# C_2005272EN.01000801.xml

| 3.11.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 272/8 |
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3.11.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 272/8

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MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF THURSDAY, 21 APRIL 2005

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF THURSDAY, 21 APRIL 2005

(2005/C 272/04)

(The sitting opened at 9.22 a.m.)

(The sitting opened at 9.22 a.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Mrs KINNOCK

Co-President

Co-President

1.   Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes: van den Berg (for Bullmann), Czarnecki (for Kozlik), Fava (for Rosati), Mauro (for Daul), Schröder (for Langendries) and García-Margallo y Marfil (for López-Istúriz White).

2.   Approval of the minutes of the sitting of Tuesday, 19 April morning and afternoon and of Wednesday, 20 April morning

The minutes were approved.

3.   Debate on consequence of the December 2004 tsunami for the ACP countries and measures to be taken in future

The Co-Presidents would address a letter to the Brussels-based ambassadors of the countries affected by the tsunami, to inform them of the compassion of the JPA and its continuing interest in their situation.

4.   Debate on the situation in Togo

Speakers: Kpade (Togo), Gessesse (Ethiopia), Akpovi (Benin), Gahler, Bounkoulou (Congo), Keita (Mali), Carlotti, Beda (Sudan), Kembukusua (DRC), Nyassa (Cameroon), Aubert, Diallo (observer, ECOWAS Parliament) and Malin (European Commission).

The Co-President reminded members that there was no resolution to wind up the debate.

5.   Summary reports on the workshops

| — | Mr Dombrovskis on the negotiations on economic partnership agreements in West Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. |
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—

Mr Dombrovskis on the negotiations on economic partnership agreements in West Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

| — | Mr Bamba (Mali) on desertification and saving the River Niger. |
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—

Mr Bamba (Mali) on desertification and saving the River Niger.

| — | Mr Diko (Mali) on the cotton sector in Mali. |
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—

Mr Diko (Mali) on the cotton sector in Mali.

IN THE CHAIR: Mrs HAY WEBSTER

Co-President

Co-President

6.   Vote on the motions for resolutions included in the reports submitted by the three standing committees

| — | Report on Progress made in achieving universal primary education and gender equality in the ACP countries in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) (ACP-EU 3752) — Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment. Co-Rapporteurs: María Elena Valenciano Martínez-Orozco and Donald Ramotar (Guyana)
  Amendments 1-6, 9, 10, 12 and 13 were adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously. |
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—

Report on Progress made in achieving universal primary education and gender equality in the ACP countries in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) (ACP-EU 3752) — Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment. Co-Rapporteurs: María Elena Valenciano Martínez-Orozco and Donald Ramotar (Guyana)

Amendments 1-6, 9, 10, 12 and 13 were adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously.

| — | Report on post-conflict rehabilitation in ACP countries (ACP-EU 3754) — Committee on Political Affairs. Co-Rapporteurs: José Ribeiro e Castro and Tomaz Salomão (Mozambique)
  Amendments 1-13, 14 (with oral amendment) and 15 were adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously. |
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—

Report on post-conflict rehabilitation in ACP countries (ACP-EU 3754) — Committee on Political Affairs. Co-Rapporteurs: José Ribeiro e Castro and Tomaz Salomão (Mozambique)

Amendments 1-13, 14 (with oral amendment) and 15 were adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously.

| — | Report on Budgetisation on the European Development Fund (ACP-EU 3686) — Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade
  Amendments 1 and 2 (with oral amendment) were adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously. |
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—

Report on Budgetisation on the European Development Fund (ACP-EU 3686) — Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade

Amendments 1 and 2 (with oral amendment) were adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously.

7.   Vote on urgent motions for resolutions

| — | Urgent motion for resolution on the situation in the Sudan (ACP-EU 3777)
  Amendment 5 was adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously. |
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—

Urgent motion for resolution on the situation in the Sudan (ACP-EU 3777)

Amendment 5 was adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously.

| — | Urgent motion for resolution on the situation in the African Great Lakes Region (ACP- EU 3778)
  Amendments 1-3 and 5-7 were adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously. |
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—

Urgent motion for resolution on the situation in the African Great Lakes Region (ACP- EU 3778)

Amendments 1-3 and 5-7 were adopted. The resolution, as amended, was adopted unanimously.

8.   The Bamako Declaration on the Millennium Development Goals

This declaration was adopted by acclamation.

9.   Any other business

The Co-President expressed special thanks to Mr Assarid Imbarcaouane for his excellent organisation of the JPA session in Mali.

10.   Date and place of the 10th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

The 10th session would be held from 18 to 24 November 2005. Its location would be announced later.

th

The Co-President announced the following dates for 2006, subject to confirmation:

| — | committees and Bureau meetings: week of 23 January |
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—

committees and Bureau meetings: week of 23 January

| — | plenary session: week of 19 June |
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—

plenary session: week of 19 June

| — | committees and Bureau meetings: week of 11 September |
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—

committees and Bureau meetings: week of 11 September

| — | plenary session: week of 20 November |
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plenary session: week of 20 November

The order of the plenary sessions would be inverted, the first plenary session in the year being held in the EU and the second plenary session in an ACP country in the future.

(The sitting closed at 11.40 a.m.)

(The sitting closed at 11.40 a.m.)

Sharon HAY WEBSTER and

Glenys KINNOCK

Co-Presidents

Sir John KAPUTIN

and Dietmar NICKEL

Co-Secretaries-General

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ANNEX I

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

| ACP Representatives | EP Representatives |
| --- | --- |
| HAY WEBSTER (JAMAICA), Co-President | KINNOCK, Co-President |
| BARBADOS, (VP) | GAHLER (VP) |
| CONGO, (VP) | MANTOVANI (VP) |
| DJIBOUTI, (VP) | VERGES (VP) |
| FIJI, (VP) | CARLOTTI (VP) |
| GABON, (VP) | MITCHELL (VP) |
| SAINT VICENT AND THE GRENADINES, (VP) | JOAN I MARÍ (VP) |
| SIERRA LEONE, (VP) | LULLING (VP) |
| SOLOMON ISLANDS, (VP) | KAMIŃSKI (VP) |
| SOUTH AFRICA, (VP) | CORNILLET (VP) |
| SWAZILAND (VP) | MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ (VP) |
| TOGO, (VP) | BOWIS (VP) |
| UGANDA, (VP) | GOUDIN (VP) |
| ANGOLA | AGNOLETTO |
| ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA | ALLISTER |
| BAHAMAS | ARIF |
| BELIZE | AUBERT |
| BENIN | AYLWARD |
| BOTSWANA | BEREND |
| BURKINA FASO | BULLMANN |
| BURUNDI | BUSK |
| CAMEROON | CALLANAN |
| CAPE VERDE | COELHO |
| CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | DAUL |
| CHAD | DEVA |
| COMOROS | DILLEN |
| CONGO (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of) | DOBOLYI |
| COOK ISLANDS | DOMBROVSKIS |
| CÔTE D'IVOIRE | EK |
| DOMINICA | FERNANDES |
| DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | FERREIRA |
| EQUATORIAL GUINEA | GOMES |
| ERITREA | GRABOWSKA |
| ETHIOPIA | GRÖNER |
| GAMBIA | HALL |
| GHANA | HAUG |
| GRENADA | HERRANZ GARCÍA |
| GUINEA | JÖNS |
| GUINEA-BISSAU | JONCKHEER |
| GUYANA | KACZMAREK |
| HAITI | KORHOLA |
| KENYA | KOZLÍK |
| KIRIBATI | KUŁAKOWSKI |
| LESOTHO | LANGENDRIES |
| LIBERIA | LEHIDEUX |
| MADAGASCAR | LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE |
| MALAWI | LOUIS |
| MALI | McAVAN |
| MARSHALL ISLANDS (REPUBLIC of the) | MARTENS |
| MAURITANIA | MAYER |
| MAURITIUS | MORILLON |
| MICRONESIA (FEDERATED STATES of) | NOVAK |
| MOZAMBIQUE | PLEGUEZUELOS AGUILAR |
| NAMIBIA | POLFER |
| NAURU (REPUBLIC of) | RIBEIRO E CASTRO |
| NIGER | ROITHOVÁ |
| NIGERIA | ROSATI |
| NIUE | SARTORI |
| PALAU | SCHEELE |
| PAPUA NEW GUINEA | SCHLYTER |
| RWANDA | SCHNELLHARDT |
| SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS | SCHWAB |
| SAINT LUCIA | SJÖSTEDT |
| SAMOA | SORNOSA MARTÍNEZ |
| SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE | SPERONI |
| SENEGAL | STURDY |
| SEYCHELLES | VALENCIANO MARTÍNEZ-OROZCO |
| SOMALIA | VAN HECKE |
| SUDAN | VAN LANCKER |
| SURINAME | de VILLIERS |
| TANZANIA | WHITEHEAD |
| TONGA | WIELAND |
| TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO | WIJKMAN |
| TUVALU | WURTZ |
| VANUATU | ZÁBORSKÁ |
| ZAMBIA | ZANI |
| ZIMBABWE | ZĪLE |

ACP Representatives

EP Representatives

HAY WEBSTER (JAMAICA), Co-President

KINNOCK, Co-President

BARBADOS, (VP)

GAHLER (VP)

CONGO, (VP)

MANTOVANI (VP)

DJIBOUTI, (VP)

VERGES (VP)

FIJI, (VP)

CARLOTTI (VP)

GABON, (VP)

MITCHELL (VP)

SAINT VICENT AND THE GRENADINES, (VP)

JOAN I MARÍ (VP)

SIERRA LEONE, (VP)

LULLING (VP)

SOLOMON ISLANDS, (VP)

KAMIŃSKI (VP)

SOUTH AFRICA, (VP)

CORNILLET (VP)

SWAZILAND (VP)

MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ (VP)

TOGO, (VP)

BOWIS (VP)

UGANDA, (VP)

GOUDIN (VP)

ANGOLA

AGNOLETTO

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

ALLISTER

BAHAMAS

ARIF

BELIZE

AUBERT

BENIN

AYLWARD

BOTSWANA

BEREND

BURKINA FASO

BULLMANN

BURUNDI

BUSK

CAMEROON

CALLANAN

CAPE VERDE

COELHO

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

DAUL

CHAD

DEVA

COMOROS

DILLEN

CONGO (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of)

DOBOLYI

COOK ISLANDS

DOMBROVSKIS

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

EK

DOMINICA

FERNANDES

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

FERREIRA

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

GOMES

ERITREA

GRABOWSKA

ETHIOPIA

GRÖNER

GAMBIA

HALL

GHANA

HAUG

GRENADA

HERRANZ GARCÍA

GUINEA

JÖNS

GUINEA-BISSAU

JONCKHEER

GUYANA

KACZMAREK

HAITI

KORHOLA

KENYA

KOZLÍK

KIRIBATI

KUŁAKOWSKI

LESOTHO

LANGENDRIES

LIBERIA

LEHIDEUX

MADAGASCAR

LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE

MALAWI

LOUIS

MALI

McAVAN

MARSHALL ISLANDS (REPUBLIC of the)

MARTENS

MAURITANIA

MAYER

MAURITIUS

MORILLON

MICRONESIA (FEDERATED STATES of)

NOVAK

MOZAMBIQUE

PLEGUEZUELOS AGUILAR

NAMIBIA

POLFER

NAURU (REPUBLIC of)

RIBEIRO E CASTRO

NIGER

ROITHOVÁ

NIGERIA

ROSATI

NIUE

SARTORI

PALAU

SCHEELE

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

SCHLYTER

RWANDA

SCHNELLHARDT

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS

SCHWAB

SAINT LUCIA

SJÖSTEDT

SAMOA

SORNOSA MARTÍNEZ

SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE

SPERONI

SENEGAL

STURDY

SEYCHELLES

VALENCIANO MARTÍNEZ-OROZCO

SOMALIA

VAN HECKE

SUDAN

VAN LANCKER

SURINAME

de VILLIERS

TANZANIA

WHITEHEAD

TONGA

WIELAND

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

WIJKMAN

TUVALU

WURTZ

VANUATU

ZÁBORSKÁ

ZAMBIA

ZANI

ZIMBABWE

ZĪLE

COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL AFFAIRS

| ACP Members | EP Members |
| --- | --- |
| NABUKA (FIJI) Co-Chairman | CALLANAN, Co-Chairman |
| NAHIMANA (BURUNDI), VC | JÖNS, VC |
| LUTUNDULA, (CONGO, Democratic Republic of), VC | POLFER, VC |
| ANGOLA | CARLOTTI |
| BELIZE | DILLEN |
| BENIN | DOBOLYI |
| CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | GAHLER |
| COOK ISLANDS | GOMES |
| DJIBOUTI | GRABOWSKA |
| EQUATORIAL GUINEA | GRÖNER |
| GRENADA | HERRANZ GARCÍA |
| GUINEA | JONCKHEER |
| GUYANA | KACZMAREK |
| LIBERIA | KAMINSKI |
| MAURITANIA | LANGENDRIES |
| NAMIBIA | LÓPEZ ISTÚRIZ |
| NIGERIA | LOUIS |
| NIUE | MANTOVANI |
| PAPUA NEW GUINEA | MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ |
| SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES | MORILLON |
| SUDAN | RIBEIRO E CASTRO |
| SURINAME | SARTORI |
| TOGO | VAN HECKE |
| TUVALU | WIELAND |
| UGANDA | WURTZ |
| ZIMBABWE | ZANI |

ACP Members

EP Members

NABUKA (FIJI) Co-Chairman

CALLANAN, Co-Chairman

NAHIMANA (BURUNDI), VC

JÖNS, VC

LUTUNDULA, (CONGO, Democratic Republic of), VC

POLFER, VC

ANGOLA

CARLOTTI

BELIZE

DILLEN

BENIN

DOBOLYI

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

GAHLER

COOK ISLANDS

GOMES

DJIBOUTI

GRABOWSKA

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

GRÖNER

GRENADA

HERRANZ GARCÍA

GUINEA

JONCKHEER

GUYANA

KACZMAREK

LIBERIA

KAMINSKI

MAURITANIA

LANGENDRIES

NAMIBIA

LÓPEZ ISTÚRIZ

NIGERIA

LOUIS

NIUE

MANTOVANI

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ

SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

MORILLON

SUDAN

RIBEIRO E CASTRO

SURINAME

SARTORI

TOGO

VAN HECKE

TUVALU

WIELAND

UGANDA

WURTZ

ZIMBABWE

ZANI

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FINANCE AND TRADE

| ACP Members | EP Members |
| --- | --- |
| LEKOBA, (CONGO, Republic of), Co-Chairman | SCHLYTER, Co-Chairman |
| NIANGADOU (MALI), VC | VC |
| HAY WEBSTER (JAMAICA), VC | DOMBROVSKIS, VC |
| BOTSWANA | AGNOLETTO |
| CAMEROON | BEREND |
| CONGO (Democratic Republic of) | BULLMANN |
| CÔTE D'IVOIRE | BUSK |
| DOMINICA | CORNILLET |
| ERITREA | DAUL |
| ETHIOPIA | DEVA |
| GABON | FERREIRA |
| GHANA | JOAN I MARI |
| KENYA | KINNOCK |
| MAURITIUS | KOZLÍK |
| MICRONESIA (Federal States of) | LEHIDEUX |
| PALAU | LULLING |
| ST. LUCIA | MAYER |
| SAMOA | McAVAN |
| SENEGAL | MITCHELL |
| SIERRA LEONE | PLEGUEZUELOS |
| SOUTH AFRICA | ROSATI |
| SWAZILAND | SPERONI |
| TANZANIA | STURDY |
| TONGA | VAN LANCKER |
| TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO | de VILLIERS |
| ZAMBIA | ZĪLE |

ACP Members

EP Members

LEKOBA, (CONGO, Republic of), Co-Chairman

SCHLYTER, Co-Chairman

NIANGADOU (MALI), VC

VC

HAY WEBSTER (JAMAICA), VC

DOMBROVSKIS, VC

BOTSWANA

AGNOLETTO

CAMEROON

BEREND

CONGO (Democratic Republic of)

BULLMANN

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

BUSK

DOMINICA

CORNILLET

ERITREA

DAUL

ETHIOPIA

DEVA

GABON

FERREIRA

GHANA

JOAN I MARI

KENYA

KINNOCK

MAURITIUS

KOZLÍK

MICRONESIA (Federal States of)

LEHIDEUX

PALAU

LULLING

ST. LUCIA

MAYER

SAMOA

McAVAN

SENEGAL

MITCHELL

SIERRA LEONE

PLEGUEZUELOS

SOUTH AFRICA

ROSATI

SWAZILAND

SPERONI

TANZANIA

STURDY

TONGA

VAN LANCKER

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

de VILLIERS

ZAMBIA

ZĪLE

COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

| ACP Members | EP Members |
| --- | --- |
| METSING (LESOTHO), Co-Chairman | SCHEELE, Co-Chairwoman |
| POLISI (RWANDA), VC | NOVAK, VC |
| AROUNA (NIGER), VC | ARIF, VC |
| ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA | ALLISTER |
| BAHAMAS | AUBERT |
| BARBADOS | AYLWARD |
| BURKINA FASO | BOWIS |
| CAPE VERDE | EK |
| CHAD | FERNANDES |
| COMOROS | GOUDIN |
| DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | HALL |
| GAMBIA | HAUG |
| GUINEA BISSAU | KORHOLA |
| KIRIBATI | KUŁAKOWSKI |
| MADAGASCAR | MARTENS |
| MALAWI | ROITHOVA |
| MARSHALL ISLANDS (Republic of) | SCHNELLHARDT |
| MOZAMBIQUE | SCHWAB |
| NAURU | SJÖSTEDT |
| SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS | SORNOSA MARTINEZ |
| SÃO TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE | VALENCIANO MARTINEZ-OROZCO |
| SEYCHELLES | VERGES |
| SOLOMON ISLANDS | WHITEHEAD |
| SOMALIA | WIJKMAN |
| VANUATU | ZÁBORSKÁ |

ACP Members

EP Members

METSING (LESOTHO), Co-Chairman

SCHEELE, Co-Chairwoman

POLISI (RWANDA), VC

NOVAK, VC

AROUNA (NIGER), VC

ARIF, VC

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

ALLISTER

BAHAMAS

AUBERT

BARBADOS

AYLWARD

BURKINA FASO

BOWIS

CAPE VERDE

EK

CHAD

FERNANDES

COMOROS

GOUDIN

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

HALL

GAMBIA

HAUG

GUINEA BISSAU

KORHOLA

KIRIBATI

KUŁAKOWSKI

MADAGASCAR

MARTENS

MALAWI

ROITHOVA

MARSHALL ISLANDS (Republic of)

SCHNELLHARDT

MOZAMBIQUE

SCHWAB

NAURU

SJÖSTEDT

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS

SORNOSA MARTINEZ

SÃO TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE

VALENCIANO MARTINEZ-OROZCO

SEYCHELLES

VERGES

SOLOMON ISLANDS

WHITEHEAD

SOMALIA

WIJKMAN

VANUATU

ZÁBORSKÁ

---

ANNEX II

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE AT THE SESSION FROM 18 TO 21 APRIL IN BAMAKO

| HAY WEBSTER (Jamaica), Co-President | KINNOCK, Co-President |
| --- | --- |
| COSTA DALA (Angola) | |
| GODDARD (Barbados)  (1) | AGNOLETTO |
| AKPOVI (Benin) | AUBERT (2)
   (3)
   (4) |
| SEBETELA (Botswana) | BEREND |
| TAPSOBA (Burkina Faso) | BOWIS (VP) |
| NAHIMANA (Burundi) | CALLANAN |
| NYASSA (Cameroon) | CARLOTTI (VP) |
| GOUCHOULAGUE (Chad) | CORNILLET (VP)  (4) |
| BOUNKOULOU (Congo, Republic of) | CZARNECKI (for KOZLÍK) |
| LUTUNDULA (Congo, Democratic Republic of) | DILLEN |
| MARSTERS (Cook Islands) | DOMBROVSKIS |
| AMON-AGO (Côte d'Ivoire) | FAVA (4)
   (5)(for ROSATI) |
| POLANCO (Cuba) | FERNANDES (2) |
| DAWALEH (Djibouti) | FERREIRA  (4) |
| RIVIERE (Dominica) | GAHLER (VP) |
| REYES AGLON (Dominican Republic) | GARCÍA-MARGALLO y MARFIL (5) (for LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE) |
| MBABELA (Equatorial Guinea) | GOMES  (3)
   (5) |
| WELDEGIORGIS (Eritrea) | GOUDIN (VP)  (2)
   (3)
   (4) |
| GESSESSE (Ethiopia) | GRABOWSKA |
| CAVUILATI (Fiji)  (1) | GRÖNER (4)
   (5) |
| OBIANG NDONG (Gabon) | HALL  (3) |
| KAH (Gambia)  (1) | HAUG |
| OSEI-PREMPEH (Ghana) | JOAN I MARÍ (VP)  (2)
   (3)
   (4) |
| TOP (Guinea) | JÖNS |
| MYRTHIL (Haiti)  (1) | KACZMAREK |
| KAMOTHO (Kenya) | KAMIŃSKI (VP) |
| METSING (Lesotho)  (1) | KLAß (for SCHWAB) |
| MANNAH (Liberia) | KORHOLA  (4)
   (5) |
| FANJAVA (Madagascar) | LULLING (VP)  (3)
   (4)
   (5) |
| MATOLA (Malawi) | MANTOVANI |
| IMBARCAOUANE (Mali) | MARTENS |
| GUELAYE (Mauritania) | MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ (VP) |
| PAYA (Mauritius) | MAURO (for DAUL) |
| DINYANDO (Namibia) | McAVAN |
| ALMA (Niger) | MAYER |
| BAWA BWARI (Nigeria) | MITCHELL (VP)  (2)
   (3)
   (4) |
| TAUFITU (Niue) | MORGANTINI  (2)
   (3)
   (4) (for WURTZ) |
| ANGGO (Papua New Guinea) | MORILLON |
| POLISI (Rwanda) | NOVAK |
| BULLEN (Saint Kitts and Nevis)  (1) | PISTELLI  (2)
   (3) (for BUSK) |
| FRANÇOIS (Saint Lucia) | RIBEIRO E CASTRO |
| SAFUNEITUGA (Samoa) | ROITHOVÁ |
| FAURE (Seychelles) | SCHEELE |
| CONTEH (Sierra Leone) | SCHLYTER |
| SANGA (Solomon Islands) | SCHNELLHARDT |
| DAVIES (South Africa) | SCHRÖDER (for LANGENDRIES) |
| BEDA (Sudan) | SJÖSTEDT (3)
   (4) |
| HIWAT (Suriname)  (1) | SPERONI  (4)
   (5) |
| DLAMINI (Swaziland) | VALENCIANO MARTÍNEZ-OROZCO  (2)
   (3) |
| MPOROGOMYI (Tanzania) | VAN DEN BERG (for BULLMANN) |
| KPADE (Togo) | VAN HECKE (2)
   (3)
   (4) |
| BEREAUX (Trinidad and Tobago) | VERGES (VP) |
| KAMUNTU (Uganda) | WHITEHEAD  (2)
   (3)
   (4) |
| CHULUMANDA (Zambia) | WIELAND |
| PUNUNGWE (Zimbabwe)  (1) | ZANI |

HAY WEBSTER (Jamaica), Co-President

KINNOCK, Co-President

COSTA DALA (Angola)

GODDARD (Barbados)  (1)

AGNOLETTO

AKPOVI (Benin)

AUBERT (2)
   (3)
   (4)

SEBETELA (Botswana)

BEREND

TAPSOBA (Burkina Faso)

BOWIS (VP)

NAHIMANA (Burundi)

CALLANAN

NYASSA (Cameroon)

CARLOTTI (VP)

GOUCHOULAGUE (Chad)

CORNILLET (VP)  (4)

BOUNKOULOU (Congo, Republic of)

CZARNECKI (for KOZLÍK)

LUTUNDULA (Congo, Democratic Republic of)

DILLEN

MARSTERS (Cook Islands)

DOMBROVSKIS

AMON-AGO (Côte d'Ivoire)

FAVA (4)
   (5)(for ROSATI)

POLANCO (Cuba)

FERNANDES (2)

DAWALEH (Djibouti)

FERREIRA  (4)

RIVIERE (Dominica)

GAHLER (VP)

REYES AGLON (Dominican Republic)

GARCÍA-MARGALLO y MARFIL (5) (for LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE)

MBABELA (Equatorial Guinea)

GOMES  (3)
   (5)

WELDEGIORGIS (Eritrea)

GOUDIN (VP)  (2)
   (3)
   (4)

GESSESSE (Ethiopia)

GRABOWSKA

CAVUILATI (Fiji)  (1)

GRÖNER (4)
   (5)

OBIANG NDONG (Gabon)

HALL  (3)

KAH (Gambia)  (1)

HAUG

OSEI-PREMPEH (Ghana)

JOAN I MARÍ (VP)  (2)
   (3)
   (4)

TOP (Guinea)

JÖNS

MYRTHIL (Haiti)  (1)

KACZMAREK

KAMOTHO (Kenya)

KAMIŃSKI (VP)

METSING (Lesotho)  (1)

KLAß (for SCHWAB)

MANNAH (Liberia)

KORHOLA  (4)
   (5)

