1 Explanatory Memorandum
On 29th May, 1954, the Assembly instructed the Special Committee to watch over the interests of European nations not represented in the Council of Europe to submit its views to the Assembly on the final Report of the Committee on Economic Questions on the common efforts to be made by Western Europe to put its trade with t h e East on a normal basis.
The Special Committee gave careful consideration to this Report on 15th September, 1954.
2 Opinion
The Special Committee is in agreement with the draft Recommendation tabled by the Committee on Economic Questions (Document 290), but desires,to put forward certain additional submissions which, in its view, should be considered in implementing, the views expressed in that draft Recommendation. The following draft Resolution, which is submitted to the Assembly, has been unanimously adopted by the Special Committee.
3 Draft Resolution
1. The Assembly recognises that a relaxation in the present restrictions on East-West trade may result in certain limited advantages to the subject nations of Eastern and Central Europe, in so far as it may lessen the current economic hardships suffered by these people, and may also to some degree modify Soviet efforts to direct the trade of these nations away from its traditional channels and integrate their economies ever more closely within the satellite bloc.
2. It affirms that no action, or endorsement of action, by the Council of Europe in respect of:the development of East-West trade in any way diminishes, runs contrary to, or affects the Council's continuing adherence to the views recently stated in Resolution 47 (1953) in which the Assembly reaffirms the need for the unity of the whole of Europe and looks forward to the day when these nations will again become an integral part of the free European community.
3. The Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers should keep the develop-, ment of East-West trade under close and constant review, and should, in particular, take any steps which may appear necessary and practicable to prevent this trade from directly facilitating, any re-intensification of Communist policies in collectivisation or similar activities inimical to the ultimate return of these subject nations to a free and democratic life, or from advancing the standard of life of the peoples of the U.S.S.R. at the expense of those in the satellite countries.
