General development of the situation in Latin America

Recommendation 501 (1967)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 27th September 1967 (12th Sitting) (see Doc. 2274, report of the Political Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 27th September 1967 (12th Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Considering that the future destiny of the Latin-American countries lies in economic and political integration ;

2. Considering that regular progress towards such integration is being made despite some natural qualms on the part of the more highly-developed countries which are apprehensive of the burden that would be imposed on their own economies in the event of integration of the entire continent ;

3. Regarding as essential a more active interest on the part of the European countries in the development of the Latin-American countries with which they are linked by a common civilisation and the fate of which will, directly or indirectly, affect their own ;

4. Realising that such integration represents a historic opportunity, not merely for Latin America, but also for Europe herself, no matter what her other intercontinental commitments ;

5. Desirous of discovering the conditions that would best promote the establishment of a common European policy towards Latin America ;

6. Desirous of establishing permanent contacts between the European intergovernmental organisations and, in particular, the Council of Europe, and any Latin-American institutions engaged in preparing for the political and economic integration of their continent,

7. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

a take all necessary steps to bring about an agreement between the European countries interested in the economic development and social progress of Latin America, with the object of preparing for and ensuring permanent co-operation in the educational, technical, capital equipment and credit fields by means of plans or undertakings valid for a term of years ;

b encourage research into the best means of improving market conditions in order to promote not merely the sale of products but also the development of the economic and social situation of the Latin-American countries ;

c with a view to the above, undertake certain preliminary studies, in cooperation with the Latin-American Governments and with such bodies as the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Latin-American Free Trade Association (LAFTA), the Central American Common Market, the "Andean Group" and the "Cuenca de la Plata".