6. Our first round of discussions with the Six member countries the Communities about arrangements for entry, between 1961 and 1963, had progressed far towards a successful conclusion when it was terminated by a political decision by the then French Government. The second round was similarly brought to a premature stop. In the third round of discussions, initiated early in 1970, the political will to reach a successful conclusion has been established, and arrangements covering the main problems which would arise from our entry have now been negotiated. The outcome of these negotiations is set out in detail in Part II of this White Paper. The opportunity to join the Communities is open to us: we have now to decide whether to take it.
7. As this White Paper shows, Her Majesty's Government are convinced that our country will be more secure, our ability to maintain peace and promote development in the world greater, our economy stronger, and our industries and people more prosperous, if we join the European Communities than if we remain outside them. The Government are also convinced-and this conviction is shared by the Governments of the present six members of the Communities-that British membership of the Communities will enhance the security and prosperity of Western Europe. The Government are satisfied that the arrangements for our entry agreed in the negotiations will enable us to adjust satisfactorily to our new position as members of the Communities, and thus to reap the full benefits of membership.
8. The Government will therefore seek the approval of Parliament in the autumn for a decision of principle to take up full membership of the Communities on the basis of the arrangements which have been negotiated with them.
Origins of the Communities
9. The European Communities have their origin in the fundamental changes which have taken place in the position of the countries of Western Europe in little more than a generation. In 1945 the main continental powers of Europe emerged from the second of two world wars, in which millions of lives had been lost and enormous material damage done, with their economies strained and distorted to breaking point. It was not just that they had been weakened by war. They had lost or were in process of shedding their imperial links, as former colonies loosened their ties with the mother countries and sought their independence. And they found the world dominated no longer by the great powers of Europe of nineteenth century history, but by new super powers outside the heartlands of Europe, whose military and economic resources none of them could match.
10. The end of the war saw the creation of a new framework of world organisation designed to re-establish the fabric of international co-operation for peace, security and economic collaboration and recovery. The United Nations and all its subsidiary organisations came into being, together with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). In all these one or both of the new super powers played, as was fitting, a large part; and the post-war struggle for reconstruction and
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