TNAG-0250-FCO40-286-Discussions-on-EEC-negotiations-between-officials-of-Hong-Ko-1970 — Page 63

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associate status of the existing associates

provided a bargaining counter for use in

arguing that Hong Kong should be given

associate status. Sir C. O'Neill said

that we had accepted the Treaty of Rome and

what was done under it: this meant that we

-

must accept the existing arrangements

event

In

any

A

with the existing associates. it did not

seem likely in any event that this would

pose any serious problems for us.

3. Sir D. Trench asked what was the present

position about transitional periods. He

had seen press reports that the Commission

had now put forward proposals for a five

year transitional period. Sir C. O'Neill

said that this was only a recommendation

from the Commission to the Six; the Six were

not bound by this recommendation but it

would inevitably be a powerful element in

the position. Sir D. Trench said that by

and large Hong Kong would like the transi-

tional period to be longer rather than

shorter, but they were prepared to go along

with anything that the UK agreed on this

point provided it was not discriminatory.

He asked about the proposals for cuts in

the industrial tariff. Sir C. O'Neill said

that this had been contained in our own

request for a three year transitional period

for industry.

While this request was still

on the table it seemed unlikely that it

would now be accepted. Mr. Denman said

that the Commission's report on transitional

/periods

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