Joint Assembly of the Convention concluded between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU)

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF MONDAY, 17 MARCH 1997 (97/C 308/01)(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.

Mr José-Maria Gil-Robles, President of the European Parliament, Sir John Kaputin and Lord Plumb, Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly, and Mr Eric Derycke, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, spoke.

(The sitting adjourned at 4 p.m. and resumed at4.15 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

Zimbabwe

Solomon Islands

Papua New Guinea.

European Co-President

Lord Plumb.

European Vice-Presidents

Mrs Kinnock

Mr Verwaerde

Mrs Junker

Mr Gillis

Mr Pons Grau

Mr Schwaiger

Mr Andrews

Mr Vecchi

Mr Robles Piquer

Mr Nordmann

Mr Miranda

Mr Telkämper.

The Bureau, thus constituted, was elected by acclamation.

4. Adoption of draft agenda (AP/2056)

The draft agenda was adopted without amendment.

5. Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes:

Mrs Carlotti (for Mr Baldarelli)

Mr Happart (for Mr Bontempi)

Mr Cot (for Mrs García Arias)

Mr Hallam (for Mr Hume)

Mr Tomlinson (for Mrs Sauquillo Pérez del Arco)

Mr. Martens (for Mr Alber)

Mr Pomés Ruiz (for Mr Escudero)

Mr Kellett-Bowman (for Mr Fernández Martín)

Mr Schnellhardt (for Mrs Glase)

Mr Castagnetti (for Mr Rack)

Mr Wiebenga (for Mr Bertens).

6. Statement by Commissioner Pinheiro

Commissioner Pinheiro made a statement.

7. Statement by:

- Mr Jan Pronk (Netherlands), President-in-Office, Council of the European Union

8. Question Time to the Council

38 questions were put to the EU Council.

Mr Pronk, President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, replied to the following questions and to supplementary questions asked by their authors.

Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on the conflict in the Great Lakes region

Mr Fernández Martín, on the conflict in the Great Lakes region

Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the EPP Group, on Eastern Zaire

Mrs Sauquillo and Mr Pons Grau on Council action in the Great Lakes crisis

Mr Robles Piquer, on trials in Kigali

Mr Robles Piquer, on Burundi

Mr Robles Piquer, on colonial frontiers

Mr Robles Piquer, on Ethiopia: national unity and autonomy

Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on Sudan and its relations with Eritrea and Ethiopia

Mr Caccavale, on Sudan

Mr Viola, on Somalia

Mrs Maij-Weggen, on Nigeria

Mrs Kinnock, on EU relations with Nigeria

Mr Carnero González, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on Equatorial Guinea

Mr Girão Pereira, on the peace process in Angola

Mr Macartney, on anti-personnel mines

Mrs Baldi, on anti-personnel mines

Mr Schwaiger, on prevention of conflicts

Mr Nordmann, Mrs Neyts, Mrs André-Léonard and Mr Bertens, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the abolition of the death penalty

Mr Telkämper, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Lannoye, on mercenaries in Africa

Mr Macartney, on embargo of arms in the Great Lakes region

Mrs Maij-Weggen, on South Africa

Mrs Kinnock, on South Africa and fisheries

Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on ratification of the revised Lomé IV

Mrs van Putten, on a hearing on the future of Lomé

Dominica, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on banana prices

Belize, on amendments to the banana regime

Mrs Kinnock, on ACP bananas

Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the EPP Group, on the Assembly's resolution on the chocolate directive.

In view of time constraints, the President-in-Office undertook to provide written answers to the following questions:

Mr Lannoye, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Telkämper, on trade and development

Mrs André-Léonard, on the Centre for Industrial Development (CID)

Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the EPP Group, on coordination of European development policies

Mrs André-Léonard, on the IGC and development policies

Mr Lannoye, on the convention to combat desertification

Mrs Gröner, on the Council resolution on taking gender-specific issues into account in development cooperation

Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on OCT/EU/EDF

Mr Aldo, on the mid-term review of the OCT association agreement.

(The sitting closed at 7.10 p.m.)

Sir John KAPUTIN and Lord PLUMB

Co-Presidents

N. P. MAGANDE and J. PRIESTLEY

Co-Secretaries-General

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF TUESDAY, 18 MARCH 1997 (97/C 308/02)

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

(The sitting opened at 9.15 a.m.)

1. Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes:

Mr Fabre-Aubrespy (for Mr Souchet)

Mrs Carlotti (for Mr Bontempi)

Mr Vinci (for Mr Pettinari)

Mr Liese (for Mr Stasi).

2. Documents received

Report of the Working Party on urban development in the ACP countries [chairman, Mrs Schmidbauer; rapporteur, Mr Diagne (Senegal)] (ACP-EU 1625/A/97) and the following motions for resolutions

- by Mr Chincoun and Mr Gnonlonfoun (Benin), on behalf of the ACP Group on the situation in the Great Lakes countries (ACP-EU 2061/97),

- by Mrs van Putten on the ongoing crisis in Bougainville (ACP-EU 2062/97),

- by Mrs van Putten on Protocol 10 on sustainable management of forest resources of the Fourth ACP-EU Conference of Lomé as revised by the agreement signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995 (ACP-EU 2063/97),

- by Mrs van Putten, Trinidad and Tobago on the action to be taken on the Third Conference of Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Kyoto, 1997 (ACP-EU 2064/97),

- by Mrs van Putten, Mrs Kinnock and Mr Corrie on the integration of sustainable development in EU development cooperation with ACP countries (ACP-EU 2065/97),

- by Mr Souchet, on behalf of the I-EDN Group on the situation in Sudan (ACP-EU 2066/97),

- by Mr Nordmann and Mr Bertens, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the peace process in Angola (ACP-EU 2067/97),

- by Mr Bertens and Mrs André-Léonard, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the prevention of conflict in Africa (ACP-EU 2068/97),

- by Mr Bertens, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on Nigeria (ACP-EU 2069/97),

- by Mr Bertens, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the situation in Sudan (ACP-EU 2070/97),

- by Mr Bertens and Mrs André-Léonard, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the situation in the Great Lakes region (ACP-EU 2071/97),

- by the following Members: Baldi, Aldo, Andrews, Baldini, Caccavale and Girão Pereira, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in the Great Lakes region (ACP-EU 2072/97),

- by Mr Carnero and Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on the situation in the region of the Great Lakes, particularly east Zaire (ACP-EU 2073/97),

- by the following Members: Caccavale, Baldini, Andrews, Aldo and Girão Pereira, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Sudan (ACP-EU 2074/97),

- by the following Members: Andrews, Aldo, Baldi, Baldini, Caccavale and Girão Pereira, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Nigeria (ACP-EU 2075/97),

- by the following Members: Girão Pereira, Andrews, Aldo, Baldi, Baldini and Caccavale, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the situation in Angola (ACP-EU 2076/97),

- by the following Members: Baldi, Aldo, Andrews, Baldini, Caccavale and Girão Pereira, on behalf of the UPE Group, on anti-personnel mines (ACP-EU 2077/97),

- by the following Members: Aldo, Andrews, Baldi, Baldini and Girão Pereira, on behalf of the UPE Group, on the COM in bananas (ACP-EU 2078/97),

- by Mr Fernández Martín and Mr Robles Piquer, on behalf of the PPE Group, on bananas (ACP-EU 2079/97),

- by Mr Carnero and Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on Western Sahara (ACP-EU 2080/97),

- by Mr Fernández Martín and Mr Robles Piquer, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the situation in Equatorial Guinea (ACP-EU 2081/97),

- by the following Members: Fernández Martín, Robles Piquer, Sauquillo Pérez Del Arco, Stasi, Cunha and Viola on the creation and budgetary funding of the Secretariat for the chambers of commerce of the ACP countries in the Canary Islands, Spain (ACP-EU 2082/97),

- by Mr Nordmann, Mr Bertens and Mrs André-Léonard, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the abolition of the death penalty (ACP-EU 2083/97),

- by Mr Miranda and Mr Pettinari, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on the situation in Angola (ACP-EU 2084/97),

- by Mr Andrews on the murder of Irish Franciscan missionary, Brother Larry Timmons in Kenya (ACP-EU 2085/97),

- by Mrs Maij-Weggen on an economic embargo against Burundi (ACP-EU 2086/97),

- by Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the situation in Nigeria (ACP-EU 2087/97),

- by Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the continuing unrest in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea (ACP-EU 2088/97),

- by Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the implementation by the Commission of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly's resolution on infrastructure and ACP-EU cooperation (ACP-EU 2089/97),

