)
SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH HIGH COMMISSIONERS :
5 PM, 21 NOVEMBER 1984
LOME CONVENTION
POINTS TO MAKE
1.
(Why has HMG blocked agreement on EDF higher than 7 becu?) 7 becu offer (maintaining real value of EDF V) fair and generous (IDA replenishment 25% cash cut). Cannot give more than our share
of 7 becu EDF would have been. But have not stood in way of other
Member States who wished to contribute more. Negotiations
continuing on this basis. More for EDF means less for bilateral aid programme (mostly for Commonwealth)
2. (What improvements to Lome trade regime?) Trade more important for ACP in long term than aid. We pressed for simpler and more relaxed rules of origin, and for reduction or removal of few
remaining tariffs on agricultural products. Progress reasonable
on first (though we hoped for more), but disappointing on second;
some partners unwilling to concede more. But Community will now reply within six months to all requests for improved access for agricultural products:
..
Satisfactory outcome on special protocols:
bananas: Lomé II rolled over with marginal improvements;
beef: Lomé II rolled over with inclusion of Zimbabwe on same footing as other ACP suppliers;
rum: considerable improvement over Lomé II in face of stiff
French opposition;
Sugar Protocol of indefinite duration: not up for
renegotiation.
3
when
(Aircraft for LIAT) Under Lomé Commission must ensure contracts financed from EDF, that "economically most advantageous" offer accepted. Having examined bids, Commission concluded French
economically most advantageous. View contested by LIAT
discussion continuing." UK following closely; EC rules must be
fully and fairly applied.