Poland and Britain signed a new five-year economic co-operation agreement aimed at improving bilateral relations in London, England, on Thursday (16 December).

SYNOPSIS: The Polish Premier, Mr. Piotr Jaroszewicz, met the British Prime Minister, Mr. James Callaghan, at Downing Street and had brief talks before signing the agreement.

Britain has more trade with Poland than any other member of the eastern bloc except the Soviet Union. And about 30,000 Poles visited Britain last year, more than the total of visitors from all other east European countries.

Mr. Jaroszewicz will have discussions with British industrialists closely involved in east European markets. It's the first time a Polish premier has visited Britain since the Second World War.

Polish exiles had threatened to demonstrate against Mr. Jaroszewicz's visit. They intended to protest over alleged brutality following food price riots in Poland last June, but these demonstrations failed to materialise. The Polish premier is currently grappling with severe economic problems. A spokesman for the Polish embassy in London said he would be trying to deepen the bilateral agreement with Britain. At present it's in Britain's favour by about one hundred million pounds sterling and Mr. Jaroszewicz is trying to balance this.