FANJAVA (Madagascar)

LULLING (VP)  (3)
   (4)
   (5)

MATOLA (Malawi)

MANTOVANI

IMBARCAOUANE (Mali)

MARTENS

GUELAYE (Mauritania)

MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ (VP)

PAYA (Mauritius)

MAURO (for DAUL)

DINYANDO (Namibia)

McAVAN

ALMA (Niger)

MAYER

BAWA BWARI (Nigeria)

MITCHELL (VP)  (2)
   (3)
   (4)

TAUFITU (Niue)

MORGANTINI  (2)
   (3)
   (4) (for WURTZ)

ANGGO (Papua New Guinea)

MORILLON

POLISI (Rwanda)

NOVAK

BULLEN (Saint Kitts and Nevis)  (1)

PISTELLI  (2)
   (3) (for BUSK)

FRANÇOIS (Saint Lucia)

RIBEIRO E CASTRO

SAFUNEITUGA (Samoa)

ROITHOVÁ

FAURE (Seychelles)

SCHEELE

CONTEH (Sierra Leone)

SCHLYTER

SANGA (Solomon Islands)

SCHNELLHARDT

DAVIES (South Africa)

SCHRÖDER (for LANGENDRIES)

BEDA (Sudan)

SJÖSTEDT (3)
   (4)

HIWAT (Suriname)  (1)

SPERONI  (4)
   (5)

DLAMINI (Swaziland)

VALENCIANO MARTÍNEZ-OROZCO  (2)
   (3)

MPOROGOMYI (Tanzania)

VAN DEN BERG (for BULLMANN)

KPADE (Togo)

VAN HECKE (2)
   (3)
   (4)

BEREAUX (Trinidad and Tobago)

VERGES (VP)

KAMUNTU (Uganda)

WHITEHEAD  (2)
   (3)
   (4)

CHULUMANDA (Zambia)

WIELAND

PUNUNGWE (Zimbabwe)  (1)

ZANI

Observer:

Cuba: POLANCO, OVIEDO

Also present:

| BENIN
  AMOUSSOU
  HINVI | BOTSWANA
  BATLHOKI
  MUKUNGU
  TAMPLIN | BURKINA FASO
  KERE
  LANKOANDE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BURUNDI
  NIYUHIRE | CAMEROON
  BAH
  DANATA
  MBAYA | CHAD
  DARBO
  OUAÏDOUNG |
| CONGO (Republic of the)
  LEKOBA
  LOUEMBE
  NTSIETE
  NZAMBILA
  OBA APOUNOU
  OBAMBI
  NENGA
  MUTEBA | CONGO (Democratic Republic of)
  MATADI NENGA
  MUTEBA | COOK ISLANDS
  McCLAY |
| CÔTE D'IVOIRE
  AMANI
  BAI SENAHAN
  GBAOU
  GOHI BI ZAH
  ZOUINGNAN | DJIBOUTI
  ANDRSAID | REPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE
  DOMINGUEZ |
| EQUATORIAL GUINEA
  AFUGU ANGWE
  COUASSI MOYA
  EVUNA
  MBA BELA | ERITREA
  TESFAY KELATI | ETHIOPIA
  ESHETU
  GEBRE-CHRISTOS
  KEBEDE |
| GHANA
  AWIAGA
  BRANDFORD
  WUDU | GUINEA
  DIALLO
  DIARSO
  TOLNO | KENYA
  KAHENDE
  MUTHIGANI
  POGHISIO
  SIALAI |
| LESOTHO
  MATLANYANE
  MOTSAMAI | MADAGASCAR
  BERIZIKY
  SOALAHY | MALAWI
  NAMISENGO |
| MALI
  BAH
  DIALLO
  FALL
  KEITA
  NIAGADOU
  SANGARE | MAURITANIA
  ELVIL
  OULD KHALIFA | MAURITIUS
  GUNESSEE |
| NAMIBIA
  De WAAL
  PHILEMON | NIGER
  ABARRY
  BAKO
  CAZALICA
  ISSOUFOU | NIGERIA
  GABASAWA
  LAWAL
  LAWAN
  OLU
  UGOKWE
  UMELO |
| RWANDA
  AYINKAMIYE
  NZAMWITAKUZE | SOLOMON ISLANDS
  LENI | SOUTH AFRICA
  CONSTABLE
  HOLLANDER
  LABUSCHAGNE
  NHLENGETHWA
  SMITH |
| SUDAN
  BEDRI
  MALWIT | SWAZILAND
  ZEEMAN | TANZANIA
  ZOKA |
| TOGO
  ESSO
  NYAWOUAME | ZAMBIA
  CHILIMBOYI
  KAMANGA | ZIMBABWE
  CHINENERE
  MUDZIMBA |

BENIN

AMOUSSOU

HINVI

BOTSWANA

BATLHOKI

MUKUNGU

TAMPLIN

BURKINA FASO

KERE

LANKOANDE

BURUNDI

NIYUHIRE

CAMEROON

BAH

DANATA

MBAYA

CHAD

DARBO

OUAÏDOUNG

CONGO (Republic of the)

LEKOBA

LOUEMBE

NTSIETE

NZAMBILA

OBA APOUNOU

OBAMBI

NENGA

MUTEBA

CONGO (Democratic Republic of)

MATADI NENGA

MUTEBA

COOK ISLANDS

McCLAY

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

AMANI

BAI SENAHAN

GBAOU

GOHI BI ZAH

ZOUINGNAN

DJIBOUTI

ANDRSAID

REPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE

DOMINGUEZ

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

AFUGU ANGWE

COUASSI MOYA

EVUNA

MBA BELA

ERITREA

TESFAY KELATI

ETHIOPIA

ESHETU

GEBRE-CHRISTOS

KEBEDE

GHANA

AWIAGA

BRANDFORD

WUDU

GUINEA

DIALLO

DIARSO

TOLNO

KENYA

KAHENDE

MUTHIGANI

POGHISIO

SIALAI

LESOTHO

MATLANYANE

MOTSAMAI

MADAGASCAR

BERIZIKY

SOALAHY

MALAWI

NAMISENGO

MALI

BAH

DIALLO

FALL

KEITA

NIAGADOU

SANGARE

MAURITANIA

ELVIL

OULD KHALIFA

MAURITIUS

GUNESSEE

NAMIBIA

De WAAL

PHILEMON

NIGER

ABARRY

BAKO

CAZALICA

ISSOUFOU

NIGERIA

GABASAWA

LAWAL

LAWAN

OLU

UGOKWE

UMELO

RWANDA

AYINKAMIYE

NZAMWITAKUZE

SOLOMON ISLANDS

LENI

SOUTH AFRICA

CONSTABLE

HOLLANDER

LABUSCHAGNE

NHLENGETHWA

SMITH

SUDAN

BEDRI

MALWIT

SWAZILAND

ZEEMAN

TANZANIA

ZOKA

TOGO

ESSO

NYAWOUAME

ZAMBIA

CHILIMBOYI

KAMANGA

ZIMBABWE

CHINENERE

MUDZIMBA

ACP-EU COUNCIL

| BORGES | Minister for Foreign Affairs (Cape Verde), President-in-Office of the ACP Council |
| --- | --- |
| SCHILTZ | Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action (Luxembourg), President-in-Office of the EU Council |

BORGES

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Cape Verde), President-in-Office of the ACP Council

SCHILTZ

Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action (Luxembourg), President-in-Office of the EU Council

COMMITTEE OF AMBASSADORS

| FERREIRA | President-in-Office (Cape Verde) |
| --- | --- |

FERREIRA

President-in-Office (Cape Verde)

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

| MANDELSON | Member of the Commission with special responsibility for External Trade |
| --- | --- |
| MICHEL | Member of the Commission with special responsibility for Development and Humanitarian Aid |

MANDELSON

Member of the Commission with special responsibility for External Trade

MICHEL

Member of the Commission with special responsibility for Development and Humanitarian Aid

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS CAMPAIGN OF UNDP

| HERFKENS | Executive Coordinator of the Campaign |
| --- | --- |

HERFKENS

Executive Coordinator of the Campaign

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ESC)

AKOUETE

BEDOSSA

FLORIO

MAKEKA

TALL

VEVER

TECHNICAL CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL COOPERATION (CTA)

BURGUET

ISOLINA BOTO

ECOWAS PARLIAMENT

| DIALLO | President |
| --- | --- |
| OLUWOLE | Member |

DIALLO

President

OLUWOLE

Member

UEMOA

DUARTE BARROS

ACP SECRETARIAT

| KAPUTIN | Co-Secretary-General |
| --- | --- |

KAPUTIN

Co-Secretary-General

EU SECRETARIAT

| NICKEL | Co-Secretary-General |
| --- | --- |

NICKEL

Co-Secretary-General

---

(1)  Country represented by a person other than a Member of Parliament

(2)  Present on 18 April 2005

(3)  Present on 19 April 2005

(4)  Present on 20 April 2005

(5)  Present on 21 April 2005

---

ANNEX III

RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATION ADOPTED

| | Page |
| --- | --- |
| — | on progress made in achieving universal primary education and gender equality in the ACP countries in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) (ACP-EU 3752/05/fin) |

Page

—

on progress made in achieving universal primary education and gender equality in the ACP countries in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) (ACP-EU 3752/05/fin)

17

| — | on post-conflict rehabilitation in ACP countries (ACP-EU 3754/05/fin) |
| --- | --- |

—

on post-conflict rehabilitation in ACP countries (ACP-EU 3754/05/fin)

26

| — | on Budgetisation on the European Development Fund (ACP-EU 3686/05/fin) |
| --- | --- |

—

on Budgetisation on the European Development Fund (ACP-EU 3686/05/fin)

39

| — | on the situation in the Sudan (ACP-EU 3777/05/fin) |
| --- | --- |

—

on the situation in the Sudan (ACP-EU 3777/05/fin)

43

| — | on the situation in the African Great Lakes Region (ACP-EU 3778/05/fin) |
| --- | --- |

—

on the situation in the African Great Lakes Region (ACP-EU 3778/05/fin)

46

| — | The Bamako Declaration on the Millennium Development Goals |
| --- | --- |

—

The Bamako Declaration on the Millennium Development Goals

50

RESOLUTION
   (1)

on the progress made in achieving universal primary education and gender equality in the ACP countries in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)

The Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

| — | meeting in Bamako (Mali) from 18 to 21 April 2005, |
| --- | --- |

—

meeting in Bamako (Mali) from 18 to 21 April 2005,

| — | having regard to Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

| — | having regard to Article 25(1) of the Cotonou Agreement, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 25(1) of the Cotonou Agreement,

| — | having regard to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly,

| — | having regard to ILO Convention 138 (1973) on the minimum age for employment, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to ILO Convention 138 (1973) on the minimum age for employment,

| — | having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by its General Assembly Resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by its General Assembly Resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989,

| — | having regard to the 1990 Charter of the Rights and Welfare of the African Child, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 1990 Charter of the Rights and Welfare of the African Child,

| — | having regard to the United Nations Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and the Barbados Plan of Action of May 1994, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the United Nations Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and the Barbados Plan of Action of May 1994,

| — | having regard to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994 and to the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCM) held in Beijing in 1995, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994 and to the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCM) held in Beijing in 1995,

| — | having regard to the World Summit on Children held in Jomtien in 1990, the UN Social Summit of 1995, and the World Education Forum held in Dakar (Senegal) in 2000, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the World Summit on Children held in Jomtien in 1990, the UN Social Summit of 1995, and the World Education Forum held in Dakar (Senegal) in 2000,

| — | having regard to the Millennium Declaration adopted by the world's leaders at the Millennium Summit of 2000 (2), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Millennium Declaration adopted by the world's leaders at the Millennium Summit of 2000 (2),

| — | having regard to the joint Commission and Council Declaration on Development Policy of 10 November 2000, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the joint Commission and Council Declaration on Development Policy of 10 November 2000,

| — | having regard to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children held in New York in 2001, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children held in New York in 2001,

| — | having regard to the European Parliament resolution on primary education in the developing countries adopted on 6 September 2001 in the context of the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children held in September 2001 (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the European Parliament resolution on primary education in the developing countries adopted on 6 September 2001 in the context of the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children held in September 2001 (3),

| — | having regard to the International Conference on Development Funding held in Monterrey in March 2002, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the International Conference on Development Funding held in Monterrey in March 2002,

| — | having regard to the EP report on basic education in developing countries in the context of the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children held in May 2002 (A5-0278/2001), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the EP report on basic education in developing countries in the context of the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children held in May 2002 (A5-0278/2001),

| — | having regard to the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in September 2002, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in September 2002,

| — | having regard to the Commission communication on education and training in the context of poverty reduction in developing countries (COM(2002) 116 — C5-0333/2002 (4)), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission communication on education and training in the context of poverty reduction in developing countries (COM(2002) 116 — C5-0333/2002 (4)),

| — | having regard to the Council Resolution of 30 May 2002 on aid to education, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Council Resolution of 30 May 2002 on aid to education,

| — | having regard to the EP report on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on education and training in the context of poverty reduction in developing countries (A5-0126/2003), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the EP report on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on education and training in the context of poverty reduction in developing countries (A5-0126/2003),

| — | having regard to the UNDP report of 2003 ‘The Millennium Development Goals: Progress, Reversal and Challenges’ and to its Human Development Reports 2003 and 2004, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UNDP report of 2003 ‘The Millennium Development Goals: Progress, Reversal and Challenges’ and to its Human Development Reports 2003 and 2004,

| — | having regard to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly resolution on children's rights and child soldiers in particular (ACP-EU 3587/03/fin), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly resolution on children's rights and child soldiers in particular (ACP-EU 3587/03/fin),

| — | having regard to the 2004 annual report on development policy and EC external aid of October 2004, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the 2004 annual report on development policy and EC external aid of October 2004,

| — | having regard to the Global Monitoring Report 2004 — Policies and Actions for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals and Related Outcomes (March 2004), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Global Monitoring Report 2004 — Policies and Actions for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals and Related Outcomes (March 2004),

| — | having regard to Regulation (EC) No 806/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on promoting gender equality in development cooperation (5), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Regulation (EC) No 806/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on promoting gender equality in development cooperation (5),

| — | having regard to the report of the UN Secretary-General of 27 August 2004 on UN implementation of the UN Millennium Declaration, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the UN Secretary-General of 27 August 2004 on UN implementation of the UN Millennium Declaration,

| — | having regard to the Commission's report of November 2004 on the Millennium Development Goals 2000-2004, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Commission's report of November 2004 on the Millennium Development Goals 2000-2004,

| — | having regard to the UNICEF reports on the state of the world's children (2004 and 2005), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the UNICEF reports on the state of the world's children (2004 and 2005),

| — | having regard to the three UNFPA Reports: State of the World Population 2004 — the Cairo Consensus at Ten: Population, Reproductive Health and the Global Effort to End Poverty; International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994; and Investing in People — International Conference on Population and Development — 1994/2004 (ICPD at 10), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the three UNFPA Reports: State of the World Population 2004 — the Cairo Consensus at Ten: Population, Reproductive Health and the Global Effort to End Poverty; International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994; and Investing in People — International Conference on Population and Development — 1994/2004 (ICPD at 10),

| — | having regard to the Mauritius Declaration of January 2005, particularly the provisions relating to the vulnerability and specificity of Small Island Developing States, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Mauritius Declaration of January 2005, particularly the provisions relating to the vulnerability and specificity of Small Island Developing States,

| — | having regard to Rule 17(1) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Rule 17(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment (ACP-UE 3752/fin.), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment (ACP-UE 3752/fin.),

| A. | whereas Article 26 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Principle 7 of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child consider education to be a fundamental human right and whereas, as such, it is a universal and indivisible right which leaves no room for any form of discrimination on grounds of gender, disability, ethnic or racial origin, religion or culture, |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas Article 26 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Principle 7 of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child consider education to be a fundamental human right and whereas, as such, it is a universal and indivisible right which leaves no room for any form of discrimination on grounds of gender, disability, ethnic or racial origin, religion or culture,

| B. | having regard to the Millennium Declaration adopted by the world's leaders at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000, which establishes a set of clear and measurable development objectives with specific deadlines, |
| --- | --- |

B.

having regard to the Millennium Declaration adopted by the world's leaders at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000, which establishes a set of clear and measurable development objectives with specific deadlines,

| C. | whereas the Millennium Development Goals resulting from the Millennium Declaration include as Goal No 2 the achievement of universal primary education, and set as an objective to ensure by 2015 that each child can complete a full primary education cycle, |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas the Millennium Development Goals resulting from the Millennium Declaration include as Goal No 2 the achievement of universal primary education, and set as an objective to ensure by 2015 that each child can complete a full primary education cycle,

| D. | whereas the Millennium Development Goals attached to the Millennium Declaration include (goal No 3) the promotion of gender equality and the autonomy of women, and set the objective of eliminating gender inequality in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and at all levels of education by the end of 2015, |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the Millennium Development Goals attached to the Millennium Declaration include (goal No 3) the promotion of gender equality and the autonomy of women, and set the objective of eliminating gender inequality in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and at all levels of education by the end of 2015,

| E. | whereas Article 10 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) says that signatory States shall take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in order to ensure that they have equal rights with men in the field of education, |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas Article 10 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) says that signatory States shall take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in order to ensure that they have equal rights with men in the field of education,

| F. | whereas the 1990 Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child committed all States to the full realisation of the right to education, with a particular focus on free and compulsory basic education, |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas the 1990 Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child committed all States to the full realisation of the right to education, with a particular focus on free and compulsory basic education,

| G. | whereas the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) states the need to promote sustainable development on a people-centred basis, including sustainable economic development by means of the following measures focussing on the interests of girls and women: basic education, education for life, literacy and training, and family healthcare; |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) states the need to promote sustainable development on a people-centred basis, including sustainable economic development by means of the following measures focussing on the interests of girls and women: basic education, education for life, literacy and training, and family healthcare;

| H. | whereas the European Parliament and the Council, in their Regulation 806/2004 (21 April 2004), asked to finance specific measures related to women's access to resources and services, especially in the areas of education and training, health, economic and social activities, employment and infrastructure, and participation in all political decision-making processes; |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas the European Parliament and the Council, in their Regulation 806/2004 (21 April 2004), asked to finance specific measures related to women's access to resources and services, especially in the areas of education and training, health, economic and social activities, employment and infrastructure, and participation in all political decision-making processes;

| I. | whereas the UN International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo (5-13 September 1994) adopted a declaration stating that education is one of the most important means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence necessary for participating in the development process; |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas the UN International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo (5-13 September 1994) adopted a declaration stating that education is one of the most important means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence necessary for participating in the development process;

| J. | whereas questions relating to access to education, health, food, drinking water and employment are closely linked, and whereas action needs to be taken on these multiple aspects of human development in order to achieve the Millennium Goals in the field of universal primary education, |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas questions relating to access to education, health, food, drinking water and employment are closely linked, and whereas action needs to be taken on these multiple aspects of human development in order to achieve the Millennium Goals in the field of universal primary education,

| K. | whereas ILO Convention 138 (1973) on the minimum age for employment, which stipulates that the permissible age of entry into employment 'shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years', |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas ILO Convention 138 (1973) on the minimum age for employment, which stipulates that the permissible age of entry into employment 'shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years',

| L. | whereas the development of global education is one of the most effective strategies available for breaking out of the poverty cycle; whereas it is a key element of sustainable human development and of the efforts to meet the human development objectives agreed for 2015 in the international arena; |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas the development of global education is one of the most effective strategies available for breaking out of the poverty cycle; whereas it is a key element of sustainable human development and of the efforts to meet the human development objectives agreed for 2015 in the international arena;

| M. | whereas the joint Commission and Council Declaration of November 2000 endorses the need for a world-wide commitment to universal primary education, and classifies education as a development priority, |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas the joint Commission and Council Declaration of November 2000 endorses the need for a world-wide commitment to universal primary education, and classifies education as a development priority,

| N. | whereas 121 million children have never been to school, 65 million of whom are girls, and girls have a higher dropout rate, |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas 121 million children have never been to school, 65 million of whom are girls, and girls have a higher dropout rate,

| O. | whereas many disabilities are not visible, such as speech and learning difficulties and physical, genetic (from birth), sensory, and emotional disorders; whereas children also suffer from HIV/AIDS and other debilitating diseases, |
| --- | --- |

O.

whereas many disabilities are not visible, such as speech and learning difficulties and physical, genetic (from birth), sensory, and emotional disorders; whereas children also suffer from HIV/AIDS and other debilitating diseases,

| P. | whereas most heavily indebted developing countries which are subject to structural adjustment programmes lack the requisite budgetary room for manoeuvre to enable them to increase their social spending, |
| --- | --- |

P.

whereas most heavily indebted developing countries which are subject to structural adjustment programmes lack the requisite budgetary room for manoeuvre to enable them to increase their social spending,

| Q. | whereas education and training for girls and women are of vital importance in the fight against poverty and disease; supporting, therefore, the political commitment of the international community to increased funding for education and training in its development cooperation actions, |
| --- | --- |

Q.

whereas education and training for girls and women are of vital importance in the fight against poverty and disease; supporting, therefore, the political commitment of the international community to increased funding for education and training in its development cooperation actions,

| R. | whereas the efforts made in the area of education are being seriously undermined by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is predicted to kill an estimated 10 % of primary school female and male teachers in the countries most affected in the next five years; whereas it is predicted that more than 20 % of children of school age will be AIDS orphans, |
| --- | --- |

R.

whereas the efforts made in the area of education are being seriously undermined by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is predicted to kill an estimated 10 % of primary school female and male teachers in the countries most affected in the next five years; whereas it is predicted that more than 20 % of children of school age will be AIDS orphans,

| S. | whereas 40 million of the world's out-of-school children have some form of disability and, in developing countries less than 5 % of disabled children attend school and only 5 % amongst them conclude basic education; whereas disabled girls and women are even more discriminated against than boys and men in the school when they try to find a job, |
| --- | --- |

S.

whereas 40 million of the world's out-of-school children have some form of disability and, in developing countries less than 5 % of disabled children attend school and only 5 % amongst them conclude basic education; whereas disabled girls and women are even more discriminated against than boys and men in the school when they try to find a job,

| T. | whereas sexual and reproductive health education and information and access to reproductive health services are the best guarantees for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, |
| --- | --- |

T.

whereas sexual and reproductive health education and information and access to reproductive health services are the best guarantees for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases,

| U. | whereas the cultural traditions of many developing countries are deeply rooted in patriarchy and therefore place women in a subordinate role in the social order, |
| --- | --- |

U.

whereas the cultural traditions of many developing countries are deeply rooted in patriarchy and therefore place women in a subordinate role in the social order,

| V. | whereas women are a key force for economic and social development; whereas investment in education for girls and women must be an integral part of development plans and of strategies for fighting poverty in the developing countries, |
| --- | --- |

V.

whereas women are a key force for economic and social development; whereas investment in education for girls and women must be an integral part of development plans and of strategies for fighting poverty in the developing countries,

| W. | whereas global economic inequality and the debt burden have left many governments without the necessary resources for providing all children with education, and whereas structural adjustment programmes have obliged governments to cut spending in the public sector, with particularly adverse consequences for girls, |
| --- | --- |

W.

whereas global economic inequality and the debt burden have left many governments without the necessary resources for providing all children with education, and whereas structural adjustment programmes have obliged governments to cut spending in the public sector, with particularly adverse consequences for girls,

| X. | whereas it is important to set realistic timetables for drawing up national education participation plans, in view of developing countries' limited capacities, |
| --- | --- |

X.

whereas it is important to set realistic timetables for drawing up national education participation plans, in view of developing countries' limited capacities,

| Y. | whereas child labour keeps many children out of school, |
| --- | --- |

Y.

whereas child labour keeps many children out of school,

| Z. | whereas primary education, as a fundamental right of the human individual, must be free and compulsory, and consequently education costs must be borne by the State, |
| --- | --- |

Z.

whereas primary education, as a fundamental right of the human individual, must be free and compulsory, and consequently education costs must be borne by the State,

| AA. | whereas violence against girls in school or on the journey to and from school contributes in a significant way to lower rates of girls' enrolment and completion in schools, |
| --- | --- |

AA.

whereas violence against girls in school or on the journey to and from school contributes in a significant way to lower rates of girls' enrolment and completion in schools,

| AB. | whereas the Education For All Fast Track Initiative and the Commission's declaration of supports for it are welcomed, |
| --- | --- |

AB.

whereas the Education For All Fast Track Initiative and the Commission's declaration of supports for it are welcomed,

| AC. | whereas the achievements of Small Island Developing States in the ACP both in universal primary education and gender equality, notwithstanding their vulnerabilities, peculiarities and specificities, have been considerable; |
| --- | --- |

AC.

whereas the achievements of Small Island Developing States in the ACP both in universal primary education and gender equality, notwithstanding their vulnerabilities, peculiarities and specificities, have been considerable;

| AD. | whereas the failure to achieve a modicum of progress since the Dakar conference, and the lack of interest in coordinating the international efforts to tackle the education crisis are highly regrettable, |
| --- | --- |

AD.

whereas the failure to achieve a modicum of progress since the Dakar conference, and the lack of interest in coordinating the international efforts to tackle the education crisis are highly regrettable,

| AE. | whereas in 2003 the Commission's allocation to education in general in the countries covered by the DAC amounted to 6.24 % of the total budget for funds earmarked for development aid (general EC budget and European Development Fund), and the allocation to basic education stood at only 2.4 %, |
| --- | --- |

AE.

whereas in 2003 the Commission's allocation to education in general in the countries covered by the DAC amounted to 6.24 % of the total budget for funds earmarked for development aid (general EC budget and European Development Fund), and the allocation to basic education stood at only 2.4 %,

| AF. | whereas the Commission's budget for primary education suffers from lack of coordination with national measures of ACP countries, a situation which needs to be reassessed, |
| --- | --- |

AF.

whereas the Commission's budget for primary education suffers from lack of coordination with national measures of ACP countries, a situation which needs to be reassessed,

| AG. | whereas education for girls has not to date been included as a central issue in connection with the funding of eligible proposals under the regulation on promoting gender equality in development cooperation, |
| --- | --- |

AG.

whereas education for girls has not to date been included as a central issue in connection with the funding of eligible proposals under the regulation on promoting gender equality in development cooperation,

| AH. | whereas the political undertakings by the international community to increase funding for education and training in its development cooperation actions have not brought about substantial funding increases for education programmes, |
| --- | --- |

AH.

whereas the political undertakings by the international community to increase funding for education and training in its development cooperation actions have not brought about substantial funding increases for education programmes,

| AI. | whereas the leaders of the most developed countries, meeting in Davos, and the leaders of developing countries, meeting in Porto Alegre, called once more for partial or total cancellation of external debt, especially for Least Developed Countries, |
| --- | --- |

AI.

whereas the leaders of the most developed countries, meeting in Davos, and the leaders of developing countries, meeting in Porto Alegre, called once more for partial or total cancellation of external debt, especially for Least Developed Countries,

| 1. | Recalls that the Millennium Goals, as accepted by the international community, set the achievement of universal primary education and the promotion of gender equality and women's autonomy as universal objectives for 2015; |
| --- | --- |

1.

