East-West Relations (Hansard, 8 June 1988)

§ 75. Mr. Sumberg
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors are currently influencing East-West relations.

§ Mr. Mellor
Stability and mutual understanding in East-West relations are developing well, on the basis of the West's strong and united stance. The Soviet Union is increasingly willing to acknowledge its past mistakes and the need for change abroad to match that at home. We welcome this, but look forward to further progress in arms control, particularly in the conventional and chemical weapons fields, in the peaceful settlement of regional conflicts and in respect for human rights.

§ 92. Mr. McKelvey
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of East-West relations.

§ 93. Mr. Ernie Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of East-West relations.
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§ 94. Mr. Dunnachie
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current state of East-West relations; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Mellor
East-West relations are in better shape than for many years. Thanks to the West's resolute and united stance, significant progress has been made (Afghanistan, INF treaty). Much however remains to be done in the fields of arms control, particularly the conventional imbalance, the settlement of regional conflicts and human rights. The United States-Soviet summit in Moscow was a further major contribution to the maintenance of a stable and predictable United States-Soviet and wider East-West relationship.