JOINT ASSEMBLY OF THE CONVENTION CONCLUED BETWEEN THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC STATES AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (ACP-EC)

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF MONDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 1996 (97/C 62/01)

(The sitting opened at 2.30 p.m.)

1. Formal inaugural sitting

Lord Plumb, Co-President, declared the formal sitting of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly open.

Mrs Wuerth-Polfer, Burgomaster of the City of Luxembourg, Mr Junker, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mr Wohlfart, Secretary of State of the Grand Duchy, and Sir John Kaputin and Lord Plumb, Co-Presidents of the Joint Assembly, spoke.

(The sitting adjourned at 3.40 p.m. and resumed at 4.05 p.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

2. Membership of the Joint Assembly

Lord Plumb, Co-President, announced that the list of members of the Joint Assembly, as forwarded to him by the authorities of the ACP States and the President of the European Parliament, would be attached to the minutes.

3. Election of the Bureau of the Joint Assembly

Lord Plumb, Co-President, announced that, pursuant to Article 2 of the Rules of Procedure of the Joint Assembly, he had received the following proposals:

ACP Co-President

Sir John Kaputin (Papua New Guinea).

ACP Vice-Presidents

Congo

Rwanda

Eritrea

Sudan

Ghana

Guinea

Antigua and Barbuda

Dominican Republic

Zambia

Solomon Islands.

European Co-President

Lord Plumb.

European Vice-Presidents

Mrs Kinnock

Mr Telkaemper

Mrs Junker

Mr Pons Grau

Mr Verwaerde

Mr Vecchi

Mr Chanterie

Mr Poggiolini

Mr Cunha

Mr Girão Pereira.

The Bureau, thus constituted, was elected by acclamation.

4. Adoption of the draft agenda and work programme (AP/2001)

The draft agenda was adopted without amendment.

5. Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes:

Schlechter (for Darras)

Reding (for Lucas Pires)

Lulling (for Mouskouri)

McGowan (for Wynn)

Happart (for Loeoew)

Guenther (for Bernard-Reymond)

Luettge (for Konecny).

6. General report on future relations between the ACP States and the European Union (ACP-EU 1793/96)

- General rapporteur: Mr Firmin Jean-Louis (Haiti)

- Exchange of views

Mr Jean-Louis introduced his draft report.

The following members spoke: Junker, the representative of Barbados, Corrie, the representative of Suriname, Wurtz, the representative of Trinidad and Tobago, Kinnock, the representative of Cameroon, Telkaemper, the representative of Gabon, Baldi, the representative of Mali, Bertens, the representative of Senegal, Aelvoet, the representative of Kenya, Vecchi, the representative of Mauritius, the representatives of Guinea-Bissau and Uganda, Mr Pinheiro, Member of the Commission, and the rapporteur.

(The sitting closed at 7.25 p.m.)

Lord PLUMB and Sir John KAPUTIN

Co-Presidents E. VINCI and N. P. MAGANDE

Co-Secretaries-General

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF TUESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 1996 (97/C 62/02)

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

(The sitting opened at 9.10 a.m.)

1. Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes:

Reding (for Garcia-Magallo)

Viola (for Poggiolini).

2. Working Group on urban development in the ACP countries

[Chairman: Mrs Schmidbauer, rapporteur: Mr Diagne (Senegal)]

- Statement on progress

Mr Diagne, rapporteur, outlined the progress of the Working Group's proceedings.

3. Revision of the Rules of Procedure of the Joint Assembly (AP/1650/Am.1-31)

[Co-rapporteurs: Mr Chanterie and Mr Weldegiorgis (Eritrea)]

- Exchange of views

Mr Chanterie, co-rapporteur, informed members of the proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Joint Assembly.

4. Working Group on regional cooperation in the ACP countries

(Chairman: Mr Wetangula (Kenya), rapporteur: Mr Corrie)

- Statement on progress

The following members spoke: Corrie, rapporteur, Wetangula (Kenya), chairman, the representative of Angola, McGowan, the representative of Mali, Telkaemper, Stasi and the representative of Zimbabwe.

5. Statements by:

- Mr Rajkeswer Purryag (Mauritius), President-in-Office, ACP Council

- Mrs Joan Burton (Ireland), President-in-Office, Council of the European Union

6. Question time to the Council

Mrs Kinnock, on behalf of the PSE Group, asked Question No 28 on ACP representation at the WTO.