Recalls that the Millennium Goals, as accepted by the international community, set the achievement of universal primary education and the promotion of gender equality and women's autonomy as universal objectives for 2015;

| 2. | Deeply regrets that the target of achieving gender parity in primary and secondary education by 2005 will not be reached by the vast majority of developing countries; |
| --- | --- |

2.

Deeply regrets that the target of achieving gender parity in primary and secondary education by 2005 will not be reached by the vast majority of developing countries;

| 3. | Believes that the ability of the authorities in the developing countries to fund basic social services depends, in part, on the cancelling of the debt and the cutting of their military budgets so as to achieve the Millennium Goals; |
| --- | --- |

3.

Believes that the ability of the authorities in the developing countries to fund basic social services depends, in part, on the cancelling of the debt and the cutting of their military budgets so as to achieve the Millennium Goals;

| 4. | Notes with concern that the goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015 will be extremely difficult to meet, given that at the moment 121 million girls and boys do not have access to any schooling at all; |
| --- | --- |

4.

Notes with concern that the goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015 will be extremely difficult to meet, given that at the moment 121 million girls and boys do not have access to any schooling at all;

| 5. | Expresses its firm conviction that achieving the Millennium Goals, in particular Goals 2 and 3, rests in the hands of national governments and international donors, and issues a strong appeal for them to join forces to this end; |
| --- | --- |

5.

Expresses its firm conviction that achieving the Millennium Goals, in particular Goals 2 and 3, rests in the hands of national governments and international donors, and issues a strong appeal for them to join forces to this end;

| 6. | Recalls that 65 million girls are still not attending school, and stresses the vital need for governments, aid organisations and international institutions to take practical steps to change their situation; |
| --- | --- |

6.

Recalls that 65 million girls are still not attending school, and stresses the vital need for governments, aid organisations and international institutions to take practical steps to change their situation;

| 7. | Calls for a full-scale assessment of the impact of current trade liberalisation policies on poverty in general in the ACP countries and on education in particular and asks that the results of this assessment be used to draw up clear guidelines for development cooperation in particular in the context of EPA negotiations; |
| --- | --- |

7.

Calls for a full-scale assessment of the impact of current trade liberalisation policies on poverty in general in the ACP countries and on education in particular and asks that the results of this assessment be used to draw up clear guidelines for development cooperation in particular in the context of EPA negotiations;

| 8. | Asks for special attention to be paid to primary education for girls by adopting a multisectoral policy towards girls' education, since girls face more obstacles and barriers than boys (cultural factors such as early marriage, discrimination, role in society and the family, etc.) to go to, stay at and finish school; |
| --- | --- |

8.

Asks for special attention to be paid to primary education for girls by adopting a multisectoral policy towards girls' education, since girls face more obstacles and barriers than boys (cultural factors such as early marriage, discrimination, role in society and the family, etc.) to go to, stay at and finish school;

| 9. | Considers, moreover, that investing in girls' education is the most effective development strategy since educated girls generate smaller and healthier families, leading to increased productivity and poverty reduction; |
| --- | --- |

9.

Considers, moreover, that investing in girls' education is the most effective development strategy since educated girls generate smaller and healthier families, leading to increased productivity and poverty reduction;

| 10. | Stresses the importance of the education of girls and women for improving health, including such aspects as sexual and reproductive health, and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS, and diseases related to the water supply and hygienic conditions such as tuberculosis, malaria, cholera and diarrhoea; |
| --- | --- |

10.

Stresses the importance of the education of girls and women for improving health, including such aspects as sexual and reproductive health, and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS, and diseases related to the water supply and hygienic conditions such as tuberculosis, malaria, cholera and diarrhoea;

| 11. | Considers that information on the existing education and training programmes is a key factor for their successful implementation, and calls on the Commission to make all efforts to ensure that women and girls are properly informed, since education can help them protect themselves against exploitation of whatever kind; |
| --- | --- |

11.

Considers that information on the existing education and training programmes is a key factor for their successful implementation, and calls on the Commission to make all efforts to ensure that women and girls are properly informed, since education can help them protect themselves against exploitation of whatever kind;

| 12. | Calls for national education policies to be adequately funded in order to enable all children, and especially girls, to stay at school and finish their compulsory education, ensuring that they stay at school until they have reached the minimum age for entering the job market as laid down in ILO Convention 138, and include solutions to the problem of dropout children; |
| --- | --- |

12.

Calls for national education policies to be adequately funded in order to enable all children, and especially girls, to stay at school and finish their compulsory education, ensuring that they stay at school until they have reached the minimum age for entering the job market as laid down in ILO Convention 138, and include solutions to the problem of dropout children;

| 13. | Calls on the Commission to include in Country Strategy Papers for the ACP countries, specific reference to MDG 2 and 3 and the necessity of getting girls into primary education; |
| --- | --- |

13.

Calls on the Commission to include in Country Strategy Papers for the ACP countries, specific reference to MDG 2 and 3 and the necessity of getting girls into primary education;

| 14. | Calls on ACP countries which are not yet benefiting from the Fast Track Initiative to initiate 'Education for All' plans; |
| --- | --- |

14.

Calls on ACP countries which are not yet benefiting from the Fast Track Initiative to initiate 'Education for All' plans;

| 15. | Calls for schools to be 'girl-friendly' and closer to girls' habitats, with an adequate budget in order to solve the practical difficulties which can prevent girls in particular from attending school, such as poor roads, lack of transport and lack of sanitation in school buildings, with community help and participation, flexible timetables and, preferably, female teachers, as well as curricula adapted to girls' lives and environment; |
| --- | --- |

15.

Calls for schools to be 'girl-friendly' and closer to girls' habitats, with an adequate budget in order to solve the practical difficulties which can prevent girls in particular from attending school, such as poor roads, lack of transport and lack of sanitation in school buildings, with community help and participation, flexible timetables and, preferably, female teachers, as well as curricula adapted to girls' lives and environment;

| 16. | Stresses the need for all educational institutions to impart democratic values with a view to encouraging tolerance, active citizenship, social responsibility and respect for differences of gender, ethnic group and religion, and to encourage the participation of the pupils in the planning of the education and the way of working in the schools; |
| --- | --- |

16.

Stresses the need for all educational institutions to impart democratic values with a view to encouraging tolerance, active citizenship, social responsibility and respect for differences of gender, ethnic group and religion, and to encourage the participation of the pupils in the planning of the education and the way of working in the schools;

| 17. | Highlights the need to provide appropriate training for female and male teachers to actively combat any discrimination based on sex, ethnic group or religion; |
| --- | --- |

17.

Highlights the need to provide appropriate training for female and male teachers to actively combat any discrimination based on sex, ethnic group or religion;

| 18. | Calls for ACP countries to incorporate in their national education strategies initiatives for actively recruiting female teachers in larger numbers; highlights the positive effect female teachers and female staff can have in preventing violence against girl pupils at school; |
| --- | --- |

18.

Calls for ACP countries to incorporate in their national education strategies initiatives for actively recruiting female teachers in larger numbers; highlights the positive effect female teachers and female staff can have in preventing violence against girl pupils at school;

| 19. | Appeals to all the world's governments to ratify and apply, without any reservation, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its optional protocol; |
| --- | --- |

19.

Appeals to all the world's governments to ratify and apply, without any reservation, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its optional protocol;

| 20. | Calls on ACP governments to recognise publicly that violence against girls in schools is a serious obstacle to improving their attendance levels and academic achievements; |
| --- | --- |

20.

Calls on ACP governments to recognise publicly that violence against girls in schools is a serious obstacle to improving their attendance levels and academic achievements;

| 21. | Highlights the need to establish complaints systems in schools and to recruit women to deal with complaints arising; |
| --- | --- |

21.

Highlights the need to establish complaints systems in schools and to recruit women to deal with complaints arising;

| 22. | Notes that very large class sizes and a harsh teaching regime can act as a deterrent to girls attending school; |
| --- | --- |

22.

Notes that very large class sizes and a harsh teaching regime can act as a deterrent to girls attending school;

| 23. | Calls on ACP governments to enact and/or implement domestic legislation to prohibit violence and discrimination against girls in schools and out of them, systematically monitoring compliance, with appropriate international assistance where necessary; |
| --- | --- |

23.

Calls on ACP governments to enact and/or implement domestic legislation to prohibit violence and discrimination against girls in schools and out of them, systematically monitoring compliance, with appropriate international assistance where necessary;

| 24. | Stresses once again the need for the European Union to give preferential support to countries undertaking education strategies that include free and universal primary education, gender equality, broad access, high quality, decentralisation of reform and special assistance for the most vulnerable, including the poorest, the disabled and orphans; |
| --- | --- |

24.

Stresses once again the need for the European Union to give preferential support to countries undertaking education strategies that include free and universal primary education, gender equality, broad access, high quality, decentralisation of reform and special assistance for the most vulnerable, including the poorest, the disabled and orphans;

| 25. | Firmly underlines that primary education, as a fundamental right of the individual, must be free, compulsory and guaranteed by the State, and that consequently all related costs (registration, canteens, transport, uniforms and materials) must be met by the State; |
| --- | --- |

25.

Firmly underlines that primary education, as a fundamental right of the individual, must be free, compulsory and guaranteed by the State, and that consequently all related costs (registration, canteens, transport, uniforms and materials) must be met by the State;

| 26. | Calls upon the international community, especially the Bretton Woods institutions and the European Union, to recognise that the classic method of assessing Small Island Developing States, based solely on GDP per capita, needs to be reviewed in order to take into account their high vulnerability in the provision of development assistance, debt relief and trade preferences, in particular the need for special and differential treatment in the World Trade Organisation; |
| --- | --- |

26.

Calls upon the international community, especially the Bretton Woods institutions and the European Union, to recognise that the classic method of assessing Small Island Developing States, based solely on GDP per capita, needs to be reviewed in order to take into account their high vulnerability in the provision of development assistance, debt relief and trade preferences, in particular the need for special and differential treatment in the World Trade Organisation;

| 27. | Calls on the Commission and Member States to prioritise budget support for free universal primary education in those countries where education costs cannot currently be borne by the State; |
| --- | --- |

27.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to prioritise budget support for free universal primary education in those countries where education costs cannot currently be borne by the State;

| 28. | Highlights the role that school meals can play in improving children's health and learning abilities; calls on ACP governments to support programmes designed to achieve this; |
| --- | --- |

28.

Highlights the role that school meals can play in improving children's health and learning abilities; calls on ACP governments to support programmes designed to achieve this;

| 29. | Calls on ACP governments to distribute the resources available for education fairly and transparently, so as to ensure a balance between rural and urban areas, private and public, confessional and secular, and to draw up special programmes to educate AIDS orphans and those orphaned in violent conflicts, combining basic education with training adopted to their specific needs; |
| --- | --- |

29.

Calls on ACP governments to distribute the resources available for education fairly and transparently, so as to ensure a balance between rural and urban areas, private and public, confessional and secular, and to draw up special programmes to educate AIDS orphans and those orphaned in violent conflicts, combining basic education with training adopted to their specific needs;

| 30. | Calls on the Governments of the ACP countries to implement their commitments in respect of 'Education for All' under the Dakar Framework for Action giving disabled persons and their families equal access to education; |
| --- | --- |

30.

Calls on the Governments of the ACP countries to implement their commitments in respect of 'Education for All' under the Dakar Framework for Action giving disabled persons and their families equal access to education;

| 31. | Calls on the Governments of the EU Member States and the EU institutions to support the ACP countries in promoting inclusive education for the disabled; |
| --- | --- |

31.

Calls on the Governments of the EU Member States and the EU institutions to support the ACP countries in promoting inclusive education for the disabled;

| 32. | Calls on the EU institutions and the Governments of the ACP countries to implement the recommendations of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in its resolution on the rights of the disabled people and older people in ACP countries (ACP-EU 3313/01/fin.); |
| --- | --- |

32.

Calls on the EU institutions and the Governments of the ACP countries to implement the recommendations of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in its resolution on the rights of the disabled people and older people in ACP countries (ACP-EU 3313/01/fin.);

| 33. | Calls on the national authorities in ACP countries to include in their government programmes sensitisation actions aimed at enabling parents and society in general to understand the importance of education for girls and boys; |
| --- | --- |

33.

Calls on the national authorities in ACP countries to include in their government programmes sensitisation actions aimed at enabling parents and society in general to understand the importance of education for girls and boys;

| 34. | Underlines, in this context, the importance of a quality education, with quality teaching and learning materials, a safe and healthy environment with basic health services and sanitation, free from corporal punishment, harassment and discrimination and thereby a positive experience that can attract children and their parents; |
| --- | --- |

34.

Underlines, in this context, the importance of a quality education, with quality teaching and learning materials, a safe and healthy environment with basic health services and sanitation, free from corporal punishment, harassment and discrimination and thereby a positive experience that can attract children and their parents;

| 35. | Emphasises that universal full-time education requires the effective outlawing of child labour and an education system that includes strategies for the incorporation into full-time education of children who are in work or are not attending school for other reasons; calls on the European Union to ensure that all education programmes financed by it contain wide-ranging strategies including social motivation and recovery courses for older children; |
| --- | --- |

35.

Emphasises that universal full-time education requires the effective outlawing of child labour and an education system that includes strategies for the incorporation into full-time education of children who are in work or are not attending school for other reasons; calls on the European Union to ensure that all education programmes financed by it contain wide-ranging strategies including social motivation and recovery courses for older children;

| 36. | Calls on the Commission, the ACP Member States and other developing countries and the private sector to create a system for counteracting and eliminating child labour, which might, in specific circumstances, include part-time schooling; |
| --- | --- |

36.

Calls on the Commission, the ACP Member States and other developing countries and the private sector to create a system for counteracting and eliminating child labour, which might, in specific circumstances, include part-time schooling;

| 37. | Stresses the importance of bridge courses for older children, preferably within the mainstream of education, so that children who are currently not in school can be integrated, |
| --- | --- |

37.

Stresses the importance of bridge courses for older children, preferably within the mainstream of education, so that children who are currently not in school can be integrated,

| 38. | Calls on the EU Member States to use their votes on the board of the IMF to ensure that the conditions set by the IMF to approve its loans do not prevent ACP countries from investing in social services, including the education sector; |
| --- | --- |

38.

Calls on the EU Member States to use their votes on the board of the IMF to ensure that the conditions set by the IMF to approve its loans do not prevent ACP countries from investing in social services, including the education sector;

| 39. | Stresses that many girls and boys who are affected by wars, armed conflicts, displacement, drought, hunger, natural disasters, or AIDS or the girls and boys which have been used in human trafficking must receive special psychological care, where possible within the education system, and welcomes the appeals made in this context by international organisations such as UNICEF; |
| --- | --- |

39.

Stresses that many girls and boys who are affected by wars, armed conflicts, displacement, drought, hunger, natural disasters, or AIDS or the girls and boys which have been used in human trafficking must receive special psychological care, where possible within the education system, and welcomes the appeals made in this context by international organisations such as UNICEF;

| 40. | Stresses the key role that schools can have in post-conflict situations, highly dependent on their capacity to provide children not only with a quality education but also with physical protection, psychological assistance and basic services such as health care, water and sanitation; |
| --- | --- |

40.

Stresses the key role that schools can have in post-conflict situations, highly dependent on their capacity to provide children not only with a quality education but also with physical protection, psychological assistance and basic services such as health care, water and sanitation;

| 41. | Recalls that in the 2001 and 2002 budget negotiations the European Parliament stressed, jointly with the European Council, the need to increase the European Union's level of educational aid and noted that the budget headings in the regional field had included concrete objectives for education expenditure, whose implementation is vitally important to the ACP countries; |
| --- | --- |

41.

Recalls that in the 2001 and 2002 budget negotiations the European Parliament stressed, jointly with the European Council, the need to increase the European Union's level of educational aid and noted that the budget headings in the regional field had included concrete objectives for education expenditure, whose implementation is vitally important to the ACP countries;

| 42. | Regrets that in 2003 the European Commission allocated only 2.4 % of the total budget for funds earmarked for development aid to basic education in the countries covered by the DAC, which is far below the amount called for by the European Parliament and does not correspond to the priorities expressed by the European Union in the field of human development; |
| --- | --- |

42.

Regrets that in 2003 the European Commission allocated only 2.4 % of the total budget for funds earmarked for development aid to basic education in the countries covered by the DAC, which is far below the amount called for by the European Parliament and does not correspond to the priorities expressed by the European Union in the field of human development;

| 43. | Calls on the Member States, the Council and the Commission to coordinate their various cooperation measures on education policy, and asks that the EDF be budgetised and given adequate resources to ensure that it can meet its goals in the field of development; |
| --- | --- |

43.

Calls on the Member States, the Council and the Commission to coordinate their various cooperation measures on education policy, and asks that the EDF be budgetised and given adequate resources to ensure that it can meet its goals in the field of development;

| 44. | Calls on the Member States, the Council and the Commission to coordinate their various cooperation measures, and asks that in the next financial framework the ACP be given adequate resources on a predictable basis to ensure that it can meet its goals in the field of development in particular to meet the MDGs; |
| --- | --- |

44.

Calls on the Member States, the Council and the Commission to coordinate their various cooperation measures, and asks that in the next financial framework the ACP be given adequate resources on a predictable basis to ensure that it can meet its goals in the field of development in particular to meet the MDGs;

| 45. | Recalls that the European Parliament introduced in the 2005 budget a benchmark of 20 % of total annual commitments for external assistance to be allocated to activities in the sector of basic health and basic education, including sectoral budget support to health and education ministries where it is to serve basic health and basic education; |
| --- | --- |

45.

Recalls that the European Parliament introduced in the 2005 budget a benchmark of 20 % of total annual commitments for external assistance to be allocated to activities in the sector of basic health and basic education, including sectoral budget support to health and education ministries where it is to serve basic health and basic education;

| 46. | Calls on the Commission to include education for girls and public awareness of the importance thereof as a central issue in the next round of funding proposals under the regulation on promoting gender equality in development cooperation, |
| --- | --- |

46.

Calls on the Commission to include education for girls and public awareness of the importance thereof as a central issue in the next round of funding proposals under the regulation on promoting gender equality in development cooperation,

| 47. | Appeals to all the industrialised countries, particularly those in the European Union, to earmark at least 10 % of official development aid for basic education and to fulfil their pledges to allocate at least 0.7 % of GDP to development aid, with 0.15 % going to the least developed countries; stresses the need to extend the Fast Track Initiative to more countries and ensure the rapid financing of its requirements; |
| --- | --- |

47.

Appeals to all the industrialised countries, particularly those in the European Union, to earmark at least 10 % of official development aid for basic education and to fulfil their pledges to allocate at least 0.7 % of GDP to development aid, with 0.15 % going to the least developed countries; stresses the need to extend the Fast Track Initiative to more countries and ensure the rapid financing of its requirements;

| 48. | Calls on the EU to take firm measures to combat poverty, seeking to ensure consistency in its policies in the areas of trade, development cooperation, agriculture and fisheries, so that they do not have any direct or indirect adverse effects on the economies of the developing countries, with a view to ensuring a decent income for ACP populations; |
| --- | --- |

48.

Calls on the EU to take firm measures to combat poverty, seeking to ensure consistency in its policies in the areas of trade, development cooperation, agriculture and fisheries, so that they do not have any direct or indirect adverse effects on the economies of the developing countries, with a view to ensuring a decent income for ACP populations;

| 49. | Calls on the Commission to establish a benchmark for monitoring European Union and bilateral educational aid, in the light of the Dakar undertakings and the Member States' commitment to increasing their volume of aid for education; |
| --- | --- |

49.

Calls on the Commission to establish a benchmark for monitoring European Union and bilateral educational aid, in the light of the Dakar undertakings and the Member States' commitment to increasing their volume of aid for education;

| 50. | Appeals to the Commission, in the context of its current revision of development policy priorities, to ensure that children's rights are directly addressed, that a prominent place is given to basic education, and that gender equality is definitively established as a horizontal priority across all sectors; |
| --- | --- |

50.

Appeals to the Commission, in the context of its current revision of development policy priorities, to ensure that children's rights are directly addressed, that a prominent place is given to basic education, and that gender equality is definitively established as a horizontal priority across all sectors;

| 51. | Believes that the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of guaranteeing equality of men and women and universal education by 2015 is seriously undermined by the lack of any real wish on the part of world leaders to tackle the structural causes of poverty; |
| --- | --- |

51.

Believes that the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of guaranteeing equality of men and women and universal education by 2015 is seriously undermined by the lack of any real wish on the part of world leaders to tackle the structural causes of poverty;

| 52. | Requests the governments of the most developed countries to give serious study to the proposals for the partial or total cancellation of debt, especially for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and in particular where this is done in exchange for improvements in national education systems; |
| --- | --- |

52.

Requests the governments of the most developed countries to give serious study to the proposals for the partial or total cancellation of debt, especially for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and in particular where this is done in exchange for improvements in national education systems;

| 53. | Welcomes the Commission's proposal for making aid from the budget strictly conditional on the recipient country having a general Education For All plan; calls on the Commission to provide legal guarantees to back up budget aid based on revisions of public spending always respecting the 'property principle' and the 'principle of sincere cooperation'; |
| --- | --- |

53.

Welcomes the Commission's proposal for making aid from the budget strictly conditional on the recipient country having a general Education For All plan; calls on the Commission to provide legal guarantees to back up budget aid based on revisions of public spending always respecting the 'property principle' and the 'principle of sincere cooperation';

| 54. | Takes a positive view of the function carried out by civil society and NGOs dedicated to promoting education and combating discrimination against girls, and calls on the Commission, the Member States and the ACP countries to support them in their work; |
| --- | --- |

54.

Takes a positive view of the function carried out by civil society and NGOs dedicated to promoting education and combating discrimination against girls, and calls on the Commission, the Member States and the ACP countries to support them in their work;

| 55. | Welcomes the links being developed between local authorities in EU and ACP countries, and calls on ACP local authorities to support education for girls as a priority, |
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55.

Welcomes the links being developed between local authorities in EU and ACP countries, and calls on ACP local authorities to support education for girls as a priority,

| 56. | Stresses, with respect to the need to measure progress towards the Millennium Goals, the importance of reliable statistics and information on education in general and on training of girls and women in particular and supports the efforts made by the UN, World Bank and certain NGOs in this direction; |
| --- | --- |

56.

Stresses, with respect to the need to measure progress towards the Millennium Goals, the importance of reliable statistics and information on education in general and on training of girls and women in particular and supports the efforts made by the UN, World Bank and certain NGOs in this direction;

| 57. | Calls on the Commission to supply the Joint Parliamentary Assembly with a progress report, one year on from the adoption of this resolution; |
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57.

Calls on the Commission to supply the Joint Parliamentary Assembly with a progress report, one year on from the adoption of this resolution;

| 58. | Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the UN Secretary-General and the African Union. |
| --- | --- |

58.

Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the UN Secretary-General and the African Union.

---

(1)  Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 April 2005 in Bamako (Mali)

(2)  General Assembly Resolution 55/2

(3)  OJ C 72 E, 21.3.2002, p. 244.

(4)  Not published in the OJ.

(5)  OJ L 143, 30.04.2004.

