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eyes on the more distant horizon of closer union
between the peoples and nations of Europe. The best
route to that is through practical steps designed to
overcome the many barriers which now exist. We shall
continue to make sensible proposals ourselves and to
evaluate on their merits those which others may put
forward. Throughout the process our commitment to
Europe will never be in doubt.
12. Our bilateral contacts with West European partners
are excellent. Already this autumn we have had a
successful State Visit by President Mitterrand, and
summit meetings with Italy and Germany. Such meetings
are valuable not just for the exchange of views and
information which they produce but also for the
commercial and industrial possibilities which they
often identify. We believe that industrial
collaboration in the civilian and military fields could
be developed more between partners in the Community;
and some progress has been made along these lines in
the recent meetings.
13. The Gracious Speech mentioned the Falkland Islands.
We have two policy aims, different but fully
compatible.
The first is to remain steadfast in our
resolve to fulfil all our commitments to the Islanders.
The second, no less important, is to seek more normal
bilateral relations with Argentina.
Our first aim
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