Mr Rajkeswer Purryag, President of the ACP Council, replied to the question.

27 questions were put to the EU Council by the following Members:

Mrs André-Léonard and Mr Bertens, on abolition of the death penalty in the ACP countries

Mrs André-Léonard and Mr Bertens, on ACP-EU cooperation against drugs

Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the military coup in Burundi

Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Lannoye and Mr Telkaemper, on behalf of the Green Group, on the situation in Burundi

Mr Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the embargo on Burundi

Mrs Maij-Weggen, on the EDF

the representative of Mali, on the debt burden

the representative of Mali, on aid to consolidate the peace process in Mali

Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Lannoye and Mr Telkaemper, on behalf of the Green Group, on respect for human rights in the EU countries

Mr Telkaemper, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Lannoye, on behalf of the Green Group, on Western Sahara

Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on sustaining the peace process in Angola

Mr Girão Pereira, on behalf of the UPE Group, on Angola

Mr Castagnède, on the statute for non-Community migrant workers

Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Lannoye and Mr Telkaemper, on behalf of the Green Group, on fishing agreements

Mrs Kinnock, on behalf of the PSE Group, on a free trade area with South Africa

Mrs Kinnock, on behalf of the PSE Group, on reductions in the EU's financial commitment to ACP countries

Mrs Baldi, on behalf of the UPE Group, on anti-personnel mines

Mr Aldo, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the World Trade Organization

Mr Caccavale, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Somalia

Mr Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the former British Somaliland

Mr Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE Group, on Somalia

Mr Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the second Wind of Change

Mr Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE Group, on Nigeria

Mr Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE Group, on minorities in government

Mr Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the situation in Zaire

Mr Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the Central African Republic

Mr Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the Oromos in Ethiopia.

Mrs Burton, President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, replied to these questions and to supplementary questions asked by Members.

(The sitting adjourned at 12.40 p.m. and resumed at 3.10 p.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Sir John KAPUTIN

Co-President

7. Documents received

The Co-President announced that the following motions for resolutions had been received:

- by Mrs Junker and Mrs Kinnock, on behalf of the Socialist Group, on conflict prevention in Africa (ACP-EU 1802/96),

- by Mr Kouchner and Mrs Kinnock, on behalf of the Socialist Group, on the situation in Sudan and child slavery (ACP-EU 1803/96),

- by Mr Bertens, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on human rights violations by Sudan and its support for terrorism (ACP-EU 1804/96),

- by Mr Bertens and Mr Fassa on behalf of the ELDR Group, on Nigeria (ACP-EU 1805/96),

- by Mr Bertens and Mrs André-Léonard, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the establishment of the Permanent International Criminal Court (ACP-EU 1807/96),

- by Mr Nordmann, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on cocoa (ACP-EU 1808/96),

- by Mr Cunha, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the occupation of East Timor by Indonesia ACP-EU 1809/96),

- by Mrs Kinnock, on the proposed EU-South Africa Free Trade Area Agreement (ACP-EU 1811/96),

- by Mrs Kinnock, on Nigeria (ACP-EU 1812/96),

- by Mrs Kinnock, Eritrea and Ethiopia, on the situation in Sudan (ACP-EU 1813/96),

- by Mr Lannoye, Mr Telkaemper and Mrs Aelvoet, on behalf of the Green Group, and by the representatives of Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Ghana, on revision of the Directive on chocolate (ACP-EU 1815/96),

- by Mr Telkaemper, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Lannoye on behalf of the Green Group, on the situation in Nigeria (ACP-EU 1816/96),

- by Mr Telkaemper, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Lannoye on behalf of the Green Group, on Western Sahara (ACP-EU 1817/96),

- by Mr Telkaemper, Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Lannoye on behalf of the Green Group, on environment devastation in South Africa caused by hazardous waste trade (ACP-EU 1818/96),

- by Mr Pons Grau, on the human rights situation in Ethiopia (ACP-EU 1819/96),

- by Mr Pons Grau, on the human rights situation in Côte d'Ivoire (ACP-EU 1820/96),

- by Mr Pons Grau, on the human rights situation in Sudan (ACP-EU 1821/96),

- by Mrs Junker and Mr Vecchi, on behalf of the PSE Group, Eritrea and Ethiopia, on Somalia (ACP-EU 1822/96),

