Le 11 juillet 1969, le quotidien anglais The Financial Times définit la stratégie à adopter par le gouvernement britannique en vue des négociations d'adhésion du Royaume-Uni à la Communauté économique européenne (CEE).
In March 1969, the Soviet weekly magazine Krokodil portrays the United Kingdom's application for accession to the European Common Market as a marriage of convenience and sees it as a political calculation on the part of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in order to secure access to the British nuclear arsenal.
‘One less obstacle, but not the end of the road.' For the cartoonist Fritz Behrendt, a multitude of problems awaits the British Prime Minster, Harold Wilson, before the UK can accede to the European Communities, despite the exit of General de Gaulle from the political stage.
In his editorial of 8 July 1969, Emanuele Gazzo, Editor-in-Chief of Agence Europe, welcomes the prospect of accession negotiations between the Six and the United Kingdom in spite of political and technical difficulties.
On 19 September 1969, Johannes Linthorst Homan, Head of the London Office of the European Commission’s Permanent Representation, sends to Jean Rey, President of the European Commission, a confidential report setting out the attitude of the press and of British political circles to the possible accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities.
On 1 October 1969, Michael Stewart, British Foreign Secretary, calls for UK accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) at the Labour Party’s Annual Congress in Brighton.
On 3 December 1969, the British cartoonist, Michael Cummings, outlines the inflexibility of the stance taken by France regarding the issue of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities, despite efforts made by successive Prime Ministers, Harold Macmillan and Harold Wilson, to comply with France’s wishes.
On 3 February 1970, the Luxembourg Ambassador to London writes to Gaston Thorn, Luxembourg Foreign Minister, outlining the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) report on the economic implications of the United Kingdom's possible membership of the European Economic Community.
In a speech to British MPs on 10 February 1970, British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, presents a White Paper giving a point by point analysis of the likely consequences of British accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 7 February 1970, in Brussels, the Six agree to complete the common agricultural market. This decision enables the opening of accession negotiations with the United Kindgom to be envisaged.
On 4 and 5 July 1970, German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung examines the possible advantages and disadvantages for Great Britain of joining the European Economic Community (EEC).
In a letter addressed to British Foreign Minister, Alexander Douglas-Home, Christopher Soames, British Ambassador to France, states that it is in the interests of the British Government not to appear excessively enthusiastic during negotiations on United Kingdom accession.
On 28 October 1970, Georges Berthoin, Head of the Delegation of the European Communities in London, gives a detailed account of the state of progress of the negotiations for the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities.
On 9 November 1970, Georges Berthoin, Head of the Delegation of the European Communities to London, drafts a record of the meeting in Paris between Geoffrey Rippon, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Head of the British Delegation for the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities, and Maurice Schumann, French Foreign Minister, and makes a detailed analysis of the progress achieved in the accession negotiations.
On 10 December 1970, Geoffrey Rippon, head of the British Delegation on the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC), informs the House of Commons of the progress of accession negotiations with the Six.
On 13 January 1971, German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung paints a picture of the opponents of the common market in Great Britain and considers the main grievances of the 'anti-marketeers' in terms of the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 2 February 1971, Geoffrey Rippon, Head of the British delegation to the negotiations for the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities, comes to Brussels to meet Maurice Schumann at the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Six.
In February 1971, the United Kingdom falls prey to several instances of social unrest. The country suffers 'Teething troubles', and is slowed in its progress towards joining the European Economic Community.
In February 1971, Georges Berthoin, Head of the Delegation of the European Communities in the United Kingdom, writes a note to Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the European Commission, in which he outlines the issues at stake in the forthcoming visit of the Commission President to London.
In the summer of 1971, the Edward Heath Government conducts a vigorous propaganda campaign in the UK in support of accession to the Common Market. The campaign commences following the talks held at the Élysée Palace between the British Prime Minister and the French President, Georges Pompidou.
On 5 June 1971, during an address given in Central Hall, Westminster, Renee Short, Conservative MP for Wolverhampton, speaks out against the European Common Market.
On 17 June 1971, the Council of the British National Farmers' Union passes a resolution calling for the British Government to obtain sufficient guarantees on agricultural matters during negotiations on the entry of the United Kingdom into the common market.
