East-West relations and the preparation of a conference on European security and co-operation (CSCE)

Recommendation 662 (1972)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 24 and 25 January 1972 (20th, 21st and 22nd Sittings) (see Doc. 3059, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 25 January 1972 (22nd Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Expresses its satisfaction at the agreements on Berlin which, as stated in its Recommendation 638 (1971), appear to be conditions for a relaxation of tension in Europe ;

2. Hopes that a better climate will exist for further reciprocal steps towards the improvement in relations between Eastern and Western Europe, and that this climate could be improved by the entry into force of the agreements on Berlin and of the treaties signed between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Soviet Union and Poland ;

3. Reiterates its support for the holding of a conference on European security and cooperation, which should be actively prepared through preliminary multilateral discussions, as soon as the agreements on Berlin have entered into force ;

4. Stresses the basic aims of the Council of Europe which has always advocated and continues to encourage the international respect for human rights and democratic principles ;

5. Welcomes the possibility of discussions on mutual and balanced force reductions in Europe ;

6. Considers that the future conference or conferences on European security and cooperation should provide a framework for strengthening European security and bringing European countries closer together, and that its aims should include the following :

a a general undertaking against the use or the threat of force in relations among States ;

b observance of the principles of the territorial integrity of States, non-interference in internal affairs, and the equality and independence of all States ;

c the reduction of military confrontation in Europe through discussions on mutual and balanced force reductions ;

d the gradual transformation of relations among European States through increased co-operation in the economic, scientific, technical and environmental fields, and the free movement of persons, ideas and information among all European States ;

e the eventual setting up of a permanent body for East-West security and cooperation, to implement the decisions of the conference or conferences ;

7. Therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

7.1 invite member governments to harmonise their policies to a greater extent, particularly with regard to multilateral discussions preparatory to a conference on European security and co-operation, and to consider the possibility of using the meetings of the Committee of Ministers at Ministerial and Deputy level for this purpose ;

7.2 express itself in favour of holding a conference on European security and cooperation which should now be actively and carefully prepared ;

7.3 direct the political and technical activities of the Council of Europe towards a lasting improvement in East-West relations and the affirmation of the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights and of democratic institutions.