1 Thanks the European Free Trade Association for the transmission of its 3rd annual report ;
2 Notes with satisfaction that intra-EFTA trade has continued to expand, without the 50% tariff reductions reached at the beginning of the year 1963 creating noticeable difficulties, while EFTA's trade with EEC and the rest of the world has also increased ;
3 Impressed by the realistic decisions taken by the EFTA countries after the suspension of the Brussels negotiations between the United Kingdom and the Members of the European Economic Community, welcomes the reaffirmation given by the EFTA Council that it remains the objective of the seven countries to seek agreement with the European Economic Community and other European countries on the creation of a single united European market ;
4 Welcomes the decisions taken by EFTA in Lisbon as evidence of their determination, pending such an agreement, to go forward with the integration of their economies by eliminating not only tariffs and quotas but also other artificial trade barriers with a view to ensuring fair competition, a fair balance of advantages to all EFTA countries and a harmonious development of the area as a whole ;
5 Believes that the problems connected with agricultural trade and production within the area, as well as those resulting from existing disparities in levels of economic development in different EFTA countries, will require constructive solutions if integration within EFTA is to proceed smoothly, and hopes the seven Governments will give proof of imagination and solidarity in the annual review of trade in agriculture and in the work of the Economic Development Committee ;
6 Believes that it is urgently necessary to explore ways and means of promoting the economic integration of member countries of the Council of Europe in the present situation ;
7 Requests EFTA to do all in its power to make the aims and activities of the Association better known to the general public ;
8 Invites the EFTA Governments, in proceeding with their integration policies, wherever possible and useful to take into consideration parallel developments in the European Economic Community with a view to an eventual future merger with that Community ;
9 Invites the EFTA Governments to avail themselves of the possibilities offered through the Council of Europe, OECD, ECMT and otherwise to continue and expand cooperation in all other fields, in particular with the European Economic Community.
