§ 44. Mr. Ottawayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the renegotiation of the Lomé convention to be concluded.
§ Mr. RaisonIt has been proposed that the next ministerial negotiating session should be in Luxembourg on 9 and 10 October, when it is hoped that the outstanding issues can be resolved. I am reasonably optimistic that the negotiations can be concluded well before the current convention expires on 28 February 1985.
§ Mr. OttawayWill the Minister tell me what progress has been made on trade issues and on opening up EC markets to developing countries?
§ Mr. RaisonNothing like enough progress has been made on trade issues. My Government have been pressing hard for improved access to the Community for agricultural products and for more liberal rules of origin. So far we have not achieved the success that we would have wished to achieve, but we hope that if opportunities occur we shall be able to press the matter further.