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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 2-3 November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [196923] Mr. MacShane: The answer is as follows: Outcome of the 2 November 2004 General Affairs and External Relations Council I represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on 2 November in the absence of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. John Grant (UK's permanent representative to the EU) accompanied me. This was a short half-day GAERC, which dealt primarily with the preparation of the European Council held on 5 November 2004. Conclusions were agreed on Iraq and Sudan. General Affairs Session Preparations For The European Council (5 November 2004) The Council examined draft conclusions prepared by the Presidency for the European Council. These were finalised prior to the GAERC by officials. The Presidency outlined the main items that the European Council was due to discuss. These were: Economic issues--Presentation by Mr. Wim Kok, chairman of a high-level group advising the Commission on the preparation of the mid-term review of the economic reform strategy laid down at Lisbon in March 2000. Justice and home affairs--Adoption of a new multi-annual agenda for the EU's area of freedom, security and justice. Communicating Europe--The European Council would examine how better to communicate to the public on the EU's work and its relevance to people's daily lives. EU enlargement--The President of the Commission would present a number of policy documents regarding Bulgaria. Romania. Croatia and Turkey's applications to join the EU. External relations--Conclusions were expected on Iran. Iraq, the Middle East and Sudan. The Conclusions agreed at the GAERC on Iraq and Sudan were forwarded to the Council and attached to a Council Declaration. Draft conclusions for Iran and the Middle East were not discussed at the GAERC. These were discussed in the run-up to the European Council. The European Council would also meet for the first time with Mr. Josep Borrell, the new President of the European Parliament. External Relations Session Preparation Of The Eu-Russia Summit The Council was briefed by the Presidency, the Commission and High Representative Javier Solana on preparation of the EU-Russia Summit to be held in The Hague on 11 November. The summit, the fourteenth to be held under the EU- Russia Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, is due to address the building of four "common spaces" for the EU and Russia, namely the common economic space, the common space of freedom, security and justice, the common space of external security and the common space of research and education. International and regional issues, such as the Middle East (including Iran and Iraq), terrorism. Moldova and the South Caucasus, are also likely to be discussed. The Presidency noted that the four "spaces" were part of a single package. AOB--Somalia On the agenda at Italian request, the Council held a brief exchange of views on the situation in Somalia following the election of Mr. Abdullahi Yusuf as President on 10 October and the expected formation of a transitional government. The Presidency reiterated support for the peace process in Somalia and emphasised the EU's willingness to contribute to the country's stabilisation and reconstruction, notably through support for African Union initiatives. AOB--African Great Lakes Region The Council was briefed by the Belgian Foreign Minister on efforts to bring peace and security to the African Great Lakes region, with particular focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the light of his recent visit in the region. AOB--Guinea Bissau The Council was briefed by the Portuguese Foreign Minister on recent developments in Guinea-Bissau following unrest on 6 October and on efforts led by the international community, including Portuguese- speaking States, with a view to contributing to a stabilisation of the situation. AOB--Belarus At the suggestion of the Polish delegation, the Council briefly discussed EU policy with regard to Belarus in the light of irregularities in the parliamentary elections and referendum on 17 October and attacks on opposition leaders and media representatives at a political demonstration in Minsk on 19 October. It will discuss the matter in greater detail at its meeting on 22 November.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c631-3W;426 c632-4W; 196923

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Applications Bulgaria Africa EU enlargement Iraq EU action EU economic policy EU justice and home affairs Romania Croatia Turkey Sudan Iran Middle East EU external relations Somalia Belarus Guinea-Bissau EU General Affairs and External Relations Council

Link

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