Brussels, 11/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs Council to be held on Monday under the Presidency of Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama will take place, as a diplomat said, "according to a somewhat complex choreography". It will begin at 9.30 and break off at 11.30 to enable Mr. Gama to officially launch, in the presence of Commission President Romano Prodi, the new Intergovernmental Conference on institutional reform. The Fifteen will first have had an exchange of views with EP President Nicole Fontaine. This inaugural session will enable Jaime Gama to confirm the working method chosen by the Portuguese Presidency (see yesterday's EUROPE, pp. 3 and 4); no substantive discussions are to be expected on that occasion, only the French and Finnish Ministers (previous and next Presidencies) being, in principle, called on to speak. A little after 13.00, the Fifteen will take an aperitif in the company of Tarja Halonen, who will bid her farewell having been elected President of the Finnish Republic. Over "coffee", the Fifteen will be joined by the Croatian Prime Minister. EUROPE also recalls that this session of the Council will be the first in which Benita Ferrero-Waldner as Austrian Foreign Minister. It is likely that the Austrian political problem will be raised by one or another minister over lunch, and Mrs. Ferrero-Waldner will take a stance. Here is an overview of the topics on the agenda.
- Extraordinary European Council of Lisbon. Whereas Portuguese Prime Minister Guterres is preparing to begin a round of the capitals, Mr. Gama will recall the objectives to be pursued at the Summit dedicated to employment, economic reforms and social cohesi0n. Conclusions are not to be expected, this time, but the General Affairs Council is likely to reaffirm, in round the table talks, its coordinating role in preparing Summits.
- Strengthening European Security and Defence Policy. In principle, the Council should decide on the creation of interim bodies (see previous pages).
- Charter of Fundamental Rights. The Presidency will present its first interim report on the work undertaken within the Convention chaired by Mer. Herzog. No substantive debate is expected at this stage due to the preliminary nature of work of drawing up the Charter, but it cannot be ruled out that some minister or another should demonstrate some concern for the procedure being followed in the body drawing up the Charter.
- Reform of the Commission. Vice-President Kinnock will present the Council with the major outlines of the approach chosen by the College in the matter.
- Freelance interpreters. Their relationship with the Institutions (Commission and Council) raises a problem for Belgium, which would like Ministers to discuss the matter.
- Mexico. The GAC should note the agreement concluded, but Italy has reservations that could prevent its legal ratification (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.7).
- South Africa. The Council will see whether the Agreement on Trade, Development and Cooperation could be implemented, if only partially. It will probably not be the case, Italy (backed by Greece) maintaining its opposition in the absence of progress on the issue relating to the name of Grappa and Ouzo. It will thus be up to the ministers to provide indications on the approach to take.
- Indonesia. The European Commission will briefly present its communication on the development of relations with the country, in view of a later debate and report o the visit by President Wahid.
Over lunch, the Swedish Foreign Minister will, on the basis of a non-paper, turn to the "International Forum of Stockholm on the Holocaust" (topic for which some ministers may raise the Austrian issue).
EUROPE recalls that on Tuesday accession negotiations with the six new applicant countries will be opened (see yesterday's EUROPE p.7).
