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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 Council held in Brussels on 22 and 23 January; and if he will make a statement. [147160] Mr. Vaz: The General Affairs Council (GAC) on 22 January adopted the "A" points listed in document No. 5419/01. It also noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its session of 29-30 November in Brussels listed in document No. 12940/00. Copies of these documents will be deposited in the House Libraries as soon as they are available. The European Parliament did not transmit a record of its resolutions, decisions and opinions at its 11-15 December session in Strasbourg in time for adoption by the GAC on 22 January; they will go forward for adoption at the GAC on 26 February 2001. Open debate on conflict prevention In open debate, the Council agreed that the EU possessed appropriate resources and instruments to play a major role in conflict prevention, but needed to manage them more coherently and systematically. Orientation debate on strengthening the EU's external action The Council held its first ever debate on the priorities and quality of the EU's external actions, including external assistance. The Council expressed broad support for Commission reforms covering both the process and the implementation of external assistance, and hoped that they would continue. The Council also agreed on the need for greater coherence, focus, flexibility and consistency in the use of external relations instruments. The Presidency concluded that Council views were converging on priorities for external action, namely: neighbouring countries (including the accession countries), poverty reduction, conflict prevention, and co-operation with major international actors. In addition, external actions needed to be responsive to both new expenditure pressures and to long-term priorities. These conclusions, together with the discussion itself and the Presidency paper on external action reforms would provide general guidance for the Commission in preparing the 2002 budget. (The Council remitted to COREPER further work on common strategies and other suggestions which arose during the debate, including the Foreign Secretary's proposal that the GAC hold a follow-up debate later in the year in connection with the draft budget). Western Balkans The GAC welcomed the free and fair elections in Serbia in December. It underlined the need for the FRY to co-operate fully with the ICTY and comply with its obligations under UNSCR 1244 and the Dayton and Paris agreements. The Council agreed to send an EU ministerial troika to Belgrade in early February. The GAC urged the authorities in Serbia and Montenegro to agree on a new constitutional arrangement, within a federal framework. The GAC also called for the speedy release of Kosovo Albanian and other prisoners held without charge or on political grounds. It strongly condemned terrorist acts by ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia, while welcoming the FRY authorities' commitment to UNSCR 1244. The Council thanked Mr. Kouchner for his work as UNMIK Special Representative in Kosovo and pledged its support for his successor, Mr. Haekkerup. The Council approved the terms of reference for the high level EU/Albania Steering Group, which is to help Albania meet the requirements of the Stabilisation and Association agreement. The GAC also discussed the use of depleted uranium in the Balkans. It agreed that this issue must be dealt with transparently, and that NATO would remain in the lead. Middle east peace process The GAC welcomed President Clinton's efforts to seek a breakthrough in the peace process, and stated the EU's wish to work closely with the Bush Administration on the issue. It also expressed its support for the current negotiations in Taba, Egypt. The Council called on Israel to end its withholding of revenue payments due to the Palestinian Authority. Democratic Republic of the Congo The Council condemned the assassination of President Kabila, and called for all parties to the Lusaka Agreement to respect their commitments under this agreement. El Salvador The Council expressed its deepest sympathy to the victims and families of those lost in the El Salvador earthquake, and called for efficient donor co-ordination, both immediately and in the longer-term. It recalled the support being provided by the Community and member states. Nice follow up: IGC/Nice Treaty The Presidency announced that the Nice Treaty will be signed by Ministers in Nice on 26 February 2001. The Foreign Secretary welcomed the Presidency's plans for broad consultation involving all relevant actors, including national Parliaments. Nice follow up: EU enlargement The Presidency presented their work programme and emphasised their intentions to keep to and, where possible, proceed more rapidly than the Commission's timetable for negotiations agreed at Nice. Any other business: Bananas A discussion on the EU's banana import regime is now remitted to a future Council.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

147160; 362 c245-7W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

EU enlargement EU action Treaty of Nice Balkans Middle East Peace negotiations EU external relations Bananas Democratic Republic of the Congo El Salvador EU Foreign Affairs Council Conflict prevention

Link

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