The seven states of northern Europe, known as the Oslo Group, on May 16, decided, because of 'world conditions' to abandon the Oslo Convention (signed in 1930 and renewed in 1937). By this agreement, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden had been attempting to use a common policy as a neutral bloc for the lowering of trade barriers, the abolition of exchange restrictions and the revival of international credit. However, it was said to be the intention of the seven governments to resume negotiations for reducing trade barriers as soon as the situation permits. The foreign ministers of four of these states—Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden—met at Oslo in April to discuss their problems of defense, and on May 27, with Iceland, announced their pledge to adopt common rules of neutrality in case of war between other powers. Earlier, in January, an economic union of Belgium, Estonia and Luxembourg for commercial relations and transfers was announced. At the meeting in Copenhagen July 23-24 the determination of these seven states 'never to participate in any conflict between great powers,' was declared, as well as their view that by the League Covenant, under which they must continue to act, each state is free to decide whether or not to take part in sanctions, and their readiness for active cooperation in reconciling differences, limiting armaments and solving problems raised by air bombing. At an informal meeting on Sept. 11 representatives of the states decided against making a joint declaration in the Assembly of the League of Nations regarding sanctions.
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