Six To Discuss The Future Of Europe

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31983, 9 May 1969, Page 11

Six To Discuss The Future Of Europe

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) PARIS, May 8. The French Foreign Minister (Mr Michel Debre) will go to Luxemburg next week for a meeting of Common Market Foreign Ministers which is seen in Paris as a possible turning point for Europe’s future.

The first Common Market Ministerial meeting in the post-de Gaulle era, it takes place at a time when new trends are emerging in France towards an enlargement of the European Economic Community to include Britain. A Foreign Ministry official said that Mr Debre would discuss “Europe’s future” at the meeting, which would take place on Monday and Tuesday. He would also lunch with the five other foregin ministers there. The six will explore British prospects of entering the market after the resignation last week of President de Gaulle, who twice blocked Britain’s entry. Officials described the meeting as routine, but privately it is being spoken of as a possible turning-point for the future of Europe. Mr Alain Poher, Prance’s interim Head of State, said on moving into the Elysee Palace after General de Gaulle’s departure that he favoured Britain’s entry intc the market, provided she

abided by its rules and the ultimate aims for building Europe. The most sensational Gaullist move came from Mr Georges Pompidou, the former Prime Minister, who said the question of Britain’s entry should be re-examined, although he emphasised that the decision did not depend only on France. Mr Pompidou made the ! statement soon after announcing his candidacy for the Pre-

All the other candidates and prospective candidates—except the Communist, Mr Jacques Duclos—have made it clear they would strive for an enlargement of the Common Market.