European integration in the light of The Hague Conference
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 28 and 29 January 1970 (24th 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,
I
1. Noting that the Conference of the Heads of State or of Government of the member states of the European Economic Community (EEC) held at The Hague on 1 and 2 December 1969 would appear to have reestablished mutual confidence between the EEC member governments and to have put an end to the period of stagnation in the building of Europe ;
2. Considering that new prospects are thus opened up for building a united Europe ;
3. Considering also that the international economic and monetary situation is at present favourable to the enlargement of the Community,
4. Urgently appeals to all governments concerned to make the most of this new opportunity offered to Europe, and to commit themselves firmly, by setting themselves early and binding deadlines, to the process of European integration, particularly by the strengthening and the enlargement of the Community, thus responding to the profound aspirations of the European peoples ;
II
5. Expresses the hope that, in accordance with the proposals made and the decisions taken at The Hague, which foreshadow the enlargement of the Community, the latter will be strengthened by, among other things, the creation of an economic and monetary union, the definition of a common agricultural policy, the creation of a European reserve fund, the elaboration of a common industrial research and development policy, the establishment of a research programme for the European Atomic Energy Community, the concertation of social policies and the reform of the Social Fund ;
III
6. Notes that the Heads of State or of Government meeting at The Hague agreed that negotiations should begin between the Community and the states applying for full membership, with a view to enlarging the Community ; that it was decided that the preparatory work to establish a basis of negotiation common to the Six would be undertaken in the most positive spirit ; and that there was a verbal agreement that this work should be concluded before 30 June 1970 ;
7. Considers that the deadline of 30 June 1970 should be formally confirmed, and that before the deadline is reached a precise date for the opening of negotiations will have to be determined ;
8. Shares the views expressed by the Heads of State or of Government at The Hague that states applying for full membership must accept the treaties setting up the European Communities and their political objectives, the decisions taken since the treaties entered into force and the options made in the sphere of the development of the Communities ;
9. Considers that the success of the negotiations for the enlargement of the Community will depend on a balance being struck between the interests of the present and future Members of the Community ;
10. Also hopes that, as soon as negotiations with the states applying for full membership have been opened, negotiations will be started with such other member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as may request them, on their position in relation to EEC, and hopes that in the course of the enlargement of the Common Market the closest possible links will be established between those countries and the Community ;
11. Expresses the hope that negotiations with Sweden will also result in full membership of the Community ;
12. Expresses the hope that the interests of the member states of the Council of Europe which are not included in EFTA will also be safeguarded ;
13. Considers that progress towards enlarging the Community will remain difficult, and that the objective can be achieved only if all parties concerned manifest a common and firm political determination ;
IV
14. Noting that the Heads of State or of Government have instructed the Ministers for Foreign Affairs to study the best way of achieving progress in the matter of political unification, on the assumption that the Community will be enlarged, and that the Ministers must make proposals for that purpose before the end of July 1970 ;
15. Regrets that the Conference did not achieve more substantial results as regards European political unity, which must supplement European economic unity, both of which should extend beyond the Six ;
16. Affirms that the construction of a united Europe must be based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and that only if Europe is built on such foundations will its peoples and, above all, its youth join in the work of unifying our continent ;
17. Considers that an enlarged Community supplemented by political union should enable democratic Europe to speak with one voice in international affairs, particularly on problems of the European continent ;
V
18. States that in an enlarged Community it will be even more important than in the present Community to ensure that the institutions function efficiently and, for that purpose, to implement fully the provisions of the treaties setting up the European Communities, including the provisions concerning decisions to be taken by a majority in the Council and those governing the increase in the powers of decision and control of the European Parliament, the majority at least of whose members should, in the earliest stage, be elected by direct universal suffrage ;
19. Considers that the political union should have institutions vested with real powers, enabling Europe to take efficient and rapid action as a political entity ;
VI
20. Decides to continue to support, as it has constantly done in the past, all efforts towards the integration of Europe and, above all, the strengthening and enlargement of the European Communities which must remain the nucleus and driving force for the unification of our continent.