- by Mrs Maij-Weggen on the integration of sustainable development in EU development cooperation with ACP countries (ACP-EU 2090/97),

- by Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Telkämper and Mr Lannoye, on behalf of the V Group, on beef exports to South Africa (ACP-EU 2091/97),

- by Mr Castagnède and Mr Macartney, on behalf of the ARE Group, on the situation in eastern Zaire (ACP-EU 2092/97),

- by Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on the peace process in Angola (ACP-EU 2093/97),

- by Mr Castagnède and Mr Macartney, on behalf of the ARE Group, on Nigeria (ACP-EU 2094/97),

- by Mr Macartney and Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on the situation in Sudan (ACP-EU 2095/97),

- by Mr Castagnède and Mr Macartney, on behalf of the ARE Group, on conflict prevention in Africa (ACP-EU 2096/97),

- by Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on the employment of children (ACP-EU 2097/97),

- by Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on orphan drugs (ACP-EU 2098/97),

- by the following Members: Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, and Bertens and André-Léonard, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ACP-EU 2099/97),

- by Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, on the abolition of the death penalty (ACP-EU 2100/97),

- by Mr Telkämper, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Lannoye, on behalf of the V Group, on Nigeria (ACP-2101/97),

- by Mrs Aelvoet, Mr Telkämper and Mr Lannoye, on behalf of the V Group, on hazardous waste (ACP-2102/97),

- by Mr Pons Grau and Mrs Sauquillo, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the situation in the Great Lakes region (ACP-EU 2103/97),

- by Mr Robles Piquer on Zaire (ACP-EU 2104/97),

- by Mr Pons Grau on human rights violations in Chad (ACP-EU 2105/97),

- by Mr Pons Grau on the human rights situation in Togo (ACP-EU 2106/97),

- by Mr Pons Grau on the human rights situation in Jamaica (ACP-EU 2107/97),

- by Mrs Carlotti and Mr Pons Grau, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the situation in Togo (ACP-EU 2108/97),

- by Mrs Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the role of the World Bank in the economic and social development of the countries of the South (ACP-EU 2109/97),

- by Mrs Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the special session of the United Nations General Assembly in June 1997 to review AGENDA 21 (ACP-EU 2110/97),

- by Mrs Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the situation in Zambia (ACP-EU 2111/97),

- by Mrs Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the situation in Togo (ACP-EU 2112/97),

- by Mr Vecchi and Mrs Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the EU's future relations with the ACP countries (ACP-EU 2113/97),

- by Mr Fernández Martín, Mr Stasi and Mr Berend, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the situation in the Great Lakes region (ACP-EU 2114/97),

- by Mr Viola, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the situation in Somalia (ACP-EU 2115/97),

- by Mr Cunha, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the situation in Angola (ACP-EU 2116/97),

- by Mr Schwaiger, on behalf of the PPE Group, on relations between South Africa and the European Union (ACP-EU 2117/97),

- by Mr Castagnède and Mr Macartney, on behalf of the ARE Group, on counterfeit medicines in developing countries (ACP-EU 2118/97),

- by the following Members: Aelvoet, Telkämper and Lannoye, on behalf of the Green Group, on the Great Lakes region (ACP-EU 2119/97),

- by Mrs Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, Mr Wurtz, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Mrs André-Léonard, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Mrs Aelvoet, on behalf of the V Group, and Mr Chanterie, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the international conference in Abidjan on transmissible sexual diseases and Aids in Africa (ACP-EU 2120/97),

- by the following Members: Lannoye, Aelvoet and Telkämper, on behalf of the V Group, on fake medicines (ACP-EU 2121/97),

- by Mr Vecchi, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the situation in Somalia (ACP-EU 2122/97),

- by Mr Schiedermeier, on behalf of the PPE Group, on the situation in Sudan (ACP-EU 2123/97),

- by Mrs Sandbæk and Mr Souchet on Southern Africa (ACP-EU 2124/97),

- by the ACP Group on bananas (ACP-EU 2125/97),

- by the ACP Group on rum (ACP-EU 2126/97),

- by Mrs Kinnock, on behalf of the PSE Group, Ethiopia and Eritrea, on Sudan (ACP-EU 2127/97),

