asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the up-to-date position regarding the application of Spain and Portugal for membership of the EEC.
Written Answers. - EEC Membership for Spain and Portugal.
332.
The current situation regarding the applications of Spain and Portugal to accede to the European Communities is that the negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily with regular meetings and contacts between applicants and the Community. The present phase of the negotiations is designed to identify the areas where problems may arise. On completion of the "over-view" it will be possible to begin the detailed part of the negotiations aimed at arriving at solutions. It is hoped that this substantive phase of the negotiations can begin in both cases by late summer.
As the Deputy will be aware the negotiations have already reached a certain stage in the case of Portugal and there have been further exchanges on capital movements and agriculture. In the case of Spain there have been exchanges on Customs Union, External Relations, ECSC, Taxation, Capital Movements, Right of Establishment, Transport, Agriculture, Euratom, Financial Question, Social Affairs and Fisheries.