HC Deb 19 March 1984 vol 56 cc342-3W
Mr. Soames

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what foreign policy initiatives have been jointly pursued by the members of the European Economic Community since 1979.

Mr. Rifkind

Since 1979 the chief joint foreign policy initiatives of the European Community member states have been as follows:

1979: The Nine endorsed the proposal for a conference on disarmament in Europe as part of the CSCE process. After consistent backing from EC member states, this proposal came to fruition when the Stockholm conference opened in January 1984.
1980: (i) The Nine launched an initiative to give neutral status to Afghanistan so as to provide a framework for Soviet withdrawal.
(ii) The Nine condemned the taking of United States hostages in Iran. After agreement in political cooperation and the community, member states imposed sanctions against Iran.
(iii) The Nine issued the Venice declaration and followed it up with a programme of diplomatic action intended to bring closer a solution to the Arab/Israel problem.

1981: (i) The Ten launched a proposal for a two-stage conference on Afghanistan.
(ii) The Ten agreed on the London report which substantially strengthened the machinery of political co-operation.
1982: (i) After agreement in political co-operation, the Community imposed restrictions on the Soviet Union in the context of the imposition of martial law in Poland.
(ii) In support of their condemnation of the Argentine invasion of the Falklands, the Ten agreed not to sell arms to Argentina. After agreement in political cooperation, the Community imposed an import ban on Argentina.
1983: (i) The Ten expressed support for the activities of the Contadora group in seeking a solution to the problems of Central America, and made clear their willingness to contribute to this solution.
(ii) In the solemn declaration on European union, the heads of state or Government reaffirmed their commitment to political co-operation and extended its scope.

Throughout the period the members of the Community have maintained an intensive exchange of views on major foreign policy questions, have jointly undertaken numerous diplomatic actions and dé marches, and have continued to work closely together in international organisations and at international conferences.