Contacts between the Members of the European Economic Community and other member States of the Council of Europe and on European political union

Recommendation 403 (1964)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 5th and 6th November 1964 (13th, 14th and 15th Sittings) (see Doc. 1811, report of the Political Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 6th November 1964 (15th Sitting), as amended.

1. The Assembly,

2. Considering that the European Communities will continue to be the nucleus and driving force of European integration;

A

3. Reaffirming that one of its main objectives remains the extension both of the geographical area and of the competencies of the European Communities;

4. Noting the obstacles which make it difficult to achieve such extension and furthermore the unfortunate resurgence of political and economic nationalism in Europe and elsewhere;

5. Considering that, so long as these obstacles remain, it is indispensable that the contacts between EEC, EFTA and the other countries of free Europe should continue and that all measures should be taken to prevent present divisions from becoming wider;

B

6. Noting that the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is preparing, following contacts with the President of the French Republic, proposals concerning the possible reopening of negotiations on political union, that Mr. Spaak, on 9th and 10th September 1964, made suggestions in the same sense, that the Assembly of Western European Union has declared itself in favour of reactivation, and that Mr. Saragat stated, on 24th September 1964, that the Italian Government is preparing a new project on European integration;

7. Noting with satisfaction that these new moves are in line with Recommendation 390 of the Assembly on European political union,

8. Recommends the Committee of Ministers :

a to hold regular confrontations of the economic positions of the European Economic Community and member States of the Council of Europe which do not belong to EEC; the President of the Commission of EEC and the Chairman of the Ministerial Council of EFTA should be invited to take part in these confrontations;

b to use the Committee of Ministers as an institutional link which would propose all suitable contacts to ensure better political co-ordination between the political union contemplated by the Six and the other Members of the Council of Europe.