§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council of 20 November.
§ Mr. RentonAn extra Foreign Affairs Council was held in Brussels on 20 November in advance of the scheduled political co-operation ministerial meeting. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development and my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) represented the United Kingdom. Ministers had a further discussion of outstanding issues in the enlargement negotiations, including fisheries, wine and Spanish agriculture, in advance of the regular Foreign Affairs Council on 26–28 November, which is to be followed by an extended negotiating conference with Spain and Portugal.
Agreement was also reached on a revised figure for the sixth European development fund of 7.5 billion ecu—about £4,465 million. Of this, 7.4 billion ecu—about £4,405 million—will go to the African Caribbean and Pacific—ACP—countries and 100 million ecu—about £60 million — to the dependent territories of member states — OCT. These figures take account of the expected contributions of Spain and Portugal to the sixth EDF. Ministers also agreed on a text on human rights, and on the breakdown of EDF expenditure between different headings. A meeting is taking place today, 22 November, between EC and ACP co-presidents, at which it is hoped the negotiations can be completed thus paving the way for signature of the new convention in Loméon 8 December.