Reaffirmation of the Assembly faith in the unity of the whole of Europe

Report | Doc. 84 | 26 September 1952

Committee

Relations with European Non-Member Countries

Rapporteur :

Sir Tufton BEAMISH, United Kingdom

Thesaurus

A Draft Resolution

The Assembly,

Recognising that Europe represents one spiritual and economic whole, linked by a common cultural heritage, geography and historical tradition,

Considering that friendly co-operation among all European countries would provide a firm foundation for an honourable and lasting peace, solidly based on collective security, respect for the rule of law, social justice and a rising standard of living.

Looks forward to the day when all the countries of Europe shall feel able or shall be free to join the Council of Europe, the day when all those now subject to foreign constraint may enjoy the liberties enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, and thus be eligible through their freely elected representatives to become Members of the Council of Europe, as foreseen by the Preamble to the Statute and by articles 1, 3 and 4, and to work together with unity of purpose for the maintenance of peace, and the promotion of the well-being of all Europe,

Would welcome the adoption of any peaceful measures which will hasten that day.

B Explanatory Memorandum

1

1. At present, when attention is directed so pointedly to building up new communities in Western Europe, the Committee believes that special importance attaches to a restatement of the faith of the Assembly in the unity of the whole of Europe.

2. By establishing the Special Committee in 1950, during its Second Session, the Assembly expressed its determination to follow a policy in relation to those European nations which were not represented in the Council of Europe, based on the recognition of the fact that, because they are an integral part of Europe, their interests should be considered in all proposals formulated by the Assembly or its Committees, Resolution 14 (1950).

3. The Committee has been much encouraged by the solid support which the Assembly and its Committees have constantly given to this end.

4. It is the view of the Committee that the conditions of membership of the Council of Europe, as enunciated in the Statute, should be made widely known in all non-Member States. In particular, the following Articles of the Statute should be mentioned :

5. Article 3

" Ever y Member of the Council of Europe must accept the principles of the rule of law and of the enjoyment by all persons within its jurisdiction of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and collaborate sincerely and effectively in the realisation of the aim of the Council as specified in Chapter 1 ", and

Article 4

" An y European State, which is deemed to be able and willing to fulfil the provisions of Article 3, may be invited to become a Member of the Council of Europe by the Committee of Ministers. Any State so invited shall become a Member on the deposit on its behalf with the Secretary-General of an instrument of accession to the present Statute." The Preamble to the Statute and the aims of the Council, as defined in Article 1, should also be widely publicised. " The aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its Members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and facilitating their economic and social progress. This aim shall be pursued through the organs of the Council by discussion of questions of common concern and by agreements and common action in economic, social, cultural, scientific, legal and administrative matters and in the maintenance and further realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. "

This Resolution does not make any attempt to lay down any new lines of policy towards the non-Member countries. Implicit in it, however, is the clear necessity for new thinking on this subject.

It is in the light of this consideration that the Special Committee to watch over the interests of European nations not represented in tlie Council of Europe submits the following Draft Resolution to the Assembly, reaffirming its faith in the unity of the whole of Europe.