The EEC and the Lomé Convention: a Weakening of the National Approach

Abstract

The basis of the UK’s membership of the EEC and the provisions surrounding the safeguarding of certain banana producers can be traced back to the Treaty of Rome of 1957. The negotiations leading to the signing of the Treaty were influenced by disagreements over the banana issue, an illustration of how important the issue has been in shaping international political outcomes. There was a fundamental divergence of approach between those member states, such as West Germany, who intended to maintain their imports of bananas from Latin American sources, and those such as France, who demanded preferential access for their dependent territories, and traditional suppliers. A solution was only found after discussions between West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and French President Charles de Gaulle, whereby national controls were retained.