This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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MINECOR meeting at Downing Street
26/06/2003
Deputy Minister for Finance and Parliamentary Business Tavish Scott was present today at the Ministerial European Co-ordination Committee (MINECOR) meeting held at Downing Street with the Prime Minister in attendance.
Mr Scott said:
"Co-operation between the UK Government and Devolved Administrations on the Future of Europe can deliver results.
"The co-operation between the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations that led to the joint paper for the Convention on the Role of the Regions was immensely constructive.
"Local people want to see a Europe that is accountable. A Europe where the decisions that affect their lives can be influenced and changed. The work of the Scottish Executive through such contacts as MINECOR is important in working towards these objectives.
"We have been able to ensure that on the Convention on the Future of Europe, Scotland's voice has had influence. A number of important Scottish proposals appear in the draft Treaty:
- Recognition that subsidiarity extends below Member States - meaning that decisions are made close to the people they will affect,
- A mechanism to make sure such decisions are taken at the appropriate level and;
- Ensuring consultation on EU proposals at an earlier stage.
"These are important improvements that I hope will be implemented."
The paper on the Role of the Regions - jointly agreed by the UK Government, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government - was submitted to the Future of Europe Convention in Brussels by Peter Hain MP earlier this year.
MINECOR was set up following the 1997 general election under the chairmanship of the former Minister for Europe Keith Vaz to discuss how to communicate European policy priorities. The members meet every two to three months.
The meetings are chaired by Denis MacShane, the Minister for Europe, and involve Ministers from Whitehall Departments and the Devolved Administrations, with responsibilities for European issues.
4. Its overall aim is to:
1. Co-ordinate activities and messages of Ministers that have a European remit
2. Present and communicate the benefits of British membership of the EU
3. Promote British involvement in Europe. It is a natural addition to, and extension of, other EU committees, such as JMC (Europe) and the European Policy (EP) Committee