TNAG-0279-FCO40-315-Visit-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Aff-1970 — Page 51

CONFIDENTIAL

world trade in general under the auspices of the GATT.

Consultation

It is still too early to decide on establishing any new

machinery for consulting Hong Kong and other members of the

Commonwealth during negotiations. When we know their likely

opening date and the subjects proposed by the Six for negotiation,

we shall be better placed to make a decision. In the meantime,

we shall, of course, continue to consult you on all questions of

interests to Hong Kong that may come up.

(If raised)

Association of Hong Kong under Part IV of the Treaty of Rome

No provisional agreement on Hong Kong was reached during

the 1961-63 negotiations. The British request for association

of Hong Kong under Part IV of the Treaty of Rome (for which she

is eligible) was rejected by the Six. We said in 1967 when we

made our application that we should wish to discuss with the Six

the position of any or our dependent territories for which

association was not appropriate. This remains our position.

Britain and the EEC

British policy is to achieve full membership of the

European Economic Communities. We hope that negotiations for

membership will open soon, and in any case by the middle of the

summer. Recent events in Europe have encouraged us to be

optimistic about a favourable outcome of the negotiations.

CONFIDENTIAL

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