Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will urge on our European Community partners the need to distance themselves publicly from the latest United States policies towards the Arab-Israeli dispute in view of 578WA the terms of the Venice Declaration, with particular reference to the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and the need to maintain the free flow of oil from the Gulf to Western Europe.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)The policy of the United Kingdom and our partners in the Ten towards the Arab/Israel dispute is set out in the Venice Declaration of June 1980 and subsequent statements by the European Council. Any differences of approach between us and the Americans concerning Palestinian self-determination and other issues are discussed frankly as between friends and allies. We agree that faster progress is needed and that President Reagan's proposals of 1st September 1982 offer the best starting point for negotiations.