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To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the abolition of the Europe Development Council.

Asked by

Caroline Spelman (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

30 January 2003

Reference

94563; 398 c972-3W;398 c966-7W

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts regarding the distribution of the EU overseas aid package.

Asked by

John Baron (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

15 November 2002

Reference

77191; 394 c3W

House

House of Commons

Amos, Baroness

What the outcome was of the Development Council held on 30 May. [HL 4725].

Asked by

Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe (Labour)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 June 2002

Reference

HL 4725; 636 c93WA

House

House of Lords

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the outcome of the Development Council held on 30th May was; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

17 June 2002

Reference

62896; 387 c60W;387 c62W

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Statement on what the outcome was of the Development and Co-operation Council held in Brussels on 8th November; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Michael Connarty (Labour)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 November 2001

For answer on

16 November 2001

Answered on

16 November 2001

Mr. Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcome was of the Development and Co-operation Council held in Brussels on 8 November; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [14396] Clare Short: At its meeting on 8 November, the Development Council, by consensus: Noted the progress that had been made in reform of the EC's external programmes, including the publication of the Commission's first ever annual report on external assistance. The Council agreed that further progress was needed and that in order to make the annual report a more useful tool for monitoring progress it should be substantially enhanced next year to include firm indicators of the effectiveness of the EC's aid programmes and policies; Agreed that member states would consider further what steps might be taken to establish specific timetables to reach the 0.7 per cent. GNP aid target in the context of preparations for the UN Financing for Development Conference (Mexico March 2002); Agreed that, following the events of 11 September, the Council should continue to give priority to implementing the Declaration on Development Policy agreed in November 2000, give increased attention to the development challenges in Asia, and continue to integrate analysis on conflict prevention and resolution into the EC's programmes; Agreed conclusions on the preparations for the world summit on sustainable development (Johannesburg September 2002); measures to be taken to address poverty reduction; the link between fisheries policy and poverty reduction; the biodiversity action plan; mainstreaming gender equality in development policy; participation of civil society in the implementation of the Cotonou agreement; improving the EU development response towards ACP countries in crisis and conflict; and a resolution on the importance of development education.

Date

16 November 2001

Reference

374 c933W;374 c933-4W; 14396

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

Statement on the outcome of the Development Council held on 31st May; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

David Clelland (Labour)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

5 July 2001

Reference

1942; 371 c263W

House

House of Commons

Amos, Baroness

What was the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 10 November. [HL 4717].

Asked by

Baroness Gould of Potternewton (Labour)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

23 November 2000

Reference

HL 4717; 619 c88-9WA

House

House of Lords

Dept for International Development

Statement on what was the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 10th November; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

10 November 2000

For answer on

20 November 2000

Answered on

20 November 2000

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 10 November; and if he will make a statement. [138452] Clare Short: The main achievement was the adoption by the Council and the Commission of a Declaration on the European Community's Development Policy. This was a milestone for the EC. The Declaration provides the EC, for the first time, with a clear operational framework for all EC development assistance, with poverty reduction as the principal objective. This was an important UK objective in our published strategy for working with the EC. The Development Commissioner, Poul Nielson, also presented a comprehensive Action Programme for implementing the Declaration. He emphasised the multi-dimensional nature of poverty, the need to work within a country's own poverty reduction strategies, the importance of focusing EC development assistance on fewer areas and the need for further progress in ensuring that other EC policies such as fisheries, trade and agriculture, do not undermine our development efforts. I strongly welcomed the Declaration and the Commission's plans for implementing the new policy. It remains essential to turn the operational framework into reality on the ground. My Department will be reviewing how we can help ensure that this is achieved. The Council also adopted an important new framework for preparation of EC Country Strategy Papers. This clarifies the need to collaborate closely with other donors and to focus on poverty reduction strategies developed by the partner country. The Council briefly reviewed the actions that have been taken to follow up the overall evaluation of EC programmes which ha been discussed in May 1999. These included the adoption of an overall statement of EC development policy. The Council adopted a Resolution on Communicable Diseases which welcomed a recent Commission Communication and called for an Action Programme to implement it. The Council agreed on the need for a coherent approach to tackling these diseases which threaten poor people and hinder efforts to reduce poverty. Conclusions on the 6{th} Conference of the Parties on Climate Change were also adopted. During the pre-Council dinner there was an informal exchange of views on Liberia, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

Date

20 November 2000

Reference

357 c2-3W; 138452

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, When she last met her EU counterparts to discuss EU aid programmes; and what subjects were discussed. (Failed OPQ). - Inc fact that copy of the report on the outcome of the Development Council is in the Library of the House.