On 18 June 1971, President of the British National Farmers' Union, Henry Plumb, writes a letter to British Agriculture Minister, James Prior, requesting more precise information on the progress of negotiations on the United Kingdom’s accession to the European common market.
On 18 June 1971, the French conservative newspaper Le Figaro publishes comments made by the British Labour MP, Maurice Edelman, highlighting the role of both politicians and public opinion in the debate concerning the United Kingdom’s accession to the Common Market.
On 23 June 1971, at the end of two days of talks in Luxembourg, the diplomatic delegation from Britain and representatives of the Six reach a provisional agreement on the conditions for the United Kingdom's accession to the European common market.
On 23 June 1971, a provisional agreement is concluded between the Six and UK leaders on the conditions for UK accession to the European common market. This white paper, presented by the British Government to the House of Commons one month later analyses the outcome of these negotiations.
In July 1971, the British National Farmers' Union analyses the advantages and disadvantages for rural Britain of joining the European Economic Community (EEC).
In 1971, the British pressure group Common Market Safeguards Campaign publishes a booklet in which it identifies the negative economic and political impact of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities.
Le 8 juillet 1971, le comité exécutif du Parti travailliste anglais réagit au Livre blanc publié par le gouvernement conservateur d'Edward Heath sur la politique européenne du Royaume-Uni et se déclare opposé à l'adhésion du pays aux Communautés européennes.
On 8 July 1971, James Prior, British Agriculture Minister, sends a letter to Henry Plumb, President of the British National Farmers' Union in which he highlights the efforts made by the British Government to obtain an agreement on accession to the European common market which satisfies the agricultural sector.
On 21 July 1971, addressing the House of Commons, Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, discusses the progress of and the issues involved in the negotiations being held in Brussels on the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 26 July 1971, the British left-of-centre newspaper The Guardian considers whether the maintenance of national sovereignty and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) are compatible.
‘Acrobat Wilson’. In 1971, the cartoonist Geisen illustrates the turnaround made by Harold Wilson, leader of the Labour Party, who, after having been one of the main supporters of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities in 1967, then opposes the country’s participation in the European Economic Community (EEC) under the terms negotiated by the Conservative government of his successor, Edward Heath.
In October 1971, the issue of the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) divides the leaders of the British Labour Party 'Wilson and his deputy, Jenkins'. The opinions of pro-European, Roy Jenkins, and former Prime Minister, Harold Wilson differ on the best way forward for the United Kingdom.
On 17 March 1972, in a speech delivered at the annual meeting of the Christian Socialist Movement in London, Labour MP, Tony Benn, criticises the stance adopted by the British Government towards the UK's accession to the European common market, and calls for a national referendum on the subject.
Le départ du général de Gaulle de la présidence de la République française ouvre la voie à l'entrée du Royaume-Uni dans la Communauté européenne. Dans ses Mémoires, Edward Heath, Premier ministre britannique de 1970 à 1974, se souvient de ses voyages en France au début des années 1970 pour convaincre le Président Pompidou de la nécessité de l'adhésion de son pays au Marché commun européen.
In February 1973, the Moscow-based satirical newspaper Krokodil portrays the British Conservative Party manipulating the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) 'to turn the common market into a political and military arm of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)'.
In this interview, Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb, Belgian Foreign Minister from 1980 to 1981, discusses Britain’s accession to the European Communities in 1973, emphasising his own attitude before this first enlargement.
In this interview, Georges Berthoin, Head of the Delegation of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), then of the Commission of the European Communities to the United Kingdom until 1973, describes the issues dominating negotiations for the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities from 1970 to 1972 and the course of those negotiations.
In this interview, Edmund Wellenstein, Head of the European Commission delegation for negotiations on enlargement of the European Communities from 1970 to 1973, describes the circumstances surrounding his appointment to this post before going on to explain the position taken by the Commission during the accession negotiations with Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom.
On 24 January 1970, on his return from a visit to London, the French Foreign Minister, Maurice Schumann, is interviewed by journalists on the issue of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Community.
On 12 February 1970, French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the main points in the first white paper published by the British Government on the possible implications for the United Kingdom of its accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 5 May 1971, French daily newspaper Le Monde publishes a non-editorial comment by Jean-Marcel Jeanneney, former ambassador and minister under General de Gaulle and Georges Pompidou, in which he expands upon the three reasons that lead him to oppose the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 24 June 1971, in reply to questions from journalists, the French President, Georges Pompidou, offers his vision of the future of Europe and speculates on the political implications of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities.
