§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had on his recent visits to Romania and Bulgaria on the subject of trade with the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RifkindTrade forms a significant part of our bilateral relationship with both Romania and Bulgaria. During my right hon. and learned Friend's recent talks212W with the Romanian President and Foreign Minister they agreed on the desirability of expanding and diversifying bilateral trade. They discussed current collaborative projects and possible areas for future cooperation. They also discussed prospects for the forthcoming meeting in London of the United Kingdom/Romania Joint Commission. In Sofia, where my right hon. and learned Friend had talks with President Zhivkov, and the Bulgarian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, he discussed trade opportunities and areas of potential industrial collaboration where United Kingdom firms are particularly well-placed to make a contribution. My right hon. and learned Friend's visit there took place immediately before the opening of a British Economic Week. The United Kingdom/Bulgaria Joint Commission next meets in London in March and the Bulgarian Foreign Trade Minister will visit Britain in April, returning a visit made to Bulgaria last summer by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade.