asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present position regarding Ireland's trade treaty with the USSR and other East European countries; and if this trade is affected in any way by the taking over by the EEC of the function of negotiating trade treaties with non-EEC countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - East European Trade Agreements.
5.
Ireland's trade agreements with the USSR, Bulgaria, Rumania and Czechoslovakia have, in accordance with our Community obligations, been terminated as from 31st December, 1974. In assuring these countries of the continued grant of most favoured nation treatment with regard to tariff questions, taking account of traditional exceptions, the Council of Ministers has noted the need not to compromise the development of trade in any way, and has stated that it expects the State-trading countries to show evidence of the same concern.
The Community presented to these and other State-trading countries in November, 1974, an outline scheme for Community agreements with these countries. The outline scheme envisages the conclusion between the Community and individual State-trading countries of long term non-preferential trade agreements affording equivalent advantages and obligations.