8.
On categorisation, Davignon promised to be helpful within the boundary of a 'sound technical basis.'
9.
Davignon referred to the deadline of 30 November for the completion of the negotiation. This was because the member states would have to make a final finding on 19th or 20th December when the Council was due to meet. He ventured the opinion that either agreements were concluded before the end of the year or such type of agreements would have disappeared forever. It would be unrealistic to expect to be able to return to the status quo ante at the end of 1978 That would be a lot of rot.
10. Mills referred to a body of opinion in Hong Kong which still thought autonomous measures were to be preferred to a bad agreement. Davignon said if the negotiations were to develop into a second impasse, he would be prepared to go to Hong Kong to explain the realities of choices. He said that Hong Kong should not
underestimate how mean member states could be.
11.
Mills asked whether it meant that ir the EEC negotiating mandate should be reopened, it could become worse. Davignon confirmed.
12.
Mills asked
whether it would be wrong for Hong Kong to place reliance on its special relationship with a certain member state. Davignon said it would be quite wrong. He said he could be quoted as having said it.
Hong Kong Government Office
London
23.11.1977
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.