§ 3.36 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, with the leave of the House, I will arrange for a Statement that is being made in another place this afternoon on the Foreign Affairs Council, on 27th January, to be printed in the Official Report.
Following is the Statement referred to:
"With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a statement about the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council which took place in Brussels on 27th January. I and my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry represented the United Kingdom. A statement of forthcoming business in the European Community has been deposited in the Vote Office.
"Ministers had a further preliminary discussion of the Commission's proposals for a negotiating mandate on renewal of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement.
"They reviewed progress in negotiations to adapt the European Community/EFTA agreements to take account of enlargement.
"In response to the imposition by the United States of quotas on imports of EC semi-finished steel, the Council decided to introduce quotas on US exports of fertilisers, coated paper and bovine fats. These restrictions will not be introduced until 15th February, allowing time for further efforts to achieve an agreed outcome.
"The President of the Commission reported on his discussion with the Japanese Government on EC/Japan trade relations during his recent visit to Tokyo. I emphasised the importance we attach to the achievement of a better balance in trade between the European Community and Japan.
"In Political Co-operation the Foreign Ministers of the Twelve agreed and issued a statement on 797 international terrorism. They announced further measures to strengthen defences against terrorism within the Community and to discourage support from other Governments for terrorist attacks. They agreed to set up a new group within Political Cooperation to ensure effective follow-up in the areas covered by the statement. They agreed not to undercut measures taken by others against governments which support terrorism.
"The Foreign Ministers reviewed briefly the implementation of the measures vis-à-vis South Africa which we agreed at Luxembourg on 10th September.
"In the Inter-govermental Conference member states finalised the text of the amendments to the EC Treaties and treaty provisions on European Political Co-operation. On the question of the working environment, we secured inclusion in the treaty text of provisions protecting the position of small and medium sized undertakings, as proposed by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister at the European Council in Luxembourg. This enabled the only outstanding United Kingdom reserve to be lifted. All member states have accepted the agreed text. The Netherlands Presidency hope that the new Act will be signed by all member states on 17th February. If the Danish Government cannot sign on that date they will aim to do so after the referendum in Denmark".