RESOLUTION(1)

on the development of mineral resources in the context of the future ACP-EU cooperation agreement and their contribution to sustainable socio-economic development in the ACP countries

The ACP-EU Joint Assembly,

- meeting in Nassau (Bahamas) from 11 to 14 October 1999,

A. whereas in the majority of the ACP countries mining has potential for development, not only on an industrial scale - which requires substantial investment - but also in the form of small and medium-sized mining operations which generate a variety of economic activities for these countries,

B. having regard to the extent of the mineral resources of the ACP countries and the key role which mining will have to play in the sustainable economic and social development of most ACP countries,

C. whereas the sustainable development of the mineral resources of the ACP countries is an attainable objective which particularly calls for more committed and more responsible mining cooperation between the ACP and the EU to enable the ACP countries to take their place in a world economy which has become very open and competitive,

D. whereas the contribution of ACP-EU mining cooperation to the mining industry in the past ten years has been positive, despite the difficulties encountered,

E. whereas the handicaps faced by the ACP countries in the mining industry are not insurmountable, in view of the success which has been achieved in other developing regions, as well as in some ACP countries,

F. welcoming the holding in Brussels on 26 and 27 July 1999 of the first consultation meeting of the ACP ministers for mines, whose conclusions are a useful contribution to the current negotiations,

G. concerned about the difficulties encountered by the parties with regard to mining in the current negotiations, particularly concerning the transformation of Sysmin into a more complete and effective specific tool tailored to the new and evolving needs of the ACP countries and those of ACP and ACP-EU operators,

H. concerned about the adverse socio-economic impact of the sale of gold reserves on the open market planned by the central banks of certain EU countries,

I. whereas, furthermore, these actions will have an adverse impact on investment in other mining operations, including in countries which are not gold producers and those which are potential producers,

1. Calls on the Commission and the EU Member States, in the negotiations currently under way, to adopt a more positive and constructive approach in dealing with the sector of the mineral resources of the ACP countries and to provide greater and more specific support for it, with a view to facilitating the necessary initiatives to enable the ACP countries to derive full benefit from a mining potential which still remains very under-exploited;

2. Urges the ACP countries to intensify their efforts to develop mining in a sustainable manner and ensure the gradual and competitive integration of their mineral resources industries into the world economy;

3. Calls on the EU Member States to refrain from any action which might compromise the development objectives of the ACP-EU partnership, particularly the disorganised sale of gold reserves on the open market;

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

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Assembly on 14 October 1999 in Nassau (Bahamas).