HL Deb 20 February 1986 vol 471 cc812-4WA
Lord Chelwood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

If they will report on the outcome of the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 17th and 18th February.

Baroness Young

My right honourable friend the Minister of State, the honourable Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) attended the FAC in Luxembourg for discussions on 17th February. My honourable friend the Minister for Trade (Mr. Alan Clark) was present for the discussions on 18th February.

The United Kingdom and eight other member states signed the documents embodying the agreement reached by heads of government at the Luxembourg European Council on 2nd and 3rd December last. In doing so, they expressed the hope that it would shortly be possible for Denmark, Italy and Greece to sign. The Danish Government hopes to do so immediately following the referendum in Denmark on 27th February. The Italians and Greeks hope to be able to sign in due course. Ratification procedures will not be set in hand until all member states have signed.

Ministers discussed relations with Turkey in light of the Turkish request for a meeting of the Association Council. Work is now going ahead on a number of outstanding matters, including the unblocking of some of the aid committed to Turkey, with the aim of holding an Association Council in the autumn.

Ministers discussed relations with Japan. They reaffirmed the importance they attach to the Japanese Government taking steps to reduce Japan's overall trade surplus on the basis of the conclusions it reached in March and October last year. They agreed to resume detailed discussion at the March Foreign Affairs Council.

Ministers made progress in moving towards agreement on the main elements of the Community negotiating mandate on the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement. There will be further discussion in March.

The Council agreed a mandate to resolve outstanding problems in the negotiations with the EFTA countries on the adaptation of the EC-EFTA agreement to take account of the accession of Spain and Portugal.

The council agreed to a request from the ACP for a special meeting of the ACP/EEC council of ministers to be held on 4th March.

A meeting of the co-operation council between the EC and Egypt was held and considered economic and commercial relations in the light of recent developments, including the enlargement of the community.