CAB128-94_A1b — Page 231

CONFIDENTIAL

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The Cabinet -

Took note.

NFIDENTI

› COMMUNITY

AFFAIRS

Transport Council

4-5 December

4. THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT said that the meeting of the Transport Council, which had been attended by the Minister of State, Department of Transport, was notable for the mplete change in the attitude of the French Chairman. The

earlier meetings of the Council had been very difficult. French line had been to resist liberalisation in this area ess conditions of employment were also harmonised. Edently the Chairman had been authorised to alter his approach so that the French Presidency could register some achievement. As a result, substantial progress had been made towards liberalisation of air transport, with action on air fares from 1 January (993) and on other aspects before that date. The chances

of a libglad haulage regime by 1993 were much improved and a modest ieri liberalising measure had been adopted at the Council itsome progress had also been made on shipping. Less welcome asid support from other Member States for a transport infrasure fund, with only the United Kingdom expressing substanta reservations.

European Council

8-9 December

IDENT

COMMO

RETARY

THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY said he had minuted the Prime Minister on the pros

copies to Cabinet colleagues.

for the European Council, with

letter had now arrived from

President Mitterrand setting out the agenda. The President aimed to start with a discussion the Single Market, which was helpful from the United Kingdon oint of view. He hoped that

the Council could give impetus to the adoption of a package of Single Market measures before the end of the year, and also set out priorities for subsequent action. The outcome of the recent Transport Council showed how useful such pressure might be. There would obviously be a substantive debate on Eastern Europe. The Government's views had been clear to the

add French Presidency, the President of the mision and to the German Foreign Minister. There was a prospect of only short discussion of the Social Charter. The Prime Minister had made clear her readiness to consider a different so declaration: the French had not picked this up, no doubt because they felt committed to other Member States. It was helpfuthe French did not envisage a formal signing ceremony.

economic

and Monetary Union, President Mitterrand's aim would set a date in the second half of 1990 for an intergovernmeal conference which would consider amendments to the Treaty Prime Minister would need to oppose this. The full and

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CONFIDENTIAL

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