GRS 500
IMMEDIATE
RESTRICTED
ра
CYPHER/CAT A
USSELS
FROM UKREP BRUSSELS 161836Z
RESTRICTED
FRAME EXTERNAL
DESKBY 17090ZZ
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 6893 OF 16TH NOVEMBER 1977.
COMMITTEE OF PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES (DEPUTIES): 16 NOVEMBER,
YOUR TELNO 2121: TEXTILES.
SUMMARY.
1. THE COMMISSION DID NOT GIVE A PROGRESS REPORT TO COREPER AND THE CHAIR PERMITTED NO SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSION. WE INSISTED HOWEVER
THAT THE ITEM BE KEPT ON THE AGENDA OF NEXT WEEK'S COUNCIL.
DISCUSSION.
2. ROBINET (BELGIAN PRESIDENCY) ASKED THE MEETING WHETHER IT WAS
CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO HAVE THE COMMISSION REPORT TO THE FOREIGN
AFFAIRS COUNCIL NEXT WEEK, GIVEN THAT NEGOTIATIONS WERE STILL IN TRAIN. ETIENNE (COMMISSION) REPLIED THAT IT WAS NOT THE COMMISSION
THAT HAD ASKED FOR THIS TO BE RAISED AT THE COUNCIL: BUT THAT, GIVEN THE SHORT-TIME AVAILABLE TO PREPARE FOR THE DECEMBER COUNCIL
AFTER THE BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS CLOSED AT THE END OF NOVEMBER,
IT COULD BE POLITIC TO USE NEXT WEEK'S COUNCIL TO GIVE MINISTERS
A FOREWARNING OF WHAT WAS IN STORE FOR THEM IN DECEMBER.
RESTRICTED
/3. NICOLL (UK)
330
2