§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the San Jose conference in September 1984 directed to all European Economic Community and central American countries and, in particular, with respect to developing, extending and diversifying their mutual trade to the fullest possible extent.
§ Mr. RifkindOur policy towards central America is designed to support the efforts of the Contadora group to promote conditions of political stability in which the fundamental social and economic problems of the region can be tackled.
Since the San José meeting, we have been working with our European partners to ensure that the follow-up conference to be held in Luxembourg on 11–12 November will fulfil the commitment entered into at San Jose to promote stronger economic and political relations between the two regions. We and our partners have remained in close touch with the Governments of central America and the Contadora states. Arrangments for regular political dialogue between the two regions are likely to be agreed at the Luxembourg meeting in November.
In parallel, the European Commission in consultation with members of the Community and the central American countries, have been examining how best to strengthen economic links between the two regions. An economic framework agreement on the lines envisaged in the San Jose communiqué has been negotiated. It is hoped that this will be signed at the Luxembourg meeting. The agreement will include provision for additional EC aid to central America. The additonal aid will have the objective of promoting inter-regional integration and the development of central America as a whole.