The second round in the negotiation of a preferential trade agreement between Israel and the European Common Market countries will take place here Dec. 10-12. There is already a complete agreement on general principles, though positions differ slightly on some details. Israel hopes that the ECC will improve its sales ability in the industrial sector. It also looks for an improvement in the agricultural sector since Western Europe is the natural market for Israeli produce. A number of concessions to be granted to Spain, also a citrus producing country, might be extended to Israel, sources said.
The Israelis are aware however that their requests can pose a delicate problem for the European community which would like to balance concessions to Israel with similar grants to Egypt and Lebanon. The ECC will open exploratory talks with Egypt later this month. An Egyptian spokesman said his country has asked for a preferential agreement and the same has been requested by Lebanon.
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