Reference of European draft Conventions to the Assembly before they are opened for signature by the Committee of Ministers

Recommendation 721 (1973)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

See Doc. 3337, report of the Legal Affairs Committee. Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 13 December 1973.

The Assembly,

1. Considering the increasing number of European conventions drawn up within the framework of the Council of Europe ;

2. Considering that national parliaments, which must approve a European convention before its ratification may take place, can only approve or reject the convention, and have no power to amend it ;

3. Convinced of the need to secure a parliamentary contribution towards the drawing up of European conventions, and desirous to take an active part in this important legislative activity of the Council of Europe ;

4. Considering that it is representative of the parliaments of Council of Europe member States ;

5. Considering that the Committee of Ministers has consulted it on several occasions in the past by submitting draft European conventions to it for an opinion,

6. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers consult the Assembly on any legal instruments of the Council of Europe, and in particular on new draft European conventions, before finally approving them and opening them for signature by member States.