TNAG-0045-FCO40-81-Britain-s-entry-into-EEC-effect-on-trade-with-Hong-Kong-1967 — Page 105

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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

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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

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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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