Asked by

Mike Gapes (Labour; Co-operative Party)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 June 2000

Reference

351 c262W; 123197

House

House of Commons

McIntosh of Haringey, Lord

Lords statement on the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 18 May. [HL 2664].

Asked by

Lord Christopher (Labour)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 June 2000

Reference

613 c159-62WA; HL 2664

House

House of Lords

Dept for International Development

Statement on the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 18th May; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Marshall (Labour)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

18 May 2000

For answer on

24 May 2000

Answered on

24 May 2000

Mr. Jim Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 18 May; and if she will make a statement. [123440] Clare Short: In his opening statement at the Council, Development Commissioner Nielson made clear that the past record of EC development efforts was poor and that major improvement was needed if the strategic goal of EC development policy should in future be to combat poverty. He was committed to increasing the proportion of EC aid going to the poorest countries and to the poor in Middle Income Countries, although he said that this was constrained by political priorities and the budget process. Mr. Nielson thought that EC aid should focus on a limited number of areas where it could add most value, and that compatibility with internationally agreed strategies was vital. He said that a focal point would be set up in DG Development to analyse coherence between EC development policy and other EC policies affecting developing countries. Mr. Nielson thought that the planned reform of EC aid management would increase the sense of responsibility within the Commission and improve the quality of programming. I welcomed the focus on poverty, impact and effectiveness in EC aid. I said that ensuring coherent support for development across EC policy was vital and that it had improved since Seattle. I added that closer integration between development policy and the Common Foreign and Security Policy was needed, and that in a globalising world the EU could no longer be concerned only with the near abroad. I emphasised that reform needed to address issues such as the pressure which drove proposals for unjustified levels of EC funding for the Western Balkans. I said that a strategic and regularly updated Action Plan was now needed to implement the reform process. Subsequent annual reports, if they showed significant improvements in line with this plan, would give member states the confidence to reduce their control of individual EC projects. The Presidency concluded that discussion would continue, leading to the adoption by the next Development Council of a joint statement on EC development policy from the Council and the Commission, with the European Parliament involved in the process. At dinner, I led the discussion on Sierra Leone. I said that the international community needed to be more willing to take risks to provide security, which was a prerequisite for development. I added that the UN had the moral authority to promote conflict resolution, but lacked the necessary tools to do so effectively. France and Italy praised the UK's action in bolstering the UNAMSIL operation. There was general agreement that the UN's credibility was at stake in Sierra Leone, that more support should be given to UN peace-keeping forces, that the whole approach to peace-keeping needed reviewing urgently and that Commission funds for the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme should be released more quickly in future. Discussion turned to Guinea Bissau, which the Presidency (Portugal) said now merited EU financial support. Finally, France described recent events and the constitutional reform