Co-operation of the information agencies of the CMEA countries

Abstract

The Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) was founded in Moscow on 21 January 1949, by Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Rumania and the Soviet Union. Other Communist countries were invited to join, and in February 1949, the Council accepted Albania.] in September 1950, East Germany, and in June 1962, Outer Mongolia§ as full members of the organization. The original purposes of the Council were to organize foreign trade, to promote the exchange of technical and economic know-how, and to act as a counter-force to the Marshall Plan. Later the objectives were broadened to include co-operation and specialization in production goods, consumer goods, and agricultural items, co-ordination of investment and production plans, and promotion of standardization agreements. The highest organ of the CMEA organization is the Council, composed of the delegations of the member nations. It meets at least twice a year. The Council has two executive bodies, the Board of Representatives and the Secretariat, both of which are located permanently in Moscow. The Board ofRepresentatives consists ofone delegate from each country. It directs the Secretariat and other subordinate agencies and works out policy proposals to be considered at the plenary meetings of the Council. The Secretariat does the actual administrative work. Essential components ofthe CMEA organization are various Standing Commissions, such as Coal Commission, Electricity Commission, Foreign