Policy of the Council of Europe in the light of recent developments in the international situation

Report | Doc. 677 | 03 May 1957

Committee

Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy

Rapporteur :

Mr Kurt Georg KIESINGER, Germany

Origin

See Doc. 650 (Report of the Committee). 1957 - 9th Session - First part

Thesaurus

A Draft Recommendation on co-ordination of foreign policies of Member States (Conference of Prime Ministers) presented by the Political Committee

The Assembly,

Considering that the latest developments in the international situation once more show the crucial need for greater and more effective co-ordination in the foreign policies of Member States;

Emphasising that such co-ordination in no way implies that any Member State should renounce its right to differ or that solutions or particular points of view would be imposed on anyone,

Recommends to the Governments represented in the Committee of Ministers :

1 that, without setting up new machinery, they should do everything possible to develop the habit and practice of effective prior consultation on all major matters likely to affect the partnership of European nations; and

2 that, as a major contribution to this end, the Prime Ministers of Member States should meet from time to time to discuss matters of common interest and to try and map out a common course among as many European partners as possible.

B Draft Recommendation on nuclear and thermonuclear test explosions presented by the Political Committee

Explanatory Memorandum

On 2nd May 1957, the Assembly referred to your Political Committee the motion for a resolution tabled b y Mr. Edwards and others ( Doc. 675).

Your Committee considered this motion at a meeting on 3rd May 1957.

Your Committee decided to propose to the Assembly that it should not take a decision on this motion without having previously obtained the opinion of the Assembly of Western European Union on the matter, because of its defence and military implications.

Your Committee went on to adopt by 18 votes to 0 and 4 abstentions the following draft Recommendation, which is submitted to the Assembly.

Draft Recommendation

The Assembly,

Considering the widespread concern caused among the public by continued nuclear testing, which may increase world radiation to levels that might be harmful from the medical and biological point of view,

Urges that the current negotiations for a comprehensive disarmament agreement including nuclear and thermonuclear weapons and providing watertight measures of policing should be pursued with the utmost vigour;

Expresses the hope that the atomic Powers will reach agreement quickly on the suspension of nuclear tests;

Recommends to the Committee of Ministers that they should call a meeting at once of distinguished scientists to report urgently on the nature and importance of radiation hazards likely to result from continued testing of nuclear and thermonuclear explosive devices; this report to be made public immediately.

C Draft Order

The Assembly instructs the Political Committee to prepare for the second part of the Session one or more draft resolutions or recommendations on such problems as it may consider appropriate to submit to it then under the general title of the " Policy of the Council of Europe in the light of recent developments in the international situation".