- by Mr Castagnetti, on behalf of the PPE Group on fair and responsible trading (ACP-EU 1823/96),

- by Mr Lucas Pires on behalf of the EPP Group, on the situation in Angola (ACP-EU 1824/96),

- by Mrs Maij-Weggen on behalf of the EPP Group, on Protocol 10 on sustainable management of forest resources of the Fourth ACP-EC Convention of Lomé as revised by the agreement signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995 (ACP-EU 1825/96),

- by Mr Vecchi and Mrs Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, Mr Stasi, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mr Aldo, on behalf of the UPE Group, Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, Mr Souchet, on behalf of the EDN Group and Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on the COM for bananas (ACP-EU 1826/rev./96),

- by Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on Nigeria (ACP-EU 1827/96),

- by Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group and Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Telkaemper, on behalf of the Green Group, on the establishment of the Permanent International Criminal Court (ACP-EU 1828/96),

- by Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group and Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Telkaemper, on behalf of the Green Group and Mr Bertens on behalf of the ELDR Group on abolition of the death penalty (ACP-EU 1829/96),

- by Mr Pons Grau and Mrs Sauquillo Perez del Arco, on the establishment of a Permanent International Criminal Court (ACP-EU 1830/96),

- by Mr Pons Grau and Mrs Sauquillo Perez del Arco, on the abolition of the death penalty (ACP-EU 1831/96),

- by Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on the situation of migrant workers from ACP countries (ACP-EU 1832/96),

- by Mr Berend, on behalf of the EPP Group, on the situation in Rwanda (ACP-EU 1833/96),

- by Mrs Guenther, on behalf of the EPP Group, on the situation in South Africa and its relations with the Lomé Convention (ACP-EU 1834/96),

- by Mr Schwaiger on behalf of the EPP Group, on the situation in Liberia (ACP-EU 1835/96),

- by Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the EPP Group, on the situation in Nigeria (ACP-EU 1836/96),

- by Mr Castagnetti, on behalf of the EPP Group, Mrs Baldi and Mr Girão Pereira, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Somalia (ACP-EU 1837/96),

- by Mr Schiedermeier, on behalf of the EPP Group, and Mr Aldo and Mr Girão Pereira, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Sudan (ACP-EU 1838/96),

- by Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE Group, Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, Mrs Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, Mrs Baldi, on behalf of the UPE Group, Mr Bertens and Mrs André-Léonard, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Mrs Maij-Weggen and Mr Berend, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Telkaemper and Mr Lannoye, on behalf of the Green Group and Mr Pons Grau, on the situation in Burundi (ACP-EU 1839/96),

- by Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Telkaemper, on behalf of the Green Group, on the situation in Niger (ACP-EU 1840/96),

- by the ACP Group, on the use of vegetable oils other than cocoa butter in the manufacture of chocolate (ACP-EU 1841/96),

- by the ACP Group, on the situation in Rwanda (ACP-EU 1842/96),

- by the ACP Group, on the situation in Liberia (ACP-EU 1843/96),

- by the ACP Group, on sugar (ACP-EU 1844/96),

- by the ACP Group, on bananas (ACP-EU 1845/96),

- by the ACP Group, on the proposed EU-South Africa FTA and its implications for the Southern African Region (ACP-EU 1846/96),

- by the ACP Group, on the situation in Southern Africa (ACP-EU 1847/96),

- by the representatives of the ACP Small Island States and Mrs van Putten and Mr Liese, on ACP Small Island States - climate change and the environment (ACP-EU 1848/96),

- by Djibouti, on economic reforms in Djibouti (ACP-EU 1849/96),

- by the ACP Group, on Burundi (ACP-EU 1850/96),

- by the ACP Group, on Equatorial Guinea (ACP-EU 1851/96),

- by Mr Carnero, on behalf of the GUE-NGL Group, on the political situation in Equatorial Guinea (ACP-EU 1852/96),

- by Mr Carnero and Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE-NGL Group, on Western Sahara (ACP-EU 1853/96),

- by Mr Pettinari and Mr Carnero, on behalf of the GUE-NGL Group, on revision of the 'chocolate Directive` (73/241/EEC) (ACP-EU 1854/96),

- by Mr Wurtz and Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE-NGL Group, on the expulsion of immigrants with irregular status in Europe (ACP-EU 1855/96),

