European economic problems
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly Debate on 29th and 30th January 1968 (14th and 15th Sittings) (see Doc. 2318, report of the Economic Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 30th January 1968 (15th Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Aware that the numerous economic problems facing both Europe and the world necessitate an ever closer co-operation between European countries ;
2. Convinced that only such co-operation can eliminate the present gap between the economic prospects of Europe on the one hand and those of the United States on the other ;
3. Believing that it is necessary to seek in all fields solutions which, while profiting from the dynamism of existing European groupings, are the best calculated to achieve this co-operation ;
4. Fully aware that an enlargement of the EEC - whether this takes the form of membership, association, or another specific solution - requires the unanimous agreement of all the Community's existing Members,
5. Recalling its
Resolution 353 in which it called for negotiations to begin with a minimum of delay between the EEC and the applicants for membership of that body ;
6. Taking account of the events that have taken place since the adoption of that Resolution, and of the willingness of the countries involved in this enlargement, with the exception of France, to begin the negotiations with a minimum of delay, as was asked for in that Resolution ;
7. Profoundly regretting the fact that in the event agreement could not be reached amongst the existing Members of the European Communities on starting negotiations with the applicants for membership of the Communities on the basis of Article 237 of the Treaty of Rome ;
8. Conscious nevertheless that the question remains on the Agenda of the Ministerial Council of the Communities,
9. Considers it imperative that the most urgent steps be taken, through all appropriate channels, to find ways and means which will enable the Council of Ministers to agree on the early commencement of negotiations with the candidates whereby the various difficulties which at present stand in the way of full membership on the part of the United Kingdom and the other applicants might be overcome.
