HC Deb 07 February 1990 vol 166 cc690-1W
35. Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further steps his Department will take to help support the political and economic reforms taking place among the countries of eastern Europe.

Mr. Waldegrave

We have said that we will extend the know-how fund to other eastern European countries once they are fully committed to reform. Meanwhile we will also support the reforms through an expanded programme of ministerial contacts, visits, seminars and training schemes. We will continue to play a major role in international efforts to support the reform process.

36. Mr. Batiste

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Her Majesty's Government are doing to ensure that European Community aid to eastern Europe is properly utilised in projects that will enable successful market economies to emerge.

Mr. Maude

EC Heads of Government agreed at the Strasbourg European Council that a major objective in responding to developments in eastern Europe should be consolidation of democratic reform and promotion of market-based economies. British Ministers and officials consult closely the European Commission, EC partners and other members of the Western Group of 24 on the best means of achieving this objective. Commission proposals for EC aid made against this background are considered fully in the Council and in the management committee which oversees expenditure of the EC's aid budget for eastern Europe. Member states' agreement is required before aid projects are implemented.

81. Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further assessment he has made of the impact on future Government policy of recent events in eastern Europe.

Mr. Maude

We warmly welcome the recent historic changes in eastern Europe and we shall continue to support the political and economic reforms which are now occurring. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was glad to announce on 22 January that our know-how funds for Poland and Hungary will now be expanded to include the remaining countries of the region, as they move decisively toward democracy and the adoption of market-based economic systems.

76. Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the desirability of institutional changes in the European Community following the developments in eastern Europe.

Mr. Maude

We welcome the process of economic and political reform which has swept eastern Europe. We agree the Community must continue to develop, and want faster integration. The immediate priority is for pressing ahead with completing the single market programme on which the United Kingdom has taken a leading role. Proposals for institutional change should be considered on their merits.

40. Sir Anthony Meyer

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other EC Ministers about future relations with the states of eastern Europe.

Mr. Maude

Eastern Europe was the focus of the Dublin meeting of EC Foreign Ministers on 20 January. Those discussions resumed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 5 February. The Community intends to complete the network of agreements covering trade and commercial and economic co-operation with the emerging democracies of eastern Europe. As their economic and political reforms progress, the Council will consider wider forms of association and the criteria that are appropriate.