21.   Other developments included the agreement and signing of transatlantic declarations institutionalizing relations between the European Communities and the USA and Canada.

22.   It set out a timetable for major political changes, starting with the signing of the new Union Treaty, which was expected to be ready within three months.

23.   The visit came in the aftermath of the signing of a Chinese commodity loan agreement with the Soviet Union in March.

24.   However, Syrian officials contended that with the signing of the treaty Syria had for the first time formally acknowledged Lebanon as an independent state.

25.   Israel stepped up military activity in southern Lebanon immediately prior to the signing of the treaty.

26.   Expressing satisfaction at the signing of START, Gorbachev said that mechanisms would shortly be established to discuss how to proceed further.

27.   It called for the signing of a treaty on a Union of Sovereign States, adherence to which would be determined by the individual republics.

28.   According to the police, however, there was a decline in the level of violence immediately following the signing of the accord.

29.   Human rights groups in Australia criticized the timing of the signing of the agreement, which took place less than a month after the East Timor massacre.

30.   However, the expected signing of a joint fishing co-operation agreement did not take place.