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