HC Deb 07 December 1983 vol 50 cc316-7
54. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards a common European Community foreign policy.

58. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he is putting to his European Community colleagues to strengthen political co-operation.

Mr. Rifkind

The Ten are in constant and close consultation on current international problems with a view to achieving common positions on them. Most recently, the Ten issued joint statements on the Lebanon in Athens on 9 November and on the purported declaration of independence by the Turkish community in northern Cyprus, in Athens on the 16 November.

Mr. Knox

Will my hon. Friend confirm that greater co-operation in foreign affairs remains a major objective of Government foreign policy despite the disappointing outcome of the Athens summit?

Mr. Rifkind

That is a highly desirable objective. Whenever the Community can speak with one voice on foreign policy issues there is a greater impact on the international community as a whole than if individual countries put forward their own specific positions.

Sir Anthony Meyer

Does my hon. Friend accept that despite the deplorable obstinacy of our Common Market partners in clinging to their national interests as firmly as we are clinging to ours, the fact remains that without some give and take on all sides co-operation will break down altogether at a time when it has never been more necessary?

Mr. Rifkind

I can understand my hon. Friend's point. There has been considerable success within the Community in achieving common positions on a number of important foreign policy considerations.

Dr. M. S. Miller

Will the hon. Gentleman comment on the undoubted fact that there are many British people who believe that the result of the Athens summit is a sellout once again to vested interests in countries whose interests are opposed to those of Britain?

Mr. Rifkind

The question is directed to Community foreign policy, which I do not think is relevant to the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question.

Mr. Stokes

Is my hon. Friend aware that I recently visited the Quai d'Orsay, in the anteroom of which was a large portrait of Cardinal Richelieu? As long as the Cardinal's policies continue, relations with France are bound to be difficult. Should we not be as nationalistic as they are?

Mr. Rifkind

I am unable to give an adequate reply to that question. I assure my hon. Friend that the United Kingdom does not cease to regard its national interests as being the prime concern when dealing matters affecting the European Community.

Mr. Foulkes

As the Athens summit did not discuss either Cyprus or the Lebanon, or reach any agreement on domestic Community policies, how on earth does the Minister expect the Ten to come to any rational agreement on the complex issues of foreign policy?

Mr. Rifkind

If the hon. Gentleman thinks about his question, he will realise that in recent weeks an opportunity has been available to the Community to achieve a common position on Cyprus and the Lebanon. It is not surprising, bearing in mind the circumstances of the Athens summit, that the time available should have been used to try to reach agreement on the internal Community problems.