CONFIDENTIAL
is notimmediate likelihood of these territories joining Malaysia,
Brunei has no significant trading interest at stake but it would
be illogical and perhaps administratively inconvenient if she were
treated differently from the adjacent territories of Sabah and
Sarawak. Singapore however has a good deal to lose and it will
be important to establish that the earlier provisional agreement
for Malaysia remains applicable to her.
36.35.
Malta was still a dependent territory in 1962. Our view
was that the best long term solution for her would be association
under Article 238 of the Rome Treaty, but the Six saw difficulty
in the suggestion that she should negotiate for association herself
while still dependent. It was therefore agreed that, as a
transitional solution, a special protocol should be drawn up
providing for the possibility of association at a later date when.
the constitutional position of Malta so permitted. This protocol
might include elements of a customs union.
3736. Now that Malta is independent, there is no need for a
transitional solution of this kind, and Malta could proceed
directly to negotiations with the Community for association under
Article 238. She would thus be in the same position as Cyprus
for whom we also see this as the best solution.
38.37.
Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland We accepted that the
customs union between these territories and South Africa would
rule out Association under Part IV of the Treaty of Rome as a
soluti on for them. It was therefore agreed to adopt a 'Morocco
Protocol' solution the effect of which would be to ensure the
continuation of the present customs regime in the United Kingdom
for exports from these territories. The British Government would
take steps to ensure that exporters in other countries could not
take advantage of these arrangements by sending their goods
through any of the three territories to the United Kingdom.
CONFIDENTIAL
/38.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.