debate in Cote d'Ivoire. It was agreed that the decision on whether or not to suspend EC aid would depend on the forthcoming Heads of Mission report. The Council adopted conclusions which recommended further improvements to Operational Co-ordination between the Commission and member states in developing countries. I stressed the importance of wider co-ordination around Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers led by the partner countries. The Council then adopted three items without discussion. The UK supported the resolution on Structural Adjustment (budget and sector support for developing countries), which makes poverty reduction its ultimate objective and incorporates many examples of best practice. The UK also supported the procedural conclusions on integrating the environment and sustainable development into EC development policy, and in particular the link with poverty reduction and reinforcement of the importance of policy coherence. We are now keen to help devise a comprehensive strategy to implement these conclusions. The UK also supported the conclusions on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, which call on the Commission to examine what else the EC could do to confront major poverty diseases. The Council followed up last year's evaluation of humanitarian aid by adopting a resolution which seeks to guide the Commission without micromanaging them. The proposal that the EC Humanitarian Office should add to its funding role by developing an emergency response capacity was not adopted; the UK view is that the case for this is not proven. This was followed by a discussion of conflict and crisis situations introduced by the Presidency, during which I reinforced my message on Sierra Leone. It was concluded that discussions on more rapid and effective instruments for conflict management should continue under the French Presidency. At lunch, Italy opened the discussion on Ethiopia and Eritrea. I, supported by most member states, observed that the moral low ground was alternating between the two countries and that we needed to act firmly now to help resolve the conflict. Belgium then argued for more assistance for Burundi. I said that we should back Nelson Mandela's efforts to facilitate the implementation of the Arusha Accords, including by holding a pledging conference, but added that it would be premature to consider budgetary assistance for Burundi at present. This line met with broad agreement. Denmark then underlined the importance of election monitoring in Zimbabwe. I noted that the land question was currently being used as a smokescreen for terror tactics against the opposition. The Council agreed that the UNDP exercise on land reform should not offer money which was additional to the offers of finance which had been on the table since 1998. I supported the call from Germany and the Netherlands for the Commission to speed up implementation of the European Development Fund contribution to the HIPC trust fund. Ireland introduced the issue of HIV/AIDS, which France said would be a priority for its Presidency. I noted that the cost of anti-retroviral drugs would remain prohibitive, even after the announcement by a major pharmaceutical company of a price reduction for developing countries. The Commission said that this issue would be addressed at the EU-US Summit in Lisbon. Under other business, the Presidency said that the outstanding differences between the Council and the European Parliament on the proposed environmental integration and tropical forest regulations would go to conciliation within the next few weeks. The Commission presented an information note on the Third UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in May 2001. Denmark presented a note on development aspects of the Sixth Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention on Climate Change in November.

