§ Mr. Nichollsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held in Brussels on 10 and 11 March.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. and learned Friend and I, together with my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade, attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 10 and 11 March.
The Commission reported to the Council on its recent discussions with the United States Administration on current trade disputes, notably United States complaints about the effects on their trade of Spanish and Portuguese accession.
516WThe Council agreed a declaration on the Community's trade and economic relations with Japan, stressing the need to achieve tangible results as soon as possible in order to relieve the increasing strain which Japan's overall surplus is placing on the multilateral trade and payments system. A copy of the declaration has been placed in the Library of the House.
The Council reviewed the work now in hand for the progressive restoration of normal relations between Turkey and the Community. The Council confirmed its intention that there should be a meeting of the Association Council at ministerial level in early autumn.
The Council agreed a mandate for the forthcoming negotiations for renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement. My hon. Friend the Minister for Trade will make a separate statement on this.
The Council decided to refer to Health Ministers the recommendations of the group of national cancer experts set up following the Luxembourg European Council.