Britain was today formally refused entry into the European Economic Community. The Foreign Ministers of West Germany, Italy, and the Benelux countries accepted the fact that the French Government was determined to veto the British application for membership.
Whatever may happen all over the world, there was bitter regret in Brussels. The Dutch and Belgians said that the Community would not be the same again, and the Italians said they were deeply disappointed.
Mr Edward Heath, the leader of the British delegation, put his view plainly:
╥We entered these negotiations 16 months ago in good faith and have endeavoured strenuously to reach a successful conclusion. Five countries and the Commission have said publicly that all the remaining problems in the negotiations were capable of solution. I share that view.
╥The five Governments and ourselves all wished to continue the negotiations and bring them to a successful conclusion. The high hopes of so many have thus been thwarted for political reasons at the will of one man. The end of the negotiations is a blow to the cause of that wider European unity for which we have been striving.╙
Among the Germans, Professor Erhard, the Minister for Economic Affairs, was notably moved. From his performance at his press conference here, there can be no doubt of his strong personal feelings. Professor Erhard said he thought the spirit of the Common Market had been broken. In future its life would be much more mechanical. ╥The day will dawn,╙ he said, ╥when all six countries will realise we have made a mistake today.╙
