Action taken by the Economic Communities (the EEC and EAEC) in the cultural field

Recommendation 242 (1960)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 28th April 1960 (7th Sitting) (see Doc. 1144, Report of the Cultural Committee), Text adopted by the Assembly on 28th April 1960 (7th Sitting).

The Assembly,

I

Having studied with interest Chapter VI (cultural and scientific questions) of the 11th Statutory Report of the Committee of Ministers (Doc. 1114),

Welcomes the progress made in the fields of youth and university education and the collaboration established between the Cultural Fund and the European Cultural Foundation;

Would have been glad, however, to have found in this Report some indication as to the general policy of the Committee of Ministers in the field of cultural co-operation in Europe at a time when the Councils of Ministers of the Economic Communities are preparing to take decisions of great political significance in this matter ;

II

Having regard to the letter and spirit of the Statute of the Council of Europe and of the European Cultural Convention ;

Having regard to Resolutions (53) 13 and (53) 14 of the Committee of Ministers ;

Noting the work of the "Interim Committee" set up by the Councils of Ministers of EEC and Euratom to resolve the problems connected with the opening of the first European university education establishment and to promote closer cooperation between existing universities and scientific institutes in the Community ;

Where as Europe's present tendency to split into economic blocs calls for a strengthening of all elements capable of serving as links between the blocs and a reinforcement of co-operation in the cultural field, in particular ;

Believing that the proposals of the "Interim Committee" regarding the foundation of a European University and a "European Council for Higher Education and Research", reflecting as they do they ideas that have guided the cultural activities of the Council of Europe, could considerably strengthen cultural co-operation in Europe, provided that they are put into effect within the widest possible framework,

Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

1 approach the Governments of countries signatory to the Rome Treaty with a view to ensuring that the implementation of the plans of the "Interim Committee" shall not lead to a division between fields of cultural activity, but shall serve as a beneficial contribution to the cultural programme approved by all the Members of the Council of Europe ;

2 approach the Governments of countries which are Members of the Council of Europe but not signatories to the Rome Treaty, with a view to their associating themselves from the outset with the implementation of the plans for a "European University" and a "European Council for Higher Education and Research", so that these plans may be carried out in the framework of "Greater" Europe.