E.E.C. TALKS IN STRASBOURG

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31276, 24 January 1967, Page 13

E.E.C. TALKS IN STRASBOURG

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter— Copyright) STRASBOURG, January 23. The British Prime Minister, Mr Wilson, today makes a new effort to sweep away misgivings in Europe about Britain’s conversion to the European ideal.

He will make a major address to the Consultative Assembly of the 18-nation Council of Europe in Strasbourg—the first time it has been addressed by a British Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will

speak of a vision of a strong and united Europe which could play an effective role in the world, informed sources said.

He will also emphasise that Britain’s bid to join the European Common Market is a practical one—based on the knowledge that political influence is founded on economic power. His speech will explain the reasons behind the British move.

Mr Wilson will later tonight fly to Paris, where he will be joined by the Foreign Secretary, Mr George Brown, from London for crucial talks with President de Gaulle. His Paris discussions are part of the talks he is holding in all the Six Common Market capitals before deciding whether to open formal entry negotiations. Mr Wilson is already promised a sympathetic hearing from most of the parliamentarians. The Consultative Assembly has already declared itself in favour of enlarging the European Economic Community to include Britain and other European Free Trade Association nations.

Tashkent Shaken. An earth tremor shook Tashkent yesterday, the 714th recorded in the city since it was almost devastated by an earthquake last April.—Moscow, January 23.