East-West negotiations

Resolution 165 (1959)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

(see Doc. 981, Report of the Political Committee). This Resolution was adopted by (he Assembly at its 5th Sitting, on 23rd April 1959

1. Assembly :

2. Welcomes the forthcoming opening of negotiations between the Western Powers and the Soviet Union on the German problem ;

3. Expresses its confidence in the representatives of Member States of the Council of Europe to insist, in the course of these negotiations, on the basic principles laid down in Resolution 155 which was unanimously adopted on 20th January 1959, particularly as regards respect for the right of the inhabitants of West Berlin to live in freedom and security and to have free communications with the West ;

4. Stresses also the necessity of maintaining in these negotiations the following basic principles :

a The West must stand by the quadripartite undertakings of Geneva 1955 and by its obligations to the Federal Republic of Germany (Article 7, paragraphs 2 and 4, of the Convention on relations between the Three Powers and the Federal Republic of Germany, signed in Paris on 23rd October 1954) [(1) Para. 2 : 'Pending the peace settlement, the Signatory States will co-operate to achieve, by peaceful means, their common aim of a reunified Germany enjoying a liberal-democratic constitution, like that of the Federal Republic, and integrated within the European Community. 'Para. 4 : 'The Three Powers will consult with the Federal Republic on all matters involving the exercise of their rights relating to Germany as a whole.']:

b Nothing can be done which will call into question the existence of the six-Power European Communities ;

c No proposal can be agreed which would involve a change, to the disadvantage of the West, in the balance of military security which is at present assured by N.A.T.O. ;

d To any concession on the part of the West there must be an equivalent concession on the part of the Soviet Union ;

5. Affirms that the West cannot renounce their support of the aspirations of all the nations of Europe to independence and freedom.