Le 24 juin 1971, le quotidien communiste français L'Humanité s'interroge sur les conséquences de l'adhésion du Royaume-Uni à la Communauté économique européenne (CEE).
In its issue of September and October 1971, the federalist journal L’Europe en formation analyses the repercussions of the accession of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark and Norway to the European Communities on the operation of the common agricultural policy (CAP).
On 21 April 1972, with talks in progress on the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities, French President, Georges Pompidou, publicly defends France's European policy and reaffirms the importance of British accession to the EEC.
On 8 April 1972, commenting on the French referendum on the ratification of the Treaty on the accession to the European Communities of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark and Norway, to be held on 23 April, the RTL editorial team in Paris ponders on the implications of the proposals put forward by Sicco Mansholt, President of the European Commission, for a fundamental reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).
On 18 June 1971, Lord Donald Stokes, Chairman of British Leyland, the largest British car manufacturer, puts the case for the United Kingdom's accession to the European common market in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
On 19 July 1971, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera examines the economic and political consequences for the United Kingdom of its accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
In July 1971, Francesco Gozzano, Director of International Politics for the newspaper Avanti!, assesses the road travelled by the United Kingdom since its first application for accession to the European Communities and reports on the state of negotiations.
‘Mooring manœuvre.’ On 7 April 1971, in the light of the reluctant attitude of Georges Pompidou, President of the French Republic, German cartoonist Ernst Maria Lang illustrates the role of mediator played by German Chancellor Willy Brandt, who offers his help to British Prime Minister Edward Heath to anchor the United Kingdom to the European Communities.
On 23 June 1971, Walter Scheel, German Foreign Minister, welcomes the positive conclusion of the negotiations on the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 24 June 1971, the day after an agreement in principle was reached on the conditions for British membership of the European Common Market, German Chancellor Willy Brandt delivers a speech to the Bundestag in which he welcomes the historic significance of the first enlargement of the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 24 June 1971, Walter Scheel, West German Foreign Minister, gives an interview to the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau in which he comments on the conclusion of the negotiations on the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities.
Le 26 juin 1971, l'hebdomadaire allemand Die Zeit commente l'issue positive des négociations d'adhésion du Royaume-Uni à la Communauté économique européenne (CEE).
In this interview, Egon Bahr, former Head of the Policy Planning Staff in the German Federal Foreign Office under Willy Brandt, discusses the German Foreign Minister's support for the United Kingdom's application to join the European Communities.
Le 23 juin 1971, le quotidien La Libre Belgique analyse le succès des négociations d'adhésion du Royaume-Uni à la Communauté économique européenne (CEE).
On 24 June 1971, the day after the successful conclusion of the negotiations for the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities, the Belgian economic daily newspaper L’Écho de la Bourse speculates on the new challenges of the enlarged Europe.
Le 24 juin 1971, après le succès des négociations d'adhésion britannique, le quotidien socialiste belge Le Peuple s'interroge sur le futur visage de l'Europe élargie.
Le 24 juin 1971, le quotidien La Libre Belgique commente l'ancrage du Royaume-Uni à l'Europe communautaire et évoque les enjeux du processus d'élargissement européen.
‘Separated from the continent only by issues relating to the agricultural market …’ In July 1970, the cartoonist of the German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, Peter Leger, puts forward agriculture as the main obstacle to the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 17 October 1970, the French daily newspaper Le Monde leads with the difficulty facing the European Economic Community (EEC) in making an accurate estimate of the financial cost of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Common Market.
Le 16 décembre 1970, la délégation du Royaume-Uni remet à la délégation des Six un ensemble de contrepropositions sur le financement du budget communautaire et sur le régime des ressources propres.
On 16 December 1970, Geoffrey Rippon, head of the British delegation for the negotiations on the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Economic Community, informs the House of Commons of the state of progress of talks concerning the United Kingdom’s financial contribution to the Community budget.
In March 1971, during negotiations on the enlargement of the European Community, the Swiss monthly economic publication Vision speculates on the financial repercussions of the United Kingdom’s accession on the Community budget and on the United Kingdom’s own economy.
In this interview, Edmund P. Wellenstein, former head of the European Commission delegation for the negotiations on the enlargement of the European Communities, looks back at the period when the United Kingdom was negotiating its accession to the Communities and contesting the sum that it would contribute to the financing of the Community budget.
