TNAG-1254-FCO40-1587-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 37

CONFIDENTIAL

conventional side, Defence Ministers have renewed contact

and the prospects for collaboration on defence

procurement are under active consideration.

iii) Two issues of particular concern to President

Mitterrand will be the continued French involvement in

Chad and in the MNF in Lebanon. The meeeting will

provide a useful opportunity to discuss the prospects for

the future.

1.

iv) Bilateral Issues. The Prime Minister and President

agreed at the last Summit that there would be close and

regular contact between their representatives. Under the

aegis of the Cabinet Office, representatives of Whitehall

Departments have met regularly to review the contacts

with the French which have proved substantial in content,

level and frequency. Summit participants will wish to

review the results of a year of effort towards improving

and adding further substance to the bilateral

relationship. The Summit will provide both sides with a

further opportunity to give political impetus to those

issues which require it as well as discussing issues of

common interest, particularly where collaborative

possibilities exist.

5. These discussions will take place against the backdrop

of the deterioriation in East/West Relations, the

problems inherent in the transatlantic relationship and

the general outlook for the world economy. It will also

be the first time the Prime Minister and President

CONFIDENTIAL