Israel Studying Report of French Position on Preferential Euromart Affiliation

A report from Brussels that France had no objection to a preferential trade agreement for Israel with the European Common Market if the other five Euromart members would give similar favorable consideration to applications from Arab countries was under intensive study today in the Israel Foreign Ministry.

(French Foreign Minister Maurice Schumann told his five colleagues at the Brussels meeting that preferential treatment for Israel would be a political decision and could be envisaged only within the framework of similar cooperation with other Mideast countries.)

Sources here said that the report marked the first time France had expressed readiness-even if conditional–for the principle of Euromart preferential treatment for Israel. They added that it was not clear to what extent the parallel approach to the Arab countries would bring about complications and delays in a specific agreement. They pointed out that Israel has never opposed applications from other Mideast countries seeking association with Euromart but has objected to this being made a condition for consideration of Israel’s application.

Foreign Minister Abba Eban instructed Israeli representatives to pursue the matter further with representatives of those countries which support Israel’s application. He met with senior officials at the Foreign Ministry to summarize results of a meeting he held last week in Zurich with Israel envoys in Western European countries. Extensive discussions took place on Israel’s long-standing and hitherto fruitless efforts for a durable association with Euromart. It was noted with satisfaction, however, that the stand of the five countries in supporting Israel’s bid had been stronger than previously. It was suggested that this might have a salutary effect on France’s position.