On 4 November 1980, the Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) circulates the reply by the WEU Council to Assembly Recommendation 349 on the impact of the evolving situation in the Near and Middle East on western European security. The Council notes the importance of consultation among the member countries when crises arise outside the North Atlantic Treaty area which might affect the security of the Alliance. The text raises the question of the concept of a neutral and non-aligned Afghanistan included in the Venice declaration adopted by the Nine, the efforts to obtain from Iran the freeing of the American diplomats held hostage, the association of Turkey with the economy of Western Europe and the question of a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East.