RESOLUTION
   (1)

on post-conflict rehabilitation in ACP countries

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

| — | meeting in Bamako from 18 to 21 April 2005, |
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—

meeting in Bamako from 18 to 21 April 2005,

| — | having regard to Article 17(1) of its Rules of Procedure, |
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—

having regard to Article 17(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, signed in Cotonou, Benin on 23 June 2000 (2), which entered into force on 1 April 2003, and in particular Article 11, Title II, on peace-building policies, conflict prevention and resolution, |
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—

having regard to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, signed in Cotonou, Benin on 23 June 2000 (2), which entered into force on 1 April 2003, and in particular Article 11, Title II, on peace-building policies, conflict prevention and resolution,

| — | having regard to the review of the Cotonou Agreement, and efforts on both sides to improve and further clarify the modalities and mechanisms for post-conflict rehabilitation, |
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—

having regard to the review of the Cotonou Agreement, and efforts on both sides to improve and further clarify the modalities and mechanisms for post-conflict rehabilitation,

| — | having regard to its resolution on conflict prevention and resolution and the establishing of a lasting peace, adopted in Addis Ababa on 19 February 2004, |
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—

having regard to its resolution on conflict prevention and resolution and the establishing of a lasting peace, adopted in Addis Ababa on 19 February 2004,

| — | having regard to its resolution on children's rights and child soldiers in particular, adopted in Rome on 15 October 2003, |
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—

having regard to its resolution on children's rights and child soldiers in particular, adopted in Rome on 15 October 2003,

| — | having regard to its resolution on the rights of the disabled people and older people in ACP countries, adopted on 1 November 2001, |
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—

having regard to its resolution on the rights of the disabled people and older people in ACP countries, adopted on 1 November 2001,

| — | having regard to the resolution of the European Parliament of 26 October 2000 on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on cooperation with ACP countries involved in armed conflicts, |
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—

having regard to the resolution of the European Parliament of 26 October 2000 on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on cooperation with ACP countries involved in armed conflicts,

| — | having regard to the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament on 11 April 2002 and 4 July 2002 (Angola) and on 15 January 2004 (Burundi), especially in relation to the respective donors' conferences, |
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—

having regard to the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament on 11 April 2002 and 4 July 2002 (Angola) and on 15 January 2004 (Burundi), especially in relation to the respective donors' conferences,

| — | having regard to the report of the European Parliament on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on linking relief, rehabilitation and development — an assessment of December 2001(A5-0464/2001), |
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—

having regard to the report of the European Parliament on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on linking relief, rehabilitation and development — an assessment of December 2001(A5-0464/2001),

| — | having regard to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the framework document of which was signed in Abuja, Nigeria, in October 2001, |
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—

having regard to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the framework document of which was signed in Abuja, Nigeria, in October 2001,

| — | having regard to the pioneering role played by the EU in the establishment and implementation of the Kimberly Process with respect to blood diamonds and the Ottawa Convention on Landmines, |
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—

having regard to the pioneering role played by the EU in the establishment and implementation of the Kimberly Process with respect to blood diamonds and the Ottawa Convention on Landmines,

| — | having regard to the report of the Political Affairs Committee (ACP-EU/3754/A/fin.), |
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—

having regard to the report of the Political Affairs Committee (ACP-EU/3754/A/fin.),

| A. | whereas at least 26 of the 79 ACP countries are in a post-war situation or still suffering the effects of recent armed conflicts, representing the majority of the population of these states, and consequently due account has to be taken of the importance of this issue for the ACP group, |
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A.

whereas at least 26 of the 79 ACP countries are in a post-war situation or still suffering the effects of recent armed conflicts, representing the majority of the population of these states, and consequently due account has to be taken of the importance of this issue for the ACP group,

| B. | whereas emergency aid and rehabilitation are a current and vital issues on the political agenda of these states, and accordingly of ACP-EU cooperation as well, |
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B.

whereas emergency aid and rehabilitation are a current and vital issues on the political agenda of these states, and accordingly of ACP-EU cooperation as well,

| C. | recognising the important role of the ACP-EU JPA in this field, as it is a forum and political environment where member countries have the framework to conduct diplomatic negotiations, contributing to the confidence building between them and to reaching a peaceful solution for any conflict among them, or to gain experience from each other regarding internal conflicts, |
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C.

recognising the important role of the ACP-EU JPA in this field, as it is a forum and political environment where member countries have the framework to conduct diplomatic negotiations, contributing to the confidence building between them and to reaching a peaceful solution for any conflict among them, or to gain experience from each other regarding internal conflicts,

| D. | defining a post-conflict state as one where parties have already signed the peace accord, starting the process of moving from demilitarisation and peace-keeping to peace-building, from cease-fire to deep reconciliation, full democratisation and implementation of the rule of law, from emergency aid and relief to rehabilitation, reconstruction and long-term development, |
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D.

defining a post-conflict state as one where parties have already signed the peace accord, starting the process of moving from demilitarisation and peace-keeping to peace-building, from cease-fire to deep reconciliation, full democratisation and implementation of the rule of law, from emergency aid and relief to rehabilitation, reconstruction and long-term development,

| E. | stressing that each transition from violence to peace is unique, depending on such factors as the nature, scale and degree of violence, the intensity of division in society and the previous and post-transition balance of power, |
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E.

stressing that each transition from violence to peace is unique, depending on such factors as the nature, scale and degree of violence, the intensity of division in society and the previous and post-transition balance of power,

| F. | whereas there is an urgent need to mainstream a gender perspective into conflict prevention and resolution, peace-building, peacekeeping operations, rehabilitation and reconstruction and to ensure that, where appropriate, field operations take into account the problems specific to both men and women, |
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F.

whereas there is an urgent need to mainstream a gender perspective into conflict prevention and resolution, peace-building, peacekeeping operations, rehabilitation and reconstruction and to ensure that, where appropriate, field operations take into account the problems specific to both men and women,

| G. | whereas conflicts in ACP states, especially in Africa, are increasingly taking on a regional or international dimension, with the involvement of neighbouring countries and third countries, and whereas they are frequently fuelled by transnational economic or political interests, |
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G.

whereas conflicts in ACP states, especially in Africa, are increasingly taking on a regional or international dimension, with the involvement of neighbouring countries and third countries, and whereas they are frequently fuelled by transnational economic or political interests,

| H. | whereas the illegal and illicit exploitation of the natural resources and other assets of certain ACP countries is, to an increasing extent, one of the fundamental causes for the outbreak and prolongation of conflicts in these countries in general and Africa in particular; whereas such practices should therefore be ended as swiftly as possible by every means available in order to consolidate peace and ensure good governance, |
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H.

whereas the illegal and illicit exploitation of the natural resources and other assets of certain ACP countries is, to an increasing extent, one of the fundamental causes for the outbreak and prolongation of conflicts in these countries in general and Africa in particular; whereas such practices should therefore be ended as swiftly as possible by every means available in order to consolidate peace and ensure good governance,

| I. | stressing that successful post-conflict rehabilitation, including effective poverty-reduction strategies and measures in the framework of the global fight against poverty, contributes to the global fight against terrorism; that such measures, ensuring at the same time effective state control, reduce the chance for terrorist planning and activities in the territory of the state concerned, |
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I.

stressing that successful post-conflict rehabilitation, including effective poverty-reduction strategies and measures in the framework of the global fight against poverty, contributes to the global fight against terrorism; that such measures, ensuring at the same time effective state control, reduce the chance for terrorist planning and activities in the territory of the state concerned,

| J. | considering the current focus of global public opinion, when increased world-wide public attention and importance are given to the problems of developing countries, resulting from the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean; deploring the fact that ongoing conflict or post-conflict situations in some affected areas made it even more difficult to assist the suffering populations, |
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J.

considering the current focus of global public opinion, when increased world-wide public attention and importance are given to the problems of developing countries, resulting from the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean; deploring the fact that ongoing conflict or post-conflict situations in some affected areas made it even more difficult to assist the suffering populations,

| K. | underlining that, although the post-conflict situation requires a special individual approach, there are many similar problems and solutions in these cases, and that therefore experience and best practices of ACP members can be used as examples for other affected member countries, |
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K.

underlining that, although the post-conflict situation requires a special individual approach, there are many similar problems and solutions in these cases, and that therefore experience and best practices of ACP members can be used as examples for other affected member countries,

| L. | recognising that successful post-conflict rehabilitation of the affected countries is a condition for achieving effective development results, as there is no development without peace, no peace without reconciliation, no reconciliation without democracy and no democracy without justice, |
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L.

recognising that successful post-conflict rehabilitation of the affected countries is a condition for achieving effective development results, as there is no development without peace, no peace without reconciliation, no reconciliation without democracy and no democracy without justice,

| M. | whereas experience has shown that many peace agreements often fail when they are not linked to the establishment of effective mechanisms for the control and implementation of peace and democratisation programmes, and of instances of regular, open and serious political dialogue, which, besides ensuring the real effectiveness of written texts, help also to build mutual trust, to consolidate mutual respect and to encourage reconciliation, |
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M.

whereas experience has shown that many peace agreements often fail when they are not linked to the establishment of effective mechanisms for the control and implementation of peace and democratisation programmes, and of instances of regular, open and serious political dialogue, which, besides ensuring the real effectiveness of written texts, help also to build mutual trust, to consolidate mutual respect and to encourage reconciliation,

Emergency aid and the link between relief, rehabilitation and development

| N. | stressing that the parallel inclusion of the concepts of providing short-term relief and at the same time long-term rehabilitation in a post-conflict situation is vital to avoid unanticipated side-effects of emergency aid, such as the disappearance of local production systems and over-dependence on imports, |
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N.

stressing that the parallel inclusion of the concepts of providing short-term relief and at the same time long-term rehabilitation in a post-conflict situation is vital to avoid unanticipated side-effects of emergency aid, such as the disappearance of local production systems and over-dependence on imports,

| O. | whereas the need to bridge the gap between various phases of international assistance in ACP countries is becoming more apparent as post-conflict situations are increasingly complex in terms of participant groups and territorial dimensions, as well as having greater volatility, where there are fluctuations in the intensity of violence both temporally and regionally, and there is a fine line between stability and renewed upheaval, |
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O.

whereas the need to bridge the gap between various phases of international assistance in ACP countries is becoming more apparent as post-conflict situations are increasingly complex in terms of participant groups and territorial dimensions, as well as having greater volatility, where there are fluctuations in the intensity of violence both temporally and regionally, and there is a fine line between stability and renewed upheaval,

| P. | whereas the international community must not frustrate the expectations raised by the announced promotion of donors' conferences to fund relief, rehabilitation and development projects following the end of long-lasting and destructive armed conflicts, |
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P.

whereas the international community must not frustrate the expectations raised by the announced promotion of donors' conferences to fund relief, rehabilitation and development projects following the end of long-lasting and destructive armed conflicts,

| Q. | whereas the link between relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD) needs to be further addressed by donors, beneficiaries and implementing partners, |
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Q.

whereas the link between relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD) needs to be further addressed by donors, beneficiaries and implementing partners,

| R. | whereas conducting efficient post-crisis rehabilitation entails higher political and technical risks for donors as beneficiary partners may be unstable or absent, |
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R.

whereas conducting efficient post-crisis rehabilitation entails higher political and technical risks for donors as beneficiary partners may be unstable or absent,

| S. | whereas rehabilitation interacts with reconciliation and reconstruction, is crucial to rebuilding government legitimacy, and cannot be seen as simply restoring the pre-war situation, |
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S.

whereas rehabilitation interacts with reconciliation and reconstruction, is crucial to rebuilding government legitimacy, and cannot be seen as simply restoring the pre-war situation,

| T. | whereas post-conflict rebuilding of a state should at the same time incorporate efforts to prevent future conflicts, |
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T.

whereas post-conflict rebuilding of a state should at the same time incorporate efforts to prevent future conflicts,

| U. | underlining the importance of providing the decision-makers of affected countries with adequate background information on the experience and best practices of the international community, civil organisations and the European Union, |
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U.

underlining the importance of providing the decision-makers of affected countries with adequate background information on the experience and best practices of the international community, civil organisations and the European Union,

| V. | underlining that when, following a natural disaster of large proportions (earthquake, flooding, tsunami, hurricane, storm, etc.), the post-disaster situation facilitates reaching a peace agreement between parties in conflict, such peace agreements pressured by shared tragedy and humanitarian emergency need to be embedded and further consolidated, to prevent their disruption as soon as the crisis fades away, |
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V.

underlining that when, following a natural disaster of large proportions (earthquake, flooding, tsunami, hurricane, storm, etc.), the post-disaster situation facilitates reaching a peace agreement between parties in conflict, such peace agreements pressured by shared tragedy and humanitarian emergency need to be embedded and further consolidated, to prevent their disruption as soon as the crisis fades away,

| W. | stressing the importance of humanitarian aid and the fact that it should preferably be supplied solely via civilian and diplomatic channels; underlining, however, that military personnel can be involved in humanitarian operations to facilitate the work of civilian humanitarian aid workers, for instance by securing airports and roads, repairing bridges, clearing mines and evacuating victims, |
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W.

stressing the importance of humanitarian aid and the fact that it should preferably be supplied solely via civilian and diplomatic channels; underlining, however, that military personnel can be involved in humanitarian operations to facilitate the work of civilian humanitarian aid workers, for instance by securing airports and roads, repairing bridges, clearing mines and evacuating victims,

Social and professional reintegration

| X. | considering that restoring a healthy society is one of the major challenges after an armed conflict, as most of the social structures are destroyed, — such as families, local and religious communities — many people are declared missing, and there are often massive numbers of short and long-term IDP (internally displaced persons) and refugees, |
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X.

considering that restoring a healthy society is one of the major challenges after an armed conflict, as most of the social structures are destroyed, — such as families, local and religious communities — many people are declared missing, and there are often massive numbers of short and long-term IDP (internally displaced persons) and refugees,

| Y. | whereas failure to address mental health and psychological disorders in populations that have experienced mass violence and trauma caused by conflict will impede efforts to enhance social capital, promote human development and reduce poverty, |
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Y.

whereas failure to address mental health and psychological disorders in populations that have experienced mass violence and trauma caused by conflict will impede efforts to enhance social capital, promote human development and reduce poverty,

| Z. | whereas the reintegration of ex-combatants from all armed forces, whether men or women, represents a crucial social problem and is an absolute key factor for stabilisation, preventing the renewed outbreak of conflicts or the emergence of banditry, violence and anarchy, |
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Z.

whereas the reintegration of ex-combatants from all armed forces, whether men or women, represents a crucial social problem and is an absolute key factor for stabilisation, preventing the renewed outbreak of conflicts or the emergence of banditry, violence and anarchy,

| AA. | whereas the rapid disarmament of civilians and of any kind of formal or informal militias is paramount for order, security, freedom and stability, |
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AA.

whereas the rapid disarmament of civilians and of any kind of formal or informal militias is paramount for order, security, freedom and stability,

| AB. | underlining that special care and attention are needed for children and youth groups in and after armed conflicts, as many of them became child soldiers, or were victims of violence or sexual abuse, |
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AB.

underlining that special care and attention are needed for children and youth groups in and after armed conflicts, as many of them became child soldiers, or were victims of violence or sexual abuse,

| AC. | whereas many civilians become disabled and victims, many others are at risk of being injured or killed by anti-personnel landmines and unexploded ordnance as a result of the armed conflicts, |
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AC.

whereas many civilians become disabled and victims, many others are at risk of being injured or killed by anti-personnel landmines and unexploded ordnance as a result of the armed conflicts,

| AD. | whereas conflict situations increase the vulnerability of existing disabled people and their families and a discriminatory response between war disabled people and pre-war disabled people needs to be avoided by adopting a comprehensive rights-based approach, |
| --- | --- |

AD.

whereas conflict situations increase the vulnerability of existing disabled people and their families and a discriminatory response between war disabled people and pre-war disabled people needs to be avoided by adopting a comprehensive rights-based approach,

Reconciliation

| AE. | underlining that armed conflicts cause deep personal traumas to the civilian population and former combatants, a fact which has to be taken into consideration when planning the rehabilitation process, |
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AE.

underlining that armed conflicts cause deep personal traumas to the civilian population and former combatants, a fact which has to be taken into consideration when planning the rehabilitation process,

| AF. | whereas the setting up of a special committee or independent body in a post- conflict process could play an important role in investigating the violations that took place during the conflict and providing support and compensation for victims and their families, |
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AF.

whereas the setting up of a special committee or independent body in a post- conflict process could play an important role in investigating the violations that took place during the conflict and providing support and compensation for victims and their families,

| AG. | whereas full and objective recording of the effects of the conflict on civilians and military staff in independent truth and reconciliation commissions may be one of the most important steps in the reconciliation process, |
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AG.

whereas full and objective recording of the effects of the conflict on civilians and military staff in independent truth and reconciliation commissions may be one of the most important steps in the reconciliation process,

| AH. | highlighting the role that churches and religious communities or organisations, traditional community leaders and civil society, in the form of national NGOs and fora, could play in promoting peace or providing mediation by creating opportunities to debate and settle differences, |
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AH.

highlighting the role that churches and religious communities or organisations, traditional community leaders and civil society, in the form of national NGOs and fora, could play in promoting peace or providing mediation by creating opportunities to debate and settle differences,

| AI. | stressing the important role of the International Criminal Court in the struggle against impunity, |
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AI.

stressing the important role of the International Criminal Court in the struggle against impunity,

Transition towards a democratic society, including preparations for elections

| AJ. | whereas the deplorable state of political and administrative systems in many ACP countries constitutes a major obstacle to sustainable development, |
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AJ.

whereas the deplorable state of political and administrative systems in many ACP countries constitutes a major obstacle to sustainable development,

| AK. | whereas democratic and transparent institutions are key elements for enhancing efficient development strategies, |
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AK.

whereas democratic and transparent institutions are key elements for enhancing efficient development strategies,

| AL. | considering it vital to apply the participatory ownership principle, as underlined in the ‘New Partnership for Africa's Development’ (NEPAD), so that beneficiary countries themselves have to be responsible for and actively participate in managing their own development process, |
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AL.

considering it vital to apply the participatory ownership principle, as underlined in the ‘New Partnership for Africa's Development’ (NEPAD), so that beneficiary countries themselves have to be responsible for and actively participate in managing their own development process,

| AM. | whereas the EU must regard the African Union as a partner, |
| --- | --- |

AM.

whereas the EU must regard the African Union as a partner,

| AN. | stressing that stable and durable post-conflict peace is only possible through national reconciliation, effective justice, freedom, pluralism and democracy, and with the active involvement of civil society in the full peace process, |
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AN.

stressing that stable and durable post-conflict peace is only possible through national reconciliation, effective justice, freedom, pluralism and democracy, and with the active involvement of civil society in the full peace process,

| AO. | whereas democratic elections, as a platform to express the different personal political opinion of voters, represent a very important step for countries under reconstruction, which are eager to become democratic societies, |
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AO.

whereas democratic elections, as a platform to express the different personal political opinion of voters, represent a very important step for countries under reconstruction, which are eager to become democratic societies,

| AP. | recognising the responsibility of the state in restoring security, through the process of transition towards democracy; stresses the need to ensure the necessary security conditions for the holding of elections in a post-conflict country, namely freedom of assembly and the free expression of opinion by competing parties, together with the personal safety of voters, |
| --- | --- |

AP.

recognising the responsibility of the state in restoring security, through the process of transition towards democracy; stresses the need to ensure the necessary security conditions for the holding of elections in a post-conflict country, namely freedom of assembly and the free expression of opinion by competing parties, together with the personal safety of voters,

| AQ. | considering that equality between men and women and women's participation in the decision-making process, either at legislative or in executive level, are essential elements of good governance, |
| --- | --- |

AQ.

considering that equality between men and women and women's participation in the decision-making process, either at legislative or in executive level, are essential elements of good governance,

| AR. | recognising that the participation of non-state actors and civil society is vital in the transition towards democracy, |
| --- | --- |

AR.

recognising that the participation of non-state actors and civil society is vital in the transition towards democracy,

| AS. | considering that the freedom of the media is one of the essential elements of democratic elections, as citizens should have the right to be informed about different political views, and whereas there should be no restrictions on media access, |
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AS.

considering that the freedom of the media is one of the essential elements of democratic elections, as citizens should have the right to be informed about different political views, and whereas there should be no restrictions on media access,

| AT. | recognising the progress made in the implementation of the relevant provisions of the Cotonou Agreement and, in particular, those concerning political dialogue and peace-building policies (Title II, Articles 8 and 11.), |
| --- | --- |

AT.

recognising the progress made in the implementation of the relevant provisions of the Cotonou Agreement and, in particular, those concerning political dialogue and peace-building policies (Title II, Articles 8 and 11.),

| 1. | Reaffirms the involvement and participation of the ACP-EU JPA as an actor that contributes to conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation in the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions; |
| --- | --- |

1.

Reaffirms the involvement and participation of the ACP-EU JPA as an actor that contributes to conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation in the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions;

| 2. | Calls on the members of the ACP group to use ACP-EU cooperation as a means for confidence-building and to cooperate with member countries that are in conflict in order to arrive at a peaceful solution, and work together to further reconciliation and democratisation, as well as rehabilitation and development; |
| --- | --- |

2.

Calls on the members of the ACP group to use ACP-EU cooperation as a means for confidence-building and to cooperate with member countries that are in conflict in order to arrive at a peaceful solution, and work together to further reconciliation and democratisation, as well as rehabilitation and development;

| 3. | Calls on the EU and ACP institutions and decision-makers to seek close cooperation with regional organisations such as the African Union (AU) or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and to provide these organisations with adequate resources, both material and non-material, to enable them to make a contribution of their own to conflict resolution; |
| --- | --- |

3.

Calls on the EU and ACP institutions and decision-makers to seek close cooperation with regional organisations such as the African Union (AU) or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and to provide these organisations with adequate resources, both material and non-material, to enable them to make a contribution of their own to conflict resolution;

| 4. | Requests those ACP members which have successfully conducted the rehabilitation process to share their best practices with other members; |
| --- | --- |

4.

Requests those ACP members which have successfully conducted the rehabilitation process to share their best practices with other members;

| 5. | Stresses the need to draw up security strategies which are appropriate to the situation and can effectively counter resurgences of violence and protect the civilian population against abuses; notes that in this context security checks by combined patrols by former parties to conflicts can promote confidence among the population provided that those concerned have been adequately trained for these duties, for which purpose sufficient resources must be made available; |
| --- | --- |

5.

Stresses the need to draw up security strategies which are appropriate to the situation and can effectively counter resurgences of violence and protect the civilian population against abuses; notes that in this context security checks by combined patrols by former parties to conflicts can promote confidence among the population provided that those concerned have been adequately trained for these duties, for which purpose sufficient resources must be made available;

| 6. | Notes how vital it is to identify the causes of a conflict with care and to incorporate the findings into security strategies, for example by facilitating access to political responsibility for disadvantaged groups or striking a better balance among conflicting interests in resources such as land or water; |
| --- | --- |

6.

Notes how vital it is to identify the causes of a conflict with care and to incorporate the findings into security strategies, for example by facilitating access to political responsibility for disadvantaged groups or striking a better balance among conflicting interests in resources such as land or water;

| 7. | Supports the setting-up of hearings in national parliaments as well as in the European Parliament on the progress of conflict resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation activities by the National Authorising Officer and the EC Delegation concerned; |
| --- | --- |

7.

Supports the setting-up of hearings in national parliaments as well as in the European Parliament on the progress of conflict resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation activities by the National Authorising Officer and the EC Delegation concerned;

| 8. | Calls on the European Commission, the EU Member States and the EDF Committee to cooperate closely on rehabilitation programming with the representatives of ACP countries, so that decision-making can involve leaders from the regions affected, and to attempt to ensure a coherent response at EU level to the post-conflict situation in ACP countries; |
| --- | --- |

8.

Calls on the European Commission, the EU Member States and the EDF Committee to cooperate closely on rehabilitation programming with the representatives of ACP countries, so that decision-making can involve leaders from the regions affected, and to attempt to ensure a coherent response at EU level to the post-conflict situation in ACP countries;

| 9. | Requests the European Commission to improve coordination between its services, between itself and the Member States and between donors, to draw up strategy documents which facilitate analyses and coherence between different EU policies, as well as coordination and complementarity between different donors; |
| --- | --- |

9.

Requests the European Commission to improve coordination between its services, between itself and the Member States and between donors, to draw up strategy documents which facilitate analyses and coherence between different EU policies, as well as coordination and complementarity between different donors;

| 10. | Calls upon donors to conduct an appropriate analysis of the structural causes of conflicts and to establish of global frameworks defining priority sectors and measures, to advocate a balance between actions aimed at political, economic, legal, social, environmental and military stabilisation and to achieve convergence between the objectives of peace and development; |
| --- | --- |

10.

Calls upon donors to conduct an appropriate analysis of the structural causes of conflicts and to establish of global frameworks defining priority sectors and measures, to advocate a balance between actions aimed at political, economic, legal, social, environmental and military stabilisation and to achieve convergence between the objectives of peace and development;

| 11. | Believes that reconstruction work should take account of the local environment, whether urban or rural, and that the aftermath of reconstruction must not result in damage to the environment; |
| --- | --- |

11.

Believes that reconstruction work should take account of the local environment, whether urban or rural, and that the aftermath of reconstruction must not result in damage to the environment;

| 12. | Supports the efforts of regional bodies to reinforce peace processes and post-conflict rehabilitation; |
| --- | --- |

12.

Supports the efforts of regional bodies to reinforce peace processes and post-conflict rehabilitation;

| 13. | Calls on the European Union and its Member States to take action internally and in close cooperation with the ACP countries concerned in order to combat the illegal and illicit exploitation of their natural resources and other assets; |
| --- | --- |

13.

