Advice On E.E.C. From Dutch Envoy

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 13

Advice On E.E.C. From Dutch Envoy

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY, Sept. 7. The Foreign Minister of the Netherlands (Mr ( H. J. de Koster) said today that the prospects for Australia’s primary products were not as “gloomy” as at first thought if Britain joined the Common Market.

Speaking at Sydney Airport before leaving for home, Mr de Koster said that he had recommended to the Australian Government that it maintain close contact with European countries. It should also prepare for discussions on all its main primary exports. Mr de Koster, has been in Australia for four days in an effort “to become better informed on the E.E.C.” He said that he did not consider that the Common Market might become too big, and therefore detrimental to world trade. “However, the complete formation of the E.E.C. will not be completely painless to Australia,” he said. Agricultural products, such as butter and cheese, would

be among those which would suffer, he considered: “In my talks with the Australian Government we agreed that as far as industry is concerned there are no problems,” said Mr de Koster.