Ministers vergaderen over Grondwet (en)

EUOBSERVER / WEEKLY AGENDA (17-23 November) - This week the General Affairs and External Relations Council will provide most of the entertainment as EU ministers tackle a hefty agenda with several controversial issues on Monday and Tuesday in Brussels.

Before Monday's lunch foreign affairs ministers will discuss the situation in the Western Balkans, the Iraq crisis and relations with Russia. The European Union is worried about growing differences in relations with Moscow and would like to see the Russians sign the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and put their final signature on visa agreements before EU enlargement in May 2004.

EU Constitution

On Tuesday foreign ministers will devote their time to the EU Constitution. They are expected to deal with two issues: revision of the Constitution and the proposed EU foreign minister post.

The EU foreign minister post has caused a lot of ink to flow. While all member states accept in principle that there should be such a minister, there are wide degrees of acceptance. The UK, example, wants the position to be as limited as possible and firmly under control of the member states. There are also several other technical questions about what sort of entourage the person would have, the extent of the Minister's powers and whether the person would have to resign if the Parliament asked the whole of the Commission to resign.

Revision of Constitution also strongly divides ministers. Some argue that there should not have to be an intergovernmental conference - with every country having the right of veto - each time the treaty has to be altered, while others are strongly resisting any attempts to introduce qualified majority voting to some aspects of treaty change. The Italian EU Presidency has presented a compromise saying that part III (on policy) of the Constitution could be altered without ratification in all member states.

Defence

Another hot debate on Monday will be over Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). A first debate will be held whether it would be possible to include a clause on WMD in all agreements with third countries. At the moment, commitments to human rights are made part of all agreements.

EU Defence ministers will also take part in the Council. One of the big issues on their agenda on Monday is a debate about setting about a European armaments agency. Although this is already provided for in the EU Constitution - several member states including France and Germany have been pushing for the agency to be set up as soon as possible.

Defence ministers will also meet US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Tuesday in Brussels where both sides will have an important discussion on the Union's plans for its security and defence. Washington has been getting twitchy recently after the UK recently dropped its opposition to 'structured co-operation' and sided with Germany and France - two countries strongly pushing for progress on EU defence issues.

On Tuesday morning the EU-Israel Association Council will take place. Brussels is upset that Israel is refusing to meet representatives of the European Union, who have met with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. This is adding to the tension caused by the Israeli decision to build a wall between Israelis and Palestinians.

Bush in Britain

The EU, and indeed the rest of the world, will be watching with interest when US President George W. Bush begins his visit to the UK on Tuesday. It will be the first state visit of an American President to the country for over 80 years. Both Mr Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will have a lot to discuss - including the Iraq war and the future of Washington and London's so-called 'special' relationship. Britain was the US's strongest supporter in its war against Iraq.

Eurostat fraud

Fraud in the EU statistical agency will once again be in the headlines as Commission President Romano Prodi will on Tuesday present a plan of action on Eurostat to the powerful Budgetary Control Committee.

The latest media reports suggest that Mr Prodi will try and shift the blame for the slow investigation and the way the information came to light to the head of the EU's anti-fraud office, Franz-Hermann Brüner.

Meanwhile, on Monday Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer will present the final consolidated accounts of the European Communities for the financial year 2002 while Juan Fabra Valles, President of the European Court of Auditors, will present the 2002 annual report of the European Court of Auditors

Controversial debates

The plenary session in Strasbourg will also have some interesting debates. Two important ones include MEPs on Wednesday debating the unilateral proposals by EU finance ministers to curb the power of the European Parliament over the EU budget.

Even more controversial will be the debate (Monday) and subsequent vote (Wednesday) on EU funding for scientific research using stem cells from human embryos. MEPs are split on the ethical issues surrounding the use of cells versus the possible practical benefits to help combat debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Other councils

There will be two other ministerial councils in Brussels during the week. Agriculture and fisheries ministers will meet on Monday. One of the most difficult issues on their agenda will be reform of fisheries policy and how to limit fishing to help recover depleting stocks.

On Thursday, there will be a telecommunications and energy council. Ministers will, amongst other things, discuss the electronic communications sector and e-governance.

Germany and the euro

The European Commissioners meet this week on Tuesday in Strasbourg. Most of the focus will be on Monetary Commissioner Pedro Solbes, who is to present measures to be taken against Germany, as the country for the third year is not living up to the economic criteria set by the euro stability pact.