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(11)
CONFIDENTIAL
that independent Commonwealth countries in Africa should
be offered the choice of either Association with the
enlarged Community on terms no less favourable than
the existing independent Associates or limited
association on the Nigerian pattern or trade agreements.
2015. We shall however need something more precise than this as a
negotiating position, since the Yaoundé Convention, the parallel
arrangements for dependent territories, and the EEC/Nigeria
Agreement all expire on 31 May 1969, and before that date
year before in the case f the Yaoundé Convention and the EEC/
Nigeria Agreement negotiations must begin on the renewal of the
-
arrangements. It is clearly desirable that not only should
Commonwealth countries who are eligible for association, have the
benefit of the post · 1969 arrangements, but that we and the
ww
independent Commonwealth countries should have the opportunity to
influence the form of the new arrangements by participating in
the now arrangemente, negotiations leading to thom.
21.20.
We should therefore tell the Six that we hope that
negotiations for British membership will be concluded successfully
before June 1968, so that Britain and those Commonwealth countries
in Africa and the Caribbeans who choose Association may participate
in the negotiations for the renewal of the present association
arrangements; but that if the time table for the negotiations with
Britain should slip, we would hope that the Six and the existing
Associates would agree to prolong the existing Association
arrangements as they stand for a reasonable period to enable
Britain and the Commonwealth associates to participate in the
negotiations for their renewal after the successful conclusion of
our own negotiations.
CONFIDENTIAL
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