- by Mrs Baldi, Mr Girão Pereira and Mr Aldo, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Rwanda (ACP-EU 1856/96),

- by Mr Caccavale, on the economic and financial progress made in various ACP States (ACP-EU 1857/96),

- by Mrs Baldi, on behalf of the UPE Group, on anti-personnel mines (ACP-EU 1858/96),

- by Mr Girão Pereira, Mr Andrews, Mrs Baldi and Mr Aldo, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Angola (ACP-EU 1859/96),

- by Mr Girão Pereira and Mrs Baldi, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Liberia (ACP-EU 1860/96),

- by Mr Andrews, Mrs Baldi, Mr Aldo and Mr Girão Pereira, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Nigeria (ACP-EU 1861/96),

- by Mr Pons Grau and Mrs Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, Mr Chanterie and Mr Stasi, on behalf of teh PPE Group and Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Telkaemper and Mr Lannoye, on behalf of the Green Group, on expulsions of irregular immigrants (ACP-EU 1862/96),

- by the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti, on their joint development effort (ACP-EU 1863/96),

- by Mr Pons Grau and Mrs Sauquillo Perez del Arco, on the situation in Mali (ACP-EU 1864/96).

8. Question time to the Commission

28 questions were put to the Commission by the following members:

1. Mrs André-Léonard and Mr Fassa on ECHO: eligibility criteria in respect of NGOs

2. Mr Bertens and Mrs André-Léonard on ACP minorities and scholarships

3. Mali on military coups

4. Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Lannoye and Mr Telkaemper on fisheries agreement

5. Mrs Kinnock on Information Technology and Development

6. Mrs Baldi on Habitat II Conference

7. Mr Andrews on creation of a young volunteer force for development

8. Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Lannoye, Mr Telkaemper and Mr Pettinari on cocoa

9. Mr Castagnède on BSE/ACP countries

10. Mr Aldo on common organization of the market in bananas

11. Mr Fernández Martín on the Horn of Africa: risks of famine

12. Mr Vecchi on Somalia: special envoy

13. Ethiopia on Ethiopia: human rights

14. Mrs Kinnock on Ethiopia: quality of EU aid

15. Mr Cunha on Angola: peace process

16. Mrs Maij-Weggen on South Africa: negotiations

17. Mr Girão Pereira on Mozambique: Community aid

18. Mr Girão Pereira on São Tomé and Príncipe: Community aid

19. Mrs André-Léonard and Mr Fassa on Niger: the Tuaregs

20. Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Lannoye and Mr Telkaemper on Niger: the situation

21. Mrs Maij-Weggen on Nigeria: follow-up resolutions

22. Mali on return of Malian refugees

23. Mr Castagnède on Rwanda: food shortage

24. Mrs Baldi on Burundi: humanitarian assistance

25. Mr Fernández Martín on Ghana: economy

26. Mr Fernández Martín on Cameroon: economic stability

27. Mrs Maij-Weggen on Suriname: renovation of historic buildings

28. Mrs Maij-Weggen on Fiji: state of democracy

Commissioner Pinheiro answered the questions and supplementary questions put by the questioners.

9. ACP migration to the European Union

Mr Pons Grau spoke.

10. Situation in specific countries or regions

Burundi and Rwanda

Mr Ajello, EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, gave an account of the current situation.

The following members spoke: Baldi, Sauquillo Perez del Arco, the representative of Zaire, Stasi, the representative of Tanzania, André-Léonard, Guenther, Caccavale, the representative of Malawi.

IN THE CHAIR: Mr McGOWAN

Mr Ajello replied to speakers and thanked them for their contributions.

IN THE CHAIR: Mr TELKAEMPER

Vice-President

Western Sahara

The following members spoke: McGowan, Robles Piquer and the representative of the Polisario Front (observer).

11. Approval of minutes of Monday, 23 September 1996

The minutes were approved.

(The sitting closed at 7.05 p.m.)

Lord PLUMB and Sir John KAPUTIN

Co-Presidents E. VINCI and N. P. MAGANDE

Co-Secretaries-General

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF WEDNESDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 1996 (97/C 62/03)

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

(The sitting opened at 8.35 a.m.)

1. Decision, on the basis of Bureau proposals, on action to be taken on individual motions for resolutions

On the basis of a document communicated to all members the proposals of the Bureau were accepted.

