HL Deb 28 January 1987 vol 483 cc1452-3WA
Lord Henley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 26th–27th January.

Baroness Young

My right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary and my honourable friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mrs Lynda Chalker) attended the first Foreign Affairs Council of 1987, which was held in Brussels on 26th and 27th January.

The Commission reported on the continuing negotiations with the United States concerning the trade effects of enlargement under Article XXIV.6 of the GATT. The Commission's report showed that the gap between the two sides had been considerably narrowed and that there were hopes of reaching agreement by the end of the month. The Council fully endorsed what the Commission had achieved and gave its strong support to the Commission in its further efforts to bring the negotiations to a fair and successful conclusion. The Council recalled its intention to respond if the United States proceeded with unilateral trade measures on 30th January, but stressed its determination to try to achieve a settlement that would avert the need for such action.

The Council discussed Commission proposals for new financial protocols for some of the Community's Mediterranean preferential partners. Discussion will continue at the February Council.

The Council yesterday approved the text of an implementing regulation for COMPEX (a scheme to compensate non-Lomé Least Developed Countries for losses of export earnings on certain agricultural commodities).

The Council had a brief exchange of views on the 1987 budget.

In view of the latest escalation in the Iran/Iraq conflict, ministers meeting in European political cooperation agreed a statement calling for an immediate cease-fire and the full implementation of Security Council Resolutions 582 and 588, and deploring once again the use of chemical weapons. The statement has been transmitted to both sides in the conflict and to the Islamic Conference which has been meeting in Kuwait.

The Council agreed its position in preparation for the Co-operation Council meeting with Israel held on 27th January, at which Israel was represented by the Foreign Minister, Mr. Peres.