Motion for a resolution | Doc. 49 | 11 August 1950
Draft o a revised Statute of the Councio of Europe
The Consultative Assembly, after studying the general political situation, observes that the decisions up to now reached by the Committee of Ministers, within the framework of the present structure of the Council of Europe, have allowed of no effective progress towards the aims indicated in Article 1 of the Statute. As a result, the Report presented by the Committee of Ministers implicitly bears witness to this frustration.
On the other hand the Assembly notes with the liveliest satisfaction that in its message the Committee of Ministers made the suggestion that the Assembly should make known its opinion with regard to the action taken by the United Nations in the Korean conflict. Thereby the Committee of Ministers recognises the Assembly's right and duty to intervene, though it may mean going beyond the strict interpretation of Article 22 of the Statute, in any international question relating to the material or moral interests of the European community represented by this Council. Furthermore the Committee of Ministers has in principle approved the noble and clear-sighted initiative of the French Government (Schuman Plan). This is an initiative which —• as the message justly emphasises — is intended to achieve a partial fusion of sovereignties. The position taken up by the Committee of Ministers on this matter is entirely in conformity with the spirit of the Resolutions adopted by the Consultative Assembly in the course of its first Session.
The Assembly declares that it is necessary to march forward on the road indicated by the Committee of Ministers in the above-mentioned passages of the Message. In the present grave situation it must more than ever be proclaimed that a united and democratic Europe based on liberty, social justice, the defence of human rights and respectful of national characteristics and the various historical requirements of each country, will contribute fundamentally to world reconstruction, to the safeguarding of peace and to the defence of peoples against any attempts to dominate them by force.
The Consultative Assembly affirms, confident of the agreement of the Committee of Ministers on this point, that the Statute of 1949 which was conceived in very different circumstances to those existing at present is an instrument that has now been overtaken by events. The Consultative Assembly decides in consequence and in view of the extreme urgency dictated by events to instruct its Committee on General Affairs to submit a draft for the general revision of the Statute. Such a draft will also take into consideration proposals on the subject submitted by various Representatives in the course of the first session.
The new draft Statute mil not only need to strengthen the unity among the members of the Council of Europe, but also to create (among those countries who within the framework of the Council of Europe may wish to establish closer links), common representative institutions with limited action but real powers in regard to legal process, foreign affairs, economic affairs and security.
The Consultative Assembly adjures the Committee to submit its proposal as soon as possible so that it may be approved in the course of tho present session of the Assembly and be referred immediately to the Committee of Ministers in accordance with the provisions of Article 41 of the Statute.