The Assembly,
Being resolved to perform the consultative role assigned to it, especially in the present crisis of European unity caused by the setback to the Treaty of Paris,
Notes that the extensive debate which has taken place in the Assembly, and the important statements made by the Foreign Ministers of Belgium and France, have made it possible for the Assembly to fulfil this role on the eve of the London Conference ;
Expresses its agreement with the main objects of European policy, as reaffirmed by the six Governments signatory to the Treaty of Paris at the Brussels Conference, namely :
to strengthen European co-operation in order to protect Western Europe against the forces which menace i t;
to avoid the neutralisation of Germany in any form;
to contribute to the unification of Germany, and to its participation in the common defence ;
to foreshadow a form of Western political and economic integration ;
Considers that the policy for European defence must be guided by the following four principles :
The Assembly welcomes the convening of the London Conference. I t considers the principal aim of this Conference to be the search for new formulae that will enable the United Kingdom to participate fully in a European organisation, which might be based on a modification and an extension of the Brussels Treaty, involving the full equality of rights and responsibilities of all the participating States, and forming an integral part of N.A.T.O.
The Assembly expresses the wish that this organisation, of which the basis will be laid down at the London Conference, should make provision for the participation of other European States not present at the Conference.
The Assembly considers that any new system of defence should include :
—in the military sphere :
— in the political sphere :
a form of Eurojjean policy direction and democratic control acceptable to the United Kingdom.
I I . The Assembly considers that the negotiations to be held in London should not exclude the resumption of the negotiations interrupted in Brussels on 22nd August, with a view to agreement upon new formulae for the integration of European armed forces which would be acceptable to the Parliaments of all the States signatory to the Treaty of Paris. These new formulae should provide for the closer association of the United Kingdom and possibly the association of other European States. This military integration, which should not compromise the fulfilment, whether simultaneously or at a later date, of the aspirations inherent in the Luxembourg Resolution of 10th September, 1952, should in all circumstances provide for democratic control being exercised by a parliamentary assembly, the latter to be elected, as soon as possible, by universal suffrage.
I I I .The Assembly reserves the right to formulate during its next meeting a further Opinion on these problems as a whole and on the solutions which may be' proposed for them.
The Assembly requests the President to transmit Resolution... to the Governments participating in the London Conference, and to the Governments of Member States of the Council of Europe not participating in the Conference.
The draft Resolution was adopted in committee unanimously.