TNAG-0249-FCO40-285-Effect-of-entry-of-UK-into-EEC-on-exports-from-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 21

CONFIDENTIAL

RECORD OF A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE

CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER

AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION

OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES

BRUSSELS: 14 OCTOBER 1970 at 1215 h

73

PRESENT

The Rt. Hon. Geoffrey Rippon QC MP

H.E. Sir James Marjoribanks

Mr. Statham

Mr. Tickell

Signor Malfatti

H.E. Mr. Linthorst

Homan

Mr. Wellenstein

Signor Ruggiero

M. Berthoin

Interpreter

Signor Malfatti welcomed Mr. Rippon to Brussels, and congratulated him upon his speech to the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool

2. Mr. Rippon said he was. very glad of the opportunity of meeting Signor Malfatti. He was sure that we should find solutions to the problems raised in our negotiations with the Community because it was necessary to find them. He hoped that progress could be made at the Ministerial meeting on 27 October, both on the substance and in determining the timetable. He thought that it would be unreason- able to expect that more progress might have been made hitherto. We had put in our papers. It clearly took time for the Community to consider them. But the Commission's comments were now coming forward and would provide a basis for serious work. It was essential to show public opinion both in the Community and the United Kingdom that there was a genuine impetus to the negotiations.

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CONFIDENTIAL