§ Mr. Anthony CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 20 March.
§ Mr. EggarThe Foreign Affairs Council met in Brussels on 20 March. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State represented the United Kingdom, accompanied by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State.
The Council was preceded by an informal meeting of EC and EFTA Foreign Ministers. This noted the close economic and political links between EC and EFTA, and the importance of strengthening and expanding co-operation on the lines laid down in the 1984 Luxembourg declaration. The meeting welcomed M. Delors' call for a more structured relationship and the results of the meeting of EFTA Heads of Government in Oslo on 15 March, and agreed to establish a new bilateral dialogue with a view to a further ministerial meeting in the autumn. The United Kingdom warmly welcomes this new drive to deepen the relationship between the Community and its EFTA neighbours.
The Council discussed progress in the GATT Uruguay round and preparations for the meeting of the GATT trade negotiations committee in Geneva in early April confirming the guidance given to the Commission in November.
The Council also agreed to improve contacts between the Community and the Council of Europe.
624WAn EC-Malta Association Council also took place.
In the framework of political co-operation the Twelve reaffirmed the unacceptability of Iranian behaviour over the Rushdie affair and the continuing ban on high-level visits.