TNAG-1791-FCO40-2551-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 71

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EC/ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING, DUESSELDORF, 2-3 MAY 1988

1.

The Secretary of State will attend the first day of the meeting of EC and ASEAN Foreign Ministers which will take place in Duesseldorf from 2-3 May (the last such meeting was in Jakarta in October 1986). The UK will be

represented by a delegation of officials, probably headed by Mr Adams, SEAD, who will lead on 3 May. The Ministerial meeting will be preceded by a meeting of officials on 29-30 April, primarily to agree the joint declaration.

Briefing

2.

The latest version of the agenda for the meeting is attached at Annex A. It is still subject to revision in particular as regards the order of items, although the subjects to be covered are likely to remain largely unchanged. Most of the political subjects should be covered on 2 May.

3.

I should be grateful if Departments would prepare briefs according to the schedule at Annex B, with the first-named Department acting as the lead Department. Briefs should be succinct but with sufficient content for the Secretary of State and the Head of delegation on 3 May to make a substantive contribution to the discussion. The Presidency intends to encourage a free-wheeling exchange of views. Briefs should be in standard format with points to make and defensive points in tiret form, and a covering checklist. They should be headed as for this minute. Please could briefs (top copy plus five) reach Mr Wells

(270 2445), SEAD E313, by 1730 on Monday 18 April. Contributions to the steering brief should reach Mr Wells by the same deadline.

Joint Declaration

4.

We shall consult Departments separately as discussion of the draft Joint Declaration proceeds. But, as an aid to preparation of the briefs, I attach relevant extracts of the Declaration as it now stands.

Bilateral Meetings

5. There is unlikely to be time for the Secretary of State to have formal bilateral meetings in the margins at Duesseldorf. However, most of the EC and ASEAN Foreign Ministers are likely to be present at the meeting and if there are any pressing subjects which departments would wish the Secretary of State to raise bilaterally in the

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