§ 23. Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with the Government of Costa Rica concerning the situation in central America; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarMy noble Friend, the Baroness Hooper, who represented the Government at the inauguration of President Arias in San Jose on 8 May, had discussions with the Costa Rican Foreign Minister during her visit. She re-emphasised our strong and continuing support for the Contadora process.
§ 25. Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with the Contadora group concerning peace in central America; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarI have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 7 May.
231W
§ 86. Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, as President of the European Economic Community Council, he will undertake an initiative to facilitate the Contadora peace process.
§ Mr. EggarWe will continue to maintain close contact with the Contadora group and take action, in agreement with our European partners, to support the Contadora peace process when appropriate. We share the Latin American view that a solution to the problems of central America must come from the region itself.
§ 37. Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Britain and the European Economic Community to the United States of America about its role in the Contadora peace process.
§ Mr. EggarWe and our European partners support the Contadora process and are convinced that the problems of the region cannot be resolved by military means. The United States Government are aware of our views and on 22 May reaffirmed that it would support a treaty which achieved all 21 Contadora objectives in a comprehensive, verifiable and simultaneous settlement.