The Assembly,
Recalling the numerous proposals and approaches made by itself and by its Committee on Local Authorities to secure European protection for the rights and freedoms of local authorities ;
Recalling, in particular, its Order No. 160 of 29th April 1960 and its Recommendation 295 (1961) ;
Having regard to Article 1 (b), second sub-paragraph, of the Charter of the European Conference of Local Authorities,
Shares the belief expressed by the Conference that the European constitution now being built up should, in common with all genuinely democratic constitutions, fix certain 'preserves' not only for individuals but also for natural communities, so as to safeguard and protect the existence both of the individual and of the local communities which, with the family, form the most ancient and highly-prized of human institutions ;
Fully supports the request set forth in Opinion No. 15 of the European Conference of Local Authorities for the establishment of a European Convention on local rights and freedoms with the features specified by the Conference ;
Supports the Conference's proposal that a Committee of Experts with the composition and powers described in Opinion No. 15 be convened for this purpose ;
Expresses the hope that the Committee of Ministers will at last decide in favour of the principle of protecting local autonomy at European level and will take practical steps to implement Opinion No. 15 of the European Conference of Local Authorities.