The Assembly,
Having regard to the conclusions of the 2nd Parliamentary and Scientific Conference which was held at Vienna from 23rd to 27th May 1964 ;
Having regard to Order No. 233 on the 2nd Parliamentary and Scientific Conference;
Recalling in particular Point 5 (v) of the conclusions of the Conference which runs as follows :
"In view of the importance of science policy at the international level, steps should be taken to improve the methods by which this subject is considered in international parliamentary bodies" ;
Having taken cognizance of the report of the Cultural and Scientific Committee on the role of the Consultative Assembly in the development of European co-operation in the scientific field ;
Noting that the great majority of international organisations having responsibilities in Europe in the field of scientific research regularly report to the Assembly on their activities in this field, in particular :
CCC, within the framework of its annual report ;
OECD, on behalf of those of its committees dealing with questions of science policy within the framework of its annual report, the European Nuclear Energy Agency (ENEA), the European Company for the Chemical Processing of Irradiated Fuels (Eurochemic), the Halden and Dragon Reactors, under paragraph II of the Arrangement between the Council of Europe and OECD dated 1st February 1962 ;
The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), as laid down in letters exchanged between the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe and the Director-General of CERN dated June 1962 ;
The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), under paragraph 1 of the Arrangement between the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the Euratom Commission, April 1939 ; and
UNESCO, in the biennial memorandum, in accordance with correspondence of 1954 based on Article 1 of the Agreement between the Council of Europe and UNESCO dated November 1952 ;
Noting that two new organisations with a scientific purpose set up in 1964 will be reporting under their Statute to the Council of Europe on their activities, namely :
The European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), under paragraph 9 of the Final Act and Resolution X annexed to the Convention ;
The European Organisation for the Development and Construction of Space Vehicle Launchers (ELDO), in accordance with Article 12 (3) of the Convention ;
Considering that new organisations furthering scientific co-operation will probably be created and that it is desirable that these projects be discussed before an international parliamentary forum ;
Considering, moreover, that the Consultative Assembly might take fresh steps with a view to developing European scientific co-operation,
Decides :
To consider periodically within the framework of a major general debate the activities of the international and European organisations playing a role in the field of scientific co-operation ;
To examine, together with the interested organisations and institutions, under what conditions this debate should be organised and how it might contribute to better co-ordination of the efforts being made in the field of European scientific co-operation;
To consider in the course of this debate all reports (or parts of reports) dealing with scientific co-operation in Europe from international organisations conducting scientific activities in Europe, in particular CCC, OECD, ENEA, Eurochemic, CERN, Euratom, ESRO, ELDO and UNESCO ;
To consider during that debate all new projects for scientific co-operation aiming at setting up new organisations
To invite the President in office of the Ministerial Conference on Science to open the debate ; To invite to attend, and speak in that debate, the following:
Ministers responsible for science in member countries or their representatives ;
The Chairmen and, if necessary, the delegates of parliamentary and scientific groups of member countries ;
The Secretaries-General or Directors-General of the international organisations concerned ;
To instruct its Cultural and Scientific Committee to prepare this debate by examining in advance the reports and parts of reports dealing with scientific co-operation in Europe from international organisations conducting scientific activities in Europe, and presenting a report summing up the situation and trends in European co-operation in the scientific field ;
To request the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to ensure that the reports of the above-mentioned organisations be communicated to him within time-limits and by such dates as will allow them to be submitted all at the same time to the Consultative Assembly.