On 23 June 2005, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) celebrates its 50th anniversary in Strasbourg, at the Assembly of the Council of Europe, whose premises were shared by the WEU Assembly from 1955 to 1959. In his address, Stef Goris, President of the WEU Assembly, emphasises the important role played by Paul-Henri Spaak and the Assembly of the Council of Europe in the establishment of WEU, as well as the complementary nature of the two Assemblies in building and consolidating democracy in Europe.