HC Deb 28 June 1978 vol 952 cc1388-90
49. Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further progress has been made towards the enlargement of the Community; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Owen

At a ministerial negotiating session with Greece on 26th June further useful progress was made. The Council considered the Commission's opinion on the Portuguese application on 6th June, when it decided to open negotiations as soon as practically possible after the summer break. The opinion on Spain will, I hope, be produced before the end of this year.

Mr. Arnold

Does the Secretary of State agree that in order to achieve an enlargement that will not put at risk any of the Community's fundamental objectives it will be necessary to have specific sectoral agreements with the applicant States in each area of the economy? Have the Nine indicated whether any aid from Community funds which may be forthcoming to help the new entrants will be conditioned by their acceptance of a common discipline, at least in some sectors, even in advance of their full accession?

Dr. Owen

There is no question about it—the full obligations and rigours of Community membership are not yet fully understood by some of the applicant countries. This is an issue which will emerge in the detailed negotiations. There is no point in undertaking a transitional period and failing, within a couple of years, to live up to the obligations.

Mr. Robinson

Does my right hon. Friend agree that enlargement of the Community is the first priority for this Government in its relations with the existing Community? Does he further agree that that is an essential precondition for maintaining this Government's policy for a wider and looser grouping of States in Europe, in order to avoid the federalist tendencies that may solidify and perpetrate themselves if we do not achieve that objective?

Dr. Owen

I am a strong believer in enlargement and in a wider involvement in the membership of the EEC. I do not accept that that means that it will be a looser grouping. It will be different. I believe that the Community is evolving constantly. It is very difficult to predict its future pattern. One thing that I will predict is that it will not be federalist.

Mr. Forman

What effect is progress towards enlargement of the Community likely to have on the need for further progress towards success in the multilateral trade negotiations, particularly on the non-tariff side? Is there likely to be a conflict between the two?

Dr. Owen

I do not think so. The multilateral trade negotiations must take account of the question of enlargement, but I do not think that it is crucial. The economic significance of the tariff reductions is not tremendous, particularly since they are being phased over a period of time. It is the other issues—the question of subsidies and the question of safeguards and protection—that are of profound significance to us and to other countries.