Calls on the European Union and its Member States to take action internally and in close cooperation with the ACP countries concerned in order to combat the illegal and illicit exploitation of their natural resources and other assets;

Emergency aid and the link between relief, rehabilitation and development

| 14. | Calls on the European Commission and other donors to integrate the concept of rehabilitation and development from the starting phase of a post-conflict situation, since the different phases of the rehabilitation process overlap; stresses that frequently, even during the armed conflict, it is possible to make the first steps towards relief and rehabilitation and that, therefore, these programmes should be started as early as possible; strongly recommends that churches and religious communities or organisations, traditional community leaders, politically independent NGOs and civil society at large be associated and involved in these programmes from a very early stage, and that women should participate in them on an equal footing; |
| --- | --- |

14.

Calls on the European Commission and other donors to integrate the concept of rehabilitation and development from the starting phase of a post-conflict situation, since the different phases of the rehabilitation process overlap; stresses that frequently, even during the armed conflict, it is possible to make the first steps towards relief and rehabilitation and that, therefore, these programmes should be started as early as possible; strongly recommends that churches and religious communities or organisations, traditional community leaders, politically independent NGOs and civil society at large be associated and involved in these programmes from a very early stage, and that women should participate in them on an equal footing;

| 15. | Calls on the EU and other donors, in close coordination with local authorities, to finance programmes of physical, political, social and economic reconstruction that take a comprehensive approach, incorporating rehabilitation, peace-building, promotion of human rights and personal freedoms, stimulating private initiative, and economic growth and long-term development; |
| --- | --- |

15.

Calls on the EU and other donors, in close coordination with local authorities, to finance programmes of physical, political, social and economic reconstruction that take a comprehensive approach, incorporating rehabilitation, peace-building, promotion of human rights and personal freedoms, stimulating private initiative, and economic growth and long-term development;

| 16. | Asks the European Commission and the EU Member States to give the strongest possible support to the effective and successful promotion of donors' conferences for Angola, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as soon as the post-conflict situation has proven to have been stabilised, encouraging and supporting substantial steps towards democratic consolidation in these countries; |
| --- | --- |

16.

Asks the European Commission and the EU Member States to give the strongest possible support to the effective and successful promotion of donors' conferences for Angola, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as soon as the post-conflict situation has proven to have been stabilised, encouraging and supporting substantial steps towards democratic consolidation in these countries;

| 17. | Urges the European Commission to adapt its financial instruments and procedures in order to make them more flexible and effective — as is stressed in the Cotonou Agreement — so that adequate financial and human resources can be made available in a short period of time in post-conflict situations; |
| --- | --- |

17.

Urges the European Commission to adapt its financial instruments and procedures in order to make them more flexible and effective — as is stressed in the Cotonou Agreement — so that adequate financial and human resources can be made available in a short period of time in post-conflict situations;

| 18. | Requests the post-conflict ACP states concerned to provide all possible means during the phase of humanitarian relief operations and to make efforts — if necessary involving police or military forces, whenever such support is requested by NGOs in the area — to guarantee free access to humanitarian aid, facilitate the work of humanitarian aid workers, and guarantee their personal safety and working conditions; |
| --- | --- |

18.

Requests the post-conflict ACP states concerned to provide all possible means during the phase of humanitarian relief operations and to make efforts — if necessary involving police or military forces, whenever such support is requested by NGOs in the area — to guarantee free access to humanitarian aid, facilitate the work of humanitarian aid workers, and guarantee their personal safety and working conditions;

| 19. | Requests that a participatory approach be included in a multi-dimensional strategic rehabilitation framework, so that humanitarian relief is directed through local actors, via an inclusive partnership which could attempt to bring together different local actors on an equal basis; |
| --- | --- |

19.

Requests that a participatory approach be included in a multi-dimensional strategic rehabilitation framework, so that humanitarian relief is directed through local actors, via an inclusive partnership which could attempt to bring together different local actors on an equal basis;

| 20. | Expects women to be involved, on an equal footing, in all planning and decision-making processes relating to conflict resolution strategies, with genuine responsibilities will be entrusted to them; |
| --- | --- |

20.

Expects women to be involved, on an equal footing, in all planning and decision-making processes relating to conflict resolution strategies, with genuine responsibilities will be entrusted to them;

| 21. | Underlines the need for a local level presence on the part of donors and non-governmental organisations; therefore, welcomes the recent external reform of the European Commission to decentralise decision-making processes giving more autonomy and to increase the capacities of its Delegations in ACP countries; |
| --- | --- |

21.

Underlines the need for a local level presence on the part of donors and non-governmental organisations; therefore, welcomes the recent external reform of the European Commission to decentralise decision-making processes giving more autonomy and to increase the capacities of its Delegations in ACP countries;

| 22. | Emphasises that there should be no single model for relief, rehabilitation and development, and that the major guidelines have to be adapted to the special needs of a given conflict, based on a pre-assessment of the circumstances; however, the programmes must always be designed with a view to equity so that all sections of the population may benefit from them; |
| --- | --- |

22.

Emphasises that there should be no single model for relief, rehabilitation and development, and that the major guidelines have to be adapted to the special needs of a given conflict, based on a pre-assessment of the circumstances; however, the programmes must always be designed with a view to equity so that all sections of the population may benefit from them;

| 23. | Underlines the need for continuous dialogue and cooperation between peace-keeping and peace-building personnel in ACP countries — as their roles and mandates often overlap and conventional peacekeeping operations have extended into the areas of reconstruction and rehabilitation — especially on civil-military coordination, given the need to reduce confusion, clarify distribution of tasks and avoid duplications; |
| --- | --- |

23.

Underlines the need for continuous dialogue and cooperation between peace-keeping and peace-building personnel in ACP countries — as their roles and mandates often overlap and conventional peacekeeping operations have extended into the areas of reconstruction and rehabilitation — especially on civil-military coordination, given the need to reduce confusion, clarify distribution of tasks and avoid duplications;

| 24. | Calls on the European Commission other donors and the beneficiaries not to see the post-conflict process as a linear one, starting from emergency aid, followed by relief and rehabilitation and ending with development, but to take into account that phases overlap and integrate relief and development elements into the rehabilitation process, which will help lessen disruptions in planning and funding during crises; |
| --- | --- |

24.

Calls on the European Commission other donors and the beneficiaries not to see the post-conflict process as a linear one, starting from emergency aid, followed by relief and rehabilitation and ending with development, but to take into account that phases overlap and integrate relief and development elements into the rehabilitation process, which will help lessen disruptions in planning and funding during crises;

| 25. | Stresses the importance of including in post-conflict rehabilitation strategies, the objective of preventing future conflicts in all phases of a post-conflict rehabilitation; |
| --- | --- |

25.

Stresses the importance of including in post-conflict rehabilitation strategies, the objective of preventing future conflicts in all phases of a post-conflict rehabilitation;

| 26. | Stresses the importance of associating both national and, where they exist, regional parliaments in post-conflict management and of directly involving their elected members in these tasks; |
| --- | --- |

26.

Stresses the importance of associating both national and, where they exist, regional parliaments in post-conflict management and of directly involving their elected members in these tasks;

| 27. | Calls for the integration of sub-national (local) rehabilitation plans in a given conflict, as in many cases a country is divided into areas where the level of required assistance may differ and zones with violent conflicts may border on regions where rehabilitation is already required; considers it important that they have some level of direct cooperation with the state, regional and local authorities; |
| --- | --- |

27.

Calls for the integration of sub-national (local) rehabilitation plans in a given conflict, as in many cases a country is divided into areas where the level of required assistance may differ and zones with violent conflicts may border on regions where rehabilitation is already required; considers it important that they have some level of direct cooperation with the state, regional and local authorities;

| 28. | Calls for a regional and multilateral dimension to be integrated into rehabilitation strategies, as conflicts tend to spill over borders, and equally the causes of conflicts frequently have multi-country regional aspects; notes that regional neighbours can contribute a good deal to conflict resolution but should not intervene in conflicts improperly and should respect the territorial sovereignty of neighbouring States; |
| --- | --- |

28.

Calls for a regional and multilateral dimension to be integrated into rehabilitation strategies, as conflicts tend to spill over borders, and equally the causes of conflicts frequently have multi-country regional aspects; notes that regional neighbours can contribute a good deal to conflict resolution but should not intervene in conflicts improperly and should respect the territorial sovereignty of neighbouring States;

| 29. | Underlines the importance of adopting a comprehensive rights-based approach to rehabilitation strategies, including disabled people; |
| --- | --- |

29.

Underlines the importance of adopting a comprehensive rights-based approach to rehabilitation strategies, including disabled people;

| 30. | Encourages donor participation and engagement as an important sign to the post-conflict state, as well as raising the awareness of other possible donors and supporting their participation in the mediation process to reach a peaceful solution; however, at the same time, they need to adopt an impartial approach throughout the whole process, as the political environment is fragile; |
| --- | --- |

30.

Encourages donor participation and engagement as an important sign to the post-conflict state, as well as raising the awareness of other possible donors and supporting their participation in the mediation process to reach a peaceful solution; however, at the same time, they need to adopt an impartial approach throughout the whole process, as the political environment is fragile;

| 31. | Urges donors and policy-makers at different levels to cooperate in their strategy, planning and activities in the field, and in setting up a lead agency for rehabilitation among themselves, in cooperation notably with the United Nations and other international organisations, and to share information and experience in a flexible and responsive manner; urges beneficiaries to collaborate with donors at national and local level; |
| --- | --- |

31.

Urges donors and policy-makers at different levels to cooperate in their strategy, planning and activities in the field, and in setting up a lead agency for rehabilitation among themselves, in cooperation notably with the United Nations and other international organisations, and to share information and experience in a flexible and responsive manner; urges beneficiaries to collaborate with donors at national and local level;

Social and professional reintegration

| 32. | Calls for both victims of and combatants in violent conflicts to be reintegrated into civil society in all its aspects, in particular its economic, social, educational, cultural and political aspects; |
| --- | --- |

32.

Calls for both victims of and combatants in violent conflicts to be reintegrated into civil society in all its aspects, in particular its economic, social, educational, cultural and political aspects;

| 33. | Believes that restoring the good physical and mental health of the population must be a priority in post-conflict situations, but that there will be many people physically and mentally damaged permanently or for long periods and special care must be taken to ensure that their condition is treated and cared for and that they are enabled to play as full a part in society as their condition permits; |
| --- | --- |

33.

Believes that restoring the good physical and mental health of the population must be a priority in post-conflict situations, but that there will be many people physically and mentally damaged permanently or for long periods and special care must be taken to ensure that their condition is treated and cared for and that they are enabled to play as full a part in society as their condition permits;

| 34. | Calls on the EU, other donors and the ACP states to address mental health disorders and psychological problems arising from conflicts as part of post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation efforts; |
| --- | --- |

34.

Calls on the EU, other donors and the ACP states to address mental health disorders and psychological problems arising from conflicts as part of post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation efforts;

| 35. | Urges its post-conflict member states to engage at government and local level in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes for social and economic reintegration of ex-combatants; |
| --- | --- |

35.

Urges its post-conflict member states to engage at government and local level in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes for social and economic reintegration of ex-combatants;

| 36. | Recommends that DDR strategies be rethought in order to, possibly even during the pre-demobilisation stage, involve and employ directly former combatants in basic infrastructure rehabilitation works, in the framework of programmes that, as a whole, can serve as a powerful reconciliation tool, as an effective professional training and social reintegration mechanism, as a means of preventing large-scale unemployment, poverty and social unrest, as a practical means of ensuring in a shorter period and with a lower cost the creation of minimum conditions for populations to resettle and for normal economic and social life to resume; |
| --- | --- |

36.

Recommends that DDR strategies be rethought in order to, possibly even during the pre-demobilisation stage, involve and employ directly former combatants in basic infrastructure rehabilitation works, in the framework of programmes that, as a whole, can serve as a powerful reconciliation tool, as an effective professional training and social reintegration mechanism, as a means of preventing large-scale unemployment, poverty and social unrest, as a practical means of ensuring in a shorter period and with a lower cost the creation of minimum conditions for populations to resettle and for normal economic and social life to resume;

| 37. | Stresses that direct participation in public infrastructural reconstruction programmes may be of value during the process of disarmament and rehabilitation of ex-soldiers, while their participation in professional training courses will increase the possibility of them fulfilling a useful role in society; |
| --- | --- |

37.

Stresses that direct participation in public infrastructural reconstruction programmes may be of value during the process of disarmament and rehabilitation of ex-soldiers, while their participation in professional training courses will increase the possibility of them fulfilling a useful role in society;

| 38. | Recommends that all internationally funded DDR programmes involve in their respective management not only the ruling power, but all former fighting parties or factions, in order to ensure fairness, to build mutual trust and to guarantee efficiency at the grass-roots level; |
| --- | --- |

38.

Recommends that all internationally funded DDR programmes involve in their respective management not only the ruling power, but all former fighting parties or factions, in order to ensure fairness, to build mutual trust and to guarantee efficiency at the grass-roots level;

| 39. | Calls on the European Commission and the international donor community to invest in the economic revitalisation of post-conflict ACP countries, for example by supporting financial reconstruction of small and medium-sized enterprises and family farms in order to accelerate job creation, and to set up vocational training centres, with a view to securing the revenue needed for the re-development of social services; recommends that special attention be given in this field to the possibility of deploying and supporting small business programmes and microcredit; |
| --- | --- |

39.

Calls on the European Commission and the international donor community to invest in the economic revitalisation of post-conflict ACP countries, for example by supporting financial reconstruction of small and medium-sized enterprises and family farms in order to accelerate job creation, and to set up vocational training centres, with a view to securing the revenue needed for the re-development of social services; recommends that special attention be given in this field to the possibility of deploying and supporting small business programmes and microcredit;

| 40. | Notes that in any post-conflict situation disabled people are likely to feel the negative impact of the crisis more keenly than other citizens; their ability to cope and survive may be completely dependent on others and the capacity of any family to support its disabled members is keenly tested; |
| --- | --- |

40.

Notes that in any post-conflict situation disabled people are likely to feel the negative impact of the crisis more keenly than other citizens; their ability to cope and survive may be completely dependent on others and the capacity of any family to support its disabled members is keenly tested;

| 41. | Calls on the international community and governments to seize the opportunity to rebuild the infrastructure according to universal design and accessibility standards when major reconstruction efforts are undertaken; |
| --- | --- |

41.

Calls on the international community and governments to seize the opportunity to rebuild the infrastructure according to universal design and accessibility standards when major reconstruction efforts are undertaken;

| 42. | Stresses the need to place a special focus on female ex-soldiers' problems as well as women who have been victims of physical violence, rape or sexual abuse; |
| --- | --- |

42.

Stresses the need to place a special focus on female ex-soldiers' problems as well as women who have been victims of physical violence, rape or sexual abuse;

| 43. | As to children affected by armed conflicts, urges that special attention and close care be devoted to child soldiers' education and reintegration and to the specific dramatic problems and urgent needs of orphans, of those physically, sexually or psychologically abused, and of IDP or refugee children who have been abruptly cut off from their schools, friends and natural environment; |
| --- | --- |

43.

As to children affected by armed conflicts, urges that special attention and close care be devoted to child soldiers' education and reintegration and to the specific dramatic problems and urgent needs of orphans, of those physically, sexually or psychologically abused, and of IDP or refugee children who have been abruptly cut off from their schools, friends and natural environment;

| 44. | Stresses that rehabilitation can only be successful if the problem of refugees and internally displaced people is solved by helping their voluntary and safe return to their homes and providing help with the reconstruction process, and through the deployment of peace-keeping forces, if appropriate; |
| --- | --- |

44.

Stresses that rehabilitation can only be successful if the problem of refugees and internally displaced people is solved by helping their voluntary and safe return to their homes and providing help with the reconstruction process, and through the deployment of peace-keeping forces, if appropriate;

| 45. | Urges donors and beneficiaries to set up special projects for the most vulnerable members of society, i.e. children and youth groups, which should focus on education and vocational training to facilitate the reintegration of ex child soldiers and those girls and boys who were affected by wars, armed conflicts, displacement, drought, hunger, natural disasters, HIV/AIDS, those who had been used in human trafficking, all of them therefore deprived of education, as well as setting up recreation and sport facilities for them and provide special psychological care, where possible within the education system, to help them to cope with their war trauma; welcomes the appeals made in this context by international organisations such as UNICEF; |
| --- | --- |

45.

Urges donors and beneficiaries to set up special projects for the most vulnerable members of society, i.e. children and youth groups, which should focus on education and vocational training to facilitate the reintegration of ex child soldiers and those girls and boys who were affected by wars, armed conflicts, displacement, drought, hunger, natural disasters, HIV/AIDS, those who had been used in human trafficking, all of them therefore deprived of education, as well as setting up recreation and sport facilities for them and provide special psychological care, where possible within the education system, to help them to cope with their war trauma; welcomes the appeals made in this context by international organisations such as UNICEF;

| 46. | Stresses the key role that schools can have in post-conflict situations, as children are highly dependent on their capacity to provide not only quality education but also physical protection, psychological assistance and basic services such as health care, water and sanitation; |
| --- | --- |

46.

Stresses the key role that schools can have in post-conflict situations, as children are highly dependent on their capacity to provide not only quality education but also physical protection, psychological assistance and basic services such as health care, water and sanitation;

| 47. | Calls on its post-conflict member states to facilitate and contribute to the work of donors and non-governmental organisations in the demobilisation of child soldiers, advising them and securing their release from the armed forces and groups, to facilitate their disarmament and re-integration into the family where appropriate and society, and protect them from violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination; |
| --- | --- |

47.

Calls on its post-conflict member states to facilitate and contribute to the work of donors and non-governmental organisations in the demobilisation of child soldiers, advising them and securing their release from the armed forces and groups, to facilitate their disarmament and re-integration into the family where appropriate and society, and protect them from violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination;

| 48. | Calls on the international community and beneficiaries to set up special projects that provide extensive care for women and girls who became victims of armed conflicts and guarantee respect for their human rights; as rape is widely practised as a weapon of war, forced pregnancy and war trauma affect many of the female civilian population; protection must also be given to children born of rape, and all these issues need to be addressed and solved in a successful social rehabilitation process; |
| --- | --- |

48.

Calls on the international community and beneficiaries to set up special projects that provide extensive care for women and girls who became victims of armed conflicts and guarantee respect for their human rights; as rape is widely practised as a weapon of war, forced pregnancy and war trauma affect many of the female civilian population; protection must also be given to children born of rape, and all these issues need to be addressed and solved in a successful social rehabilitation process;

| 49. | Requests those states whose territories are contaminated with landmines to set up special programmes for the social re-integration of disabled landmine victims and survivors, in the field of medical care and financial support, whilst ensuring that these programmes target the whole of the disabled population, as well as organising effective mine risk education for the population, in particular for children, actively conducting mine-clearance and refraining from using, stockpiling or trading anti-personnel landmines; |
| --- | --- |

49.

Requests those states whose territories are contaminated with landmines to set up special programmes for the social re-integration of disabled landmine victims and survivors, in the field of medical care and financial support, whilst ensuring that these programmes target the whole of the disabled population, as well as organising effective mine risk education for the population, in particular for children, actively conducting mine-clearance and refraining from using, stockpiling or trading anti-personnel landmines;

| 50. | Is aware that the damage caused to the natural and marine environment by spent and unspent munitions needs particular attention for both health and safety and environmental reconstruction reasons; |
| --- | --- |

50.

Is aware that the damage caused to the natural and marine environment by spent and unspent munitions needs particular attention for both health and safety and environmental reconstruction reasons;

| 51. | Calls on those member states of the ACP-EU JPA which have not signed or ratified the Ottawa Convention (Mine-Ban Treaty) or the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons to do so without delay; |
| --- | --- |

51.

Calls on those member states of the ACP-EU JPA which have not signed or ratified the Ottawa Convention (Mine-Ban Treaty) or the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons to do so without delay;

| 52. | Calls on those ACP and EU states that joined the Ottawa Convention to implement its provisions, in particular its anti-personnel landmine clearance obligation by the date set by themselves, in accordance with the Nairobi Action Plan for 2005–2009; |
| --- | --- |

52.

Calls on those ACP and EU states that joined the Ottawa Convention to implement its provisions, in particular its anti-personnel landmine clearance obligation by the date set by themselves, in accordance with the Nairobi Action Plan for 2005–2009;

Reconciliation

| 53. | Underlines the importance of investigating human rights abuses and rape, torture, arrests and killings in an impartial and objective manner; |
| --- | --- |

53.

Underlines the importance of investigating human rights abuses and rape, torture, arrests and killings in an impartial and objective manner;

| 54. | Believes that truth commissions have the potential to generate many benefits for societies in transition, although they may not always be appropriate in every context; stresses the importance of active involvement from many different sectors of society in such commissions; emphasises that after completion of an objective final report — including, in view of its particular relevance, a section devoted to children, drawn up with the involvement of children and young people — all actors should do their utmost to implement the commission's recommendations; |
| --- | --- |

54.

Believes that truth commissions have the potential to generate many benefits for societies in transition, although they may not always be appropriate in every context; stresses the importance of active involvement from many different sectors of society in such commissions; emphasises that after completion of an objective final report — including, in view of its particular relevance, a section devoted to children, drawn up with the involvement of children and young people — all actors should do their utmost to implement the commission's recommendations;

| 55. | Acknowledges the importance of the experiences of the truth and reconciliation commission in South Africa, but stresses the importance of adapting the methodology to local circumstances; |
| --- | --- |

55.

Acknowledges the importance of the experiences of the truth and reconciliation commission in South Africa, but stresses the importance of adapting the methodology to local circumstances;

| 56. | Points out that amnesties may be a reconciliation instrument, provided that they are prepared and decided in a wise, fair and balanced manner and are not unfairly exploited as an instrument to block justice, to cover up hideous crimes and to escape huge responsibilities; |
| --- | --- |

56.

Points out that amnesties may be a reconciliation instrument, provided that they are prepared and decided in a wise, fair and balanced manner and are not unfairly exploited as an instrument to block justice, to cover up hideous crimes and to escape huge responsibilities;

| 57. | Believes that justice is the main domain where the international community can be directly involved in processes that have a reconciliation potential, as shown by the ad hoc tribunals in The Hague and Arusha, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the UN-initiated tribunals in Cambodia and Sierra Leone, and the implementation of the principle of universal jurisdiction; |
| --- | --- |

57.

Believes that justice is the main domain where the international community can be directly involved in processes that have a reconciliation potential, as shown by the ad hoc tribunals in The Hague and Arusha, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the UN-initiated tribunals in Cambodia and Sierra Leone, and the implementation of the principle of universal jurisdiction;

| 58. | Considers it necessary to ensure, through the International Criminal Court, ad hoc tribunals or national independent courts, according to the different kind of situations, that acts of genocide and other hideous crimes do not remain unpunished, that justice is done, that the truth is established and that reparation is made to the victims; |
| --- | --- |

58.

Considers it necessary to ensure, through the International Criminal Court, ad hoc tribunals or national independent courts, according to the different kind of situations, that acts of genocide and other hideous crimes do not remain unpunished, that justice is done, that the truth is established and that reparation is made to the victims;

| 59. | Stresses that the International Criminal Court can play a paramount role in breaking the vicious circle of impunity, by bringing to justice the main instigators and perpetrators of severe human rights violations; is convinced that this can create an atmosphere in which amnesty for and reintegration of all ex-soldiers is possible; |
| --- | --- |

59.

Stresses that the International Criminal Court can play a paramount role in breaking the vicious circle of impunity, by bringing to justice the main instigators and perpetrators of severe human rights violations; is convinced that this can create an atmosphere in which amnesty for and reintegration of all ex-soldiers is possible;

| 60. | Believes the international community could assist in negotiating reconciliation programmes into peace agreements, drafting suitable domestic legislation and protecting those who will be locally responsible for the implementation of such programmes and legislation; stresses that official agencies have an important role to play in drafting international guidelines that can strengthen local political and civil society leaders, such as the UN guidelines on the fight against impunity; stresses the importance of international reporting and monitoring mechanisms; |
| --- | --- |

60.

Believes the international community could assist in negotiating reconciliation programmes into peace agreements, drafting suitable domestic legislation and protecting those who will be locally responsible for the implementation of such programmes and legislation; stresses that official agencies have an important role to play in drafting international guidelines that can strengthen local political and civil society leaders, such as the UN guidelines on the fight against impunity; stresses the importance of international reporting and monitoring mechanisms;

| 61. | Deplores the pressure exerted by the United States on third countries to conclude Bilateral Immunity Agreements, purportedly based on Article 98 of the Rome Statute, excluding its citizens and military personnel from the jurisdiction of the ICC, as well as the reprisals taken — including reduction of aid — against countries which have signed the Rome Statute; therefore asks the States supporting the ICC and the European Commission to maintain their efforts to persuade the United States to reverse its policy and in the interim to seek to help these countries following any cuts in US aid; |
| --- | --- |

61.