I. For vote in the joint Assembly

(Authors of draft resolutions on the same subject are requested to negotiate a compromise resolution)

a) Draft motions for resolutions winding up a debate

>TABLE>

b) In application of article 18(3) of the rules, motions for resolution categorized under 3 headings

The proposed breakdown is:

- Situation in specific countries

- Penal and judicial questions

- Miscellaneous.

>TABLE>

II. Not to be put to the vote by the Assembly

a) To be forwarded to the Bureau in connection with its human rights responsibilities

>TABLE>

b) To be forwarded to the Working Group on Regional Cooperation in the ACP Countries

>TABLE>

2. Hearing on climate change and small island states

A hearing on climate change and small island states was held. The following experts took part in the hearing:

Dr Leonard Nurse, Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit, Barbados

Mr Don Stewart, Acting Director of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Western Samoa

Dr Robert Watson, Senior Scientific Adviser, Environment Department, World Bank, Washington

H.E. Mr Neroni Slade, Permanent Representative of Western Samoa to the United Nations, New York

Mr Aubrey Meyer, Global Commons Institute.

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

(The sitting opened at 3.10 p.m.)

3. Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes:

Carlotti (for Kouchner)

Izquierdo Collado (for Garcia Arias)

Schnellhardt (for Escudero Lopez)

Pomes Ruiz (for Garcia Margallo).

4. Future relations between South Africa and the Lomé Convention and its implications for SADC

The debate was introduced by the representative of Zimbabwe. The following members spoke: the representative of South Africa (observer), Kinnock and the representative of Swaziland.

IN THE CHAIR: Sir John KAPUTIN

Co-President

The following members spoke: Guenther, the representative of Kenya, Aelvoet and Maij-Weggen.

IN THE CHAIR: Mr BERTENS

The representative of Haiti spoke on a point of order.

5. Situation in specific countries (continued)

Nigeria

The debate was introduced by the representative of Nigeria. The following members spoke: Maij-Weggen and Kinnock.

IN THE CHAIR: Mr DOMBI (Congo)

Vice-President

The following members spoke: Bertens and the representative of Sudan.

IN THE CHAIR: Mr BERTENS

The following members spoke: Kinnock on a point of order, Fassa, Torres Couto, the representative of Zaire, Maij-Weggen on a point of order, Aelvoet and the representative of Nigeria.

Angola

The following members spoke: Torres Couto, the representative of Angola, Girão Pereira and Cunha.

Liberia

The following members spoke: the representative of Liberia and Sauquillo Perez del Arco.

Somalia

The debate was introduced by the representative of Ethiopia. The following members spoke: Fassa, the representatives of Eritrea and Kenya, Viola, the representative of Djibouti and the representative of the Commission, Mr Theodorakis.

Sudan

The debate was introduced by the representative of Sudan. The following members spoke: Schiedermeier and the representative of Eritrea.

IN THE CHAIR: Mr DOMBI (Congo)

Vice-President

The following members spoke: Bertens, the representatives of Malawi and Djibouti, Kinnock and the representatives of Nigeria, Sudan and Eritrea.

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

6. Results of the mission to Kenya

Mr Pons Grau and Lord Plumb, Co-President, made an oral report on their mission to Kenya. The representative of Kenya spoke.

7. Positive evolution in the ACP

At the proposal of Lord Plumb, Co-President, it was agreed to deal with this point by other means.

8. Approval of the minutes of Tuesday, 24 September 1996

The minutes were approved.

(The meeting closed at 7.10 p.m.)

Lord PLUMB and Sir John KAPUTIN

Co-Presidents E. VINCI and N. P. MAGANDE

Co-Secretaries-General

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF THURSDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1996 (97/C 62/04)

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

(The sitting opened at 9.40 a.m.)

The Co-President apologized for the late starting of the meeting owing to the late finishing of the ACP members' meeting.

The following members spoke: the representative of Trinidad and Tobago and Robles Piquer.

1. Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes:

Cot (for Cunningham)

Robles Piquer (for Fernández Martín)

Goerens (for Nordmann)

Wiebenga (for Neyts-Uyttebroeck).

2. Vote on the resolution on future relations between the ACP countries and the European Union

The following members spoke: Aelvoet, Corrie, Telkaemper and the representative of Mali.

