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Within the framework of the examination of this communication, the Working Party on Trade Questions, at its meeting held on 8 November 1972, concluded that Community imports from Hong Kong already jeopardised the organisation of the market considerably in particular the German market and that priority should be given to seeking a solution as regards trade between the Community and that country.
On 29 December 1972 the Commission accordingly submitted to the Council a recommendation for a Decision on the opening of negotiations aimed at finding a solution in the particular case of Hong Kong by the conclusion of an agreement on voluntary restraint for synthetic, artificial and woollen textiles S/27/73 (COMER 6) 7.
In accordance with instructions from the Permanent Representatives Committee the Working Party on Trade Questions (textiles) started examining this recommendation at the end of January 1973.
A new element emerged from the proceedings of the Working Party: The German delegation informed the Working Party that since the beginning of February, the Hong Kong authorities had unilaterally been applying a degree of voluntary restraint on textile exports to the Federal Republic of Germany. these circumstances, the German delegation, which at first was particularly concerned to find a solution in this field, said that the question was no longer of primary importance.
In
S/704 e/73 (COMER 141) ers/BS/ec
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