Deplores the pressure exerted by the United States on third countries to conclude Bilateral Immunity Agreements, purportedly based on Article 98 of the Rome Statute, excluding its citizens and military personnel from the jurisdiction of the ICC, as well as the reprisals taken — including reduction of aid — against countries which have signed the Rome Statute; therefore asks the States supporting the ICC and the European Commission to maintain their efforts to persuade the United States to reverse its policy and in the interim to seek to help these countries following any cuts in US aid;

| 62. | Urges that action be taken to ensure the personal safety of victims appearing before the truth committee and, if needed, giving special attention to women by setting up special hearings for women and children as the most vulnerable groups in society; stresses that women should not only be heard as victims but also actively involved in the reconciliation process; |
| --- | --- |

62.

Urges that action be taken to ensure the personal safety of victims appearing before the truth committee and, if needed, giving special attention to women by setting up special hearings for women and children as the most vulnerable groups in society; stresses that women should not only be heard as victims but also actively involved in the reconciliation process;

| 63. | Recommends that religious and traditional leaders be involved as prominent actors in the reconciliation process and suggests that the wisdom of the elders be considered, used and respected; |
| --- | --- |

63.

Recommends that religious and traditional leaders be involved as prominent actors in the reconciliation process and suggests that the wisdom of the elders be considered, used and respected;

| 64. | Stresses that the restoration of the state and its authority is essential to safeguard the electoral process and stabilise on a lasting basis the institutions in those countries facing post-conflict situations; calls on the European Union and its Member States to devote particular attention to this under the ACP-EU partnership arrangements; |
| --- | --- |

64.

Stresses that the restoration of the state and its authority is essential to safeguard the electoral process and stabilise on a lasting basis the institutions in those countries facing post-conflict situations; calls on the European Union and its Member States to devote particular attention to this under the ACP-EU partnership arrangements;

| 65. | Deems essential the promotion of a culture of peace and tolerance through the development of mutual solidarity among citizens, and calls upon all politicians and political and social leaders, religious organizations and civil society to convey to the population signals and messages of peace, reconciliation and national unity; |
| --- | --- |

65.

Deems essential the promotion of a culture of peace and tolerance through the development of mutual solidarity among citizens, and calls upon all politicians and political and social leaders, religious organizations and civil society to convey to the population signals and messages of peace, reconciliation and national unity;

| 66. | Calls on post-conflict states to pursue an economic and social policy that ensures the harmonious and balanced development of the people and the nation, as well as a policy of peaceful resolution of social problems and reconciliation; |
| --- | --- |

66.

Calls on post-conflict states to pursue an economic and social policy that ensures the harmonious and balanced development of the people and the nation, as well as a policy of peaceful resolution of social problems and reconciliation;

| 67. | Urges former conflicting parties to engage in a regular, open, serious, in-depth and extensive political dialogue immediately once peace agreements have been reached; |
| --- | --- |

67.

Urges former conflicting parties to engage in a regular, open, serious, in-depth and extensive political dialogue immediately once peace agreements have been reached;

Transition towards a democratic society, including preparations for elections

| 68. | Reaffirms, as stated in the Cotonou Agreement, that democratic principles are universally recognised and underpin the organisation of the state, ensuring the legitimacy of its authority and legality of its actions reflected in its constitutional, legislative and regulatory system; |
| --- | --- |

68.

Reaffirms, as stated in the Cotonou Agreement, that democratic principles are universally recognised and underpin the organisation of the state, ensuring the legitimacy of its authority and legality of its actions reflected in its constitutional, legislative and regulatory system;

| 69. | Reaffirms its commitment to a democratic system of government, inspired by the realities of its respective countries, which guarantees security, freedom and justice for all, within the framework of the rule of law, and is founded on the values of unity without exclusion; |
| --- | --- |

69.

Reaffirms its commitment to a democratic system of government, inspired by the realities of its respective countries, which guarantees security, freedom and justice for all, within the framework of the rule of law, and is founded on the values of unity without exclusion;

| 70. | Supports compliance with the principle of good governance — a fundamental element of the ACP-EU Partnership — including separation of powers, the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs and of natural and financial resources, for the purpose of equitable and sustainable development; |
| --- | --- |

70.

Supports compliance with the principle of good governance — a fundamental element of the ACP-EU Partnership — including separation of powers, the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs and of natural and financial resources, for the purpose of equitable and sustainable development;

| 71. | Stresses that it is important to increase institutional capacities — of both central and local institutions — to fight corruption; also stresses the importance of restructuring the public administration and empowering civil servants to perform their duties, so as to serve all users of public services with efficiency, courtesy, honesty, impartiality and equity; |
| --- | --- |

71.

Stresses that it is important to increase institutional capacities — of both central and local institutions — to fight corruption; also stresses the importance of restructuring the public administration and empowering civil servants to perform their duties, so as to serve all users of public services with efficiency, courtesy, honesty, impartiality and equity;

| 72. | Emphasises the importance of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; encourages reference should be made to the rule of law, when determining the structure of the state and the competencies of the various powers; |
| --- | --- |

72.

Emphasises the importance of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; encourages reference should be made to the rule of law, when determining the structure of the state and the competencies of the various powers;

| 73. | Deems it essential to ensure an environment of general respect for fundamental human rights and recommends that, from a very early stage following the end of an armed conflict, human rights education programmes be put in place; |
| --- | --- |

73.

Deems it essential to ensure an environment of general respect for fundamental human rights and recommends that, from a very early stage following the end of an armed conflict, human rights education programmes be put in place;

| 74. | Recognises the importance, when armed conflicts end, of restoring the authority of the state, reinstating public administration in the entire territory of a given country and reorganising the national army and police forces, according to democratic principles and the model of plural and free societies; points out that, in some situations, with international specialised assistance, where needed and asked for, the incorporation of former combatants from different sides in a common new national army or police force has proven to be a good and helpful solution; |
| --- | --- |

74.

Recognises the importance, when armed conflicts end, of restoring the authority of the state, reinstating public administration in the entire territory of a given country and reorganising the national army and police forces, according to democratic principles and the model of plural and free societies; points out that, in some situations, with international specialised assistance, where needed and asked for, the incorporation of former combatants from different sides in a common new national army or police force has proven to be a good and helpful solution;

| 75. | Recalls that transitional multiparty governments, serving as governments of national unity, are an adequate means of guaranteeing stabilisation, peace and shared responsibility from the moment peace agreements are concluded and prior to any elections; also draws attention to the fact that experience has shown that often such power-sharing schemes have proven to be wise even after elections have taken place, as a long-term stability platform until a full democratic culture is firmly rooted and alternation of power is possible without major risks; |
| --- | --- |

75.

Recalls that transitional multiparty governments, serving as governments of national unity, are an adequate means of guaranteeing stabilisation, peace and shared responsibility from the moment peace agreements are concluded and prior to any elections; also draws attention to the fact that experience has shown that often such power-sharing schemes have proven to be wise even after elections have taken place, as a long-term stability platform until a full democratic culture is firmly rooted and alternation of power is possible without major risks;

| 76. | Welcomes the fact that the EU and the international community often play a substantial role in convincing conflicting parties to reach a peace agreement and hold democratic elections; regrets, however, that more than once they have failed to offer the necessary assistance to the post-conflict parties to fully implement the peace agreements; urges them to step up their financial, administrative and logistical support to post-conflict countries to ensure a proper implementation of peace accords; |
| --- | --- |

76.

Welcomes the fact that the EU and the international community often play a substantial role in convincing conflicting parties to reach a peace agreement and hold democratic elections; regrets, however, that more than once they have failed to offer the necessary assistance to the post-conflict parties to fully implement the peace agreements; urges them to step up their financial, administrative and logistical support to post-conflict countries to ensure a proper implementation of peace accords;

| 77. | Recommends that, following the definitive cease-fire or the existence of a minimum safety situation, democratic elections should be prepared and conducted in accordance with a realistic timetable that takes account of, inter alia, local capabilities and external inputs of human, material and financial resources; recommends that, unless exceptional circumstances prevail, those first elections following the end of armed conflict should, in principle, take place within two to three years at most; draws attention to the need not only for general presidential and parliamentary elections, but also to regional and local elections; stresses that elections are by no means the end point of a democratisation process, which should be an ongoing effort; |
| --- | --- |

77.

Recommends that, following the definitive cease-fire or the existence of a minimum safety situation, democratic elections should be prepared and conducted in accordance with a realistic timetable that takes account of, inter alia, local capabilities and external inputs of human, material and financial resources; recommends that, unless exceptional circumstances prevail, those first elections following the end of armed conflict should, in principle, take place within two to three years at most; draws attention to the need not only for general presidential and parliamentary elections, but also to regional and local elections; stresses that elections are by no means the end point of a democratisation process, which should be an ongoing effort;

| 78. | Calls on the persons responsible for the preparation of the elections, to name an ad hoc, independent electoral committee which should have as its tasks, in particular, to draw up the electoral roll, fix the number and the location of constituencies and of other necessary infrastructures, engage and train staff, check the transparency of candidates' expenditure, lay down regulations governing the vote and duly inform the population; |
| --- | --- |

78.

Calls on the persons responsible for the preparation of the elections, to name an ad hoc, independent electoral committee which should have as its tasks, in particular, to draw up the electoral roll, fix the number and the location of constituencies and of other necessary infrastructures, engage and train staff, check the transparency of candidates' expenditure, lay down regulations governing the vote and duly inform the population;

| 79. | Encourages the participation of women during the electoral process and in government, in which connection the Platform for Action of the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing stated that a minimum participation of 30 % represented a 'critical mass' on the road to the attainment of completely equal rights; |
| --- | --- |

79.

Encourages the participation of women during the electoral process and in government, in which connection the Platform for Action of the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing stated that a minimum participation of 30 % represented a 'critical mass' on the road to the attainment of completely equal rights;

| 80. | Considers that important, relevant and independent non-state actors could play an important role in the electoral process by encouraging an open and general debate and making sure that candidates assume their responsibilities; |
| --- | --- |

80.

Considers that important, relevant and independent non-state actors could play an important role in the electoral process by encouraging an open and general debate and making sure that candidates assume their responsibilities;

| 81. | Calls on the United Nations and other relevant international bodies to convene as observers and to assist the setting up of an independent electoral commission; the European Union, the European Parliament, the United Nations and other international organisations have to play an essential role as regards assistance and monitoring of the electoral processes, with a view to contributing to the democratisation of ACP countries; encourages long-term observers to come to the country a long time before election day in order to follow the electoral process from the beginning; expects, however, that short-term election observers, such as those from the European Parliament, should come to the country a few days before the election and should stay at least until the first count of votes has ended; |
| --- | --- |

81.

Calls on the United Nations and other relevant international bodies to convene as observers and to assist the setting up of an independent electoral commission; the European Union, the European Parliament, the United Nations and other international organisations have to play an essential role as regards assistance and monitoring of the electoral processes, with a view to contributing to the democratisation of ACP countries; encourages long-term observers to come to the country a long time before election day in order to follow the electoral process from the beginning; expects, however, that short-term election observers, such as those from the European Parliament, should come to the country a few days before the election and should stay at least until the first count of votes has ended;

| 82. | Calls for the deployment, if necessary and at the request of the host country, of an international multilateral force, possibly with the support of local troops, in order to guarantee safety; a high number of polling stations would also make it possible to increase the sense of security; |
| --- | --- |

82.

Calls for the deployment, if necessary and at the request of the host country, of an international multilateral force, possibly with the support of local troops, in order to guarantee safety; a high number of polling stations would also make it possible to increase the sense of security;

| 83. | Requests that close attention be paid to freedom of expression and assembly, in order to allow political parties involved to express their opinions freely, respecting opponents and the common democratic rules, and to allow the presence of independent media; requests that journalists be guaranteed the freedom of movement they need for their work and that the plurality of information be respected; calls for clear and effective rules that guarantee the freedom of establishment of private media and equal access of all parties to media, in particular the state controlled media; underlines the special importance of these aspects for radio broadcasting stations in ACP countries; |
| --- | --- |

83.

Requests that close attention be paid to freedom of expression and assembly, in order to allow political parties involved to express their opinions freely, respecting opponents and the common democratic rules, and to allow the presence of independent media; requests that journalists be guaranteed the freedom of movement they need for their work and that the plurality of information be respected; calls for clear and effective rules that guarantee the freedom of establishment of private media and equal access of all parties to media, in particular the state controlled media; underlines the special importance of these aspects for radio broadcasting stations in ACP countries;

| 84. | Calls on the European Commission, the various donors and appropriate non-governmental organisations to carry out programmes to train media workers, with the aim of facilitating independent, high-quality reporting, and to guarantee the provision of adequate technical and material resources, for example cassettes, film material and paper; |
| --- | --- |

84.

Calls on the European Commission, the various donors and appropriate non-governmental organisations to carry out programmes to train media workers, with the aim of facilitating independent, high-quality reporting, and to guarantee the provision of adequate technical and material resources, for example cassettes, film material and paper;

| 85. | Calls on the elected members of the national assembly to adopt a democratic constitution or to revise it as soon as possible, before or immediately after the first post-conflict general elections and possibly subject to a referendum, unless such urgent need is not felt by former conflicting parties and society at large; the same applies to the most significant political, organic and structural laws, which govern essential areas of a democratic state; |
| --- | --- |

85.

Calls on the elected members of the national assembly to adopt a democratic constitution or to revise it as soon as possible, before or immediately after the first post-conflict general elections and possibly subject to a referendum, unless such urgent need is not felt by former conflicting parties and society at large; the same applies to the most significant political, organic and structural laws, which govern essential areas of a democratic state;

| 86. | Underlines the importance of conducting permanent political dialogue with beneficiary countries on the political situation, as anticipated in Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, in particular on fields such as arms trade, excessive military expenditure, drugs and organised crime, or ethnic, religious or racial discrimination; this dialogue should also include a regular evaluation of the developments relating to respect for human rights, democratic principles, and the rule of law and to good governance; |
| --- | --- |

86.

Underlines the importance of conducting permanent political dialogue with beneficiary countries on the political situation, as anticipated in Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, in particular on fields such as arms trade, excessive military expenditure, drugs and organised crime, or ethnic, religious or racial discrimination; this dialogue should also include a regular evaluation of the developments relating to respect for human rights, democratic principles, and the rule of law and to good governance;

| 87. | Considers that sharing experience on an equal footing, between the representatives of the donor countries and those of the beneficiary countries is one way of enhancing this capacity for dialogue; |
| --- | --- |

87.

Considers that sharing experience on an equal footing, between the representatives of the donor countries and those of the beneficiary countries is one way of enhancing this capacity for dialogue;

| 88. | Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, ACP regional integration organisations, and any parties in conflict in the ACP and EU countries. |
| --- | --- |

88.

Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, ACP regional integration organisations, and any parties in conflict in the ACP and EU countries.

---

(1)  Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 April 2005 in Bamako (Mali)

(2)  OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.

RESOLUTION
   (1)

on budgetisation of the European Development Fund (EDF)

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

| — | meeting in Bamako (Mali) from 18 to 21 April 2005, |
| --- | --- |

—

meeting in Bamako (Mali) from 18 to 21 April 2005,

| — | having regard to Article 17(1) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 17(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (2), which entered into force on 1 April 2003, and in particular the Financial Protocol laid down in Annex I and the Implementation and Management Procedures set out in Annex IV thereto, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (2), which entered into force on 1 April 2003, and in particular the Financial Protocol laid down in Annex I and the Implementation and Management Procedures set out in Annex IV thereto,

| — | having regard to the Communication from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament, ‘Towards the full integration of co-operation with ACP countries in the EU budget’ (COM(2003)590), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Communication from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament, ‘Towards the full integration of co-operation with ACP countries in the EU budget’ (COM(2003)590),

| — | having regard to the report of the European Parliament's Committee on Development and Cooperation on budgetisation of the European Development Fund (A5-0143/2004) (3), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the European Parliament's Committee on Development and Cooperation on budgetisation of the European Development Fund (A5-0143/2004) (3),

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade on the use of the European Development Fund (ACP-EU/3602/03/fin.) (4), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade on the use of the European Development Fund (ACP-EU/3602/03/fin.) (4),

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade on budgetisation of the European Development Fund (ACP-EU/3686/05/fin.), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade on budgetisation of the European Development Fund (ACP-EU/3686/05/fin.),

| A. | whereas, since its creation in 1957, the European Development Fund (EDF) has remained the main financial instrument of cooperation between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), operating on the basis of voluntary contributions from the EU Member States, |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas, since its creation in 1957, the European Development Fund (EDF) has remained the main financial instrument of cooperation between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), operating on the basis of voluntary contributions from the EU Member States,

| B. | whereas the leaders of the European Union Member States committed themselves to financial targets regarding the EC's contribution to official development aid (ODA) at the Barcelona Council summit and the United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey in 2002, |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the leaders of the European Union Member States committed themselves to financial targets regarding the EC's contribution to official development aid (ODA) at the Barcelona Council summit and the United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey in 2002,

| C. | reaffirming the important role of the financial assistance provided by the European Union in the development of ACP countries, at the national and regional levels, and the consequent need to strengthen development finance cooperation within the framework of the EDF, |
| --- | --- |

C.

reaffirming the important role of the financial assistance provided by the European Union in the development of ACP countries, at the national and regional levels, and the consequent need to strengthen development finance cooperation within the framework of the EDF,

| D. | welcoming the unprecedented progress achieved in commitments and disbursements in 2003 in implementing ACP-EC financial cooperation, |
| --- | --- |

D.

welcoming the unprecedented progress achieved in commitments and disbursements in 2003 in implementing ACP-EC financial cooperation,

| E. | having regard to the new role conferred on national and regional authorising officers under the Cotonou Agreement and the capacity necessary in order to ensure that all of the tasks and responsibilities identified are carried out, in particular improvement of the management of aid financed by the EDF, |
| --- | --- |

E.

having regard to the new role conferred on national and regional authorising officers under the Cotonou Agreement and the capacity necessary in order to ensure that all of the tasks and responsibilities identified are carried out, in particular improvement of the management of aid financed by the EDF,

| F. | noting that the issue of budgetising the EDF has come at a time of fundamental changes to the ACP-EU partnership as manifested in the negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which also is an opportunity to further improve upon the objectives and principles of financing development cooperation, |
| --- | --- |

F.

noting that the issue of budgetising the EDF has come at a time of fundamental changes to the ACP-EU partnership as manifested in the negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which also is an opportunity to further improve upon the objectives and principles of financing development cooperation,

| G. | reaffirming the importance of the role and responsibilities of national and regional authorising officers in the management and implementation of projects and programmes, |
| --- | --- |

G.

reaffirming the importance of the role and responsibilities of national and regional authorising officers in the management and implementation of projects and programmes,

| H. | expressing concern about the prospects of budgetisation and its potential impact on the principles and key elements of development finance cooperation, in particular co-management, resource predictability and flexibility in the use of resources, |
| --- | --- |

H.

expressing concern about the prospects of budgetisation and its potential impact on the principles and key elements of development finance cooperation, in particular co-management, resource predictability and flexibility in the use of resources,

| I. | pointing out that the enlargement of the Union to 25 Member States will lead to a new cost-sharing formula being established for financial aid, based on voluntary contributions from States, if the current system of a five-year financial protocol is maintained, |
| --- | --- |

I.

pointing out that the enlargement of the Union to 25 Member States will lead to a new cost-sharing formula being established for financial aid, based on voluntary contributions from States, if the current system of a five-year financial protocol is maintained,

| J. | whereas the 25 Member States have not yet reached agreement on this new cost-sharing formula and any delay in this matter will block sources of funding, |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas the 25 Member States have not yet reached agreement on this new cost-sharing formula and any delay in this matter will block sources of funding,

| K. | recalling that the main advantage of budgetisation of the EDF, i.e. integrating it into the general budget, is that the cost-sharing formula with which the 25 Member States are already familiar will automatically be applied without the need for lengthy and possibly unsuccessful discussions on a new ad hoc cost-sharing formula for the 10th EDF, |
| --- | --- |

K.

recalling that the main advantage of budgetisation of the EDF, i.e. integrating it into the general budget, is that the cost-sharing formula with which the 25 Member States are already familiar will automatically be applied without the need for lengthy and possibly unsuccessful discussions on a new ad hoc cost-sharing formula for the 10th EDF,

| L. | whereas failure to reach agreement on such a new ad hoc cost-sharing formula would prevent or greatly delay the introduction of a 10th EDF, or only after a long delay, which would naturally jeopardise achievement of the objectives of the Partnership Agreement when it is essential to ensure the continued funding of the EDF, |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas failure to reach agreement on such a new ad hoc cost-sharing formula would prevent or greatly delay the introduction of a 10th EDF, or only after a long delay, which would naturally jeopardise achievement of the objectives of the Partnership Agreement when it is essential to ensure the continued funding of the EDF,

| M. | stressing that budgetisation of the EDF is not a panacea which will solve all the problems, nor is it an obstacle to the ACP-EU partnership operating effectively, |
| --- | --- |

M.

stressing that budgetisation of the EDF is not a panacea which will solve all the problems, nor is it an obstacle to the ACP-EU partnership operating effectively,

| N. | whereas the Commission communication of 8 October 2003 (COM (2003) 590) provided a partial response (requiring more detailed amplification) to many of the questions posed by the ACP side, in particular regarding the guillotine effects of the principle of budget annuality and the capacity to arrange multiannual funding, the agreement of the JPA being conditional upon these guarantees being met, |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas the Commission communication of 8 October 2003 (COM (2003) 590) provided a partial response (requiring more detailed amplification) to many of the questions posed by the ACP side, in particular regarding the guillotine effects of the principle of budget annuality and the capacity to arrange multiannual funding, the agreement of the JPA being conditional upon these guarantees being met,

| O. | noting that the European Union's Financial Regulation provides practical ways of organising and guaranteeing the operation of a dedicated fund, |
| --- | --- |

O.

noting that the European Union's Financial Regulation provides practical ways of organising and guaranteeing the operation of a dedicated fund,

| P. | reiterating that the high level of ACP participation in the decision-making process in respect of programming and the implementation of the EDF leads to a closer partnership between donors and beneficiaries and to greater ownership of programmes on the part of ACP countries, |
| --- | --- |

P.

reiterating that the high level of ACP participation in the decision-making process in respect of programming and the implementation of the EDF leads to a closer partnership between donors and beneficiaries and to greater ownership of programmes on the part of ACP countries,

| Q. | reaffirming also the need to maintain and strengthen the Partnership acquis, in particular the principles of ownership and participation as enshrined in the Cotonou Agreement, which are key elements of a strategy designed to eradicate poverty, |
| --- | --- |

Q.

reaffirming also the need to maintain and strengthen the Partnership acquis, in particular the principles of ownership and participation as enshrined in the Cotonou Agreement, which are key elements of a strategy designed to eradicate poverty,

| R. | reaffirming that guaranteed resources, ownership of development programmes by the ACP countries and a continuing spirit of partnership are political issues which budgetisation neither resolves nor calls into question, |
| --- | --- |

R.

reaffirming that guaranteed resources, ownership of development programmes by the ACP countries and a continuing spirit of partnership are political issues which budgetisation neither resolves nor calls into question,

| S. | recognising that the political authorities must answer the legitimate questions posed by ACP countries, including co-management of aid, the effects of performance measurement already evident in the 9th EDF and resource predictability and sustainability, |
| --- | --- |

S.

recognising that the political authorities must answer the legitimate questions posed by ACP countries, including co-management of aid, the effects of performance measurement already evident in the 9th EDF and resource predictability and sustainability,

| T. | stressing that it is not unreasonable to raise the issue of EDF reform, 40 years after it was set up, and that the present system has not managed to resolve the problems relating to the speed of disbursement and the build-up of unutilised appropriations (€11 billion), |
| --- | --- |

T.

stressing that it is not unreasonable to raise the issue of EDF reform, 40 years after it was set up, and that the present system has not managed to resolve the problems relating to the speed of disbursement and the build-up of unutilised appropriations (€11 billion),

| 1. | Declares that it attaches particular importance to the EU's pursuit of a specific identifiable and recipient-driven development aid policy for ACP countries, which must have permanent, guaranteed funding; |
| --- | --- |

1.

Declares that it attaches particular importance to the EU's pursuit of a specific identifiable and recipient-driven development aid policy for ACP countries, which must have permanent, guaranteed funding;

| 2. | Insists that the ACP-EU partnership must retain its specificity and spirit of partnership, thus contributing to the mutual objectives of poverty eradication and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; |
| --- | --- |

2.

Insists that the ACP-EU partnership must retain its specificity and spirit of partnership, thus contributing to the mutual objectives of poverty eradication and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals;

| 3. | Urges the European Commission and the authorities of the ACP States to redouble their efforts to sustain and improve over the long term the results obtained in 2003 in implementing ACP-EC financial cooperation, benefiting from the implementation of the new approach to programming and devolution of powers and decision-making; |
| --- | --- |

3.

Urges the European Commission and the authorities of the ACP States to redouble their efforts to sustain and improve over the long term the results obtained in 2003 in implementing ACP-EC financial cooperation, benefiting from the implementation of the new approach to programming and devolution of powers and decision-making;

| 4. | Reiterates the concern that whilst the EU is the ACP's most important partner in development, the administrative and procedural delays and hurdles arising on both sides and which make the flow of EDF resources slow and cumbersome to access must be resolved or improved irrespective of the budgetisation proposal; |
| --- | --- |

4.

