TNAG-0385-FCO40-431-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-EEC-1974 — Page 149

to present proposals on this question on 24 October.

Meanwhile

we are making démarches in EEC capitals to try to rally support for

our views.

5. The main problem is likely to be the line we should take thereafter at the Council of Ministers' Meeting on 5 or 6 November (paragraphs 23 onwards).

As the Paper points out a number of matters will be coming to a head towards the end of the year and it would seem desirable to avoid a controversy over GPS if possible. We do not want to fight the issue very hard in public and then fail

to get much of what we want. Our aim should be to try to secure satisfactory improvements on specific items as we can on 5/6 November, making it clear to our partners that in subsequent years we shall be pressing for further improvements. If the Scheme looks like falling

Council.

very far short of our minimum requirements, it may be desirable to run the risks involved in continuing to hold out until the December

Whatever course of action we eventually follow, however, we must bear in mind our obligation under Protocol 23 to align to the Community's GPS on 1 January 1974. The issue will need to be

looked at again next week.