# EUR-Lex - 22003P0926(21) - EN

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# 22003P0926(21)

**Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Partnership Agreement concluded between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part - Resolution on the situation in the European Union (ACP-EU 3567/03/fin) **

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Official Journal 231 , 26/09/2003 P. 0053 - 0056 *

RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in the European Union

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo) from 31 March to 3 April 2003,

A. noting that violent floods in Germany, Austria and central parts of Europe have caused the tragic loss of human lives and the destruction of houses, farms and transport, communication and energy infrastructure,

B. whereas large amounts of hazardous chemicals have been found in the flooded rivers due to flooding of chemical sites in the Czech Republic and in Germany, and risk contaminating agricultural land and the environment in general,

C. whereas this year large parts of the world and millions of people have suffered from either extreme floods or drought: floods in Central Europe, China, eastern China, Bangladesh and Nepal; drought in the north-west of the United States of America, the south-west of Canada, Southern Africa, Australia and western India,

D. whereas, owing to current human-induced climate change, there is a risk of further natural disasters on a similar or even larger scale unless strong action is taken to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions,

E. whereas certain sensitive areas along rivers and valleys have lost a part of their water-absorption capacity due to intensive agriculture and large infrastructure constructions along these valleys and rivers, and the ongoing straightening and deepening of rivers for navigation purposes have increased the risk of floods,

1. Expresses its sympathy in connection with the distress and damage caused to the flood victims in all the affected countries;

2. Warmly welcomes the swift response of the Commission to the flooding in Austria, Germany and several applicant countries;

3. Underlines the need for more action, particularly in the transport and energy sectors, to reduce CO2 emissions by promoting energy saving and renewable sources;

4. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to rapidly agree on EU and national measures to implement the targets agreed within the Kyoto Protocol, as a first step towards reducing greenhouse gases;

5. Calls on the United States of America to join hands with the international community in fighting climate change and to ratify the Kyoto Protocol at the earliest opportunity;

6. Calls on the Member States to adapt their policy and legislation towards reduced and sustainable land use, to maintain existing flood plains in their natural state or reconstruct former ones, to finance and promote restructuring measures in favour of eco-systems in rivers and valleys, to respect landscape and forests and to protect eco-systems in flood-sensitive areas of rivers and their valleys;

7. Calls on the Member States to clean up their chemical sites and to ensure that they are protected against flooding, so as to avoid contamination of the environment;

8. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council and the European Commission.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 3 April 2003 in Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo).