But the disputes over the universality of human rights and the right to development have prevented further agreement.
The highway beautification amendments were not part of the controversy preventing agreement by the Conferees.
The absence of Japan (a very significant naval power) prevented agreement on a ceiling on the numbers of warships.
But the House's call for a wholesale reopening will only hold out false hopes and prevent agreement to voluntary return.
Their fragmented condition has even prevented agreement about how many Orthodox Americans there are: estimates range from 1.25 million to 5 million.
John R. Bolton, the United States under secretary of state for arms control, said, "there were big differences that prevented agreement."
The final obstacles preventing agreement were removed by the Conciliation Committee on 18 February.
Some members would like to see a strong UN, while others oppose such aims; it is precisely this that prevents agreement.
The Commission has nevertheless accepted recital 16b to avoid preventing agreement at first reading.
In my opinion, the differences between Parliament and the Council are not so great as to prevent progress or agreement in the relatively near future.