§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications of agreement in the latest round of the general agreement on tariffs and trade for the future of the Lomé convention.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe mid-term review of the fourth Lomé convention is under way. This will involve negotiations between the EC and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific—ACP—states on possible changes to the convention to reflect developments since it was agreed in 1989. These negotations must be concluded by March 1995. The convention itself will expire on 1 March 2000.
The mid-term review takes place in the context of the successful conclusion of the Uruguay round. However, the Final Act agreed on 15 December does not affect the status of the convention.