§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what forum exists for dialogue between the European Community and the Arab states on issues of trade and technology transfer.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThe European Community's cooperation agreements with the Mashraq, Maghreb—except Libya—and the Gulf Co-operation Council provide a framework for trade and technology transfer. These and other matters related to the agreements are discussed at co-operation councils, which meet regularly at ministerial level.
§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions are ongoing between the European Community and the Gulf Co-operation Council on the subject of trade and technology transfer.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThe 1988 co-operation agreement between the EC and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) provides a framework for trade and technology transfer and commits both sides to opening negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA). EC and GCC Ministers discussed these issues in May. Since it came into force in 1990, the co-operation agreement's main focus has been on an FTA. A negotiating mandate was agreed by the Foreign Affairs Council in December 1989 and subsequently amended on 1 October 1991. Negotiations are expected to resume in January 1992.