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SCANDINAVIAN DOCUMENTS

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_ IN COMMON ,

Doc. A/1968. Press release from the Nordic Foreign Ministers' meeting in Oslo, 25-26 April, 1968. The Nordic Foreign Ministers held their regular Spring meeting in Oslo 25-26 April, 1968. The Foreign Ministers discussed the international situation, including developments in Europe and existing possibilities for continued relaxa- tion of tension. They Expressed the hope that the contacts between Hanoi and Wash- ington would lead to peace negotiations in the near future. They agreed that the Nordic countries should participate actively in the reconstruc- tion work which will have to take place in Vietnam when hostitilities have ceased. This question is being studied by an inter-Nordic working group, which presented a preliminary report to the Foreign Ministers. The Ministers also discussed the report from the Eighteen Nations' Disarmament Committee presenting and American/Soviet joint draft treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Ministers stres- sed the great importance of a treaty being concluded without further delay and with the largest possible adherence. A nonproliferation treaty would be an important contribution to international security and relaxa- tion of tension. Such a treaty should as soon as possible be followed up by an agreement on a complete nuclear test ban and by other disarma- ment measures. Concerning the Middle East conflict, the Ministers stressed that the parties should support Ambassador Jarring's mission with the view to reaching constructive results. The Ministers felt that should a new de- mand for UN forces in the area arise, the Nordic countries should par- ticipate. Among other questions discussed were delevopments in Southern Af- rica and the situation in Greece. The Ministers received an interim report 88 on the application brought before the European Commission on Human Rights against Greece. The Foreign Ministers expressed their expectation that further con- sideration of the important questions dealt with at the Second UNCTAD conference, would lead to rapid and specific measures in the near future. They felt that thorough discussions should take place within the Trade and Development Board and at the forthcoming session of the UN Ge- neral Assembly, concerning means to accellerate the realisation of the objectives on which there is, in principle, broad agreement. On behalf of their governments, the Ministers supported 's candidacy to the Security Council at the elections during the 23rd session of the General Assembly of the UN. Support was also given to Nor- way's candidacy to the Economic and Social Council. The Ministers agreed that the Nordic countries should continue to cooperate towards a speedy abolition of visa regulations. The Nordic committe of experts will continue its work on this matter. The meeting was attended by: Acting Foreign Minister, the Prime Mi- nister of , Mr. Hilmar Baunsgaard, the Foreign Minister of Fin- land, Mr. Athi Karjalainen, the Foreign Minister of , Mr. Jons- son, the Foreign Minister of Norway, Mr. John Lyng and the Foreign Minister of , Mr. Torsten Nilsson. At the invitation of the Swedish Foreign Minister, the next Nordic Foreign Ministers' meeting will take place in Stockholm 3-4 September, 1968. Oslo, 26 April, 1968.

Doc. B/1968. Communique from the Meeting of the Nordic Prime Ministers in Copenhagen April 22.-23. 1968. The Nordic Prime Ministers discussed at their meeting in Copenhagen April 22-23, 1968 the following questions on the basis of recommenda- tion no. 21/28 of the : Relations to the EEC EFTA-cooperation Nordic economic cooperation. The discussions led to the following conclusions: Relations to the EEC. The Nordic countries all strive towards the cre- ation of a wide European market. Denmark and Norway have applied for membership of the European Communities. Sweden has applied for negotiations concerning participation in an extension of the communities in a way which is compatible with her policy of neutrality; the possibility , of membership is not excluded. These applications stand. Finland's atti-