From the 41 amendments tabled, Amendments 10 and 19 were withdrawn. All amendments were adopted with the exception of Amendments 2, 5, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 22, 26, 27, 39, 40 and 41. The resolution, thus amended, was adopted.

IN THE CHAIR: Sir John KAPUTIN

Co-President

3. Cocoa butter content in chocolate

This point was requested by Mrs Maij-Weggen, draftsperson for the Committee on Development and Cooperation's opinion for the new draft directive on cocoa products, which is at present under consideration in the European Parliament, to be added to the draft agenda. As this directive could have serious implications for the exports of cocoa, Mrs Maij-Weggen wished to hear the position of the ACP States on this subject.

Mrs Maij-Weggen introduced the point. The following spoke: the representative of Mali, Lannoye, the representative of Burkina Faso, the representative of Ghana, Corrie, the representative of Togo, Happart, the representative of Côte d'Ivoire, Aelvoet, the representative of Cameroon and Sandbaek. Mrs Maij-Weggen summed up.

IN THE CHAIR: Mr TELKAEMPER

Vice-President

4. Bananas

Ambassador Laurent of the Eastern Caribbean States introduced the point. The following members spoke: Kinnock, the representative of Ghana, Cunha, the representative of the Dominican Republic, Liese and the representative of Belize. Mr Teodarakis, representative of the Commission, replied.

5. Action taken on the resolutions adopted by the Joint Assembly at its 22nd session (Windhoek (Namibia), 18-22 March 1996)

A Commission document setting out the action taken by the Commission on the resolutions adopted in Windhoek was distributed to members.

6. Preparation of the 20th annual meeting with the representatives of the Economic and Social Partners

(Theme: future ACP-EU relations: the views of the ACP-EU Social Partners, date: 5/6 November 1996, Brussels)

Mr Andrade, representative of the Economic and Social Committee spoke. The Vice-President reminded political groups that they should send the names of their delegations to this meeting to the co-secretariat.

7. Subject of the working group to replace the working group on refugees and displaced persons

The Vice-President announced that the Bureau decided that the subject of the next working group should be 'Climate Change and Small Island States`. This was agreed to by the Joint Assembly. Mrs Junker said climate change was a problem that affected everybody and consequently the title should be 'Climate Change with particular reference to small island states`.

8. Appointment of 1997 General Rapporteur

The European Members proposed Mrs Junker as the 1997 General Rapporteur. This was agreed.

(The sitting adjourned at 11.45 a.m. and resumed at 3.00 p.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

9. Vote on the revised Rules of Procedure of the Joint Assembly

The thirty-one amendments to the Rules of Procedure tabled by the Bureau were adopted. Three amendments tabled by Mr Telkaemper were rejected. The revised Rules of Procedure were adopted. Mr Chanterie spoke.

10. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of Wednesday afternoon, 25 September 1996

The minutes were approved.

11. Consideration and votes on individual motions for resolution

AP/1875 Liberia. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

Mr Corrie and Mr Schwaiger spoke on voting procedure for motion for resolution AP/1873 on Nigeria.

AP/1869 on Angola. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1871 Somalia. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1872 on Sudan. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1877 on Western Sahara. The motion for a resolution was adopted with two amendments.

AP/1876 on Rwanda. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1839 on Burundi. The motion for a resolution was adopted. Mrs André-Léonard spoke.

AP/1850 on Burundi. The representatives of Burundi and Zaire, Schwaiger, Aelvoet and André-Léonard spoke. The motion for a resolution was adopted with seventeen amendments.

AP/1832 on migrant workers. The motion for a resolution was adopted with one amendment, by 24 votes to 21.

AP/1855 on expulsion of immigrants. The representative of Mali and Junker spoke. The motion for a resolution was adopted with two amendments.

AP/1862 on expulsion of immigrants. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1848 on climate change and small island countries. The motion for a resolution was adopted with thirteen amendments.

AP/1874/comp., replacing AP/1811 and AP/1846, on South Africa. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1818 on environment in South Africa. This motion for a resolution was withdrawn.

AP/1834 on South Africa and its relations with the Lomé Convention. The motion for a resolution was rejected.

AP/1847 on Southern Africa. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1865/comp., replacing AP/1808, AP/1815, AP/1841 and AP/1854, on cocoa/chocolate. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1870/comp., replacing AP/1826/rev and AP/1845 on bananas. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1809 on East Timor. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1840 on Niger. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1849 on Djibouti. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1851 on Equatorial Guinea. Mr Schwaiger and the representative of Equatorial Guinea spoke. The motion for a resolution was adopted with two recitals deleted.

