BRITISH ENTRY French Position Unchanged

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31987, 14 May 1969, Page 17

BRITISH ENTRY French Position Unchanged

(NZ.P.A.-Reuter—‘Copyright)

LUXEMBURG, May 13. France maintains her opposition to early British membership of the European Common Market, despite the resignation of General de Gaulle. As expected, the French In a brief, 18-minute debate

Foreign Minister (Mr Michel Debre) reaffirmed the French position at a Common Market foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxemburg, the first since General de Gaulle’s departure. After the meeting, the West German Foreign Minister (Mr Willy Brandt) predicted that contacts between the candidates for membership—Britain, Denmark, Norway and the Republic of Ireland—and the Community would begin before the end of the year. In a question-and-answer session, Mr Brandt made it clear that no moves could be made before the West German elections next September.

on British entry at the meeting, Mr Debre sounded the usual warning against pressing ahead too quickly in view of changes which could be brought about in the nature of the Community; but

informed sources quote him as saying, in a more conciliatory tone: “There is. a difference between the desires all of us share and the difficulties which face us.” One notable omission from Mr Debre’s speech was the

usual French argument that Britain was not economically

ready to join the Community. France has twice invoked this reason for vetoeing early negotiations on British membership. Mr Debre told his colleagues that before talks could begin, the Six must agree on the financing of agriculture, a multi-million dollar problem on which there is basic disagreement between the member-states.