EU: Foreign Minister

Lord Pearson of Rannoch
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they support the creation of the post of European Union Foreign Minister; and, if so, whether they have proposals to change the role of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the remit, staffing and operating budget of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. [HL2099]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman)
The Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, including provisions for an EU Foreign Minister, was agreed by all member states on 29 October 2004. However, following the no votes in France and the Netherlands, there is at present no consensus among member states on the future of the constitutional treaty. The way forward will be discussed at the European Council in June. The Government make no presumption as to the outcome of those discussions. My right honourable friend the Minister for Europe made a Written Ministerial Statement on 5 December 2006 regarding the UK's approach to these discussions. This remains the Government's position (Official Report, cols. WS10-11).