European and External Relations Committee, 16 Jun 2009

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Official Report 150KB pdf

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“Brussels Bulletin”

We move on to consideration of the "Brussels Bulletin". The latest issue is very helpful, because it brings us bang up to date with what is happening following the European elections. The bulletin gives the outcome of the elections and the dates for the new Commission.

Do Sandra White and Jamie Hepburn have any questions on the "Brussels Bulletin"? We have been trying to listen in on your conversation for the past 10 minutes.

I hope that Sandra White does not want to comment on the election results.

It was a very good EU election. I was just saying, tongue in cheek, that we should perhaps note the marvellous European election results in Scotland.

Freak results can happen when there is a low turnout, convener.

Do colleagues have any other points that they want to raise?

Has that guy who robbed the shop been caught yet?

Has that guy who escaped from Castle Huntly been caught yet?

I see that colleagues are getting into summer-term mood.

On the proposed cross-border health directive, I notice that the bulletin states:

"Both Spain and Portugal are resolutely against the principle of the directive".

Given that many holidaymakers from Scotland and the rest of the UK travel to those countries, it might be of interest to observe how the directive proposal rolls out. Is the Health and Sport Committee looking at that issue?

I think that the Health and Sport Committee is keeping a watching brief on the issue. I notice that the proposal will be discussed again at the health council on 6 July. Our European officer knows that both this committee and the Health and Sport Committee have an interest in the proposal, so it would be helpful to have an update on any matters that arise—particularly in relation to Spain and Portugal—at that health council.

As a member of the Health and Sport Committee, I think that it is worth putting on record the fact that the proposal will not change the present situation for those who travel abroad during the summer period: they will still be able to get treatment with an E111 form. The proposal is about further changes down the line, but it would not change the present arrangements.

The bulletin also mentions the issue of migrants who access health services. From a Scottish point of view, that is quite interesting, because it takes into account the burden on the host country, which could be significant for us.

I have had some discussions about the proposal with MEPs, who I know are also keeping a close watching brief on the issue.

I wanted to raise the issue that Patricia Ferguson highlighted, but I have another issue to raise about the "Brussels Bulletin".

When I visited Brussels just the other week—not on committee or parliamentary business—I met Barroso's right-hand man on the middle east. Along with people from the House of Lords, I had a fantastic meeting with that gentleman, so I am very interested in seeing how Sweden handles the Palestinian/Israeli situation. I hope that that will be covered in future editions of the "Brussels Bulletin".

I was very impressed with what was said about the EU's agreements and treaties with Israel. At the meeting on 18 June, I believe, the EU will consider whether to extend those agreements, given the situation in Palestine. I mention that just because I hope that future editions of the "Brussels Bulletin" will mention the position of the new Swedish presidency, which seems to be very much at the stage of saying that there should be a two-state solution and that both sides should meet.

Of course, when the Swedish ambassador gives evidence to the committee in September, committee members will have an opportunity to follow through both on their Stockholm visit and on some of those other issues. That will be helpful to us as we continue our work in that area.

If colleagues have no other points, do we agree to note the contents of the "Brussels Bulletin" and to pass it to the relevant committees?

Members indicated agreement.

That brings the public part of our meeting to a close, as we have agreed to take our other items in private.

Meeting continued in private until 12:09.