Date

24 May 2000

Reference

123440; 350 c502-4W;350 c504-6W

House

House of Commons

Amos, Baroness

What was the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 11 November. [HL 142].

Asked by

Lord Gladwin of Clee (Labour)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

13 December 1999

Reference

HL 142; 608 c1-3WA

House

House of Lords

Dept for International Development

Statement on what was the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 11th November; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

17 November 1999

For answer on

24 November 1999

Answered on

24 November 1999

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 11 November; and if he will make a statement. [98508] Clare Short: Poul Nielson, the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, addressed the Council for the first time. He set out five priorities for future EC development co-operation: increased focus on the poorest countries; improved effectiveness of EC assistance; greater complementarity with the work of other donors and greater coherence with other EC policies; better linkages between emergency aid, rehabilitation and development; and building greater public support for EC assistance. The Council then discussed forestry, climate change and the integration of environmental issues into EC development policies. The UK stressed the need to focus on the International Development Target for the environment and to engage developing countries in the environmental agenda. The UK stated that the poor, who were dependent on environmental resources, should be placed at the centre of the discussion, and that this would help to build developing country support. The Commission said it would provide more environmental training for its staff. The Council adopted a resolution on forestry, conclusions on climate change and a report on environmental integration. The conclusions include a call on the Commission to prepare a strategy to integrate the environment into development co-operation. The Helsinki European Council in December will make an overall assessment of progress in integrating the environment into EC policies, as requested by the Vienna European Council last year. Next, the Council discussed progress in the ACP-EU negotiations on a successor to the current Lome Convention, which expires on 29 February 2000. Most member states, including the UK, favoured a compromise suggested by the Commission on how to raise the profile of good governance in the new Convention. All member states except Spain supported agreement based on a Presidency non-paper on trade, which would ensure that ACP countries retained, at the very least, their current levels of access to EU markets. This is a key UK concern. The UK stressed the importance of ensuring that the agreement on trade would be granted a WTO waiver. Following a request from the UK, the Commission undertook to bring forward proposals to meet the commitment to improve duty free access for the least developed countries by the end of the next Trade Round. There was a discussion of the ninth European Development Fund (EDF9), which will fund the new Convention. The UK pointed out that evaluations had shown the poor quality of past EDFs, and called for specific proposals for improvement to be brought forward next year. Discussions will continue at a meeting between ACP and EU Ministers on 7-8 December. The Council adopted conclusions on East Timor which invited the Commission to respond in an appropriate and timely manner to the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the East Timor crisis; and to present, as soon as possible, a detailed programme of assistance to support the reconstruction of East Timor. The Council then discussed the evaluation of EC development programmes. The Commission said that it would soon produce a detailed Action Plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the global evaluation of EC aid and the Council conclusions on evaluation of May 1999. The Commission outlined its plan for improving the effectiveness of EC aid, which included improving and simplifying procedures, and introducing a more rigorous monitoring system. An overall EC development policy statement would be presented to the Council and European Parliament in February 2000. The UK emphasised the importance of this statement, and that it must focus on the International Development Targets, have clear and measurable objectives, follow a wide process of consultation, and address coherence issues and aid untying. The Commission agreed to report in detail on the Action Plan and statement at the next Council in May 2000. Procedural conclusions committing the Council to follow up the evaluation of humanitarian aid were adopted without discussion. The Council discussed operational co-ordination, complementarity and coherence. Most member states had agreed that co-ordination between their overseas offices and EC delegations had improved. Luxembourg called for the Commission to set up a system in co-operation with member states to deter NGOs from illegally seeking double funding. The Commission replied that it was for national authorities to deal with such cases of fraud; a further layer of bureaucracy was not the answer. The Development Council agreed that its decisions on policy coherence were not being implemented by other Council's. The Commission agreed to produce a list of policies which would benefit from greater coherence for other Council formations to consider. Under Other Business, the Commission agreed to examine a French request to resume broader financial support for Burundi. The UK presented a case for more aid to strengthen statistical capacity in developing countries, and urged member states to send strong delegations to the OECD meeting in Paris on 18-19 November. At lunch Belgium called for support to improve the capacity of developing countries to engage with the WTO. The UK, with support from several other member states, then spoke on the importance of improving the poverty focus of EC development assistance, which was worse than that of all other significant donors. The UK urged the Commission to produce a paper on how it would increase the proportion of spending on low income countries. The Commission said that poverty focus was difficult to achieve, but that it would produce a paper by next Spring. Finally, the Commission called for suggestions for discussion at the EU-Africa summit in April.

Date

24 November 1999

Reference

339 c129-31W; 98508

House

House of Commons

Scotland of Asthal, Baroness

Lords statement on what is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for October; and list the major European Union events for the next six months. [HL 4305].

Asked by

Lord Grenfell (Labour)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

21 October 1999

Reference

HL 4305; 605 c124-6WA

House

House of Lords

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Statement on the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union to the end of October together with the major European Union events for the next six months. - Includes table.

