On 3 December 1959, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) adopts Recommendation 40 on the state of European security, in which it asks the WEU Council to base a regional policy for European security within the Atlantic Alliance on two factors: the creation of a Joint European Strategic Nuclear Force and the improvement of ground, naval, tactical air and air defence forces in Europe. The Assembly also makes recommendations on the standardisation and rational use of air defence forces.

On 21 November 1978, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) adopts Recommendation 324 on the limitation of strategic arms, in which it asks the WEU Council to work together to reach agreement on a common defence policy based on nuclear deterrence and to make a coordinated effort to re-establish the true balance of forces between the Atlantic Alliance and the Warsaw Pact. The Assembly recommends that the North Atlantic Council should examine every aspect of the strategic arms limitation talks.

On 29 April 1981, the Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) circulates the Council’s reply to Assembly Recommendation 363 on energy and security. The Council shares the views and concerns expressed by the Assembly. The member countries are fully aware of the constraints on the development of a common energy policy for all Western countries and have agreed on energy policy guidelines for the decade to 1990. They recognise the need to move towards energy self-sufficiency by reducing dependence on imported oil and developing other sources of energy.

As the oil shock unfolds, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) adopts a recommendation on oil and energy problems. Western Europe, which does not have the energy resources that are essential for its economy and security, depends for its oil supplies on large-scale imports, most of which come from the Near and Middle East countries. The text recommends that the WEU Council should study means of meeting any restrictions on oil supplies and promote a joint energy policy in Europe based on security requirements.

On 2 July 1957, the Council of Western European Union (WEU) meets to reply to the questions put by the Assembly Committee on Defence Questions. French Ambassador Jean Chauvel notes that, unless there is a change in the allocation of responsibilities, the Council is not in a position to reply to questions on overall strategy because, since 1950, WEU has no longer been responsible for planning defence policy and organising common defence, these tasks having been transferred to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The best approach is to address the various questions in the most appropriate framework. The Chairman of the Council, Louis Goffin, adds that this means that the Council no longer receives information about the implementation of defence obligations for each Member State and is therefore unable to give information to the Assembly; he also points out that NATO is not subject to parliamentary control. The other questions focus on the reorganisation of the Member States’ land forces for security in Western Europe and the ‘British strategic outlook’.

On 22 October 1999, the Swiss daily newspaper Neue Züricher Zeitung reports on the criticism levelled by the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) against the joint defence plan drawn up by the Heads of State or Government of the European Union.

On 26 June 1956, a joint meeting is held between the Council of Western European Union (WEU) and the Assembly Committee on Defence Questions and Armaments. The first point raised concerns the differences of opinion as to the powers of the Assembly, and even those of the Council. A British member of the committee, Sir James Hutchison, refers to the legal basis that justifies the fact that the Assembly needs sufficient information to carry out its role in keeping the public informed. He also emphasises that Western defence is indivisible and that it is therefore reasonable to ask for information from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). British Assembly member Wynn Hugh-Jones agrees with James Hutchison and notes that if difficulties arise because of objections from non-WEU members of NATO, the whole system should be reassessed or the Assembly should even be disbanded. Sir Harold Caccia finally replies that it is not a question of good or bad will on the part of the Council; it is merely a question of identifying WEU’s proper function. The second part of the session focuses on replies to the committee’s questions.

Joint Declaration, issued on 4 March 1975, on the institution of a conciliation procedure between the Parliament and the Council, applicable to acts with significant financial implications.

On 27 September 1965, the Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) circulates a draft reply by the British delegation to the WEU Assembly Recommendation on the joint production of armaments. The Council considers that industrial collaboration should be encouraged and promoted where possible. The introduction of a financial compensation system to indemnify countries or industries that might suffer losses through the adoption of common weapons is deemed impracticable, and such situations should therefore be avoided.

On 19 February 1974, the Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) circulates a draft reply, prepared by the French delegation to the WEU Council, to Assembly Recommendation 241 on oil and energy problems. Most of the draft is taken up in the final reply (C(74)63). In view of the oil crisis affecting several Western countries, the Council is aware of the link between secure energy supplies for Europe and its defence policy. The document emphasises that work is already under way within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Communities on the oil question and the issues related to a common energy policy.