General and cultural aspects of East-West relations

Recommendation 638 (1971)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 25 January 1971 (26th Sitting) (see Doc. 2870, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 27 January 1971 (29th Sitting).

The Assembly

1. Recalling its previous recommendations and resolutions on the development of political, economic and cultural relations between Eastern and Western Europe ;

2. Regretting, however, that, in spite of the efforts made by the West, and in particular by the Federal Republic of Germany, East-West relations have not improved over the last few months ;

3. Noting that expectations to which the signature of the German-Soviet Treaty gave rise have not so far been met, and that the Soviet Government is not pursuing the constructive policy which, in its Recommendation 614, the Assembly hoped to see realised ;

4. Noting that once again the four-power talks on Berlin failed to make any progress ;

5. Convinced, nevertheless, that no real relaxation of tension in Europe can come about without an acceptable contractual agreement between the four powers on the Berlin problem, which must, in particular :

a include a definite guarantee of free access of persons and goods to West Berlin, and exclude all restrictions in this respect ;

b maintain the existing political, economic and cultural links between West Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany ;

c put an end to any discrimination against West Berliners ;

6. Considering that every possible effort must be made to identify areas in which East and West Europe may have common interests, and on that basis to ease tension and to ensure peaceful co-operation among all European countries, which should be the goal of a possible European Security Conference ;

7. Noting that the signature of the German-Polish Treaty marks an important step towards better relations between East and West ;

8. Considering that it is of vital importance for the Western European countries to strengthen their unity, and that it is desirable to achieve a greater harmonisation of their policies in negotiations with Eastern Europe,

9. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers invite member governments :

a As to the general aspects of East-West relations :

a to insist on the necessity of an acceptable agreement on the Berlin problem as a pre-requisite for meaningful progress towards relaxation of tension between East and West ;

b to use the Committee of Ministers as a forum for consultations and for greater harmonisation of their policies towards the countries of Eastern Europe ;

c to harmonise their views on the future structures for co-operation between the various European countries and on the part to be played by the Council of Europe in this respect ;

b As to the cultural aspects of East-West relations ;

a to develop existing cultural agreements, despite the difficulties which arise, particularly over the question of reciprocity ;

b to adopt a resolute policy of intensifying cultural exchanges, even outside the limits of official agreements, by extending them to cover all sections of the populations concerned, in particular young people ;

c to do everything in their power to ensure free circulation of people, ideas and information.