The Political Committee
The Political Committee
The work of the Political Committee
French draft political report at the Hague Congress (Spring 1948)
TextIn April 1948, Edmond Vermeil, Professor of German History and Civilisation at the Sorbonne and Member of the French Council for a United Europe, prepares a draft report for the Political Committee of the Congress of Europe in The Hague in which he places particular emphasis on the fact that the finding of a solution to the German industrial problem is an urgent requirement for the future of the European continent.
Paul Ramadier
PassportAddress given by Georges Le Brun Kéris at the Congress of Europe (The Hague, 8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, Georges Le Brun Kéris, a member of the Assembly of the French Union, emphasises to the members of the Political Committee at the Congress of Europe in The Hague the need to establish Europe while allowing each State with colonial responsibilities the freedom to ensure the political, social and cultural progress of the citizens living in its overseas territories.
Address given by Jean Drapier at the Congress of Europe (The Hague, 8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, Jean Drapier, Principal Private Secretary to Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, emphasises to the members of the Political Committee at the Congress of Europe in The Hague the importance of establishing a precise definition of a democratic regime, as understood in Europe.
Address given by Édouard Bonnefous at the Congress of Europe (The Hague, 8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, Édouard Bonnefous, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the French National Assembly, calls on the Political Committee at the Congress of Europe in The Hague to convene, before the end of the year, a European Assembly elected by universal suffrage on the basis of one member per million citizens.
Address given by Paul Reynaud at the Congress of Europe (The Hague, 8 May 1948)
TextOn 8 May 1948, Paul Reynaud, French MP and former Prime Minister, calls on the members of the Political Committee at the Congress of Europe in The Hague to be bold in adopting the principle of a truly European Assembly, elected by European people by universal suffrage, to take charge of Europe.
Address given by Paul Reynaud at the Congress of Europe (The Hague, 10 May 1948)
TextOn 10 May 1948, Paul Reynaud, French MP and former Prime Minister, explains to the Members of the Political Committee at the Congress of Europe in The Hague why he regrets not having been supported in his proposal for the rapid establishment of a European Assembly elected by universal suffrage on the basis of one member per million citizens.
Political Resolution of the Hague Congress (7–10 May 1948)
TextAt the end of the Congress of Europe held in The Hague in May 1948, the participants adopt a Political Resolution calling for the unification of Europe.
Reactions
‘The Political Committee is almost ready’ from the Nieuwe Rotterdamse Courant (10 May 1948)
TextOn 10 May 1948, the Dutch liberal daily newspaper Nieuwe Rotterdamse Courant summarises the work of the committees at the Congress of Europe in The Hague and reports on the debates held by the Political Committee on the establishment of a European Assembly.
‘Heated evening session of the Political Committee of the Congress for a United Europe’ from La Dernière Heure (10 May 1948)
TextOn 10 May 1948, the Belgian daily newspaper La Dernière Heure summarises the debates of the Political Committee at the Congress of Europe in The Hague following Paul Reynaud’s proposal to establish an elected European Assembly. The article also outlines the debates of the Economic Committee concerning displaced persons.
'Congress of Europe goes warily' from The Manchester Guardian (10 May 1948)
TextOn 10 May 1948, the British daily newspaper The Manchester Guardian reports on the heated debates that took place and the resolution which was finally adopted during the night at the end of the final working session of the Political Committee at the Congress of Europe in The Hague.