Ten Nations Establish Parliament For Europe

Northern Advocate, 6 May 1949, Page 5

Ten Nations Establish Parliament For Europe

LONDON, Thu. (10 a.m.).— Representatives of 10 Western European nations today signed the statute formally establishing the Council of Europe—Europe’s Parliament. The signing was done at St James’ Palace in a ceremony which took 53 minutes. The statute provides for the creation of a committee of Ministers, to which each country will send one representative, and a consultative assembly of 87 members. The first meeting of the council will take place at Strasbourg this summer. .

A British Foreign Office communique pointed out that questions of national defence are excluded from the scope of the Council. “This is because there is no question of any military alliance, but rather of general desire to achieve peace and to bring about general unity.’ says the communique. After signing the statute, the British Foreign Secretary (Mr Ernest Bevm) said This agreement lays the foundation of something new and hopeful in Europe “We are witnessing the establishment of a common democratic institution in this ancient Continent of Europe." The French Foreign Minister (M. Schuman) said; “We are laying the foundations of spiritual and political cooperation. “The statute is not aimed at weak-

ening national feelings, nor will it do so. * “The contribution of each nation will, on the contrary make it possible to reconcile dynamic qualities with prudent realism.’ 1 The Italian Foreign Minister (Count Sforza) said that few international treaties had been signed under happier auspices.

“We have been for many months under a nightmare threat of war, and just today we have learned that this his disappeared," he said. “Let us draw this conclusion: that only in union will we find strength.” The Danish Foreign Minister (M. Rasmussen) described the statute as a bold experiment that must, and shall, succeed.

Other Foreign Ministers said the statute would be welcomed in their countries.