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Writing Peace: The National Archives of the UK (TNA)

Enclosure: Briefing Note on the EDG Application to the EEP

Friday, 24 January 1992

i24055

Entails a list of pointers for John Major to make during his meeting with John Bruton in support of the EDG application to the EPP. Annotated.

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MEETING WITH JOHN BRUTON (LEADER, FINE GAEL) - POINTS TO MAKE ON THE EDG'S APPLICATION TO THE EPP

- I was very pleased the EDG application got the 'green light\ when you met with your EPP colleagues in April last year; I hope it can all be completed smoothly now, particularly in the light of Maastricht.

- Your meeting in April last year agreed an arrangement along the lines of the CDU and the CSU in the german Bundestag. That seems very sensible to me.

- Understand EPP Leaders are meeting on 14th February and will be considering EDG application. Look forward to all going well there.

Defensive Points, to draw on as necessary:

- Maastricht proves that concern about our European credentials is totally unjustifiable. Britain worked extremely hard for that agreement. Delighted with the result. Proof of my determination to put this country at the heart of European affairs.

- When the EPP is considering accepting parties from the EFTA and Eastern Europe, and has just accepted Giscard, it would be extraordinary if it chose to exclude British Conservative MEPs.

- The EPP aspires to be a pan-EC Party; but it still has no members from Britain, one of the most important Member States.

- Social (if raised): Not prepared to put our record at risk or UK jobs on the line. Arrangements proposed under social chapter may have suited others - but we have tried them here and we know they do suit us.

- No reason why social affairs should be an obstacle. Everyone has problems with various aspects of EPP programme. Ireland has its own particular concerns on neutrality - but no one would ever argue that that was grounds for exclusion.