Reiterates the concern that whilst the EU is the ACP's most important partner in development, the administrative and procedural delays and hurdles arising on both sides and which make the flow of EDF resources slow and cumbersome to access must be resolved or improved irrespective of the budgetisation proposal;

| 5. | Confirms that the financial amount available to the ACP Group should be sufficient to meet the objectives of the Cotonou Agreement, whether financed via a tenth EDF or the Community budget; |
| --- | --- |

5.

Confirms that the financial amount available to the ACP Group should be sufficient to meet the objectives of the Cotonou Agreement, whether financed via a tenth EDF or the Community budget;

| 6. | Urges the EU Council and Commission to consider introducing exemptions to the financial regulations for the Community budget, in order to accommodate the concerns of the ACP Group, and reinforce the partnership, ownership and predictability of development funds; |
| --- | --- |

6.

Urges the EU Council and Commission to consider introducing exemptions to the financial regulations for the Community budget, in order to accommodate the concerns of the ACP Group, and reinforce the partnership, ownership and predictability of development funds;

| 7. | Recommends in the same spirit that a suitable proportion of the appropriations of the EDF should be used for the political education and training of parliamentarians and of political, economic and social leaders, in the interest of a lasting reinforcement of good governance, the rule of law, democratic structures, and the interaction between government and opposition in pluralistic democracies based on free elections; notes that these funds should be used for the establishment of public administration colleges and the political education of members of parliament, local administrators and people in positions of responsibility in political parties and associations; |
| --- | --- |

7.

Recommends in the same spirit that a suitable proportion of the appropriations of the EDF should be used for the political education and training of parliamentarians and of political, economic and social leaders, in the interest of a lasting reinforcement of good governance, the rule of law, democratic structures, and the interaction between government and opposition in pluralistic democracies based on free elections; notes that these funds should be used for the establishment of public administration colleges and the political education of members of parliament, local administrators and people in positions of responsibility in political parties and associations;

| 8. | Points out that any decision relating to the budgetisation of the EDF must be consistent with the EU's commitments to increase its ODA level to an average of 0.39 % by 2006 from its 2002 average of 0.33 %, which were given at the Barcelona Council summit and at the United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey in 2002; |
| --- | --- |

8.

Points out that any decision relating to the budgetisation of the EDF must be consistent with the EU's commitments to increase its ODA level to an average of 0.39 % by 2006 from its 2002 average of 0.33 %, which were given at the Barcelona Council summit and at the United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey in 2002;

| 9. | Urges the EU Member States and the European Commission to refrain from taking decisions that would have effects contrary to the objectives of the Cotonou Agreement; |
| --- | --- |

9.

Urges the EU Member States and the European Commission to refrain from taking decisions that would have effects contrary to the objectives of the Cotonou Agreement;

| 10. | Emphasises the need to address the concerns expressed by the 'less well-performing' ACP countries that budgetisation of the EDF could entail a reduction in the funds allocated to them, and calls on the Commission to explain how it intends to guarantee that the interests of these countries are not affected; |
| --- | --- |

10.

Emphasises the need to address the concerns expressed by the 'less well-performing' ACP countries that budgetisation of the EDF could entail a reduction in the funds allocated to them, and calls on the Commission to explain how it intends to guarantee that the interests of these countries are not affected;

| 11. | Recommends that — a measure welcomed by Commissioner MICHEL at the meeting of the Committee on Development of the European Parliament of 15 March 2005 — use be made of non-committed EDF funds (unexpended balance) for major infrastructure projects or other projects of regional and transnational interest submitted by ACP institutional partners (e.g. Caricom, African Union, Nepad, West African Economic and Monetary Union, etc.) or by a significant number of ACP countries which have agreed on a given project; |
| --- | --- |

11.

Recommends that — a measure welcomed by Commissioner MICHEL at the meeting of the Committee on Development of the European Parliament of 15 March 2005 — use be made of non-committed EDF funds (unexpended balance) for major infrastructure projects or other projects of regional and transnational interest submitted by ACP institutional partners (e.g. Caricom, African Union, Nepad, West African Economic and Monetary Union, etc.) or by a significant number of ACP countries which have agreed on a given project;

| 12. | Notes the concerns expressed by the ACP countries about the possible effects of the annuality principle applied to the Community budget, even though the Commission has made it quite clear that this does not preclude multi-annual programming; |
| --- | --- |

12.

Notes the concerns expressed by the ACP countries about the possible effects of the annuality principle applied to the Community budget, even though the Commission has made it quite clear that this does not preclude multi-annual programming;

| 13. | Calls on the ACP-EU Secretariat to draft a joint note as soon as possible setting out the positions of the ACP Council, the EU Council and the European Commission reviewing the implications of budgetisation and the principle of budget annuality on the basis of the impact on key elements of development cooperation funding, and in particular:






  — | co-management of aid; |
| --- | --- | --- |

13.

Calls on the ACP-EU Secretariat to draft a joint note as soon as possible setting out the positions of the ACP Council, the EU Council and the European Commission reviewing the implications of budgetisation and the principle of budget annuality on the basis of the impact on key elements of development cooperation funding, and in particular:

—

co-management of aid;

| — | resource predictability and sustainability; |
| --- | --- |

—

resource predictability and sustainability;

| — | the level of resources to be budgetised; |
| --- | --- |

—

the level of resources to be budgetised;

| — | flexibility in the use of resources; |
| --- | --- |

—

flexibility in the use of resources;

| — | allocation of resources; |
| --- | --- |

—

allocation of resources;

| — | the role and responsibilities of national and regional authorising officers; |
| --- | --- |

—

the role and responsibilities of national and regional authorising officers;

| — | the role and responsibilities of the ACP-EC Development Finance Cooperation Committee; |
| --- | --- |

—

the role and responsibilities of the ACP-EC Development Finance Cooperation Committee;

| — | swift disbursement of resources; |
| --- | --- |

—

swift disbursement of resources;

| — | effects of performance measurement; |
| --- | --- |

—

effects of performance measurement;

| 14. | Emphasises the need to provide guaranteed long-term development finance for ACP countries, and stresses that no country should find itself in a less favourable position following any changes made to the system of financing; |
| --- | --- |

14.

Emphasises the need to provide guaranteed long-term development finance for ACP countries, and stresses that no country should find itself in a less favourable position following any changes made to the system of financing;

| 15. | Reiterates the importance of the resource predictability offered by the current EDF, which facilitates long-term programming in ACP countries and which the JPA keenly supports; |
| --- | --- |

15.

Reiterates the importance of the resource predictability offered by the current EDF, which facilitates long-term programming in ACP countries and which the JPA keenly supports;

| 16. | Calls on the European Commission, the EU Council, the European Parliament and the ACP States to put in place an appropriate framework for conducting in-depth consultations, in order to evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of each of the two systems (budgetised and non-budgetised EDF); |
| --- | --- |

16.

Calls on the European Commission, the EU Council, the European Parliament and the ACP States to put in place an appropriate framework for conducting in-depth consultations, in order to evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of each of the two systems (budgetised and non-budgetised EDF);

| 17. | Reaffirms the need, in any codecision procedure relating to a future EDF regulation, to safeguard the principles of 'partnership' and 'ownership' of development programmes by ACP countries and their involvement in all decisions regarding the use of funds; |
| --- | --- |

17.

Reaffirms the need, in any codecision procedure relating to a future EDF regulation, to safeguard the principles of 'partnership' and 'ownership' of development programmes by ACP countries and their involvement in all decisions regarding the use of funds;

| 18. | Considers it necessary in the same spirit that, if the EDF is indeed budgetised, the JPA should be closely associated in the EU budgetary procedure with a view to providing valuable input to the EU budgetary authority on budget matters relating to ACP countries; |
| --- | --- |

18.

Considers it necessary in the same spirit that, if the EDF is indeed budgetised, the JPA should be closely associated in the EU budgetary procedure with a view to providing valuable input to the EU budgetary authority on budget matters relating to ACP countries;

| 19. | Advocates that, alongside discussions on budgetisation of the EDF, a 10th EDF should be prepared and made available to the ACP countries, in order to enable them to pursue the objectives of the Partnership Agreement funded on the basis of a cost-sharing formula identical to that applying to the general budget; Welcomes the pursuit of discussions on finance, both as part of the EU General Budget or a possible 10th EDF and, in this context, notes the recent Commission proposal to communicate to the ACP Group a multi-annual financial framework for cooperation for the years 2008-2013; |
| --- | --- |

19.

Advocates that, alongside discussions on budgetisation of the EDF, a 10th EDF should be prepared and made available to the ACP countries, in order to enable them to pursue the objectives of the Partnership Agreement funded on the basis of a cost-sharing formula identical to that applying to the general budget; Welcomes the pursuit of discussions on finance, both as part of the EU General Budget or a possible 10th EDF and, in this context, notes the recent Commission proposal to communicate to the ACP Group a multi-annual financial framework for cooperation for the years 2008-2013;

| 20. | Emphasises the need to maintain specific regional and national allocations, and stresses that the transfer of EDF resources to other global objectives should take place only in consultation with the ACP partners; |
| --- | --- |

20.

Emphasises the need to maintain specific regional and national allocations, and stresses that the transfer of EDF resources to other global objectives should take place only in consultation with the ACP partners;

| 21. | Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

21.

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

---

(1)  Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 April 2005 in Bamako (Mali)

(2)  OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.

(3)  Minutes of 1.4.04.

(4)  OJ C 26, 29.1.2004, p.7.

RESOLUTION
   (1)

on the situation in the Sudan

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

| — | meeting in Bamako (Mali) from 18 to 21 April 2005, |
| --- | --- |

—

meeting in Bamako (Mali) from 18 to 21 April 2005,

| — | having regard to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Government of the Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) on 9 January 2005 in Nairobi (Kenya), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Government of the Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) on 9 January 2005 in Nairobi (Kenya),

| — | having regard to the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur to the United Nations Secretary-General Council Resolution 1564 (2004), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur to the United Nations Secretary-General Council Resolution 1564 (2004),

| — | having regard to the ceasefire agreement signed between GoS, the Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in N'djamena (Chad) on 8 April 2004 and the reports of the Ceasefire Commission, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to the ceasefire agreement signed between GoS, the Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in N'djamena (Chad) on 8 April 2004 and the reports of the Ceasefire Commission,

| — | having regard to its previous resolutions regarding the Sudan and the International Criminal Court (ICC), |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to its previous resolutions regarding the Sudan and the International Criminal Court (ICC),

| — | having regard to Article 17(2) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 17(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

| A. | whereas the Bureau decided, pursuant Article 20 of the Rules of Procedure, ‘to send a delegation to the Sudan, if possible to Darfur, the South and the East, in order to prepare the urgency debate and the resolution for the 9th session’, |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas the Bureau decided, pursuant Article 20 of the Rules of Procedure, ‘to send a delegation to the Sudan, if possible to Darfur, the South and the East, in order to prepare the urgency debate and the resolution for the 9th session’,

| B. | whereas a delegation was sent to the Sudan from 23 to 27 March 2005 and visited Khartoum, Northern Darfur State, Southern Darfur State and Juba (Bahr El Gabel State), |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas a delegation was sent to the Sudan from 23 to 27 March 2005 and visited Khartoum, Northern Darfur State, Southern Darfur State and Juba (Bahr El Gabel State),

| C. | whereas the CPA provides for separate armed forces, with the withdrawal of 91 000 government troops from the South within two and a half years, and of the SPLA from the North within 8 months, an equal division of oil wealth and elections after 3 years, |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas the CPA provides for separate armed forces, with the withdrawal of 91 000 government troops from the South within two and a half years, and of the SPLA from the North within 8 months, an equal division of oil wealth and elections after 3 years,

| D. | whereas the conflict in Darfur has not completely ended and has generated many thousands of deaths, about 1.65 million IDPs, and 200 000 refugees in Chad, and the overall number of people affected by the conflict reaches approximately 2.5 million (2), |
| --- | --- |

D.

whereas the conflict in Darfur has not completely ended and has generated many thousands of deaths, about 1.65 million IDPs, and 200 000 refugees in Chad, and the overall number of people affected by the conflict reaches approximately 2.5 million (2),

| E. | whereas the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur established that GoS forces and militias conducted ‘indiscriminate attacks, including killing of civilians, torture, enforced disappearances, destruction of villages, rape and other forms of sexual violence, pillaging and forced displacement, throughout Darfur’ and that ‘these acts were conducted on a widespread and systematic basis, and therefore may amount to crimes against humanity’, |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur established that GoS forces and militias conducted ‘indiscriminate attacks, including killing of civilians, torture, enforced disappearances, destruction of villages, rape and other forms of sexual violence, pillaging and forced displacement, throughout Darfur’ and that ‘these acts were conducted on a widespread and systematic basis, and therefore may amount to crimes against humanity’,

| F. | whereas the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur made an assessment of individuals suspected of perpetrating ‘serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including against humanity, or war crimes in Darfur’ and concluded that ‘those identified as possibly responsible for [these] violations consist of individual perpetrators, including officials from the GoS, members of militia forces, members of rebel groups, and certain foreign army officers acting in their personal capacity’, |
| --- | --- |

F.

whereas the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur made an assessment of individuals suspected of perpetrating ‘serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including against humanity, or war crimes in Darfur’ and concluded that ‘those identified as possibly responsible for [these] violations consist of individual perpetrators, including officials from the GoS, members of militia forces, members of rebel groups, and certain foreign army officers acting in their personal capacity’,

| G. | whereas since its last resolution adopted in the Hague on 25 November 2004, there still have been attacks against civilians, death, widespread rape and looting in Darfur villages, as reported by the African Union Ceasefire Commission (AUCFC) and this is complicated by the reported increase in banditry, |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas since its last resolution adopted in the Hague on 25 November 2004, there still have been attacks against civilians, death, widespread rape and looting in Darfur villages, as reported by the African Union Ceasefire Commission (AUCFC) and this is complicated by the reported increase in banditry,

| H. | whereas the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur concluded ‘the Sudanese justice system is unable and unwilling to address the situation in Darfur. This system has been significantly weakened during the last decade. Restrictive laws that grant broad powers to the executive have undermined the effectiveness of the judiciary, and many laws in force in Sudan today contravene basic human rights standards’. |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur concluded ‘the Sudanese justice system is unable and unwilling to address the situation in Darfur. This system has been significantly weakened during the last decade. Restrictive laws that grant broad powers to the executive have undermined the effectiveness of the judiciary, and many laws in force in Sudan today contravene basic human rights standards’.

| 1. | Warmly welcomes the signature of the historic CPA in Nairobi on 9 January 2005 between the GoS and the SPLM which marked the end of a 21 year civil war as an important step towards bringing peace to Southern Sudan and as a development that can also contribute to bringing peace to Darfur; |
| --- | --- |

1.

Warmly welcomes the signature of the historic CPA in Nairobi on 9 January 2005 between the GoS and the SPLM which marked the end of a 21 year civil war as an important step towards bringing peace to Southern Sudan and as a development that can also contribute to bringing peace to Darfur;

| 2. | Urges all parties to implement the CPA and its set of Protocols covering, inter alia, power and wealth sharing agreements without further delay; |
| --- | --- |

2.

Urges all parties to implement the CPA and its set of Protocols covering, inter alia, power and wealth sharing agreements without further delay;

| 3. | Notes with satisfaction the new spirit of peace and enthusiasm created by the CPA as demonstrated by the return of some 100 000 persons and their livestock to the South, and stresses the importance for the population to receive a peace dividend rapidly; |
| --- | --- |

3.

Notes with satisfaction the new spirit of peace and enthusiasm created by the CPA as demonstrated by the return of some 100 000 persons and their livestock to the South, and stresses the importance for the population to receive a peace dividend rapidly;

| 4. | Welcomes the UN Security Council decision to create UNMIS, composed of 10 000 persons, with responsibility for disarming the combatants, reconciliation, observance of the rule of law and human rights, demining and supervision of elections, in addition to involvement in the rehabilitation and development process in the country, and pays tribute to the countries participating in UNMIS; |
| --- | --- |

4.

Welcomes the UN Security Council decision to create UNMIS, composed of 10 000 persons, with responsibility for disarming the combatants, reconciliation, observance of the rule of law and human rights, demining and supervision of elections, in addition to involvement in the rehabilitation and development process in the country, and pays tribute to the countries participating in UNMIS;

| 5. | Underlines the gravity of the landmines problem in Southern Sudan and asks the international community, GoS, SPLM, UN and other actors to carry out demining without delay in order to clear the roads and to allow IDPs and refugees to return to their homes; |
| --- | --- |

5.

Underlines the gravity of the landmines problem in Southern Sudan and asks the international community, GoS, SPLM, UN and other actors to carry out demining without delay in order to clear the roads and to allow IDPs and refugees to return to their homes;

| 6. | Takes the view that the end of war will allow for economic development in Southern Sudan; |
| --- | --- |

6.

Takes the view that the end of war will allow for economic development in Southern Sudan;

| 7. | Recognises the important role of education in the development process and the need to rehabilitate educational facilities; |
| --- | --- |

7.

Recognises the important role of education in the development process and the need to rehabilitate educational facilities;

| 8. | Asks GoS and SPLM to use the oil revenues they will receive under the resource sharing of the CPA for development purposes, so that the people of the Sudan see the benefit of peace; asks GoS and SPLM to reduce military expenses and increase spending on health and education; |
| --- | --- |

8.

Asks GoS and SPLM to use the oil revenues they will receive under the resource sharing of the CPA for development purposes, so that the people of the Sudan see the benefit of peace; asks GoS and SPLM to reduce military expenses and increase spending on health and education;

| 9. | Expresses great concern about the activities of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Southern Sudan and Uganda; |
| --- | --- |

9.

Expresses great concern about the activities of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Southern Sudan and Uganda;

| 10. | Welcomes the good cooperation between the Governments of Sudan and Uganda in pursuing the LRA and urges the extension of the existing cross-border arrangements; |
| --- | --- |

10.

Welcomes the good cooperation between the Governments of Sudan and Uganda in pursuing the LRA and urges the extension of the existing cross-border arrangements;

| 11. | Takes note of the declaration of the Sudanese army that they will not pursue LRA child soldiers and stresses the fact that the child soldiers fighting for the LRA are victims of forced recruitment and should be treated in compliance with the relevant international conventions; |
| --- | --- |

11.

Takes note of the declaration of the Sudanese army that they will not pursue LRA child soldiers and stresses the fact that the child soldiers fighting for the LRA are victims of forced recruitment and should be treated in compliance with the relevant international conventions;

| 12. | Asks all oil companies to comply fully with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and international voluntary security principles; calls on the Commission to monitor this in relation to its policies on corporate social responsibility; |
| --- | --- |

12.

Asks all oil companies to comply fully with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and international voluntary security principles; calls on the Commission to monitor this in relation to its policies on corporate social responsibility;

| 13. | Regrets that the governance of the Sudan has, for decades, led to the economic and political marginalisation of certain communities and regions and that this situation has compounded the conflict in Darfur; |
| --- | --- |

13.

Regrets that the governance of the Sudan has, for decades, led to the economic and political marginalisation of certain communities and regions and that this situation has compounded the conflict in Darfur;

| 14. | Notes the improvement of awareness among most of the parties for a political, rather than military, solution for Darfur and calls therefore for increased positive action by the parties on the ground as the only way to put an end to the conflict; |
| --- | --- |

14.

Notes the improvement of awareness among most of the parties for a political, rather than military, solution for Darfur and calls therefore for increased positive action by the parties on the ground as the only way to put an end to the conflict;

| 15. | Calls also on the GoS, the SLM/A and the JEM to engage more actively in the Abuja (Nigeria) peace process and calls for all parties involved in Darfur to respect strictly the CPA; |
| --- | --- |

15.

Calls also on the GoS, the SLM/A and the JEM to engage more actively in the Abuja (Nigeria) peace process and calls for all parties involved in Darfur to respect strictly the CPA;

| 16. | Calls on Government and rebel forces to adhere to the demands of the AU by returning to the military positions of December 2004, carrying out the disarmament of the government militia, the ‘people's defence forces’; informing the AUCFC of rebel positions, and stopping attacks on humanitarian aid personnel, enabling them instead to work freely throughout the territory; |
| --- | --- |

16.

Calls on Government and rebel forces to adhere to the demands of the AU by returning to the military positions of December 2004, carrying out the disarmament of the government militia, the ‘people's defence forces’; informing the AUCFC of rebel positions, and stopping attacks on humanitarian aid personnel, enabling them instead to work freely throughout the territory;

| 17. | Supports the proposal to increase the AU presence in Darfur to around 6 000 military personnel; |
| --- | --- |

17.

Supports the proposal to increase the AU presence in Darfur to around 6 000 military personnel;

| 18. | Welcomes the fact that the GoS has grounded its military planes in Darfur and asks it to do the same for helicopter gunships, in compliance with the CPA; |
| --- | --- |

18.

Welcomes the fact that the GoS has grounded its military planes in Darfur and asks it to do the same for helicopter gunships, in compliance with the CPA;

| 19. | Calls on the GoS to ensure that women who have been raped are able to receive treatment before or upon reporting the incident and that every effort is made to further train police in sexual and gender-based violence issues and, in this regard, welcomes the change in procedures for reporting rape (completion of Form 8 and granting equivalency to medical NGOs to recognise them as treatment centres) as disclosed to the delegation by the Minister of Justice; |
| --- | --- |

19.

Calls on the GoS to ensure that women who have been raped are able to receive treatment before or upon reporting the incident and that every effort is made to further train police in sexual and gender-based violence issues and, in this regard, welcomes the change in procedures for reporting rape (completion of Form 8 and granting equivalency to medical NGOs to recognise them as treatment centres) as disclosed to the delegation by the Minister of Justice;

| 20. | Welcomes the decision by the UN Security Council on 31 March 2005 to refer the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court pursuant to article 13(b) of the ICC Statute, and asks the GoS to cooperate fully with the prosecutor; |
| --- | --- |

20.

Welcomes the decision by the UN Security Council on 31 March 2005 to refer the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court pursuant to article 13(b) of the ICC Statute, and asks the GoS to cooperate fully with the prosecutor;

| 21. | Calls on all parties involved in the conflicts in the Sudan to refrain from the recruitment and use of child soldiers under the age of 18, and calls on the Sudanese authorities to protect displaced children, especially unaccompanied minors, as laid down in the relevant conventions; |
| --- | --- |

21.

Calls on all parties involved in the conflicts in the Sudan to refrain from the recruitment and use of child soldiers under the age of 18, and calls on the Sudanese authorities to protect displaced children, especially unaccompanied minors, as laid down in the relevant conventions;

| 22. | Calls on the GoS and the Governments of Chad, Libya and the Central African Republic to impose stricter controls on the trade in small arms in the region; |
| --- | --- |

22.

Calls on the GoS and the Governments of Chad, Libya and the Central African Republic to impose stricter controls on the trade in small arms in the region;

| 23. | Pays tribute to the work of humanitarian aid workers, including UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent family, ECHO, INGOs and NGOs for their commitment, and asks all parties in Darfur to refrain from harassing them or hindering their activities; humanitarian workers must be free to provide assistance and carry out their activities in keeping with their mandate, role and responsibilities; |
| --- | --- |

23.

Pays tribute to the work of humanitarian aid workers, including UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent family, ECHO, INGOs and NGOs for their commitment, and asks all parties in Darfur to refrain from harassing them or hindering their activities; humanitarian workers must be free to provide assistance and carry out their activities in keeping with their mandate, role and responsibilities;

| 24. | Strongly condemns the reported attacks on INGOs and humanitarian workers on 22 March 2005 on the road between Nyala and Kass, of which the ultimate victims are the people these organisations were helping; |
| --- | --- |

24.

Strongly condemns the reported attacks on INGOs and humanitarian workers on 22 March 2005 on the road between Nyala and Kass, of which the ultimate victims are the people these organisations were helping;

| 25. | Welcomes the plans for mass vaccination campaigns against hepatitis and meningitis, planned to take place in Darfur in the coming weeks; |
| --- | --- |

25.

Welcomes the plans for mass vaccination campaigns against hepatitis and meningitis, planned to take place in Darfur in the coming weeks;

| 26. | Asks the authorities of Khartoum State to limit the demolition of IDPs' houses and better coordinate planning for the resettlement of IDPs' from Shikan to El Fateh, including the provision of support for community development, in order to minimise the adverse effects of displacement from squatted areas; |
| --- | --- |

26.

Asks the authorities of Khartoum State to limit the demolition of IDPs' houses and better coordinate planning for the resettlement of IDPs' from Shikan to El Fateh, including the provision of support for community development, in order to minimise the adverse effects of displacement from squatted areas;

| 27. | Calls on the international community to continue its humanitarian and development assistance to the Sudanese refugee populations and their Chadian hosts and to empower further civil society in the Sudan and Chad as partners in peace; |
| --- | --- |

27.

Calls on the international community to continue its humanitarian and development assistance to the Sudanese refugee populations and their Chadian hosts and to empower further civil society in the Sudan and Chad as partners in peace;

| 28. | Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the Government of the Sudan, the African Union, IGAD, the Governments of the United States of America, the Central African Republic, Chad, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Norway, Russia and Uganda, and to the UN Secretary-General. |
| --- | --- |

28.

Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the Government of the Sudan, the African Union, IGAD, the Governments of the United States of America, the Central African Republic, Chad, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Norway, Russia and Uganda, and to the UN Secretary-General.

---

(1)  Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 April 2005 in Bamako (Mali).

