Free circulation of educational materials

Recommendation 308 (1962)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 16th January 1962 (21st Sitting) (see Doc. 1386, Report of the Legal Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 16th January 1962 (21st Sitting).

The Assembly,

Considering that it is desirable to facilitate to the maximum extent possible the free circulation of educational and cultural materials including their temporary importation into member countries for the purpose of exhibitions, conferences, lectures and similar manifestations ;

Considering the "Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials" concluded under the auspices of UNESCO and opened for signature in New York on 22nd November 1950, which has now been ratified by 33 States, including 11 member States of the Council of Europe ;

Considering, however, that the administrative formalities required by the Customs' administrations of member States are still such as to impede seriously the temporary importation of educational and cultural materials for the purposes mentioned above ;

Considering that, in order to remedy this situation, the Customs Co-operation Council, in consultation with the Economic Commission for Europe of the UN and UNESCO, has elaborated three further conventions, namely :

a Customs Convention concerning facilities for the importation of goods for display or use at exhibitions, fairs, meetings or similar events, of 8th June 1961 ;

b Customs Convention on the temporary importation of professional equipment, also of 8th June 1961 ;

c Customs Convention on the ATA Carnet for the temporary admission of goods,

Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

1 should, in accordance with Article 15 (b) of the Statute, recommend member Governments to sign and ratify the three conventions mentioned above relating to the temporary importation of educational and cultural materials, and subsequently ensure that they are applied with the minimum of administrative formalities ;

2 should instruct the Council for Cultural Co-operation to examine, by means of an ad hoc working party or otherwise, and in association with UNESCO and the, Customs Co-operation Council, the way in which the UNESCO Convention of 22nd November 1950 is applied as between member States of the Council of Europe and consider and make recommendations as to any improvements which might be made.