asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the up-to-date position regarding the application of Spain and Portugal for accession to the European Communities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EC Membership Applications.
16.
The present position in regard to the application of Portugal and Spain to accede to the European Community is that the negotiations are proceeding on a regular and satisfactory basis with frequent exchanges of views on the various negotiating chapters.
As regards Portugal, the Community have presented their position under the following headings—Customs Union, External Relations, ECSC, Euratom, Taxation, Capital Movements, Transport, Regional Policy, Right of Establishment and Secondary Legislation. The Portuguese have presented positions on—External Relations, Taxation, Capital Movements, Transport, Regional Policy, Customs Union, Euratom, Social Policy, Right of Establishment, Economic and Financial Questions, Budgetary problems, Agriculture and ECSC.
As regards Spain, the Community have presented their position on—Customs Union, External Relations, ECSC, Taxation, Capital Movements, Right of Establishment, Secondary Legislation, Transport and Regional Policy. The Spanish have presented positions on ECSC, Taxation, Transport, Capital Movements, Customs Union, Social Affairs, Right of Establishment, Secondary Legislation, Regional Policy and Euratom.
The purpose of the present phase of the negotiations is to arrive at a general appreciation of the problems for which solutions will have to be found at a later stage. In the case of both Portugal and Spain it is hoped that the substantive phase of the negotiations can begin in the autumn.
Would the Minister comment, first, on recent complaints from Spain that negotiations are not proceeding smoothly and, second, on the suggestion that at this stage the French are not in favour of the accession of Spain and Portugal to the Community?
The negotiations are proceeding on a timetable. Naturally the Spanish Government would prefer the negotiations to proceed at a faster pace. I will not comment on the remarks of another head of state.
Does the Minister feel that there is no justification for the complaints being made by the Spanish and that the negotiations will come to fruition within a reasonable time?
It is hoped by the end of 1983 to achieve finality. That is the target and negotiations are proceeding on a certain timetable.
And they are up to date?
Yes.