E.E.C. Welcomes U.K. Application

Press, Volume C, Issue 29630, 28 September 1961, Page 15

E.E.C. Welcomes U.K. Application

(N ,Z.P.A.‘Reuler—Copyright) BRUSSELS, September 27. The European Common Market Council of Ministers today' officially welcomed Britain's application to join the community. The welcome was contained in a letter handed by the West German Vice-Chancellor (Dr. Erhard) to the British Ambassador to the European Economic Community, Dr. Arthur Tandy, in Brussels. Dr. Erhard is president of the Council of Ministers.

The six-paragraph letter was unanimously approved by the council yesterday. A council source said it is “in warm and friendly terms welcoming Britain amidst the Six.” The letter invites Britain to a brief preliminary conference in Paris on October 10. If she agrees, a Cabinet Minister—probably the Lord Privy Seal (Mr Heath)—is expected to address the meeting, giving details of the safeguards Britain wants to protect her agriculture and her special links with the Commonwealth and the European Free Trade Association.

Then the meeting will adjourn to permit the “Six”— France, West Germany, Italy. Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg—to consider the British terms. According to the council’s letter, Britain and the “Six" would open formal negotiations in Brussels by November 15. Dr. Erhard told the British Ambassador: "I feel that this is an important historic act which brings Great Britain nearer to the community The fact that we come together will also strengthen the free world."

Mr Tandy replied: “I am extremely sensible of the honour of receiving this letter and I am sure my Government will be very happy to follow the suggested procedure. “I am convinced that my Government will greatly appreciate that the council has been good enough to take into account the British views in choosing the procedure for the negotiations.” Press Comment Leading British newspapers today commented on the decision of the E.E.C. welcoming in principle Britain’s application for membership. The “Financial Times” said that by November the detailed negotiations should be under way and expressed the view that the chances of success were now a great deal better than they were about three years ago when the

free trade area talks broke down. “From a British point of view the meeting at Brussels has gone well. Most important is the fact that the original French demand for a detailed and written British ‘shopping list* of desired safeguards has been dropped. “It has been obvious for some time that one French purpose in pressing this demand on her partners in the Six had been the wish to gain concessions from them on other points," it said. The “Daily Express,” an outspoken opponent of Britain joining the E.E.C., referred to the pledge by Mr Duncan Sandys. the Commonwealth Relations Secretary, that “faced with the necessity of choosing between the Commonwealth and Europe, we should unquestionably choose the Commonwealth.” The paper reminded its readers that his Government colleague. Sir David Eccles, made a similar pledge on June 7, 1957.

The newspaper said: “Since Sir David spoke the Government has made its disastrous approach to the European Common Market for member-

ship, which would inevitably sacrifice the Empire." The “Daily Mail” said: “May heaven preserve us from ever being forced to, make a choice between the Commonwealth and Europe. The loss to the Commonwealth, to Britain, and to Europe, will be grievous if we are.”

The “Daily Mail” said that to describe the Commonwealth as a trading organisation was “a petty definition” and pointed out that the trade, basis of the Commonwealth had, in fact, “gradually been losing its significance.”

(Earlier reports: Page 21.)