Asked by

Eric Clarke (Labour)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

19 October 1999

For answer on

20 October 1999

Answered on

20 October 1999

Mr. Eric Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union to the end of October together with the major European Union events for the next six months. [94879] Mr. Vaz: This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Date Venue Event October 1999 30 September-1 October Helsinki Ministerial Conference on Equality between Women and Men 1 Florence Trade Ministers (informal) 4-5 Luxembourg Justice and Home Affairs Council 4-5 Tampere Regional Policy Ministers 4-8 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 6 Luxembourg Transport Council 8 Luxembourg ECOFIN 11-12 Luxembourg General Affairs Council 12 Luxembourg Environment Council 15-16 Tampere Special European Council 18-19 Luxembourg Agriculture Council 22 Luxembourg Labour/Social Affairs Council 24-25 Helsinki Energy Ministers Task Force Meeting 25-29 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 26 Luxembourg Fisheries Council 28 Luxembourg Research Council 29 Luxembourg Justice and Home Affairs Council November 1999 3-4 Brussels European Parliament Plenary 8 Brussels ECOFIN 8 Brussels Consumer Affairs Council 9 Brussels Industry Council 11 Brussels Development Council 11 Brussels Standing Committee Employment 12 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs Council 11-12 Helsinki Ministerial Conference on the Northern Dimension 15-16 Brussels Agriculture Council 15-16 Brussels General Affairs Council 15-19 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 16 Brussels EEA Council 18 Brussels Health Council 22 Brussels Fisheries Council (possible) 22-23 Brussels EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting (possible) 23 Brussels Culture/Audiovisual Council 23 Brussels Youth Council 25-26 Brussels Budget Council 26 Brussels Education Council 29 Brussels ECOFIN/Labour and Social Affairs Council 30 Brussels Telecommunications Council December 1999 1-2 Brussels European Parliament Plenary 2 Brussels Energy Council 2 Brussels Research Council 2-3 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council 6-7 Brussels General Affairs Council 7 Brussels Internal Market Council 9-10 Brussels Transport Council 10-11 Helsinki European Council 13 Brussels ECOFIN 13-14 Brussels Environment Council 13-17 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 14-15 Brussels Agriculture Council 14-16 Brussels Ministerial Conference on following of progress on UN Beijing Platform for Action 16-17 Brussels Fisheries Council 16-17 Brussels EU-ACP Council (possible) January 2000 14 Brussels Fisheries Council 18 Brussels Budget Council 24-25 Brussels General Affairs Council 24-25 Brussels Agriculture Council 28-29 Lisbon Development Council (informal) 31 Brussels ECOFIN February 2000 11-12 Lisbon Social Affairs Council (informal) 14-15 Brussels General Affairs Council 21-22 Brussels Agriculture Council 28 Brussels ECOFIN March 2000 3-4 Lisbon Justice and Home Affairs Council (informal) 9 Brussels European Conference 13 Brussels Social Affairs/ECOFIN Council 16 Brussels Internal Market 20-21 Brussels General Affairs Council 20-21 Brussels Agriculture Council 23-24 Lisbon European Council 27 Brussels JHA Council 28 Brussels Transport Council 30 Brussels Environment Council _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Date

20 October 1999

Reference

94879; 336 c600-2W

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will publish the agenda for the forthcoming EU Development Council of 21st May.

Asked by

Lord Blencathra (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 May 1999

Reference

84675; 331 c323-4W

House

House of Commons

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Statement on if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for May and the major European Union events for the next six months. - Including list.

Asked by

Gareth Thomas (Labour; Co-operative Party)

