‘LESS TO WORRY ABOUT’

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32458, 19 November 1970, Page 2

‘LESS TO WORRY ABOUT’

(N.Z.Pt'A. Staff Correspondent) BRUSSELS, Nov. 18. The Belgian Foreign Minister (Mr Pierre Harmel) told New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) yesterday that New Zealand had less to worry about over the British Common Market now than a year ago. He said a solution must be found for New Zealand’s problems, and that the Community knew from the beginning that it would have to conduct negotiations for British entry in a way which did not harm the interests of third countries. “I found New Zealand’s case well understood in Brussels,” said Mr Marshall. "They appreciate the constructive and positive position we are taking.” While not committing themselves at this point, the Belgian ministers indicated that when the negotiations for a specific solution for New Zealand’s problems began, they would bring sympathy and understanding to the finding of a solution. Mr Marshall’s joint meeting with Mr Harmel and the Minister for External Trade (Mr Henri Fayat) lasted for more than an hour. According to informed sources, the Belgians were less concerned with arguing over the facts of New Zealand’s case than officials in some of the other capitals of the Six, and more ready to, accept the idea that some solution must be quickly found.