On 10 May 1971, German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung highlights the importance the meeting, in Paris, between Edward Heath and Georges Pompidou, for the future of negotiations on British accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
‘Bonjour, Monsieur Heath, we meet at last!’ In May 1971, the first meeting takes place between the British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, and the French President, Georges Pompidou, on the issue of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Common Market and seems to mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation.
In an interview on 17 May 1971 with the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), French President, Georges Pompidou, gives his opinion on France’s Foreign Policy and on how negotiations on the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) are progressing.
In his radio broadcast of 20 May 1971, journalist, Jean Ferniot, examines the scope of the meeting, on 20 and 21 May 1971 in Paris, between French President, George Pompidou, and British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, to discuss the United Kingdom's accession to the European common market.
Meeting, on 20 and 21 May 1971 in Paris, between French President, George Pompidou, and British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, to discuss the United Kingdom's accession to the European common market.
On 21 May 1971, during a visit to Paris by the British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, the French President, Georges Pompidou, emphasises the importance of the future accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC).
En visite à Paris le 21 mai 1971, Edward Heath, Premier ministre britannique, dresse le bilan de ses conversations avec le Président français Georges Pompidou et se félicite de la bonne entente qui règne entre les deux pays.
Published after the meeting between French President Georges Pompidou and the British Prime Minister Edward Heath, this final communiqué highlights the convergence of French and British points of view on the issue of enlargement of the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 22 May 1971, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, welcomes the success of the Paris meeting between Edward Heath and George Pompidou, as it enables many problems related to Britain's accession to the European common market to be solved.
On 24 May 1971, British MPs debate the outcome of the meeting, held three days earlier in Paris, between the British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, and the French President, Georges Pompidou. They also consider the future of negotiations concerning the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 23 and 24 May 1971, French daily newspaper Le Monde welcomes the successful meeting, in Paris, between British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, and French President, Georges Pompidou.
On 24 May 1971, German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung welcomes the understanding that exists between British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, and French President, Georges Pompidou, which provides the necessary impetus for the removal of several obstacles to the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
In June 1971, the weekly publication 30 jours d'Europe summarises the main outcomes of the meeting, held in Paris one month earlier, between British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, and French President, Georges Pompidou.
On 26 October 1967, at a dinner given by the Lord Mayor of London for the City’s bankers and businessmen, James Callaghan, Chancellor of the Exchequer, outlines the role of the pound sterling in international trade.
Le 27 octobre 1967, soit un mois avant le second véto français à l'ouverture de négociations pour l'adhésion du Royaume-Uni aux Communautés européennes, Georges Berthoin, haut-représentant adjoint de la Commission européenne à Londres, adresse à Jean Rey, président de la Commission, une note dans laquelle il détaille notamment la position du gouvernement travailliste en matière de politique monétaire.
On 2 November 1967, addressing the House of Commons in London, the British Foreign Secretary Lord George Brown sets out the objections put forward by the French Government to the introduction of the British pound into the Community's economy
Le 16 juillet 1969, le Belge Robert Triffin, spécialiste des questions monétaires auprès du Comité d'action pour les États-Unis d'Europe, publie un rapport sur les implications monétaires de l'adhésion du Royaume-Uni aux Communautés européennes.
Le 16 juillet 1969, Guido Carli, gouverneur de la Banque d'Italie, présente un rapport dans lequel il analyse les problèmes de l'adhésion du Royaume-Uni au marché commun en ce qui concerne les questions monétaires.
In September 1969, a secret note from the European Commission analyses the United Kingdom’s monetary policy and lists the financial issues to be resolved before any UK accession to the Common Market might be envisaged.
On 1 April 1971, during negotiations held in Brussels on the accession of the United Kingdom to the European common market, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera examines the future role of the pound sterling within the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 10 May 1971, the ad hoc working party established five weeks earlier by the Council publishes a detailed report on the implications of UK accession to the European Community for the status of the pound sterling.
On 21 May 1971, in its coverage of the negotiations on the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC), French daily newspaper Le Monde analyses the international role of the pound sterling.
