On 27 September 1965, the Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) circulates a draft reply by the WEU Council to Assembly Recommendation 121 on defence outside the NATO area. The Council emphasises the role it plays through its quarterly meetings, which provide an opportunity to discuss situations in all the areas across the world where WEU Member States have military commitments. The aim is to improve understanding of the respective problems of the Member States and to identify how they can give each other mutual assistance and demonstrate solidarity. The Council reaffirms the need to harmonise policy on financial and economic aid granted outside Europe and welcomes the measures taken in this field in other international groups and through bilateral consultations.