(2)  Source : Report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur

RESOLUTION
   (1)

on the situation in the African Great Lakes region

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

| — | meeting in Bamako (Mali) from 18 to 21 April 2005, |
| --- | --- |

—

meeting in Bamako (Mali) from 18 to 21 April 2005,

| — | having regard to Article 17(2) of its Rules of Procedure, |
| --- | --- |

—

having regard to Article 17(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

| A. | whereas peace, stability and development in the Great Lakes region continue to be hindered by a multitude of challenges, |
| --- | --- |

A.

whereas peace, stability and development in the Great Lakes region continue to be hindered by a multitude of challenges,

| B. | whereas the persistent illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to foment the conflict and to be a source of insecurity throughout the region, |
| --- | --- |

B.

whereas the persistent illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to foment the conflict and to be a source of insecurity throughout the region,

| C. | whereas the countries of this region are linked by a history of inter-related conflicts and by frequent cross-border refugee flows and share similar post-conflict needs for justice and the protection of human rights, |
| --- | --- |

C.

whereas the countries of this region are linked by a history of inter-related conflicts and by frequent cross-border refugee flows and share similar post-conflict needs for justice and the protection of human rights,

| D. | concerned by the increasing human poverty in the Great Lakes region, and the critical humanitarian situation, characterised by numerous displaced persons and refugees, |
| --- | --- |

D.

concerned by the increasing human poverty in the Great Lakes region, and the critical humanitarian situation, characterised by numerous displaced persons and refugees,

| E. | whereas the consequences of conflicts have to be addressed, in particular through demilitarisation, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants, repatriation of refugees, resettlement of internally displaced persons and viable economic development programmes, |
| --- | --- |

E.

whereas the consequences of conflicts have to be addressed, in particular through demilitarisation, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants, repatriation of refugees, resettlement of internally displaced persons and viable economic development programmes,

| F. | shocked by the fact that sexual violence and rape are used as weapons of war, |
| --- | --- |

F.

shocked by the fact that sexual violence and rape are used as weapons of war,

| G. | whereas Rwanda is moving towards trials of hundreds of thousands of persons accused of genocide and Burundi and the DRC are rebuilding their national judicial systems and putting truth and reconciliation commissions into operation, |
| --- | --- |

G.

whereas Rwanda is moving towards trials of hundreds of thousands of persons accused of genocide and Burundi and the DRC are rebuilding their national judicial systems and putting truth and reconciliation commissions into operation,

| H. | whereas the International Criminal Court in The Hague has held in March 2005 its first hearing on the inquiry into war crimes allegedly committed in the DRC, |
| --- | --- |

H.

whereas the International Criminal Court in The Hague has held in March 2005 its first hearing on the inquiry into war crimes allegedly committed in the DRC,

| I. | whereas strategies have been mapped out to implement a regional pact on security, stability and development, signed in Dar Es Salaam in November 2004, |
| --- | --- |

I.

whereas strategies have been mapped out to implement a regional pact on security, stability and development, signed in Dar Es Salaam in November 2004,

| J. | whereas the Great Lakes region with its dire humanitarian and socio-economic problems merits promotion of a comprehensive development package, |
| --- | --- |

J.

whereas the Great Lakes region with its dire humanitarian and socio-economic problems merits promotion of a comprehensive development package,

| K. | whereas the DRC is in an extremely delicate transitional phase, with the difficult task of setting up viable institutions following democratic elections, |
| --- | --- |

K.

whereas the DRC is in an extremely delicate transitional phase, with the difficult task of setting up viable institutions following democratic elections,

| L. | whereas delays in the 2005 elections in DRC are unnerving people who long for stability, as stated by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, |
| --- | --- |

L.

whereas delays in the 2005 elections in DRC are unnerving people who long for stability, as stated by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan,

| M. | whereas the district of Ituri and the provinces of North and South Kivu are still not at peace; whereas the United Nations forces have stepped up their operations in Ituri, |
| --- | --- |

M.

whereas the district of Ituri and the provinces of North and South Kivu are still not at peace; whereas the United Nations forces have stepped up their operations in Ituri,

| N. | whereas the question of the Interahamwé and the ex-FAR is a real problem in the relationship between Rwanda and the DRC and makes good relations difficult between the two countries, |
| --- | --- |

N.

whereas the question of the Interahamwé and the ex-FAR is a real problem in the relationship between Rwanda and the DRC and makes good relations difficult between the two countries,

| O. | noting the FDLR undertaking to disarm and to cooperate in the peace process in Rwanda and urges it to make every effort to fulfil this undertaking, |
| --- | --- |

O.

noting the FDLR undertaking to disarm and to cooperate in the peace process in Rwanda and urges it to make every effort to fulfil this undertaking,

| P. | whereas it is more vital than ever to disarm the armed groups which are within the territory of the DRC, as provided for in the Lusaka Agreement of 1999 and the Pretoria Agreement of 2002, |
| --- | --- |

P.

whereas it is more vital than ever to disarm the armed groups which are within the territory of the DRC, as provided for in the Lusaka Agreement of 1999 and the Pretoria Agreement of 2002,

| Q. | whereas, without genuine peace in the region, the reconstruction efforts undertaken by the Congolese Government, cannot produce the expected results, |
| --- | --- |

Q.

whereas, without genuine peace in the region, the reconstruction efforts undertaken by the Congolese Government, cannot produce the expected results,

| R. | whereas Burundi is the third poorest country in the developing country rankings and its ethnic balance remains a potentially destabilising issue as the country attempts to complete its political transition, |
| --- | --- |

R.

whereas Burundi is the third poorest country in the developing country rankings and its ethnic balance remains a potentially destabilising issue as the country attempts to complete its political transition,

| S. | whereas over 90 % of the population voted in favour of a new constitution, |
| --- | --- |

S.

whereas over 90 % of the population voted in favour of a new constitution,

| T. | whereas the constitution provides that the representation of Burundian women in public institutions shall be around 30 %, a measure unprecedented in the history of the country, |
| --- | --- |

T.

whereas the constitution provides that the representation of Burundian women in public institutions shall be around 30 %, a measure unprecedented in the history of the country,

| U. | whereas the adoption of the new constitution is an initial stage preceding a series of elections envisaged to ratify the division of power at every level, |
| --- | --- |

U.

whereas the adoption of the new constitution is an initial stage preceding a series of elections envisaged to ratify the division of power at every level,

| V. | concerned by the ongoing atrocities by the Lord's Resistance Army in northern Uganda; |
| --- | --- |

V.

concerned by the ongoing atrocities by the Lord's Resistance Army in northern Uganda;

| W. | whereas the African Union's 'Peace and Security Council' is seeking 'bold action by the African Union' in the form of more active participation in measures to secure the surrender of weapons by illegal Rwandan armed groups; whereas the European Union has expressed its willingness to assist in this operation conducted by the African Union; |
| --- | --- |

W.

whereas the African Union's 'Peace and Security Council' is seeking 'bold action by the African Union' in the form of more active participation in measures to secure the surrender of weapons by illegal Rwandan armed groups; whereas the European Union has expressed its willingness to assist in this operation conducted by the African Union;

| X. | whereas the International Criminal Court in The Hague may soon issue arrest warrants for senior Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commanders in Uganda, |
| --- | --- |

X.

whereas the International Criminal Court in The Hague may soon issue arrest warrants for senior Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commanders in Uganda,

| 1. | Calls on the heads of state and government of the Great Lakes region to promote an effective implementation of existing regional peace and development instruments in order to ensure and consolidate the foundations for regional peace and security; |
| --- | --- |

1.

Calls on the heads of state and government of the Great Lakes region to promote an effective implementation of existing regional peace and development instruments in order to ensure and consolidate the foundations for regional peace and security;

| 2. | Stresses that the resources following the Asian tsunami and the signing of a peace accord ending Sudan's 20-year civil war should not take the focus off this conflict-riven region; |
| --- | --- |

2.

Stresses that the resources following the Asian tsunami and the signing of a peace accord ending Sudan's 20-year civil war should not take the focus off this conflict-riven region;

| 3. | Calls for the end of impunity from prosecution of human rights violators that has characterised the region and stresses that the Commission should urge donor nations as well as UN agencies to support mechanisms for accountability, including reformed national judicial systems; |
| --- | --- |

3.

Calls for the end of impunity from prosecution of human rights violators that has characterised the region and stresses that the Commission should urge donor nations as well as UN agencies to support mechanisms for accountability, including reformed national judicial systems;

| 4. | Calls on the countries of the Great Lakes Region to make rejection of impunity the cornerstone of moves to strengthen the rule of law, this being the only guarantee for sustainable peace, and the right of victims to effective redress before an impartial court; |
| --- | --- |

4.

Calls on the countries of the Great Lakes Region to make rejection of impunity the cornerstone of moves to strengthen the rule of law, this being the only guarantee for sustainable peace, and the right of victims to effective redress before an impartial court;

| 5. | Calls for the International Criminal Court to extend the scope of its investigation to the entire region and initiate proceedings rapidly against the presumed perpetrators of the most serious crimes, whatever positions of responsibility they may now occupy; |
| --- | --- |

5.

Calls for the International Criminal Court to extend the scope of its investigation to the entire region and initiate proceedings rapidly against the presumed perpetrators of the most serious crimes, whatever positions of responsibility they may now occupy;

| 6. | Calls on the governments of the region and the European States to cooperate fully with the ICC; |
| --- | --- |

6.

Calls on the governments of the region and the European States to cooperate fully with the ICC;

| 7. | Calls on the states of the region which have not yet done so to ratify the ICC Statute, adopt internal legislation on the adaptation of the Statute's provisions and ratify the additional protocol to the African Charter creating an African Court of Human and People's Rights through a declaration made under the sixth paragraph of Article 34 thereof, making possible individual redress before the Court; |
| --- | --- |

7.

Calls on the states of the region which have not yet done so to ratify the ICC Statute, adopt internal legislation on the adaptation of the Statute's provisions and ratify the additional protocol to the African Charter creating an African Court of Human and People's Rights through a declaration made under the sixth paragraph of Article 34 thereof, making possible individual redress before the Court;

| 8. | Strongly condemns the numerous instances of sexual violence, in particular the rape of women and girls, committed in the Great Lakes region; |
| --- | --- |

8.

Strongly condemns the numerous instances of sexual violence, in particular the rape of women and girls, committed in the Great Lakes region;

| 9. | Welcomes the fact that some countries of the Great Lakes region have adhered to the NEPAD African Peer Review Mechanism in order to promote good governance and economic growth and urges those who have not yet done so to adhere to this instrument; |
| --- | --- |

9.

Welcomes the fact that some countries of the Great Lakes region have adhered to the NEPAD African Peer Review Mechanism in order to promote good governance and economic growth and urges those who have not yet done so to adhere to this instrument;

| 10. | Calls on all parties and on the international community to combat all human rights abuses and violations and to take all measures to put to trial the perpetrators of such crimes in the relevant international tribunals; |
| --- | --- |

10.

Calls on all parties and on the international community to combat all human rights abuses and violations and to take all measures to put to trial the perpetrators of such crimes in the relevant international tribunals;

| 11. | Calls for the respect of the territorial integrity of the countries of the Great Lakes region and in particular the DRC and on all parties to the conflict to respect and comply with the 2003 Peace Agreements and the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions; |
| --- | --- |

11.

Calls for the respect of the territorial integrity of the countries of the Great Lakes region and in particular the DRC and on all parties to the conflict to respect and comply with the 2003 Peace Agreements and the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions;

| 12. | Urges Rwanda to continue efforts to integrate former rebels into civil society and the army; |
| --- | --- |

12.

Urges Rwanda to continue efforts to integrate former rebels into civil society and the army;

| 13. | Expresses its concern about the continued serious unrest in the district of Ituri and the provinces of North and South Kivu, and requests the immediate withdrawal of all foreign armed groups; |
| --- | --- |

13.

Expresses its concern about the continued serious unrest in the district of Ituri and the provinces of North and South Kivu, and requests the immediate withdrawal of all foreign armed groups;

| 14. | Calls for compliance with the arms embargo and effective implementation of the mechanisms adopted; |
| --- | --- |

14.

Calls for compliance with the arms embargo and effective implementation of the mechanisms adopted;

| 15. | Calls on the UN Security Council to impose sanctions (restriction of movement, freezing of assets) on individuals (nationals and foreigners) found guilty of pillaging ACP countries in a conflict and post-conflict situation; |
| --- | --- |

15.

Calls on the UN Security Council to impose sanctions (restriction of movement, freezing of assets) on individuals (nationals and foreigners) found guilty of pillaging ACP countries in a conflict and post-conflict situation;

| 16. | Considers that the implementation of the Dar es Salam Declaration constitutes a solid basis for the establishment of peace between the countries of the Great Lakes region, while respecting the territorial integrity of all the countries concerned; |
| --- | --- |

16.

Considers that the implementation of the Dar es Salam Declaration constitutes a solid basis for the establishment of peace between the countries of the Great Lakes region, while respecting the territorial integrity of all the countries concerned;

| 17. | Calls on the European Commission and Council to support by funding and every other means the implementation of the Dar es Salam Declaration; |
| --- | --- |

17.

Calls on the European Commission and Council to support by funding and every other means the implementation of the Dar es Salam Declaration;

| 18. | Stresses the vital importance of the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUC) and calls on the international community and the EU and its Member States to send troops to form the backbone of a strengthened MONUC peace force; |
| --- | --- |

18.

Stresses the vital importance of the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUC) and calls on the international community and the EU and its Member States to send troops to form the backbone of a strengthened MONUC peace force;

| 19. | Calls on the European Union to provide the necessary funding and logistic support to enable the African Union, in cooperation with the MONUC and the Congolese unified army and under UN mandate (Chapter VII of the Charter), to secure the surrender of weapons by the armed groups loyal to the former Rwandan leadership and present on DRC territory; |
| --- | --- |

19.

Calls on the European Union to provide the necessary funding and logistic support to enable the African Union, in cooperation with the MONUC and the Congolese unified army and under UN mandate (Chapter VII of the Charter), to secure the surrender of weapons by the armed groups loyal to the former Rwandan leadership and present on DRC territory;

| 20. | Calls on the Economic Community of the Central African States (ECCAS) to give active support to consolidation of the peace process in the Great Lakes region and measures to achieve stability and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; |
| --- | --- |

20.

Calls on the Economic Community of the Central African States (ECCAS) to give active support to consolidation of the peace process in the Great Lakes region and measures to achieve stability and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

| 21. | Notes with concern the lack of payment and training of national soldiers and policemen which in itself constitutes an important security risk; calls on the EU and the international community to assist in the funding, training and equipping of the national DRC army to allow it to play a role in disarming foreign armed groups and in providing security for elections; |
| --- | --- |

21.

Notes with concern the lack of payment and training of national soldiers and policemen which in itself constitutes an important security risk; calls on the EU and the international community to assist in the funding, training and equipping of the national DRC army to allow it to play a role in disarming foreign armed groups and in providing security for elections;

| 22. | Urges the Council to consider as a matter of urgency, a new European Union mission to the DRC, along the same lines as the ARTEMIS operation, to increase security in the east of the country, particularly along the border between Rwanda and the DRC; |
| --- | --- |

22.

Urges the Council to consider as a matter of urgency, a new European Union mission to the DRC, along the same lines as the ARTEMIS operation, to increase security in the east of the country, particularly along the border between Rwanda and the DRC;

| 23. | Calls for the elections to be held within the constitutionally required period so that the people of the DRC can freely and democratically choose their leaders and urges the international community to do its utmost to support the ongoing democratic process; |
| --- | --- |

23.

Calls for the elections to be held within the constitutionally required period so that the people of the DRC can freely and democratically choose their leaders and urges the international community to do its utmost to support the ongoing democratic process;

| 24. | Condemns the grave violations of international humanitarian law, including acts of sexual violence against the civilian population, committed by armed groups in Burundi; supports the negotiations under way between the Government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL and urges the latter to implement its declaration and cease hostilities with a view to securing a definitive peace in Burundi; |
| --- | --- |

24.

Condemns the grave violations of international humanitarian law, including acts of sexual violence against the civilian population, committed by armed groups in Burundi; supports the negotiations under way between the Government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL and urges the latter to implement its declaration and cease hostilities with a view to securing a definitive peace in Burundi;

| 25. | Expresses its support for the recommendation by the UN special mission on Burundi for the setting up of a truth and reconciliation commission and a prosecuting special chamber within Burundi's court system to deal with perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes; |
| --- | --- |

25.

Expresses its support for the recommendation by the UN special mission on Burundi for the setting up of a truth and reconciliation commission and a prosecuting special chamber within Burundi's court system to deal with perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes;

| 26. | Highlights the successful referendum for the adoption of a new constitution organised in Burundi in February 2005, as well as the high turnout; |
| --- | --- |

26.

Highlights the successful referendum for the adoption of a new constitution organised in Burundi in February 2005, as well as the high turnout;

| 27. | Calls on all parties in Burundi to move swiftly to implement the peace agreements and to refrain from taking any action that might jeopardise the peace process and the organisation of elections; |
| --- | --- |

27.

Calls on all parties in Burundi to move swiftly to implement the peace agreements and to refrain from taking any action that might jeopardise the peace process and the organisation of elections;

| 28. | Stresses that the new Burundian constitution is a crucial step on the road to peace and stability in that country and throughout the Great Lakes region; |
| --- | --- |

28.

Stresses that the new Burundian constitution is a crucial step on the road to peace and stability in that country and throughout the Great Lakes region;

| 29. | Expresses its concern as the food shortage worsens in Burundi and its economy is seriously debilitated; |
| --- | --- |

29.

Expresses its concern as the food shortage worsens in Burundi and its economy is seriously debilitated;

| 30. | Calls on the international community, and in particular the European Union to assist areas threatened by famine, especially in Burundi, the eastern DRC and northern Uganda; |
| --- | --- |

30.

Calls on the international community, and in particular the European Union to assist areas threatened by famine, especially in Burundi, the eastern DRC and northern Uganda;

| 31. | Calls on the international community for more attention to be focussed on the conflict in northern Uganda; |
| --- | --- |

31.

Calls on the international community for more attention to be focussed on the conflict in northern Uganda;

| 32. | Calls on all parties, in particular the international community, to take immediate steps to stop the proliferation of arms into the conflict zones of the Great Lakes region; |
| --- | --- |

32.

Calls on all parties, in particular the international community, to take immediate steps to stop the proliferation of arms into the conflict zones of the Great Lakes region;

| 33. | Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the UN and AU Secretaries-General. |
| --- | --- |

33.

Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the UN and AU Secretaries-General.

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(1)  Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 April 2005 in Bamako (Mali).

21 April 2005

The Bamako Declaration on the Millennium Development Goals (1)

We, Members of the African, Caribbean, Pacific — European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly, meeting in Bamako, Mali, from 18 to 21 April 2005, declare our unwavering support for a renewed global effort to ensure the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

At the turn of the Millennium our leaders met at a Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly and agreed on a programme aimed at reducing the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by half by 2015.

The world's leaders decided to work towards attaining the MDGs, recognising that defeating poverty is a global challenge. Its attainment is in the vital interests of all humanity. A number of actions have been identified, commitments made and indicators agreed so as to measure progress in achieving the MDGs.

As the UN General Assembly prepares for its five-year review of the MDGs, we are alarmed at growing indications that, as a global community, we are not currently on course to reach the MDGs. Credible research has suggested

| — | that the number of poor people in Africa, rather than declining, is set to increase from 319 million in 1999 to 404 million by 2015 |
| --- | --- |

—

that the number of poor people in Africa, rather than declining, is set to increase from 319 million in 1999 to 404 million by 2015

| — | that progress has been insufficient in eliminating gender disparities |
| --- | --- |

—

that progress has been insufficient in eliminating gender disparities

| — | that people in small island states in the Caribbean, the Pacific and off the coast of Africa are facing increasing challenges as a result of more frequent, and more severe, storms and floods attributable to global climate change |
| --- | --- |

—

that people in small island states in the Caribbean, the Pacific and off the coast of Africa are facing increasing challenges as a result of more frequent, and more severe, storms and floods attributable to global climate change

| — | that on the present course it will take more than 100 years to attain the development goals identified as needing to be reached by 2015. |
| --- | --- |

—

that on the present course it will take more than 100 years to attain the development goals identified as needing to be reached by 2015.

The Joint Parliamentary Assembly (2) represents a sizable proportion of the world's elected representatives. We call on our leaders to commit themselves at the highest level to a renewed effort to attain the MDGs by 2015. In particular we support calls being made for a ‘big push’, involving the identification of new initiatives to propel the process forward at a faster pace. This must include at least the following:

| — | New, more comprehensive, debt cancellation and debt reduction measures, in a context in which the total foreign currency debt of Sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa, stands at the unsustainable level of $186.7 billion compared to a gross geographic product of $217 billion, and debt repayment and debt service continue to exceed aid flows |
| --- | --- |

—

New, more comprehensive, debt cancellation and debt reduction measures, in a context in which the total foreign currency debt of Sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa, stands at the unsustainable level of $186.7 billion compared to a gross geographic product of $217 billion, and debt repayment and debt service continue to exceed aid flows

| — | Steps to ensure fair trade rules for developing countries so that they are able to expand exports of products where they either have or can acquire competitive advantage, by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers and by eliminating agricultural export subsidies that impede export expansion by developing countries, without imposing unfair reciprocal obligations on the developing countries |
| --- | --- |

—

Steps to ensure fair trade rules for developing countries so that they are able to expand exports of products where they either have or can acquire competitive advantage, by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers and by eliminating agricultural export subsidies that impede export expansion by developing countries, without imposing unfair reciprocal obligations on the developing countries

| — | More effective partnership to address capacity building and the productive economy constraints that many believe are the fundamental barriers to developing countries becoming effectively integrated into the world economy |
| --- | --- |

—

More effective partnership to address capacity building and the productive economy constraints that many believe are the fundamental barriers to developing countries becoming effectively integrated into the world economy

| — | Greatly enhanced efforts to achieve universal primary education, with special attention to education for girls, gender equality, and to enhance all areas of health, including reproductive health, and an increase in levels of funding for a broad range of sexual and reproductive health services, |
| --- | --- |

—

Greatly enhanced efforts to achieve universal primary education, with special attention to education for girls, gender equality, and to enhance all areas of health, including reproductive health, and an increase in levels of funding for a broad range of sexual and reproductive health services,

| — | Mainstreaming of environmental considerations into all policy areas in order to achieve sustainable development, |
| --- | --- |

—

Mainstreaming of environmental considerations into all policy areas in order to achieve sustainable development,

| — | Recognising that all this requires increasing resource flows to developing countries by at least an additional $50 to $70 billion. |
| --- | --- |

—

Recognising that all this requires increasing resource flows to developing countries by at least an additional $50 to $70 billion.

We call on the EU Member States to ensure that the commitments made by the European Council in Barcelona in March 2002 are expeditiously implemented, including

| — | establishing timeframes for each of the 15 member states that agreed to the Barcelona commitments in 2002 to reach the UN target of 0.7 % of GNI well in advance of 2015, with credible annual increases leading to an EU average of 0.51 % by 2009 |
| --- | --- |

—

establishing timeframes for each of the 15 member states that agreed to the Barcelona commitments in 2002 to reach the UN target of 0.7 % of GNI well in advance of 2015, with credible annual increases leading to an EU average of 0.51 % by 2009

| — | exploring innovative sources of additional funding |
| --- | --- |

—

exploring innovative sources of additional funding

| — | pursuing efforts to eliminate the debt overhang of poor countries in order to boost public expenditure to reach the MDGs |
| --- | --- |

—

pursuing efforts to eliminate the debt overhang of poor countries in order to boost public expenditure to reach the MDGs

| — | increasing trade-related assistance |
| --- | --- |

—

increasing trade-related assistance

| — | deadlines for full market access for goods and services from low income countries by 2010 |
| --- | --- |

—

deadlines for full market access for goods and services from low income countries by 2010

| — | a deadline for the total elimination of agricultural export subsidies that distort markets for farmers in developing countries |
| --- | --- |

—

a deadline for the total elimination of agricultural export subsidies that distort markets for farmers in developing countries

| — | effective policy coherence, in order to maximise the positive effects of measures in other policy domains on development policy, and to prevent other policies from negatively impacting on development policy. |
| --- | --- |

—

effective policy coherence, in order to maximise the positive effects of measures in other policy domains on development policy, and to prevent other policies from negatively impacting on development policy.

We call on the EU countries, other industrialised countries and countries in transition to be open to new proposals and commitments that may be identified in the MDG review process.

We call on the ACP countries to implement fully the commitments made as part of the MDG process, including

| — | the fight against corruption |
| --- | --- |

—

the fight against corruption

| — | improved public expenditure management |
| --- | --- |

—

improved public expenditure management

| — | the promotion of legislative measures to ensure that poor people, women and other disadvantaged groups can participate fully in economic life |
| --- | --- |

—

the promotion of legislative measures to ensure that poor people, women and other disadvantaged groups can participate fully in economic life

| — | reinforcement of sectoral policies in the social sector, including health |
| --- | --- |

—

reinforcement of sectoral policies in the social sector, including health

| — | support for a fast track initiative on basic education. |
| --- | --- |

—

support for a fast track initiative on basic education.

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(1)  Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 April 2005 in Bamako (Mali)

(2)  The JPA comprises parliamentarians from 77 ACP countries and Members of the European Parliament from 25 European countries

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