Doc. 9108
1 June 2001

Council of Europe’s contribution to the reflections on the future of the whole of Europe

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Prisăcaru and others

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

1.       By adopting a declaration on the future of Europe (exact title to be checked), the European Council held in Nice in December 2000 has initiated a wide reflection and since then several European political leaders have presented projects concerning the next stages of European integration. The debate thus launched is of great interest for the countries of the whole of Europe.

2.       Since its creation, the Council of Europe always played an active role in promoting the building of Europe, frequently as a pioneer and prepared the ground for the European Union’s action.

3.       By its debate the Assembly regularly accompanied major institutional developments at European Union level and in particular made contributions to intergovernmental Conferences of the European Union.

4.       As the last Parliamentary Assembly debate on the Council of Europe’s place in the European architecture dates back to January 1999, and taking into account new institutional developments which are emerging at European Union level, it is most important that the Assembly again makes its voice heard and takes position on the main questions under discussion. It is particularly important that the countries of the European Union take into account the “acquis” of the Council of Europe, its particular role and identity in the building of Europe and also its potential as a link between the countries of the European Union and the other states of the continent.

5.       Consequently, the Assembly decides to participate in the vast debate on the future of Europe launched by the European Union and asks its competent committees to act in this sense in good time before the next part-session.

Signed : ¹

Prisăcaru, Romania, SOC

Alis Font, Andorra, SOC

Bársony, Hungary, SOC

Budiša, Croatia, LDR

Evangelisti, Italy, SOC

Frey, Switzerland, LDR

Gülek, Turkey, SOC

Katseli, Greece, SOC

Lachat, Switzerland, EPP/CD

Monteiro, Portugal, SOC

Neguta, Moldova, UEL

Rogozin, Russia, EDG

Schieder, Austria, SOC

Schreiner, France, EDG

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group