§ Dr. Michael Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 16 and 17 March.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 16 March. My hon. Friend the Minister for Trade also attended.
The Council agreed on the overall figure for the new generation of financial protocols for some of the Community's Mediterranean partners.
Against the background of a continuing deterioraton in the trade balance between Japan and the Community, the Council invited the Commission to increase its efforts to improve access for European firms in Japan, particularly in the automobiles, medical equipment and leather goods sectors. A copy of the Council's statement has been placed in the Library of the House.
The Council discussed EC-US trade relations and expressed concern at prospective trade legislation currently before the United States Congress. The Council stated that if the United States took restrictive measures affecting EC exports, the Community would respond in accordance with its GATT rights. A copy of the Council statement has been placed in the Library of the House.
At the initiative of the United Kingdom, the council discussed the international implications of the Commission proposals for an oils and fats tax, particularly as regards developing countries, the United States and the Community's obligations under the GATT. Further discussion will take place in the Agriculture Council.
My right hon. and learned Friend reported to the Council on his visit to Hungary on 8–10 March. The Council discussed the Commission's draft mandate for the negotiation of an EC-Hungary trade and economic cooperation agreement and agreed that it should aim to reach agreement on the mandate at the April Foreign Affairs Council.
Discussion continued on rules for the exercise of the implementing powers of the Commission.
Meeting in political co-operation, the Foreign Ministers issued a statement condemning the recent attacks across the Afghan border as deliberately aimed against civilian targets in Pakistan and calling on the Soviet Union to put a stop to such outrages and to agree to a rapid and total withdrawal of its troops. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House.