East-West Relations

HC Deb 20 February 1985 vol 73 c471W

36. Mr. Soames

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on East-West relations.

Mr. Rifkind

We continue to work, with our allies, for a better relationship between East and West. We welcome the agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union to resume bilateral arms control negotiations. We recognise that it will take time to consider fully the complex issues involved, and that patience and realism will be needed. We hope that meanwhile increased contacts, both between the United States and the Soviet Union, and between other countries of East and West, will lead to a broader understanding on arms control and other problems; and to the mutual confidence that can, over time, provide the basis for lasting progress.