Answering body

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

26 April 1999

For answer on

27 April 1999

Answered on

27 April 1999

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for May and the major European Union events for the next six months. [82623] Ms Quin: The information is as follows: Monthly forecast of business: May 1999 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Date Venue Event 3-7 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 6 Brussels EU-ACP Ministerial meeting 7-9 Weimar Environment Ministers (Informal) 10 Brussels ECOFIN 10-11 Berlin Trade Ministers (Informal) 11 Brussels Energy Council 17-18 Brussels General Affairs Council 17-18 Brussels Agriculture Council 18 Brussels EEA Council 18 Brussels Co-operation Council with Russia 18-19 Weimar Culture Ministers (Informal) 20 Brussels Research Council 21 Brussels Development Council 25 Brussels ECOFIN 25 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs Council 27 Brussels Youth Council 27-28 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council 31 Brussels General Affairs Council 30 May-1 June Dresden Agriculture Ministers (Informal) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. No agendas have yet been circulated for the above meetings. European Calendar: May-October 1999 This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Date Venue Event May 3-7 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 6 Brussels EU-ACP Ministerial meeting 7-9 Weimar Environment Ministers (Informal) 10 Brussels ECOFIN 10-11 Berlin Trade Ministers (Informal) 11 Brussels Energy Council 17-18 Brussels General Affairs Council 17-18 Brussels Agriculture Council 18 Brussels EEA Council 18 Brussels Co-operation Council with Russia 18-19 Weimar Culture Ministers (Informal) 20 Brussels Research Council 21 Brussels Development Council 25 Brussels ECOFIN 25 Brussels Labour and Social Affairs Council 27 Brussels Youth Council 27-28 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council 31 Brussels General Affairs Council 30 May-1 June Dresden Agriculture Ministers (Informal) June 1 Dresden Agriculture Ministers (Informal) 3-4 Cologne European Council 7 Luxembourg Education Council 8 Luxembourg Health Council 10 Luxembourg Fisheries Council 10-13 European Parliament Elections 14 Luxembourg ECOFIN (possible) 14-15 Luxembourg Agriculture Council 17 Bonn EU-Japan Summit 17-18 Luxembourg Transport Council 21 Luxembourg Internal Market Council 21 Bonn EU-USA/Canada Summit 21-22 Luxembourg General Affairs Council 22 Luxembourg Labour and Social Affairs Council (possible) 24-25 Luxembourg Environment Council 25-29 Rio de Janeiro EU-Latin America/Caribbean Summit 28 Luxembourg Culture Council July 2-3 Oulu Industry and Research Ministers (Informal) 9-10 Oulu Labour/Social Affairs Ministers (Informal) 12 Brussels ECOFIN 16 Brussels Budget Council 18-20 Savonlinna Culture/Audiovisual Ministers (Informal) 19-20 Brussels General Affairs Council 19-20 Brussels Agriculture Council 20-23 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 23-25 Helsinki Environment Ministers (Informal) 26-28 Brussels EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting August No Council Business September 4-5 Saariselka Foreign Ministers (Informal) 10-11 Turku ECOFIN (Informal) 12-14 Tampere Agriculture Ministers (Informal) 13-14 Brussels General Affairs Council 13-17 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary 16-17 Turku Justice and Home Affairs Ministers (Informal) 23 Brussels Telecommunications Council 24-25 Tampere Education Ministers (Informal) 27-28 Kuopio Ministers of Housing 27-28 Brussels Agriculture Council October 4-5 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council 4-5 Tampere Regional Policy Ministers 6 Brussels Transport Council 7 Brussels Internal Market 8 Brussels ECOFIN 11-2 Brussels General Affairs Council 11-12 Brussels Environment Council 15-16 Tampere Special European Council 18-19 Brussels Agriculture Council 22 Brussels Labour/Social Affairs Council 26 Brussels Fisheries Council 28 Brussels Research Council 29 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs Council _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Date

27 April 1999

Reference

82623; 330 c94-6W

House

House of Commons

Symons of Vernham Dean, Baroness

Statement on if they will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for May; and list the major European Union events for the next six months. [HL 2201].

Asked by

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton (Labour)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

27 April 1999

Reference

HL 2201; 600 c18-20WA

House

House of Lords

Amos, Baroness

Statement on what the outcome was of the Development Council held in Brussels on 30 November. [HL 215].

Asked by

Baroness Gould of Potternewton (Labour)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

8 December 1998

Reference

HL 215; 595 c75-7WA

House

House of Lords

Dept for International Development

Statement on the outcome was of the Development Council held in Brussels on 30th November.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

