explained the aim of the meeting was to assist the Palestinian leadership in building the institutions for a viable state. The focus would be on economic, governance and security institutions. The Council also discussed the importance of implementing UNSCR 1559 and condemned the attack which killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Iraq The Council discussed strengthening the EU's relations with Iraq following last month's successful elections and agreed a package of measures to that end. These include an integrated ESDP Rule of Law Mission (EUJUST LEX) with a liaison office in Baghdad, continued assistance with the elections process, provision of constitutional experts, intensified activity on capacity building in Iraqi Ministries particularly in the trade and energy sectors, and a commitment to an EU Troika visit to Iraq and a Joint Political Declaration to frame future co-operation, as soon as the Iraqi Transitional Government is in place and political developments allow. There was also discussion on the effective co-ordination of international reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi administration based on a French proposal. The UK welcomed the French proposal and thanked member states and the Commission for their constructive approach. There was much the EU could now do to help nurture Iraq's new government and the continuing political process. Western Balkans The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative, Soren Jessen-Petersen, joined Ministers for a discussion on Kosovo. The Council offered Mr. Petersen its support for his work to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1244. It noted that the Review of UN- endorsed Standards would take place in mid-2005. If positive, this Review would pave the way for a process to determine Kosovo's final status. The Council expressed hope that the Provisional Institutions of Self Government would continue implementation of Standards to allow a positive assessment. The Council encouraged Belgrade to engage constructively on Kosovo. It reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans--including Kosovo--was within the European Union; the EU would therefore have an important future role to play. The Council emphasised that Kosovo's future must be consistent with the principles of multi-ethnic democracy. The UK supported this assessment of the road ahead, agreeing that the UN would remain in the lead in Kosovo but that the EU would also have an important role to play. The Council also discussed Croatia and adopted Conclusions which set out clearly that Croatia must co- operate fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia if accession negotiations are to open on 17 March. Transatlantic relations Ministers briefly discussed the EU meeting with President Bush on 22 February with the presidency stressing the need for strict discipline on both the length and substance of interventions at the 22 February meeting. Ukraine After a brief discussion, the Council agreed Conclusions based on the 10 point package presented to the GAERC on 31 January by Commissioner Ferrero- Waldner. The package consists of 10 concrete steps to strengthen co-operation between the EU and Ukraine beyond the European Neighbourhood Action Plan which was also launched and endorsed by the EU- Ukraine Co-operation Council in the margins of the GAERC on 21 February. Revision of Cotonou The Council discussed revisions to the text of the Cotonou Agreement (which governs EU relations with the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states) and the accompanying financial package to succeed the ninth European Development Fund (EDF) in preparation for the EU/ACP ministerial meeting on 23 February 2005. Commissioner Michel briefed the Council of the latest state of play on negotiations of the text with the ACP. Differences between the two sides were now small and he was confident that agreement could be reached on 23 February. Agreement was also reached on the financial package with the retention of language on a performance review on which decisions about financing beyond the minimum agreed sum would be based. The flexibility in the language on the sunset clause setting 2007 as the final date for commitments of funds under the current EDF was also retained. Both are good outcomes for the UK. Sudan The Council agreed Conclusions which call upon the Government of Sudan and the National Democratic Alliance to sign the full Cairo Agreement as soon as possible, note the Council's concerns about violations of the ceasefire and it's readiness to support measures agreed in the UN Security Council, and welcome the International Commission of Inquiry report on Darfur. AOB--Great Lakes Belgian Foreign Minister De Gucht briefed the Council on his recent visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He had two concerns. First, further problems could arise if no solution was found to the training of a unified army. Belgium had trained one unified brigade, and was helping with a second. But EU funding was required to support this. He hoped that a solution could be found by the time of the next GAERC. Second, election plans for the DRC were unrealistic. If a referendum on the constitution was held in July, as planned, elections could not take place until 2006. One solution would be to hold elections in July and for both houses of the provisional parliament to vote on a new constitution immediately thereafter. The presidency suggested that EU Africa Directors meet soon to discuss the two issues raised. AOB--Belarus Lithuania called for the EU to do more to support democratisation, human rights and the independent media in Belarus. Lithuania informed the Council they would host a workshop in Vilnius on 18 March. AOB--Mercosur Spain stressed the importance of the EU's strategic relationship with the Mercosur countries. The presidency said they would strengthen work with a view to the EU/ Mercosur meeting in May.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

218156; 431 c1382-4W;431 c1376-8W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Democracy Elections Human rights International assistance EU enlargement Iraq EU action EU budget EU economic policy Peacekeeping operations Voting behaviour Balkans Croatia Sudan Kosovo Middle East Ukraine Peace negotiations EU external relations EU aid Mercosur Democratic Republic of the Congo ACP countries Belarus EU General Affairs and External Relations Council

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk