75. Mr. Helferasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will make a statement on the outcome or the recent North Atlantic Treaty Organisation meeting concerning European security;
(2) what further initiatives he is taking towards the convening of a European Security Conference; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomsonNo communiqué was issued after the meeting of the North Atlantic Council on 5th and 6th November. The proceedings were. of course, confidential. But as the Secretary General said at his Press conference after the meeting, speaking on behalf of all members of the Alliance, the Council
provided the guidance r eeded for the final preparation of the Ministerial Meeting from the 3rd to the 5th of December.He said that discussion in the Council showedthe readiness of Alliance members to consider all possible procedures for negotiation, including a conference or series of conferences, provided these should be constructive and appropriate to the subject discussed. There was no desire to hold o conference for a conference's sake, but rather a strong determination to promote the careful preparation of all kinds of possible negotiations and the resolution of the serious problems dividing Europe.Her Majesty's Government fully share these views, and will continue to consult their Allies closely in the constructive search for any openings for a just and lasting settlement of all the fundamental problems of European security.