Discrimination against countries which are not members of the European Union

 

Doc. 7545 Revised (2)

6 June 1996

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

presented by Mr E�RSI and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

            The Assembly,

1.         Recognising the importance of increased co-operation between Asia and Europe;

2.         Welcoming the inaugural Asia-Europe meeting (ASEM) held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 1 and 2 March 1996;

3.         Noting that ASEM was organised for Asian and European countries and not exclusively for European Union member countries;

4.         Aware that the hosts of ASEM raised the issue of inviting European countries other than European Union members but left the decision about the circle of invitees to the European Union;

5.         Taking into account the fact that a number of European countries have applied for membership of the European Union;

6.         Recalling several supporting statements from members of the European Union about the need to enlarge the European Union,

7.         Deeply regrets that the European Union did not agree to inviting countries which are not members of the European Union to ASEM;

8.         Believes that not inviting countries other than European Union members to ASEM was unjustified and unreasonable discrimination against countries which are not members of the European Union;

9.         Requests European Union governments - future organisers of similar conferences -to avoid monopolising Europe, a geographical term, and to invite all European countries to discussions where overall European matters are on the agenda.

Signed[1]:

E�rsi, Hungary, LDR

B�rsony, Hungary, SOC

Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Muehlemann, Switzerland, LDR

Severinsen, Denmark, LDR

Ojuland, Estonia, LDR

Veidemann, Estonia, LDR

Szalay, Hungary, LDR

M�sz�ros, Hungary, LDR

N�meth, Hungary, LDR

Belohorsk�, Slovakia, LDR

Garajov�, Slovakia, LDR

K_a_ko, Slovakia, LDR

Lukin, Russie, LDR

Kovalev, Russie, LDR

Irmer, Germany, LDR

Jansson, Finland, LDR

Isohookana-Asunmaa, Finland, LDR

Pantelejevs, Latvia, LDR

Serra, Italy, LDR

Arnold, Denmark, LDR

Slobodnik, Slovakia, LDR

Bielikov�, Slovakia, LDR

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[1]        SOC : Socialist Group

            EPP : Group of the European People's Party

            EDG : European Democratic Group

            LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

            UEL : Group of the Unified European Left