East-West relations and the organisation of a European Security Conference (CSCE)

Recommendation 597 (1970)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 28 and 29 January 1970 (24th, 25th and 26th Sittings) (see Doc. 2705, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 29 January 1970 (26th Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Recalling the many earlier recommendations and resolutions in which it has expressed itself in favour of dialogue, detente and co-operation between Western and Eastern Europe ;

2. Reaffirming its conviction that the Council of Europe has a useful and constructive part to play in achieving these aims;

3. Regretting that the liberties of the peoples of Eastern Europe continue to be repressed and remembering, in particular, the tragic fate inflicted upon the Czech and Slovak peoples, but convinced nevertheless that all possibilities for progress towards better East-West relations should be explored ;

4. Conscious of the importance of the current negotiations between the United States and the USSR and of the contribution which their success could make to the cause of world peace ;

5. Considering, however, that the dialogue between East and West should not be restricted to the two great powers, but that all interested states, in particular those of Europe, should take part ;

6. Rejecting categorically the doctrine of "limited sovereignty" and strongly urging the need for respect of the principles of the United Nations Charter, in particular the equality of all peoples and their right to self-determination ;

7. Regretting that a quarter of a century after the end of the second world war there is still no peace treaty with Germany ;

8. Welcoming the idea of a European Security Conference, provided :

a that it is based on respect for the principles referred to in the United Nations Charter,

b that it is very carefully prepared, and that there appears to be a genuine prospect for some agreement of real value,

c that all European states, including neutral and non-aligned states, as well as the United States of America and Canada may participate ;

9. Considering that such a conference would provide an opportunity to discuss problems concerning the European continent whose solution is in the interest of all European peoples ;

10. Considering that, with the object of laying the foundations for a free, peaceful and lasting European order, this conference could :

a provide an opportunity for the discussion of the political problems and the security of the European continent, with the object of ensuring the freedom and national independence of each country,

b contribute to a balanced and controlled reduction of armaments in Europe,

c aim at supplementing present and future bilateral arrangements by bringing into existence permanent multilateral cooperation between the countries of Eastern and Western Europe in economic, commercial, monetary, social, cultural, scientific and technological fields,

d seek to guarantee freedom of movement and of communication for all European peoples, to be implemented progressively in the context of multilateral cooperation mentioned in sub-paragraph (c) above ;

11. Considering that the conference could also examine the possibility of establishing a common policy for all European states in the matter of development cooperation ;

12. Considering that one could also envisage a series of conferences, each of which would be devoted to one or more of the above-mentioned problems ;

13. Being convinced that better understanding between Eastern and Western Europe and, more particularly, success in one or several European Security Conferences would make an effective contribution to peace and collective security,

14. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

a invite member governments :

a to do everything in their power to contribute to dialogue, detente and cooperation between Western and Eastern Europe ;

b to adopt a positive attitude towards the idea of one or several European Security Conferences, to assist in preparing them and to do everything possible to ensure their success ;

c to explore every possibility of making progress towards a solution of the German question ;

d to endeavour to work out a common policy on the various questions mentioned in this recommendation, and to make full use of the possibilities provided by the Council of Europe as an instrument for political and technical consultation and action ;

b place this question on the agenda for its session of April 1970, and establish a procedure for regular consultation of the Assembly in conformity with the relevant provisions in the Statute.