- by Mrs Kinnock, on behalf of the PSE Group, on Nigeria (ACP-EU 2128/97),

- by Mrs Kinnock, on behalf of the PSE Group, on South Africa (ACP-EU 2129/97),

- by the ACP Group on the eradication of poliomyelitis in Africa (ACP-EU 2130/97),

- by the ACP Group on sugar (ACP-EU 2131/97),

- by the ACP Group on the situation in Southern Africa (ACP-EU 2132/97),

- by the representatives of Rwanda on the situation in the Great Lakes region (ACP-EU 2133/97),

- by the ACP Group on ACP-EU trade relations (ACP-EU 2134/97),

- by the ACP Group on the impact of subsidized EU beef exports (ACP-EU 2135/97),

- by the ACP Group on Somalia (ACP-EU 2136/97),

- by the ACP Group on the situation in Zaire (ACP-EU 2137/97),

- by Niger on the social situation in Niger (ACP-EU 2138/97),

- by the representative of Rwanda on the situation in the Great Lakes region (ACP-EU 2139/97).

3. Statement by Major-General Sitiveni L. Rabuka (Fiji), President-in-Office of the ACP Council

The ACP Council President-in-Office made a statement.

4. Oral questions to the ACP Council

The Co-President announced that he had received five questions to the ACP Council (contained in document AP/2040/QUE/CONS).

The ACP Council President-in-Office then answered the following questions:

- N° 33 by Mrs Kinnock on the benefits of Lomé

- N° 35 by Mrs Kinnock on the Banana Protocol

- N° 36 by Mrs Kinnock on South Africa's partial access to Lomé

- N° 34 by Mrs Kinnock on consultation on the Green Paper

- N° 3 by Mrs van Putten on involvement of the ACP Council in the debate on the future of Lomé.

Mr Rocard put two further questions concerning the consideration of the interests of the ACP States in the light of liberalizing tendencies and the desirability of a debate on current events in Zaire, which were also answered by the President-in-Office of the Council.

5. Draft general report on the effects of the United Nations World Conferences 1990-1996 on cooperation between the European Union and the ACP countries in the context of the Lomé Convention

- General rapporteur: Mrs Junker

After an introduction by the general rapporteur to the issues raised the following spoke: Gröner, Kinnock, the Representative of Senegal, Robles Piquer, Schiedermeier, the Representative of Uganda, Pomés Ruiz, Baldi, the Representative of Congo, Telkämper, van Putten, the Representative of Kenya, Mouskouri, Chanterie and Vecchi and Hamburger for the Commission. Mrs Junker wound up the debate.

6. Working Party on Urban Development in the ACP countries

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

The rapporteur presented the broad outline and thrust of the report. The following spoke: Schmidbauer, the Representatives of Senegal and Zimbabwe, and Fontaine for the Commission.

(The sitting was suspended at 12.50 p.m. and resumed at 3.15 p.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

7. Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitute:

Mrs Carlotti (for Mr Bontempi).

8. Question Time to the Commission

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

1. Mrs Gröner on gender and women issues and development policy.

2. Mr Macartney, on behalf of the ARE Group, and Mr Schwaiger on Indicative Programmes.

3. Mr Robles Piquer on the 1996 aid review.

4. Mr Cunningham on refugees.

5. Mr Lannoye, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Telkämper, on behalf of the Green Group, on tied aid.

6. Mrs Kinnock on future ACP-EU relations.

7. Mrs Baldi on the World Food Summit.

8. Mr Lannoye, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Telkämper, on behalf of the Green Group, on the Convention to Combat Desertification.

9. Mrs André-Léonard on the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI).

10. Mr Macartney, on behalf of the ARE Group and Mr Lannoye, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Telkämper, on behalf of the Green Group, on trafficking in fake medicines in Africa.

11. Mr Cunningham on anti-personnel landmines.

12. Mr Fernández Martín on an information network between ACP and EU chambers of commerce.

13. Mrs Sandbæk on fisheries agreements.

14. Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, Dominica, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the representative of Belize and

Mrs Kinnock on bananas.

15. Mr Lannoye, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Telkämper, on behalf of the Green Group, on beef and veal exports to Africa.

16. Mr Bertens and Mrs Neyts, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on EU exports of beef to southern Africa.

