TNAG-0384-FCO40-430-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-EEC-1973 — Page 149

CONFIDENTIAL

their decision, we are likely to have to consult their Ministers and perhaps to go through difficult consul- tations with Hong Kong before we reach an agreed line for Brussels. Time for all this is very short.

6. If, as I hope, we can agree to try for changes in the Community's GSP, we must also decide in what forum to press this and how hard; what our demands should be, and what the fallback position. I hope you can agree that we should be prepared to go at least to the Council of Ministers.

7.

I would be grateful for your very early comments.

29 August 1973

Copy to:

Mr Wilford

Sir D Watson

Mr Robinson

Mr Finlayson

TRED

ACSE

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

We

have

now also received

973 which points out that

how we

are moving

they need to

before their talks

Hay Koy Elgram No

to know

after

with Sir C. Soames •

8 September.

Aes 27/8

CONFIDENTIAL