Written question asked by Gerald Howarth (Conservative) on Thursday, 1 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 February 2001. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 February 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, What discussions have taken place concerning the agenda for the 2004 IGC in relation to institutional reform. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place concerning the agenda for the 2004 IGC in relation to institutional reform. [149728] Mr. Vaz: A Declaration in the Treaty of Nice sets out four issues to be discussed by the next Intergovernmental Conference in 2004. These are a more precise delimitation of competencies between the European Union and member states, the status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, simplification of the Treaties, and the role of national Parliaments in European architecture. The Declaration also called for a deeper and wider debate on the future of the European Union, and mandated the Swedish and Belgian Presidencies to initiate a wide- ranging discussion with all interested parties, including representatives of national Parliaments, members of civil society and the candidate states. The Swedish Presidency will report on this process to the Gothenburg European Council in June.

Secondary information