European political co-operation

Recommendation 277 (1961)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate, on 25th April 1961 (2nd and 3rd Sittings) (see Doc. 1273, Report of the Political Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 26th April 1961 (5th Sitting).

1. The Assembly,

2. Considering that the purpose of the conference of the six Heads of State or of Government in Paris on 10th February 1961 was to try to find appropriate methods for organising closer political co-operation among themselves,

3. Notes that the proposed system of regular consultations on foreign policy among the six Governments is intended as a further step, in addition to economic union, towards their political union;

4. Recalls that it has for a long time keen advocating that as many member States of the Council of Europe as possible should concert their views on important issues of foreign policy and should do their utmost to achieve a common position;

5. Believes that the initiative of the Six ought therefore to be supplemented by consultations within the Council of Europe;

6. And recommends that the Committee of Ministers should take steps to inaugurate such consultations, as already contemplated in their earlier deliberations, in particular in Resolutions (57) 26 and (59) 30;

7. Also expresses the hope that the Conference of the six Heads of State or of Government which is to take place in Bonn in May will result in a decision to amalgamate the executives of the three European Communities.