Bigger E.E.C. opposed

Press, 7 June 1980, Page 8

Bigger E.E.C. opposed

NZPA-Reuter ‘ Paris The French President (Mr Valery Giscard d’Estaing) has come out strongly against new members joining the European Common Market until problems posed by the last admissions are resolved fully. “The Community should give priority to completing the first enlargement before starting on a second,” he told a group of farm leaders in Paris. . , “It doesn’t appear possible

to- augment the problems and uncertainties posed by the first enlargement with those which would be posed by a second group.” Britain, Ireland and Denmark joined the original Six market members in 1973, and Gfeece is due to become the tenth member next year. Spain and Portugal are negotiating membership. European diplomatic sources said the president’s comments appeared aimed at Spain and Portugal, whose

fruit and vegetable farmers would provide stiff competition for the powerful French farm community. The Greek Government said it had been assured that Mr Giscard’s comments were not aimed at it. In Bonn, West Germany has announced projected tax measures to help cover extra E.E.C. payments resulting from last week’s agreement to slash Britain’s contribution to the Community’s budget.

Bonn will have to pay about $1.4 billion more to the Common Market over the next two years as part of the deal worked out by E.E.C. Foreign Ministers in Brussels. In measures which would hit the motorist hardest, the Finance Minister (Mr Hans Matthoefer) announced crude oil tax .increases, to be effective from January 1, 1981. Taxes on spirits would be raised at the same time.