Paris, 16 June 2010 – The Assembly has condemned the decision of WEU governments to wind down the organisation before creating a successor to ensure the continuation of interparliamentary oversight of defence and security by European national parliaments.

During an emergency debate on the consequences of closing down the Assembly, John GREENWAY (United Kingdom, Federated Group) said a budget for 2011 should be drawn up immediately to ensure a smooth handover to a new body next year. The political issues of the closure should be taken up by a steering committee.

Mr GREENWAY went on to say that national parliaments must have the initiative in creating a structure for interparliamentary scrutiny of Europe’s common foreign, security and defence policy.

Although no vote was taken on Mr GREENWAY’s report, prepared by the budget or so-called Quaestors Committee, on the consequences of the closure, it was clear that it had the full support of the Assembly, President Robert WALTER said.

Committee Chairman Doris BARNETT (Germany, Socialist group) stressed the importance of dialogue on defence and security issues between EU member states and non-EU member states, such as some of the western Balkan states, Turkey and Russia. Parliaments had gained confidence since the 1950s, when they had often toed the government line. “Parliaments have considerable power now”, she said. Shutting down the organisation was “a serious mistake”, and its replacement should be neither an appendage nor a committee of the European Parliament. Membership should also be open to non-EU countries in the wider Europe, she added.

Mike HANCOCK (United Kingdom, Liberal Group) said the notice given to the Assembly could well be followed by a plea for it to return when nothing better came along. But if the Assembly were asked to come back, it would be too late, and “we will end up with a dog’s dinner of an alternative” which would be unable to play its full part in parliaments’ most important decision – sending people in harm’s way”.

He described the shutdown as a “a crisis for parliamentary accountability”, and said he was surprised and felt betrayed by the decision, since the former British Foreign Secretary had pledged his support for British and European parliamentary scrutiny over defence and security issues.

João Bosco MOTA AMARAL (Portugal, EPP/CD) said that parliamentarians had not done all they could to prevent the Assembly from “being sent packing” on the recommendation of the British Government at a time when the construction of Europe was in a decisive phase. “We have participated in the gradual deterioration of our position”, he added.

However, governments have repeatedly congratulated the Assembly on its “inspirational reports (…) on controversial issues (…) that politically are always aimed at the right target”, and on being “a splendid friend when in need”.