GERMAN REGRET

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30045, 1 February 1963, Page 9

GERMAN REGRET

Statement By Cabinet

(NZPA.-Reuter — Copyright)

BONN, January 31

Dr. Adenauer and his West German Cabinet yesterday vnanimously approved a statement regretting the failure of the Common Market to agree to continue negotiations for Britain’s entry.

The Cabinet “noted with pleasure that Britain maintained its desire to enter the market.”

The Cabinet regretted the failure to achieve unity "in spite of the intensive efforts of five of the six Common Market member States. The West German Government is convinced that the situation which has now arisen must be overcome in a constructive manner,” it said.

“With this aim they will work for the restoration of unity soon among the Common Market partners and for the facilitation of the entry of Britain into the community." The statement said the West German Government will “continue its clear and repeatedly declared policy of an economic and political unity of Europe.” In Paris, the French Cabinet yesterday approved the actions taken by the French Foreign Minister (Mr Couve de Murville) and the way he conducted the negotiations. West Germany yesterday declined comment on reports of a possible plan by President de Gaulle for a Fiance-Germany-Spain axis.

A Government spokesman said it was standard practice for Bonn and Paris' to consult through diplomatic channels before any policy move, but he would not say whether, or how much. West Germany knew about French plans regarding Spain. In Madrid, official sources flatly denied speculation that Spain was trying to better her own position in Europe by exploiting the present clash between France and Britain.