30 November 1998

For answer on

7 December 1998

Answered on

7 December 1998

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcome was of the Development Council held in Brussels on 30 November; and if she will make a statement. [62222] Clare Short: During the morning session, the Council adopted conclusions on Burundi reflecting Ministers' discussions at dinner the previous evening. The conclusions welcome the progress achieved in the `Arusha process' so far and thank Mwalimu Nyerere for his invaluable contribution. The Council said that it was prepared to continue to support the process and welcomed the intention of Mwalimu Nyerere to suspend sanctions, which would pave the way for the resumption of increased development co-operation. The Council asked the Commission to pursue its discussions with the Burundi government, with a view both to rapid implementation of the support already envisaged for refugees and rehabilitation, and to additional support for human rights and strengthening of democratic institutions and the judicial system. The Council also adopted conclusions on the Role of Development Co-operation in Strengthening Peace-building, Conflict Prevention and Resolution. These recognise that development assistance needs to be designed and implemented in a way that it helps to address the root causes of violent conflict in a targeted manner. The Council recommended that an expert group be established to take forward work in this area. On Hurricane Mitch, the Council adopted Conclusions calling on the Commission to prepare an Action Plan on medium to long term reconstruction efforts in Central America which should be discussed in the next few months at a ministerial meeting in the San Jose Group. The Council stressed the role of debt relief and the importance of donor co-ordination in the reconstruction effort. The UK congratulated the UN on its efforts to co-ordinate relief during the immediate emergency. The UK pointed out that the next phase was to link emergency aid to rehabilitation and longer term construction. The UK hoped donors would share ideas and coordinate not compete. The UK urged all partners to contribute to the French/UK Trust Fund initiative to assist with multilateral debt relief. On Private Sector Development in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, the Commission presented its strategy, the aim of which is to contribute to poverty elimination and foster the integration of the ACP into the world economy. The presentation was followed by an exchange of views. The UK welcomed the paper but noted that it would have to be taken forward after discussions had taken place with the ACP countries, and that work was needed on putting the strategy into operation. The Council passed a Resolution on Sustainable Tourism. The UK explained that it was important to ensure more of the benefits of tourism remained in local communities, in particular the poorest and women. The Commission updated the Council on progress in the Post-Lome negotiations. The joint EU-ACP Central Negotiating Group had already identified areas of agreement between the EU and ACP sides and issues where more discussion was needed. There was broad consensus on the major objectives of the new Convention. A number of member states, including the UK, urged the Commission and member states to honour the EU mandate commitment on improving preferential access to the EU market for Least Developed Countries under the Generalised System of Preferences from 2000. Over lunch, I led a discussion on the external assistance aspects of the Financial Perspectives. I stressed the importance of increasing the proportion of EC official development assistance going to low income countries in the years 2000-06. I was broadly supported by a majority of member states. Other items discussed at lunch included a report on the outcome of the Brussels Conference on Disarmament, on the situation in Angola, and the need for the early release of the third tranche of funds to UN Reliefs Works Agency (UNWRA). There was a brief discussion on EC development assistance to Togo, and future aid to the Palestinians. On the issue of Commission financing of UN Organisations, Commissioner Pinheiro agreed that the current situation, where the Commission is obliged by financial control procedures to audit UN and other multilateral agencies receiving EC funds, should be re-examined. Sir Stephen Wall represented the UK during the afternoon session. The first item after lunch was a progress report from the Commission on the implementation of the guidelines on Operational Co-ordination. The UK welcomed proposals for greater exchange of strategy papers, the practical application of enhanced co-ordination at country level, more jointly funded projects, sharing of staff and joint missions. We and others stressed that co-ordination procedures should cover all donors and take full account of the central role of the partner country. We also stressed that streamlining procedures was important. The Council discussed progress on the Global Evaluation of EC development assistance. This is to be completed under the German Presidency and will be one of the main subjects for discussion at the next Development Council in May 1999. The UK called on the Commission to implement the recommendations contained in the Court of Auditors' report on aid to South Africa. On humanitarian aid, the Council discussed the security of humanitarian aid workers and the situation in Kosovo and Sudan. A number of issues were discussed under any other business. The Commission responded to the allegations of fraud within ECHO. The Italian Minister reported on the recent Inter Governmental Authority on Development Partners Forum on Somalia held in Rome. The Finnish Minister raised the issue of climate change in developing countries. The Dutch Minister, supported by the UK, urged the Commission to respond positively to the proposal for an independent WTO Legal Advisory Centre to help developing countries use the dispute settlement system that lies at the heart of the WTO. The Council adopted a Resolution on Indigenous Peoples, Conclusions on Micro-finance and Poverty Reduction, and Conclusions on Democratisation, the Rule of Law, Respect for Human Rights and Good Governance without discussion.

Date

7 December 1998

Reference

322 c24-6W; 62222

House

House of Commons

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