THE EU yesterday called on China to hold elections in Hong Kong within 12 months of next week's handover, but failed to agree on a concerted boycott of the investiture of a China-appointed legislature on July 1st.
A decision about whether to follow Britain's lead and skip the ceremony, which will take place immediately after the official handover, was left up to the individual governments.
The French Foreign Minister, Mr Hubert Vedrine, immediately confirmed that France would be represented by Mr Rene Monory, the speaker of the French Senate.
Germany indicated that it had not made a definitive decision but the Foreign Minister, Mr Klaus Kinkel, is expected to attend, officials said.
The Netherlands, which currently holds the EU Presidency, will be represented by the Foreign Minister, Mr Hans van Mierlo. Belgium, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain have also indicated that they intend to send their foreign ministers.
Britain, however, did succeed in securing agreement that neither of the two main EU institutions, the Commission and the European Parliament, will be represented. In a statement, the foreign ministers urged China to honour its promises to the territory.
The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, who denied he had come to Luxembourg seeking a common boycott, said the text had provided the basis for swift concerted action by the bloc if China failed to honour its promises to Hong Kong.
"If at any stage there appears to be any retreat by China from its commitment to bring in a new elected legislative council, we now have a basis for strong support throughout the European Union.
"What is really important for the people of Hong Kong is not what happens on June 30th at midnight but what happens in the next 12 months.
Britain's decision not to have any political representation at the investiture of the new legislature has been supported by the US, whose Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright, will also stay away., The two countries will, however, have a limited presence in the form of their consuls in Hong Kong.