Extracts
from the Brussels Treaty
Brussels, 17th March 1948
The titular heads of the participating states:
RESOLVED to reaffirm their faith in. fundamental human
rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the other
ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations; To fortify and
preserve the principles of democracy, personal freedom and political
liberty, the constitutional traditions and the rule of law, which are
their common heritage; To strengthen, with these aims in view, the economic,
social and cultural ties by which they are already united; To cooperate
loyally and to co-ordinate their efforts to create in Western Europe
a firm basis for European economic recovery; To afford assistance to
each other, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, in
maintaining international peace and security and in resisting any policy
of aggression; To take such steps as may be held to be necessary in
the event of a renewal by Germany of a policy of aggression; To associate
progressively in the pursuance of these aims other States inspired by
the same ideals and animated by the like determination;
DESIRING for these purposes to conclude a treaty for collaboration
in economic, social and cultural matters and for collective self-defence;
Have appointed... their plenipotentiaries... who... have agreed as follows:
Article
I
Convinced of the close community of their interests and
of the necessity of uniting in order to promote the economic recovery
of Europe, the High Contracting Parties will so organize and co-ordinate
their economic activities as to produce the best possible results, by
the elimination of conflict in their economic policies, the co-ordination
of production and the development of commercial exchanges.
The co-operation provided for in the preceding paragraph,
which will be effected through the Consultative Council referred to
in Article VII as well as through other bodies, shall not involve any
duplication of, or prejudice to, the work of other economic organizations
in which the High Contracting Parties are or may be represented but
shall on the contrary assist the work of those organizations.
Article
II
The High Contracting Parties will make every effort in
common, both by direct consultation and in specialised agencies, to
promote the attainment of a higher standard of living by their peoples
and to develop on corresponding lines the social and other related services
of their countries.
The High Contracting Parties will consult with the object
of achieving the earliest possible application of recommendations of
immediate practical interest, relating to social matters, adopted with
their approval in the specialised agencies. They will endeavour to conclude
as soon as possible conventions with each other in the sphere of social
security.
Article
III
The High Contracting Parties will make every effort in
common to lead their peoples towards a better understanding of the principles
which form the basis of their common civilisation and to promote cultural
exchanges by conventions between themselves or by other means.
Article
IV
If any of the High Contracting Parties should be the object
of an armed attack in Europe, the other High Contracting Parties will,
in accordance with the provisions of Article 51 of the Charter of the
United Nations, afford the Party so attacked all the military and other
aid and assistance in their power.
Article
V
All measures taken as a result of the preceding Article
shall be immediately reported to the Security Council. They shall be
terminated as soon as the Security Council has taken the measures necessary
to maintain or restore international peace and security.
The present Treaty does not prejudice in any way the obligations
of the High Contracting Parties under the provisions of the Charter
of the United Nations. It shall not be interpreted as affecting in any
way the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the
Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order
to maintain or restore international peace and security.
Article
VI
The High Contracting Parties declare, each so far as he
is concerned, that none of the international engagements now in force
between him and any of the other High Contracting Parties or any third
State is in conflict with the provisions of the present Treaty.
None of the High Contracting Parties will conclude any
alliance or participate in any coalition directed against any other
of the High Contracting Parties.
Article
VII
For the purpose of consulting together on all the questions
dealt with in the present Treaty, the High Contracting Parties will
create a Consultative Council, which shall be so organized as to be
able to exercise its functions continuously. The Council shall meet
at such times as it shall deem fit.
At the request of any of the High Contracting Parties,
the Council shall be immediately convened in order to permit the High
Contracting Parties to consult owith regard to any situation which may
constitute a threat to peace, in whatever area this threat should arise;
with regard to the attitude to be adopted and the steps to be taken
in case of a renewal by Germany of an aggressive policy; or with regard
to any situation constituting a danger to economic stability.
Article
X
The present Treaty... shall enter into force on the date
of the deposit of the last instrument of ratification and shall thereafter
remain in force for fifty years...