En juin 1971, Geoffrey Rippon, chef de la délégation britannique pour les négociations d'adhésion à la Communauté économique européenne (CEE), adresse à Gaston Thorn, ministre luxembourgeois des Affaires étrangères, une lettre dans laquelle il souligne les efforts réalisés par le gouvernement de Londres en matière monétaire pour satisfaire aux conditions d'adhésion.
On 9 June 1971, before the House of Commons, Geoffrey Rippon, Head of the British Delegation during the negotiations for accession to the European Economic Community (EEC), welcomes the progress made in the talks with the Community authorities.
On 9 June 1971, drawing inspiration from the establishment of Mulberry Harbour (an artificial harbour constructed during the Second World War to bring supplies to the Allied armies after the Normandy landings), New Zealand cartoonist Leslie Gibbard takes an ironic look at the international role of the pound sterling.
On 10 June 1971, addressing the House of Commons, Edward Heath, British Prime Minister, sets out the United Kingdom’s position on the future of the pound sterling in an enlarged European Community.
Dans ses Mémoires, Edward Heath, ancien Premier ministre britannique, se souvient de l'importance, au cours des négociations d'adhésion, de la question du rôle de la livre britannique dans une Communauté européenne élargie.
On 11 February 1970, in connection with the negotiations for the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Community, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for External Relations draws up a note on the problems arising from the preferential trade relations between the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Addressed to the British diplomat, Robert Armstrong, this handwritten and confidential note proves that the British Government used a secret informer within the German Government to collect information on the stances of Six with regard to importing Commonwealth products and on the British contribution to the financing of the common agricultural policy (CAP).
On 13 May 1970, the Council of the European Communities identifies the significant problems for the United Kingdom’s relations with the Commonwealth countries which would result from its accession to the Common Market.
In May 1970, the West India Committee publishes a booklet in which it outlines the possible impact of the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Common Market on trade in products from the Caribbean.
On 19 February 1971, during the negotiations on the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities, the British weekly political magazine The New Statesman and Nation speculates on the future of trade in sugar from Commonwealth countries and also criticises the common agricultural policy (CAP).
On 14 May 1971, the New Zealand cartoonist, Leslie Gibbard, takes an ironic look at the efforts made by Geoffrey Rippon (left), Head of the British Delegation at the negotiations on the United Kingdom's accession to the European Common Market, to resolve the issue of trade in food products from Commonwealth countries, while Georges Pompidou (right), President of the French Republic, looks on suspiciously.
On 18 May 1971, as negotiations are held for the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Economic Community, New Zealand cartoonist Leslie Gibbard illustrates the difficulties involved in the settlement of the issue of butter from New Zealand. (From left to right: Edward Heath, British Prime Minister; Georges Pompidou, President of the French Republic, and, in the background, John Marshall, New Zealand Prime Minister.)
On 23 June 1971, an internal note from the Commission of the European Communities outlines the results of the latest negotiations with the United Kingdom on the organisation of the common market for dairy products from New Zealand.
From 21 to 24 June 1971, British MPs meet in the House of Commons to debate the issue of the United Kingdom's relations with the countries of the Commonwealth in the event of the UK's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
On 23 June 1971, French daily newspaper Le Figaro comments on the difficult negotiations between the United Kingdom and the Six on the issue of New Zealand dairy products.
On 23 June 1971, the French newspaper Le Monde comments on the outcome of lengthy negotiations between the United Kingdom and the Six on the subject of importing agricultural produce from New Zealand to the European common market.
On 23 June 1971, German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung comments on the agreement signed, on the same day in Luxembourg, by representatives of the Six and of the United Kingdom. This agreement resolved the issue of New Zealand butter being exported to the United Kingdom following the accession of the latter to the European common market.
On 7 June 1971, in its coverage of the negotiations on the United Kingdom's accession to the European Common Market, the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel considers the issue of the export of New Zealand butter to the United Kingdom.
In June 1974, in its coverage of the negotiations on the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community (EEC), the monthly publication 30 jours d'Europe examines the economic weight of the Commonwealth in relation to the United Kingdom.
In a letter sent to the editor-in-chief of the left-of-centre British newspaper The Guardian in June 1975, the British Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Fred Peart, defends the agreements concluded between the Six, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth countries relating to the sugar trade within the European common market.
On 19 June 1978, German weekly Der Spiegel describes the ongoing discussions between the European Economic Community (EEC) and Australia on the issue of imports of Australian agricultural produce into the European market.