Roger T. Garland
Question:73 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any form of majority voting on EC foreign policy decisions can be introduced without changing the EC treaties.
Written Answers. - EC Foreign Policy Decisions.
Co-operation between the member states of the European Community in the sphere of foreign policy takes place in the framework of Title III of the Single European Act. All decisions in this framework are taken on the basis of consensus.
Any change in the provisions of Title III, including the introduction of majority voting, would require a new treaty provision. Proposals for such a change have been put forward in the course of negotiations at present under way in the Intergovernmental Conference on Political Union. It is not yet clear what will be the final outcome of these negotiations.