HC Deb 26 October 1984 vol 65 c768W
Mr. Wareing

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on her recent talks with President Mitterrand.

The Prime Minister

I had useful talks on international and bilateral questions with President Mitterrand on 24 October. This was a part of a state visit which reaffirms the close ties between Britain and France.

We discussed the European Community, and the need for an early conclusion to the enlargement negotiations. We noted that very substantial progress had been made towards agreement on budget discipline.

We exchanged views on the Falklands in the light: of President Alfonsin's recent meeting in Paris with President Mitterrand. I repeated to President Mitterrand that the United Kingdom is not prepared to negotiate with President Alfonsin on sovereignty over the Falkland Islands but that we remain ready to work for more normal bilateral relations with Argentina.