U.K. LINK WITH SIX

Press, Volume C, Issue 29604, 29 August 1961, Page 15

U.K. LINK WITH SIX

Price May Go Higher

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) LONDON. August 28. The six countries in the European Common Market were now considering proposals that may have the effect of raising the political price Britain would be asked to accept in joining the market, the "Daily Telegraph" reported today. In addition to accepting most of the provisions of the Treaty of Rome, Britain would be asked to approve in principle at the beginning of the negotiations all decisions fhade by t>he Six in interpreting the treaty, the newspaper said. These would Include decisions already taken and any made between now and Britain’s entry. A group within the Six was insisting that Britain should be told that closer integration among the Six could not be slowed down until Britain, Denmark, Norway and Eire had been accepted as members, the newspaper said. The “Daily Telegraph” said that a Common Market authority had said that Britain must realise that she is not boarding a stationary vehicle. “The vehicle is maintaining its momentum and intends to forge ahead even during the negotiations with the British Government,” the newspaper quotes the authority as saying. Timetable Fixed A Reuter’s report from Brussels said that the Six had fixed the timetable for handling Britain’s application for membership. The procedure to be adopted during the forthcoming talks between Britain and the Six was now being discussed by the committee of permanent representatives whose members were the ambassadors of the six member-countries. The report said the timetable was: September 4: The Committee of Permanent Representatives would meet to review the six Governments' attitude mainly on three points of the procedure—-the place of negotiations with Britain, the appointment of negotiators for the Six, and ways of consulting the Common Market’s associates in Africa and Greece during the negtiations. September 6-7: The Executive Commission would discuss its answer to the Ministerial Council’s request for an opmion of the British application. September 11: The commission would present its written answer to the council, but this would not be published before the Ministers met. September 14: The Com- : mittee of Permanent Reprei sentatives would meet again , to consider the commission's opinion. September 15-25: Mutual > consultations between the ; Governments of the cont- . munity’s member countries I through diplomatic channels. September 25: The Minif sterial Council .of the Six I would hold a session to t decide formally on the openi Ing of negotiations with ■ Britain. At the beginning of Octa--5 ber negotiations between : Britain and the Common i Market countries would begin.