E.E.C. bid to form Middle East policy

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32460, 21 November 1970, Page 17

E.E.C. bid to form Middle East policy

(N.Z.P.A:Reuter—Copyright). MUNICH, November 20. The Common Market Foreign Ministers have agreed to try to draw up a common position on four specific aspects of Middle East policy, according to reliable diplomatic sources. This is the main outcome of yesterday’s Munich meeting—their first to co-ordinate their foreign policies, as an initial step towards the political unification of the Six.

The points the Six will examine are freedom of navigation, the creation of demilitarised zones, the status of Jerusalem, and the question of Palestinian refugees. The first three issues had been proposed by the French Foreign Minister (Mr Maurice Schumann), and the fourth was added during yesterday’s discussions.

The political directors of the foreign ministries of the Six will examine the scope for co-ordination at a meeting in Paris in January. A common position by the E.E.C. states, and possibly common action by them, could be prepared by next summer. The outcome of yesterday’s Middle East discussions will be presented to Britain and the other three candidates for E.E.C. membership—the

Irish Republic, Denmark and Norway—at a meeting in Brussels, on December 2. The West German Foreign Minister (Mr Walter Scheel), who presided at yesterday’s top-secret session, told a press conference that it would be difficult for the Six to reach a common position without Britain. But the diplomatic sources say that little is likely to emerge from the December meeting because there would not be time to study the Six’s project in detail. The sources add that it is hoped there will be a common stand by all 10 nations, although the Six would go through with their programme even if Britain did not join them. Other decisions at yesterday’s meeting included agreement in principle to the idea of a European security conference, and a number of technical accords to speed the process of foreign policy consultations. The next meeting on foreign policy, which the Ministers are to hold every six months, has been arranged for the end of May in Paris. The subsequential meetings with the candidates for entry—part of the agreed procedure for each session—will come a week later. The progress made at the Munich meeting surprised even the Ministers themselves, who were unanimous in stressing the importance of the Community speaking with one voice.