BRITAIN’S BID Report To E.E.C. May Urge Talks

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31551, 13 December 1967, Page 21

BRITAIN’S BID Report To E.E.C. May Urge Talks

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) BRUSSELS, December 12. Mr Jean Rey, the Belgian head of the Common Market Commission, is likely to underline the need for early talks between Britain and the Six in a report today to the Council of Ministers—the Community’s top policy-making body.

Informed sources said Mr Rey would reiterate the Administration Commission’s view that early negotiations were the only way to reach solutions to the problems posed by Britain’s membership application.

The Belgian lawyer’s oral report, on the effects of devaluation and other economic measures taken by Britain, was requested by the council last November .20. It is an addition to the long written opinion on British, Danish, Norwegian and Irish applications for membership which the commission submitted at the end of September.

Ministers are not expected to discuss Mr Rey’s report today. His statement will be fully debated at their next meeting on December 18 and December 19—a session which is expected to be crucial not only for Britain’s application but for the future of the Common Market.

| Other items on the council's agenda today are relations with Israel, Jugoslavia and

I the three East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and I Uganda.