AP/1852 on Equatorial Guinea. Following a request for a separate vote by each group of representatives, ACP members rejected the motion for a resolution and EP members accepted it. The motion for a resolution was therefore rejected.

AP/1864 on Mali. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1866/comp., replacing AP/1807, AP/1827 and AP/1830, on a Permanent International Criminal Court. The motion for a resolution was adopted with two amendments.

AP/1867/comp., replacing AP/1829 and AP/1831, on abolition of the death penalty. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1802 on prevention of conflicts. The motion for a resolution was adopted with three amendments.

AP/1823 on fair trade. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1825 on forestry resources. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1844 on sugar. The motion for a resolution was adopted with five amendments.

AP/1857 on economic and financial progress in various ACP countries. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1858 on anti-personnel mines. The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/1863 on joint development efforts. The motion for a resolution was adopted with five amendments.

AP/1873/comp. on Nigeria. Following a request in writing by more than five members, this motion for a resolution was put to vote by secret ballot. The following members were designated by lot as tellers: the representatives of Ghana and Zimbabwe, Verwaerde and Bertens. The representative of Nigeria spoke on procedure. The compromise resolution was adopted - ACP: 28 in favour, 12 against and 2 abstentions (42 votes cast); EP: 30 in favour, none against and no abstentions (30 votes cast).

12. Other business

Mr Pons Grau spoke on attendance at votes.

The representative of Guinea-Bissau spoke on the deportation of immigrants to Guinea-Bissau.

13. Date and place of the next meeting.

Lord Plumb noted that the place and date of the next session remained to be finalized.

14. Approval of the minutes of Thursday, 26 September 1996

Unless there were any objections, the minutes would be considered approved after they have been distributed to members.

15. Closure of meeting

Lord Plumb made a declaration on the situation of children in the world. Lord Plumb and Sir John Kaputin, Co-Presidents, thanked the participants and the organizers.

(The session closed at 5.00 p.m)

Lord PLUMB and Sir John KAPUTIN

Co-Presidents E. VINCI and N. P. MAGANDE

Co-Secretaries-General

ANNEX I

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE ACP-EU JOINT ASSEMBLY

>TABLE>

ANNEX II

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE

>TABLE>

Observers:

South Africa:

GILLWALD, MNCWANGO, MAHARA, MARE.

Polisario Front

SADAFA, BAHIA

Apologies:

European Parliament:

BALDINI, CARNERO GONZALEZ, CASTAGNETTI, MACARTNEY, MARINHO, MIRANDA DE LAGE, MUSCARDINI, RACK.

ACP-States:

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, COMORES, DOMINICA, GRENADA, GUYANA, KIRIBATI, ST. KITTS AND NEVIS, SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE, SIERRA LEONE, SOMALIA, TONGA, TUVALU, VANUATU.

Also present at the meeting:

