Lords Committee to question Europe Minister on prospects for EU enlargement

The Committee will quiz the Minister on the prospects of Western Balkan nations joining the EU and whether there is a danger of them moving away from Europe and toward Russia if they feel their progress towards becoming EU Member States is being stalled. The Committee will also discuss the progress of Turkey and Iceland toward EU Membership.

The Minister will also be asked about the enlargement process more generally, including whether the UK's influence within the EU is being reduced by enlargement.
The Committee are also likely to ask Mr Lidington for the Government's current assessment of the Eurozone crisis and whether the risk of catastrophic economic collapse in Europe has been averted.

The evidence session will take place at 4.05pm on Tuesday 15 January in Committee Room 2A of the House of Lords and will be webcast live at www.parliamentlive.tv.

The evidence session is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.