European general common market

Resolution 101 (1956)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

see Doc. 537, draft Resolution and Explanatory Memoranda presented on behalf of the Committee on Economic Questions, by MM. Hellwig and Jenkins, and, on behalf of the Committee on General Affairs, by M. van der Goes van Naters This Resolution was adopted by the Assembly at its 23rd Sitting, on 23rd October 1956

A - The Assembly hereby :

1. Expresses its conviction that the efficiency, stability and rate of growth of the European economy as well as its ability to assist in the economic and social progress of the under-developed areas both in Europe and overseas, can be effectively improved by the establishment of a common market in Europe;

2. Congratulates the Intergovernmental Committee on its Report and the Governments of the six Messina Powers on their prompt acceptance of the Report as a basis for negotiating a treaty for the establishment of a common market among themselves and urges these Governments to take the steps necessary for the earliest possible implementation of the Report;

3. Welcomes the initiative taken by the Ministerial Council of O.E.E.C. in establishing a Special Working Party to study possible forms of multilateral association between the Customs Union envisaged in the Brussels Report and member countries not taking part therein, and,in particular,the suggestion that the sphere of the common market might be enlarged by including both the Customs Union and also, on a Free Trade Area basis, such other countries as are willing to abolish their trade barriers with the six Messina Powers and with each other, without, however, being prepared to harmonise their foreign trade policy vis-a-vis third countries with that of the Customs Union;

4. Urges the Governments of all Member States of the Council of Europe to use every possible means to inform public opinion in their countries of the purpose and implications of the establishment of a common market in Europe.

B - The Assembly further :

5. Urges that the institutions proposed be set up in such a way that there is no duplication of work with other European institutions ; andthat,in this connection.the Council of Europe and, in particular, the Consultative Assembly should be the liaison organ for the various European bodies ;

6. Expresses its belief that overseas countries having constitutional or special economic links with the States participating in the Brussels negotiations would benefit by belonging to the common market and that provision should be made for their representation or, where appropriate, for the requisite protection of their interests ;

7. Draws the attention of the participating Governments to the special problems arising in the agricultural field ;

8. Draws the attention of the participating Governments to the need for ensuring that the common market will not in time develop a politically, isolationist attitude or turn into a protectionist area to the detriment of European economic and political unity.

C - The Assembly also :

9. Calls upon the Governments of member countries not taking part in the Brussels negotiations to give their earnest consideration to the effects of their non-participation in a European Common Market on their own export prospects ;

10. Urges these Governments no less than those participating in the Brussels negotiations to consider the best ways and means whereby they may as quickly as possible abolish the remaining barriers to trade, payments and migration between all member countries of the Council of Europe;

11. Expresses the hope that as many Member States of the Council of Europe as possible will be able to join either a European Customs Union as proposed by the Brussels Report, or a Free Trade Area built around such a Customs Union, and thus give a new and powerful impetus to the cause of European political unity.

D - The Assembly:

12. Declares itself in favour of the principle of creating a common market which will include agriculture;

13. Considers that, as regards agriculture, the common market should take into consideration its special circumstances and requirements. It should not be conceived as leading to greater disparities between the agricultural production of the different countries. It should, on the contrary, by the creation of a preferential system, by the expansion of markets, by the harmonisation of the conditions of production and by the organisation of markets with a view to their stabilisation, lead to an improvement of the standard of living of the farming population in the participating countries;

14. Considers that the common market should ensure adequate supplies for the population, encourage high-grade production, and reconcile the necessity of ensuring fair prices for producers with the legitimate interests of consumers;

15. Believes in the necessity for the harmonisation of the different legislations now in force;

16. Expresses forcibly the wish that due account will be taken, when establishing the common market, of the equilibrium between economic, social and human factors, which results from the family structure of European agriculture, insofar as their holdings ensure the livelihood of agricultural families ;

17. Considers that permanent contact between the responsible politicians and professional organisations is all the more necessary as the problem of agriculture is of an altogether special order ;

18. Hopes that the countries which establish the common market among themselves will try to bring their point of view nearer that of the countries associated with that market.