THIRTIETH ORDINARY SESSION

RECOMMENDATION 853 (1979)1
on the situation in the Mediterranean area (General policy of the Council of Europe)

The Assembly,

1. Having taken note of the report of its Political Affairs Committee on the situation in the Mediterranean area (Doc. 4268);
2. Bearing in mind the geographical, historical, political, economic and cultural ties which unite European countries as a whole to those of the Mediterranean area;
3. Aware that the security, co-operation and social welfare of European countries as a whole depend to a large extent on developments in the countries of the Mediterranean area;
4. Concerned at the numerous conflicts in the Middle and Near East and in the Eastern Mediterranean, which jeopardise the political and strategic balance in the whole area;
5. Realising that the development of friendly relations and mutual comprehension between Mediterranean countries depends on increased cooperation in all spheres, and welcoming the contribution afforded to this end by various forms of multilateral co-operation, such as the co-operation among Balkan states since 1975, and by bilateral agreements, such as the treaties of Osimo between Italy and Yugoslavia;
6. Considering that Mediterranean countries could take advantage of the achievements, experiences and know-how of other riparian countries and international institutions in the field of rural and industrial development, especially in arid zones;
7. Considering that active co-operation in the form of collaboration on an equal footing and devoid of discrimination is the most powerful unifying factor between Mediterranean countries;
8. Aware that economic and social stability and progress, as well as freedom and the democratic process, are prerequisites for lasting political stability;
9. Welcoming the triumph of democracy in Greece, Portugal, and Spain, implying not only new hope but also new responsibilities for Europe;
10. Believing that the meeting of experts on Mediterranean co-operation commencing in Malta in February 1979, in the framework of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, should culminate in a programme for practical and mutually beneficial cooperation between signatory states of the CSCE Final Act and nonsignatory Mediterranean countries;
11. Advocates the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean area, guaranteeing the independence and sovereignty of the peoples concerned, and ensuring the protection and freedom of expression of the component ethnic and religious groups;
12. Hopes for developments and a satisfactory settlement in Iran fulfilling the people's aspiration for freedom, democracy and human rights, and ensuring at the same time stability in the region;
13. Appeals to the governments of the Council of Europe member states to assume fully their political responsibilities in the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the Mediterranean area, and to intensify co-operation between the countries concerned, with a view to promoting peace and economic and social developments;
14. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers:
    1. take steps to strengthen the bonds between countries in the Mediterranean area and other European countries, by including in its intergovernmental Work Programme a specific field conferring a genuine "Mediterranean dimension" upon Council of Europe activities, and making an effective contribution to the economic and social stability of the members states concerned;
    2. establish co-operation with all the riparian states in the Mediterranean area, by inviting all of them to associate themselves with Council of Europe activities directly related to the area, in accordance with the proposals set out in the report of its Political Affairs Committee (Doc. 4268);
    3. contribute to the implementation of the "Mediterranean chapter" of the Final Act of CSCE:
       1. by encouraging the governments of member states to take appropriate initiatives, and by ensuring proper co-ordination through regular meetings between the competent national experts, preparatory to the forthcoming meeting in Malta on Mediterranean co-operation, as well as the plenary conference in Madrid, in accordance with the proposals contained in the report (Doc. 4268);
       2. by placing at the disposal of member states which are hosts of the forthcoming CSCE meetings in Valletta in 1979 and in Madrid in 1980 any special technical assistance which they may require in fulfilling their task as organisers.