European Cooperation Organization

[Malatose]

In the spirit of European Unity, the New Palma Republic, the Empire of SlavoRussia, the Athenian Federation and the Slavic Federation have come to together to create the European Cooperation Organization. This bloc will not selfishly serve the agenda of a select few, but it will serve all of Europe, equally.

[quote][b]Preamble[/b]

We the nations of Europe come together united by a common bond, to once again promote the ideals we share. The European Cooperation Organization is established upon the principles of independence. Unless attacked the members shall have freedom to act as they see fit, to the benefit of their respective nations. The goal of this treaty is to foster the advancement and prosperity of Europe as a peaceful, yet unified continent.

[b]Article 1: Sovereignty[/b]

I: All signatories of this treaty shall remain sovereign, independent entities, as do their respective nations.
II: The Central Council will hold no power over a signatory's internal or foreign affairs.

[b]Article 2: Non-aggression[/b]

I: No recognized member of any signatory may knowingly perform an act of aggression against another signatory.
II: An act of aggression shall be defined as attacking a signatory directly or aiding, encouraging and otherwise provoking an attack upon a signatory by a third party.
III: If a nation is alleged to be in violation of this article, they must immediately cease any and all attacks and offer peace. Reparations to the defender must also be made, to an equal or greater amount of the damages the defender incurred.

[b]Article 3: Intelligence and Espionage[/b]

I: Signatories agree to refrain from engaging in any kind of espionage or other intelligence gathering activities against any signatories. They shall also refrain from supporting any such action by other parties.
II: If any signatory possesses information relevant to the well being of any other signatory it is required that the information be shared with that signatory.
III: If any signatory is found to be in violation of this article, the Central Council will vote on the possible expulsion of this member.

[b]Article 4: War and Aid[/b]

I: All signatories have a legal casus belli against any third party which conducts aggression (as defined in Article 2, Section II) against any signatory.
II: Aid can be requested by any signatory. If requested, said aid must be considered through the appropriate channels by all other signatories.
III: Signatories can, but are by no means required to, come to the military defense of another signatory.
IV: If a signatory decides not to pledge aid to another signatory, they must remain militarily neutral in the conflict until it is resolved.

[b]Article 5: Establishment of Free Trade Zone[/b]

I: All signatories agree to establish a joint Free Trade Zone

[b]Article 6: Establishment of Central Council[/b]

I: The purpose of the Central Council shall be to serve as the primary inductor for new nations into this treaty, and to add additional amendments to this treaty. The council also reserves the right to expel signatories if they are found in violation of Article 2 or Article 3, or for some other specified reason.
II: Each signatory may appoint up to two officials to serve in the Council.
III: A signatory may be expelled from this treaty with a vote of no less than 75% of the Council.

[b]Article 7: Admittance[/b]

I: This treaty is open to all European nations, provided they agree to be bound by its terms.
II: The sponsoring signatory shall inform the Council of the application upon completion of the survey and shall present the survey to the Council. The Council shall have 21 days to discuss and vote upon the application.
III: The members of The Council may vote yea or nay to the admittance of the applicant nation, any one signatory may veto the entry of an applicant nation by voting nay.
IV: New signatories may be admitted to this treaty by a 50%+1 majority vote from the Council within the allotted 21 day time period, provided that there are no vetoes.
V: In the event of a veto or that an application can not reach the required quorum within the allotted 21 day time period, the sponsoring signatory shall inform the applicant nation that they have been denied entry to this treaty.

[b]Article 8: Amendments[/b]

I: New legislation may be added to this treaty after being approved by the Council with a unanimous vote.
II: Signatories may propose legislation they feel will strengthen this treaty to the Council for consideration.

[b]Article 9: Cancellation and Expiration[/b]

I: Any signatory may withdraw at any time from this treaty. After an official and public announcement has been made, and the withdrawing alliance must still obey all parts of this treaty for a period of 120 hours.
II: Should any signatory be expelled from this treaty, all signatories, including the expelled signatory, are still bound to non-aggression as defined in Article 3, Section 2 for a period of 48 hours.

Signed For the New Palma Republic:
President Edward Nicholas Moshum

For the Empire of Slavorussia,
Emperor Justinian Mikhailovich Romanov
Prime Minister Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev

Signed for the Athenian Federation,
[img]http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7435/e9634eeeb3bfe7bc40dc1c4.png[/img]
Nikita Akhatova,
President of the Athenian Federation

Signed for the Slavic Federation,
His Imperial Highness [b]Alec Pradeux[/b], Emperor of the Slavic Federation, President of Dalmatia, Chief Priest, Imperator of the Slavic Armed Forces, Imperium Maius, First Man of the Senate, and Imperial Censor of the State
His Imperial Highness [b]James II[/b], Emperor of the Slavic Federation, King of Caucasia, Chief Priest, Imperator of the Slavic Armed Forces, Imperium Maius, First Man of the Senate, and Imperial Censor of the State[/quote]

[Centurius]

"An event that will surely go into history as a victory for Europa, we are happy to be part of it"

[Triyun]

We congratulate our friends in this new organization, may it bring you prosperity.

[iamthey]

We congratulate our allies in the Slavic Federation on this great new organization. We hope it is effective in its aims and purpose.

[Owned-You]

[i]"It is a pleasure and privilege to be apart of this organization. I look forward to working with my brothers and sisters to better Europe if not the World." - President Moshum[/i]

[Uberstein]

In the spirit of peace and collaboration, and as a founding member of PEPTO, another bloc devoted to peace, we congratulate these nations for coming together, and submit our application towards membership. The name of the organization of peace is not what is important, but the spirit behind it. An equal and free Europe is a goal every European nation can aspire towards.

[Centurius]

Pending an official discussion area the Athenian Federation will sponsor the Republic of Finland.

[Subtleknifewielder]

"Another organization of nations claming to do what is best for all of Europe. So now instead of being split in half, Europe is now split into three. Yeah, benefit Europe by dividing it more. That's real beneficial."

~Political pundit commenting on the European Cooperation Organization, a known detractor of both the WEU and PEPTO.

There was no official comment from Australia, merely a private note expressing congratulations to this new organization, and expressing wishes that it be successful in its endeavors.