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Portugal's European Integration Policy, 1947-72 31
III. Portugal’s Application for Associate Membership, 1961-63
On 11 August 1961, less than two years later, the powerhouse behind EFTA, Britain,
applied for entry to the European Economic Community. Previously, Portugal's Trade
minister Corrêa d’Oliveira had informed the other EFTA members that Portugal would
not be seeking EEC membership because the “multi-continental” structure of Portugal
and the national “guidelines” behind the constitution and the administration made it
“difficult” for the country to enter a supranational organisation. In economic terms,
Oliveira considered that even if the favourable EFTA concessions were maintained, the
policy of EEC social harmonisation would have more negative effects on the domestic
economy than remaining outside the customs union. Despite these objections, Oliveira
accepted that a “realistic solution” between Portugal and the EEC needed to be negotiated
and that the Portuguese government would be prepared to compromise on common
tariffs, specific harmonisation policies and the acceptance of majority decisions in
areas where “national interest and (sovereign) rights” were not involved. 24
By June 1962, Portugal being the last EFTA member to request negotiations with
the EEC, the Portuguese government had radically changed its attitude. Having reached
the conclusion that a trade agreement under Article 111 of the Treaty of Rome, “would
not adequately protect Portuguese interests”, the Portuguese Cabinet had decided to negotiate
for association with the EEC under Article 238 with a view to full membership,
after a transition period that could go up to fifteen years. 25 Worried that the EEC would
have difficulties in negotiating successfully with Portugal, due to the authoritarian nature
of its government and its colonial policy, Corrêa d’Oliveira informed Lord Privy
Seal Edward Heath, responsible for the British negotiations with the Community, that
the 1961 Greek Association Agreement “would offer a suitable basis [for negotiation],
but Portugal would be asking less”, and in particular would not be seeking any financial
aid. 26 More important, the Portuguese government was willing to accept that the association
agreement would cover only mainland territory during the transition period, after
which the initial exclusion of Portugal's Overseas territories would be reviewed. During
24. ANTT, AOS/CO/EC-30, Pt. 2, Portuguese memorandum to EFTA delegations, 5 June 1961, pp.38-42.
25. PRO, FO 371/164716, Sir Robin Barclay, head of the British delegation to the Brussels Conference,
to British Ambassador to Portugal, Sir Archibald Ross, 27 June 1962. See also PRO, FO 371/
164741, EFTA/C.SR 18/62, 12th Meeting at Ministerial Level, Copenhagen, 21-22 June 1962.
26. PRO, FO 371/164722, FO COMLEE (62) 153, “Record of Conversation with Dr. Corrêa de Oliveira,
Portuguese Minister of State”, 21 October 1962, unsigned. See also, PRO, FO 371/164721,
Sir J. Walker, head of the British delegation to the EFTA ministerial meeting in Oslo, to the British
Embassy to Portugal, telegram of 21 October 1962. Greece was the first country to conclude an
Association Agreement with the Community (Treaty of Athens, July 1961). The agreement made
explicit reference to full membership at a later date.