The Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, considering that it is urgently necessary to take all such steps to safeguard the liberties of the. democratic countries of Europe as are consonant with the provisions of the Atlantic Pact, recommends that the Committee of Ministers decide on the immediate appointment of a High Commissioner for Defence of the Council of Europe.
This High Commissioner will be responsible to the Council of Europe for organising the joint defence of the democratic nations.
To this end, he will have the duty of submitting general principles of defence organisation to the Committee of Ministers and Governments of Member States, drawing up programmes of work, co-ordinating the activities of such already existing Committees as it is thought fit to retain, and supervising the implementation of decisions.
Being responsible to the Council of Europe, the High Commissioner for Defence will render account to the competent organs of the Council of the steps he has undertaken, the implementation of measures decided upon, and the progress or current activities.
As an official appointed by the Committee of Ministers with the assent of the Consultative Assembly, the High Commissioner will report on his activities to the Joint Committee whenever the latter meets. Such reports will be referred to in the « Report of the Committee of Ministers » so that the Consultative Assembly may be in a position to discuss them.