§ 43. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards a common European Economic Community foreign policy.
§ 45. Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards a common European Economic Community foreign policy.
§ Mr. HurdIn the London report on political co-operation agreed in October 1981 during our Presidency, Foreign Ministers of the Ten reaffirmed and strengthened their commitment to consultations on foreign policy questions and agreed on measures to improve the speed and efficiency of political co-operation. The swift and effective action by our partners following the invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina is a striking demonstration of the solidarity which co-operation in foreign policy has made possible and which is an important pressure on Argentina to withdraw from the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. KnoxDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the events of the last few weeks have emphasised the importance and necessity of having a common EEC foreign policy?
§ Mr. HurdIndeed. This is an increasingly important factor in the world, and we are working hard to keep the Ten together.
§ Mr. HicksDo not these developments, not only in the South Atlantic, but in the Middle East, emphasise the need for a continuing common foreign policy, so that we do not always find ourselves in the situation of having to respond to international developments?
§ Mr. HurdI think that that is right. We are working in that direction, and that is why we have strengthened the machinery. However, the machinery is not much good unless there is a continuing political will.
§ Mr. Christopher PriceWhat is the policy of the EEC Foreign Ministers towards help, both military and otherwise, for the military dictatorship in Turkey, which invaded a Commonwealth country in respect of which Britain has solemn treaty obligations to protect yet did absolutely nothing whatever about it? If Turkey either harmed the rest of Cyprus or invaded the Greek islands, would Britain go to her aid, in concert with the other EEC countries?
§ Mr. HurdTurkey is a member of the North Atlantic Alliance. We are keen that she should remain so and keep in the closest touch with us. Questions about Cyprus are a different matter, but as to internal developments in Turkey, we have noticed with satisfaction the timetable for the return to democracy.
§ Mr. Jim SpicerDoes my right hon. Friend accept that the quite disgraceful way in which the Irish Government broke ranks with our partners in the Community constitutes a major setback to all our hopes for such a common foreign policy?
§ Mr. HurdThe Irish Government joined the rest of the Ten in the practical measures against Argentina, which 151 have played a big part in securing support for Britain. We think that the Irish Government made a mistake yesterday and that the line they took could be a hindrance to getting the peaceful settlement that we and they want.
§ Mr. HefferHas the right hon. Gentleman taken note of the statement by Chancellor Schmidt, who has suggested that we should be moving towards a ceasefire? Has he also taken note of today's speech, reported on the Tapes, by the Foreign Secretary of Denmark? Do not those, and the views of other countries, clearly indicate that while they are happy to support economic sanctions, they are not prepared to support an all-out conflict, which could perhaps get worse and lead Britain into something much more unfavourable?
§ Mr. HurdWe understand the concern that our friends express and share the view that we need to move towards a peaceful settlement. I think they understand that as part of the movement towards a successful settlement, the solidarity of the European Ten is of enormous importance.