§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Foreign Affairs Council of 18 and 19 February.
§ Mr. RifkindWith my right hon. and learned Friend, I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 18–19 February. Ministerial meetings were held with Spain and Portugal.
The Council had further discussions of its position for the negotiations with Spain and Portugal. The main subject discussed was fisheries; the Council considered possible ways of achieving transitional arrangements which took account of the legitimate expectations of the applicant countries without jeopardising the balance of fishing opportunities for existing member states under the common fisheries policy. It was agreed to continue discussion at an additional meeting of the Council, to be held on 28 February.
There was a further round of discussions about the financing of the 1985 budget. A Presidency proposal is now being considered and the Council will return to the question at its next meeting.
The 1985 food aid implementing regulation was adopted by the Council. My right hon. and learned Friend took the opportunity to express concern to the Commission and to his colleagues at the rate at which food aid is being delivered to Sudan, and stressed the need to speed up procedures.