CONFIDENTIAL
B
4
Other Visits
7. HM Ambassador Lisbon recommended on 6 June that Mr Judd
invite, in the Secretary of State's name, Dr Ferreira to
visit the UK at a mutually convenient date. The Department
have not pursued this in the time available before Mr Judd's
visit since they do not think that such an invitation is
necessary at this point. Dr Ferreira has made two official
visits to the UK this year. In February, he and Dr Soares
were guests of the British Government during their brief visit
to discuss Portugal's wish for Community membership. In May,
Dr Ferreira accompanied President Eanes to the NATO Ministerial
Meeting and had a bilateral discussion with the Secretary of
State. The Department prefer to wait to see if Mr Judd
considers, in the light of his visit and any discussion with
HM Ambassador, that an invitation to Dr Ferreira is desirable.
8.
During a recent visit to Portugal, the Chairman of the
British Council informally invited the Minister of Education,
Dr Sottomayor Cardia, to visit the UK as the guest of the
British Council. The Minister has indicated that he would
accept a formal invitation. Subject to DES agreement it is
proposed for presentational reasons that the invitation itself
would go from the Secretary of State for Education. The
invitation would make it clear, however, that the visit was
as the guest of the British Council and the programme would
be arranged by the Council. It is also proposed that the
Minister should call on the Secretary of State for Education
but not that the visit should be turned into an official
governmental one since this would take the visit away from
the Council.
CONFIDENTIAL
/Dispossessed
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