Proposals to achieve a closer political unity

Order 1 (1949)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

To the Committee on General Affairs : Study of the proposals to achieve a closer political unity (Doc. 87, Section A, Ch. I)

The Assembly,

Convinced that the problems of common interest to the States of Europe in the spheres mentioned in Article 1, paragraph (b) of the Statute cannot be solved within the framework of the present European structure;

Desiring that a detailed and objective study be made of the proposals to achieve a closer political unity between the Member States,

Decides : that its Committee on General Affairs should be charged with examining:

a the general position of the Member States of the Council of Europe considered as a whole;

b the present situation with regard to existing intergovernmental organisations;

c the different proposals for extended collaboration in the political, economic, social and cultural fields;

d the modifications in the political and constitutional structure of the Member States which such a collaboration would entail;

e federal as well as other proposals for the future political development of Europe; and

f the effects on each Member State of any such measures as these proposals imply.

The Committee shall formulate precise and definite proposals in respect of the matters referred to it and shall make definite recommendations concerning the modifications in the political structure of the Member States, which it considers desirable with a view to a closer unity between them.

The Committee shall have the power to appoint sub-Committees, to obtain the assistance of experts and to hear witnesses.

The Committee shall send its Report to the President to the Assembly by the 30th April at the latest. This Report will be transmitted by the President to the Committee of Ministers and to every Representative in the Consultative Assembly.

The Assembly now expresses the wish that this Report shall be placed on the Agenda of the 1950 Session.