Political aspects of relations between Europe and the USA
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 13 and 14 May 1971 (6th and 7th Sittings) (see Doc. 2942, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 14 May 1971 (7th Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Considering that there exists a deep community of interest between Western Europe and the United States ;
2. Noting, however, certain signs of a diminishing American enthusiasm for European unification and, in the light of factual problems, of growing difficulties in relations between the United States and Western Europe ;
3. Considering that Western Europe - Members of the Atlantic Alliance as well as the neutrals - has a vital interest in maintaining close relations with the United States,
4. Believes that these relations must take the form of a genuine partnership ;
5. Considers that the building of a united and strong Europe and the enlargement and strengthening of the European Communities are not only in the interest of Western Europe and of the United States, but also of the world as a whole ;
6. Considers that the achievement of a genuine Atlantic partnership would be facilitated by progress towards the economic and political union of Western Europe ;
7. Hopes therefore that the policy of European unification will have the support of the United States ;
8. Believes that the existence of a partnership between a united Western Europe and North America would add flexibility to Western diplomacy, and that the countries of Western Europe and North America should increasingly discuss together all important international issues ;
9. Considers that a practical and very important expression of partnership would be closer and more systematic consultation between these countries, and that such consultation is of vital importance with regard to East-West problems ; and believes that regular exchanges of views between the Consultative Assembly and US and Canadian parliamentarians might make an important contribution in this respect ;
10. Affirms that for the Members of the Atlantic Alliance partnership does not only mean sharing in discussions and decision-making, but also the burden of an effective Western defence ;
11. Recognises that the American military strength and commitment, in particular in the nuclear field, is essential for Western Europe's security and for the maintenance of the balance of power, and hopes therefore that the American troops stationed in Western Europe would only be reduced within the framework of general agreements on disarmament or on mutual and balanced force reductions in Europe ;
12. Believes that for all democratic countries on both sides of the Atlantic it is essential to pursue at home and abroad policies which live up to and demonstrate the validity of their democratic ideals.
