§ Mr. Oramasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the conferences and negotiations which he anticipates will be held in 1973 and 1974 and which will have a direct effect upon the aid relationship between developing countries on the one hand and the member countries of the European Economic Community, as a group, on the other, stating the dates and places in so far as these have already been fixed.
§ Mr. WoodA number of discussions could have an effect on this aid relationship. Three appear to be the most important. These are:
- (i) The negotiations for a Convention to succeed the present Yaounde and Arusha Conventions, and to give effect to Protocol 22 of the Treaty of Accession. These are expected to begin on 1st August 1973;
- (ii) The negotiation by the Community of new or revised agreements with the Maghreb countries, with Malta, and with some other developing countries in the Mediterranean area, which may include sections on economic and financial co-operation;
- (iii) The meeting in London of the Food Aid Convention's Food Aid Committee on Thursday 22nd March, at which our accession and the Community's present programme will be discussed. The present convention ends in the middle of next year, by which time it will be necessary to negotiate a successor convention if there is to be one.