The Assembly,
Recalling Resolution (53) 35 of the Committee of Ministers, of 12th December 1953, which established the post of "Special Representative of the Council of Europe for National Refugees and Over-Population" ;
Observing that the Special Representative's term of office, which took effect on 1st February 1954, has been renewed without interruption since that date ;
Recalling the wish expressed at the outset, and since then renewed on many occasions both by the Committee of Ministers and by the Assembly, to provide the means for integrating refugees and surplus population in Europe, with a view to eliminating the risks of political, economic and social instability which the existence of these groups of people presented ten years ago and still presents in certain cases ;
Having regard to the important results which have been achieved under the impetus of the Special Representative in the resettlement of refugees, in particular through the construction of housing and the setting up of vocational training centres and craftsmen's workshops ;
Having regard to the measures taken on the initiative of the Special Representative to improve standards of living, economic and social, in areas of Europe which have surplus population and to give vocational training to emigrants ;
Having regard to the practical achievements resulting from the action programme of the Special Representative, represented at the level of European solidarity by the Resettlement Fund of the Council of Europe, the Vocational Training Information and Research Centre and the scholarships for the vocational training of instructors ;
Having regard to the personal contribution made by the Special Representative to the programmes put in hand by the Governments of the member States and the intergovernmental and charitable bodies with which he has established close working relations on a basis of mutual confidence ;
Having regard to the atmosphere of loyal and friendly co-operation which characterises relations between the Special Representative and the Assembly,
Congratulates Mr. Pierre Schneiter, Special Representative of the Council of Europe for National Refugees and Over-Population, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of his appointment, and expresses its thanks to him for the eminent unpaid services which he has rendered and is continuing to render to the cause of refugees and surplus population in Europe and for the effective contribution which he is making in the discharge of his functions to the implementation of the basic aims subscribed to by the Council of Europe.