Question:
51 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role and function of the European Conference of the EU member states and applicant states, including its role, agenda and plans. [4276/98]
Written Answers - European Conference.
The European Council, meeting in Luxembourg on 12-13 December 1997, decided to establish a European Conference, which it envisaged as bringing together the member states of the European Union, and the European states aspiring to accede to it which share the values and objectives of the Union. The Luxembourg European Council outlined the fundamental principles which must be shared by all members of the conference. These included, inter alia, a common commitment to peace and security, the principles upon which the EU is founded and the principles of international law. The European Council decided to extend invitations to the states which it considered subscribed to these principles, and which shared the Union's commitment to building a Europe free of the divisions and difficulties of the past. Initially, the EU offer to participate in the conference was addressed to Cyprus, the ten central and eastern European applicants for membership of the EU, and Turkey.
As regards the agenda and format of the conference, it is envisaged that it will be a multilateral forum for dialogue and consultation which will address questions of general concern to the participants. Participation in the conference is also intended to broaden and deepen co-operation in the fields of foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs as well as other areas of common concern, particularly economic matters and regional co-operation.
The Luxembourg European Council also took a number of decisions regarding the level of representation at the conference, as well as the frequency of meetings and the holder of the chair of the conference. The conference will be chaired by the State holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. At the Presidency's invitation, Heads of State and Government and the President of the Commission will meet at the conference once a year, as will Ministers for Foreign Affairs. The inaugural meeting of the European Conference, which will be hosted by the current British Presidency of the European Union, is scheduled to take place in London on 12 March 1998.