Journalists waiting for meeting to end and news conference start; De Jong making statement




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Background: The European Common Market leaders tonight (2 December) had agreed to adopt a joint position by 30 June next year for negotiations with Britain, Norway, Denmark, and Eire on their applications for membership, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mr. Piet de Jong, who presided over the two-day summit meeting of the Market leaders at The Hague, said at a news conference afterwards.

The summit was attended by French President Georges Pompidou and the heads of government of Western Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg.

Mr. de Jong told the news conference that preparatory problems should be solved within the Community in the first six months of 1970 and possibly earlier. The aim would be to start negotiations with applicants immediately afterwards, he said.