NARCISO

SEBASTIAÕ

PRIMO

BAHAMAS

JACKSON

BARBADOS

KING

BENIN

GRONLONFOUN

ABOUBAKARY

BOTSWANA

GEORGE

BURKINA FASO

YODA

KONATE

OUEDRAOGO

BURUNDI

KADEGE

NAHAYO

NDORICIMPA

CAMEROON

BASSONG

CAPE VERDE

ROCHA

CENTRAL AFRICAN

REPUBLIC

MANDABA

CONGO

DOMBI

KOMBO-KINTOMBO

MAPINGOU

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

BANNY

KOUAKOU

DJIBOUTI

HASSANLEH DOMINICAN

REPUBLIC

GOMEZ

FADUL

GENAO

DE JESUS

QUIÑONES

ETHIOPIA

ROBLE

GABON

MAGUEWA

GHANA

AMOAH-NTIM

MAAMAH

GUINEA

DIALLO

KEITA

HAITI

JEAN-LOUIS

CASSEUS

JULES

JOSEPH

AZOR-CHARLES

KENYA

MBELA

MWANZIA

LESOTHO

MOLELEKI

LECHESA

MADAGASCAR

RANDRIAMAMONJY

BERIZIKY

MALAWI

MPHANDE

MALI

BERTHÉ

IMBARCAOUANE

TRAORE MAURITIUS

HOSSEN

MOSAMBIQUE

LINKS

NAMIBIA

NGAVIRUE

UGANDA

MWAKA

WAGIDOSO

NIAMBI

WNAM

MUGABI

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PEPSON

MASIWE

RWANDA

FURUMA

BURAKALI

MANZI

SENEGAL

DIAGNE

SEMOU

KANDÉ

SUDAN

AMBROSE

KHALIL

ELSAWI

TANZANIA

SLAA

KARUME

CHAD

HAGGAR

BARMA

ZAIRE

TABASSENGE BAKIYA

ZIMBABWE

MUKWEKWEZEKE

NUMBENGEGWI

ACP-EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Mme BURTON President-in-Office of the European Union

Mr Rajkeswer PURRYAG President-in-Office of the ACP Council of Ministers

ACP COMMITTEE OF AMBASSADORS

Mr OUEDRAOGO President-in-Offic

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Mr PINHEIRO Commissioner responsible for External Relations - ACP, South Africa and Lomé.

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE

DIOP

KABUGA

STRAUSS

CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT (CID)

SHARMA

TECHNICAL CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION (TCA)

BURGUET

SIKKENS

ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (OAU)

LEBA WAWA OSSAY Director, Brussels Office

NIANG

ANNEX III

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED

Page

- on future relations between the ACP States and the European Union (ACP-EU 1793/96/fin.) ... 19

- on the situation in Liberia (ACP-EU/1875/96/fin.) ... 23

- on Nigeria (ACP-EU/1873/96/fin.) ... 25

- on the situation in Angola (ACP-EU/1869/96/fin.) ... 27

- on Somalia (ACP-EU/1871/96/fin.) ... 28

- on Sudan (ACP-EU/1872/96/fin.) ... 30

- on Western Sahara (ACP-EU/1877/fin.) ... 32

- on the situation in Rwanda (ACP-EU/1876/96/fin.) ... 33

- on the situation in Burundi (ACP-EU/1839/96/fin.) ... 35

- on Burundi (ACP-EU/1850/96/fin.) ... 36

- on the situation of migrant workers from ACP countries (ACP-EU/1832/96/fin.) ... 38

- on the expulsion of immigrants with irregular status in Europe (ACP-EU/1855/96/fin.) ... 39

- on expulsions of irregular immigrants (ACP-EU/1862/96/fin.) ... 40

- on all ACP Small Island States - climate change and the environment (ACP-EU/1848/96/fin.) ... 42

- on the proposed EU-South Africa Free Trade Area Agreement (ACP-EU/1874/96/fin.) ... 44

- on the situation in Southern Africa (ACP-EU/1847/96/fin.) ... 46

- on revision of the Directive on chocolate (ACP-EU/1865/96/fin.) ... 49

- on bananas (ACP-EU/1870/96/fin.) ... 50

- on the occupation of East Timor by Indonesia (ACP-EU 1809/96/fin.) ... 53

- on the situation in Niger (ACP-EU 1840/96/fin.) ... 54

- on economic reforms in Djibouti (ACP-EU 1849/96/fin.) ... 55

- on Equatorial Guinea (ACP-EU 1851/96/fin.) ... 55

- on the situation in Mali (ACP-EU 1864/96/fin.) ... 56

- on the establishment of the Permanent International Criminal Court (ACP-EU 1866/96/fin.) ... 57

- on the abolition of the death penalty (ACP-EU 1867/96/fin.) ... 58

- on conflict prevention in Africa (ACP-EU 1802/96/fin.) ... 59

- on trade based on fairness and solidarity (ACP-EU 1823/96/fin.) ... 60

- on Protocol 10 on sustainable management of forest resources of the Fourth ACP-EC Convention of Lomé as revised by the agreement signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995 (ACP EU 1825/96/fin.) ... 61

- on sugar (ACP-EU 1844/96/fin.) ... 62

- on the economic and financial progress made in various ACP States (ACP-EU 1857/96/fin) ... 63

- on anti-personnel mines (ACP-EU 1858/96/fin.) ... 64

- on the joint development efforts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti (ACP-EU 1863/96/fin.) ... 65

ANNEX IV

AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE JOINT ASSEMBLY ()

Co-rapporteurs: Mr Chanterie

Mr Weldegiorgis (Eritrea)