The ANZUS-pact was founded September 1st, 1951 in San Francisco (USA) by Australia, New-Zealand and the United States. The aim was to guarantee the safety in the Pacific Ocean. The countries decided, that an armed attack on one member would cause a danger to peace and security of the other members, and that each of them will take measures to overcome the common danger. The steps, taken by the member states, will be reported to the Security Council of the UNO.
The ministers of Foreign Affairs (or their representatives) meet every year.
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Arab League
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League of Arab States
The Arab League was founded in Cairo, Egypt in 1945 as a loose union of the seven Arab states that were independent at that time: Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi-Arabia, Syria, Transjordan and Yemen.
The major goals of the Arab League are supporting the relations of its member countries, in the political, cultural, and economic field; the acknowledgement of Palestine as an independent state (The PLO is a member of the Arab League); the protection of common Arab interests; the arbitration of conflicts.
However the Arab League is reputed to fulfill none of its aims very well: Especially on the political field the Arab League fails regularily; the latest example was the Gulf war, when the member countries could not agree on a common strategy.
But the Arab League has some success on the cultural and economic sector, where the petroleum exporting countries transfer financial help to the poor countries.
The highest authority of the Arab League is the Council of the Kings and Heads of states. Other institutions are the League Council, Councils of Ministers, standing committees and some unimportant sub-organizations. Secretary General is the Egyptian Esmat Abdel Menguid, since 1991. The seat of the organization is Cairo.
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Association of Southeast Asean Nations (ASEAN)
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Association of Southeast Asean Nations (ASEAN)
The ASEAN was founded in Bangkok in 1967; founder-members were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei joined in 1984.
The organization's goal is to support the co-operation of its member nations, in the economic, social and cultural field. The economic successes are not overwhelming by now, but the ASEAN is developing to an important political instituion in Asia, because its member countries coordinate their foreign policies very effectively.
The most important decisions are made at the summits of the heads of states and governments, other authorities are the Council of Ministers and some standing commitees.
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Benelux
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BENELUX
The Benelux was founded in London at September 5th 1944, by the governments in exile of Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. The purpose of the treaty was an economical integration of the three countries, to be completed with an economic union. The treaty was affirmed in 1946 by the post-war governments, and came into effect at Januari 1th, 1948.
The Benelux is based upon intergovernmental cooperation, decisions are made within the Committee of Ministers. The highest organ of the Benelux is the Council of the Economic Union, which prepares the decisions of the Committee of Ministers and takes care of the execution.
Advising committees are: the Advising Interparlementary Benelux Council and the Economic and Social Council of Advice. Judicial organs are: the Board of Arbitration and the Benelux Court.
In the 1950's the Benelux treaties stood more or less model for the West-European integration (EC). However, the meaning of the Benelux has decreased rapidly over the last years, due to the increasing importance of the EC. Nowadays many Benelux treaties are out of date or even in conflict with EC-law.
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Commonwealth of Nations
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The Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations is an organization of independent states and dependencies, centered around the British Crown. It developed from the former British Empire. Originally the name was 'The British Commonwealth of Nations', but the term 'British' was dropped after WWII.
Historically, the present Commonwealth is the result of the development to autonomy of the older parts of the British Empire, the dominions (Canada, Australia, ...). Especially their demand for full autonomy over their own foreign affairs, stated during WWI, was of large influence. In 'the Statute of Westminster' (1931) the full autonomy of those dominions was juridically settled.
After the disintegration of the British Empire most new-formed countries inherited the Commonwealth membership. Most member-states recognize the British King (Queen) as their monarch, but also the republics (India, Tanzania, ...) regard the King (Queen) as a symbol of the association of the independent members.
In 1947 the 'Burma Independence Act' was accepted. This gives the right to every member to withdraw itself from the Commonwealth at any time. Some countries have made use of this act: Burma (evidently), and the 'apartheid' states South-Africa and Rhodesia (the present Zimbabwe).
Primarily, the Commonwealth functions through intergovernmental consultancy and the periodical meetings of the Commonwealth Heads of Government. Since 1965 there is a common secretary (London), which promotes the multilateral consultancy between the members. It also administers the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (founded in 1971).
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Community of Independent States (CIS)
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Community of Independent States (CIS)
On September 5th, 1991 the Congress of the People's Delegates sealed the end of the Soviet Union, that was to be converted to a federation of independent republics. Some bilateral treaties were made, and on December 8th the three slavic republics of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine founded the Community of Independent States (CIS). On December 21st the other former Soviet republics except Georgia and the Batlic states joined the CIS.
The CIS is neither a state nor a supranational authority; it is just a forum for the protection and coordination of the common interest of the member nations. Another goal is to fulfill the liabilities (e.g. foreign debths) of the former Soviet Union.
The highest authorities of the CIS are the Council of the Heads of States und the Council of the Heads of Governments. But the opportunities of the CIS are limited, because of the Russian-Ukrainian antagonism.
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Council of Europe
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Council of Europe
The Council of Europe was founded in London in 1949; the ten founder-members are Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. By now there are 20 member nations, and some Central and Eastern European countries have guest status since 1989.
The most important authorities are the Committee of Ministers, that meets twice per year in Strasbourg, France; the Parliamentary Assembly; the Office with about 900 employees whose Secretary General is at present Catherine Lalumière from France.
The Council of Europe is a forum for international meetings and consultations. Favourite topics are the protection of the individual, protection of the human rights, support of democracy, improvment of living quality and cultural co-operation. About 140 important treaties and conventions have already been created with the help of the Council of Europe.
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European Community (EC)
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European Communities (EC)
As the name indicates - the EC contains more than one organization: In 1951 the European Community for Coal and Steel (ECCS) was founded in Paris, by the six founder-members Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg and Netherlands. Its aim was a common market for coal, iron, steel and scrap metal.
Six years later, in 1957, the European Economic Community (EEC) was founded in Rome. Its aim was a common market for agrarian and industrial products. At the same time the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) was created, that should support the non-military use of nuclear energy.
At first these three organizations worked seperately, but since 1967 they maintain common authorities and a common name: The European Community (singular). One by one some other nations entered into the EC: Denmark, Irel
