1 Thanks the Commission of the European Economic Community for the transmission of its 5th General Report ;
2 Welcomes the recent ratification of the Association Agreement between the European Economic Community and Greece ;
3 Agrees with the Commission that the great number of applications for membership in, and association with, the European Economic Community are evidence of the economic and political success of the Community, and stresses the paramount importance for Europe, as a whole, of the speedy and successful conclusion of the negotiations ;
4 Congratulates the Community on reaching agreement on 14th January 1962 to pass to the second stage of the transition period as laid down in the Rome Treaty, as this decision marks an important step forward in realising comprehensive integration not only in trade but in all other economic fields ;
5 Congratulates the Commission and member Governments of the European Economic Community on the effective launching of the common agricultural policy, but notes that proposals on a number of points concerning agriculture have still to be agreed, and hopes that, in the fields of special interest to the applicant States, the Commission will take into account the interests of these countries; in this connection, the Assembly suggests that the member Governments of the European Economic Community should invite the applicant States to send observers to the Conference on Fisheries to be held this autumn :
6 Congratulates the Community on the two acceleration decisions taken with regard to internal tariff cuts and on the abolition of quantitative import restrictions on practically all industrial products ;
7 Notes that intra-Community trade increased by 16% in 1961 compared to 1960, but notes that this progress was slower than the progress registered in 1960, namely 25%, and in 1959, namely 19%, and further notes with some concern that imports from non-member countries only increased by 5% in 1961 as compared with 21% in 1960 ;
8 Notes with satisfaction that, during the period under review, the Council of the European Economic Community agreed to the General Programme for the abolition of restrictions on freedom of establishment and the free supply of services, and wishes the Commission success in the carrying out of the time-table for the introduction of the right of establishment whereby all restrictions on almost all industry and wholesale trade and reinsurance will be abolished by the end of 1963 ;
9 Congratulates the Commission on its active efforts to implement Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty on rules of competition, and considers that further progress in this field becomes all the more important and urgent as the freeing of trade increases ;
10 Notes that the problem of the influence of taxes - indirect as well as direct - on the competitive position of enterprises in the Community is being examined; also notes that the possibility of eliminating export drawbacks and countervailing charges on imports has been investigated, and looks forward with the greatest interest to further developments in this field ;
11 Notes that in 1961 the gross national product in the Community increased by 5.5% as compared with about 7% in 1960, and that simultaneously the price level, which had been relatively stable in 1960, rose in 1961, despite a slow-down in the expansion of global demand and the persisting weakness of raw material prices, and agrees that the Commission should play an important role in promoting a higher degree of co-ordination of economic and financial policies of the member countries ;
12 Notes with interest that, in the field of social policy, the Commission has submitted to the Council proposals on the general principles for a common policy on vocational training, and that the European Social Fund began its real activity in 1961; the Assembly further notes the work which has been done for the gradual introduction (by 31st December 1964) of equal wages for men and women ;
13 Notes that, in the field of the free movement of workers, the Commission has, on the basis of the first implementing Regulation to Articles 48 and 49 of the Treaty, set up the European Co-ordination Office for the clearance of vacancies and applications for jobs ;
14 Expresses its satisfaction that, in accordance with the request made in
Resolution 209 (1961), all the member States of the Council of Europe were invited to participate in the Conference on regional economy which took place in Brussels on 6th-8th December 1961 ;
15 In the field of energy policy agrees with the Commission that the objectives of a common energy policy must be to secure energy supplies at the lowest possible price compatible with the conditions indispensable for security of supply; and calls the attention of the Commission and member Governments of the European Economic Community to the report of the Consultative Assembly on European Energy Problems ;
16 Notes that some progress has been made towards the establishment of a common transport policy and expresses the hope that, in continuing its work on a common transport policy, the Institutions of the Community will, in close co-operation with the European Conference of Ministers of Transport, take into consideration the overall needs and interests of all Members of the Council of Europe ;
17 Notes with particular interest that in the field of road transport the Commission has undertaken studies on the problem of weight and dimensions of vehicles, calls the attention of the Commission to the draft agreement prepared by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport, and recommends its adoption by all member countries of the European Economic Community ;
18 Believes that the conclusion of an agreement on the future system of association between the Overseas States and the Community within an international structure based on full equality is of the greatest importance, and that the prime aim of the association should be to raise the living standard of the peoples in the Overseas States ;
19 Requests the institutions of the Community that, in connection with their work on credit insurance, guarantees and financial credits, they should consider the proposals contained in
Recommendation 222 (1960) and
Recommendation 317 (1962) of the Consultative Assembly, and urges the Commission to continue its work in this field ;
20 Notes with great satisfaction the intention of the Community to play a leading role in the action of the industrialised countries in favour of the less advanced countries; believes that such action should include, not only financial and technical assistance, but also measures to reduce certain tariffs and to remedy the instability on raw materials markets.
