§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European counterparts regarding trade with South Africa and the reduction of trade barriers with that country. [16793]
§ Mr. David Davis[holding answer 26 February 1996]: Britain is in the lead in pressing for the liberalisation of trade between the EU and South Africa. South Africa responded positively to the EU's offer of June 1995 to negotiate a free trade area. We need to move forward on this urgently, with the goal of an agreement which will remove as many barriers to trade as possible.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss with his European counterparts the extension of the Lome convention to South African trade. [16794]
§ Mr. Davis[holding answer 26 February 1996]: Negotiations on South Africa's accession to the Lome convention are underway. These do not cover trade, which is being pursued separately: South Africa has responded positively to the EU's offer to negotiate a free trade area as part of a wider bilateral agreement on trade and co-operation.