The Assembly,
Recalling its Resolution101, in which it welcomed the study by the O.E.E.C. of the possibility ofsetting up a free trade area around the proposed customs union of the Six, andexpressed the hope that as many Member States of the Council of Europe aspossible might join such a free trade area if they were not able to join theproposed Customs Union ;
Noting the expressed wish of the UnitedKingdom Government that such a free trade area should exclude, as far as theUnited Kingdom is concerned, foodstuffs, feeding stuffs, drinks and tobacco ;
Noting the important part played by these commodities inintra-European trade and their particular significance in the economy ofcertain member countries of the O.E.E.C. ;
Believing that thetotal exclusion of this sector of trade might, consequently, create a seriousobstacle to the participation of some Member States in the free trade area andtherefore to the success of the proposal as a whole;
Fullyconscious of the imperative need for the United Kingdom to maintain itseconomic links with Commonwealth countries,
Recommends that theCommittee of Ministers consider ways by which the development of freer tradebetween European countries can proceed on lines which enable member countriesto participate on a basis of reciprocal advantages for all sectors of theireconomies, and, in particular, to examine ways by which agricultural exportingcountries can look forward to an expansion of their markets in thefood-importing countries ; and
Invites the Committee of Ministersto report to the Assembly at the next session of the Assembly as to what actionit has been able to take on this Recommendation.