A discussion on Israel’s application for associate status with the European Common Market by the Council of Ministers, the policy-making body for Euromart. has ended in disagreement and another plan for further study of the application.
Holland, Belgium, West Germany and Luxemburg want negotiations to be opened immediately with Israel for a preferential agreement. But objections were raised by Foreign Minister Amintore Fanfani of Italy, who stressed that while Italy had agreed to negotiate with Israel, he did not feel that the
European Economic Community, the Euromart organization, could do so before agreement was reached on Britain’s application for Euromart membership. The French position remained unchanged. For political reasons stemming from the Six-Day War, France currently opposes any agreement between the EEC and Israel.
A special EEC commission has recommended associate status for Israel, but because of the differences that have arisen it has been decided that the commission should “continue its studies” on the matter. Joseph Luns, the Dutch Foreign Minister, cited the stalemate over Israel as a reason for his objection to the opening of EEC talks with Algeria.
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