17. Mrs Kinnock on future ACP-EU relations: WTO waiver.

18. Mr Andrews on the LDCs and the World Trade Organization.

19. Mr Schiedermeier on the situation in Sudan.

20. Mr Schiedermeier on the situation in Sudan.

21. The representative of Sudan on the cooperation between the EU and Sudan.

22. Mr Schiedermeier on the situation in Uganda.

23. Mr Castagnède, on behalf of the ARE Group, Mr Fernández Martín and Mr Robles Piquer on the Great Lakes region; Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire.

24. Mr Macartney, on behalf of the ARE Group, on human rights in Chad.

25. Mr Macartney, on behalf of the ARE Group, Mr Lannoye, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Telkämper, on behalf of the Green Group, on Niger.

26. Mr Fernández Martín and

Mr Cunha on Angola.

27. Mr Viola, on behalf of the PPE Group, on Somalia.

28. Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE Group, on Nigeria.

29. Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE Group, on South Africa.

30. Mrs Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE Group, on Suriname.

31. Mr Fassa, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on Indicative Programme for Mali.

32. Mrs André-Léonard, Mr Bertens and Mrs Neyts-Uyttebroeck, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the campaign against drugs in the Caribbean.

33. Mr Aldo and Mr Andrews on cyclones in Madagascar.

34. Mr Caccavale on East Africa.

Commissioner Pinheiro answered the questions and supplementary questions put by the questioners. Other questions were answered in writing.

IN THE CHAIR: Mrs van Putten

9. Relations between South Africa and the signatory states of the Lomé Convention

The representative of Zambia made an introductory statement. Mr R. Davies, representing South Africa (observer) then outlined the present situation as regards the negotiations on Lomé accession. The following spoke: Mrs Maij-Weggen, Mrs Kinnock, Mrs Aelvoet and Mr Soubestre, Commission representative.

10. Working Group on Regional Cooperation in the ACP Countries

- Statement on progress

The chairman of the working group, Mr Wetangula (Kenya), made an introductory statement. The rapporteur, Mr Corrie, gave an account of the work so far. The following spoke: the representatives of Malawi, Barbados, Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau.

(The sitting closed at 6.40 p.m.)

Sir John KAPUTIN and Lord PLUMB

Co-Presidents

N. P. MAGANDE and J. PRIESTLEY

Co-Secretaries-General

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF WEDNESDAY, 19 MARCH 1997 (97/C 308/03)

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

(The sitting opened at 9.20 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 motions for resolutions on the same subject are requested to negotiate a compromise resolution)

(a) Motions for resolutions winding up a debate

>TABLE>

(b) In application of Article 18(3) of the Rules, motions for resolutions categorized in five headings

The proposed breakdown was:

- Situation in specific countries or regions

- Commodities

- Climate change, Sustainable development and environmental questions

- Health and Medicines

- Miscellaneous.

>TABLE>

II. Not to be submitted to the vote

>TABLE>

The Co-President reminded members that the deadline for compromise resolutions on the Great Lakes Region and Zaire was at 3 p.m. that afternoon. For all other resolutions, the deadline was 12 noon on that day.

2. Follow-up group on fisheries

(Co-chairmen: Mr Faure (Seychelles) and Mr Morris)

- Statement on progress

Mr Morris, Co-chairman, announced that Mrs Pery was taking over the European co-chairmanship.

Mr Faure (Seychelles), Co-chairman, outlined the progress of the Follow-up Group's proceedings. The following members spoke: Morris, Pery and the representative of Mauritius. Mr Thiollier, Commission representative, spoke, followed by Mr Faure.

3. Meeting with Mr Ismail Serageldin, World Bank Vice-President responsible for environmentally and socially sustainable development

The Co-President welcomed Mr Serageldin, who was accompanied by Mr Voyadzis of the newly opened World Bank Office in Brussels. Mr Serageldin outlined the World Bank's activities in the field of environmentally sustainable development, its work in agricultural development, and its cooperation with the European Union in developing countries. He spoke about the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and illustrated his presentation with slides.

Mrs O'Connell of One World Action (NGO) and Mr Long of the World Wide Fund for Nature (NGO) also spoke. Questions were put by the following members: Gillis, the representative of Ghana, Corrie, Junker, the representative of Zimbabwe, Sir John Kaputin, Co-President, van Putten, the representative of Kenya, Telkämper and McGowan. The Co-President authorized Lord Waverley to put a question.

Mr Serageldin replied.

The Co-President thanked Mr Serageldin for his presence.

4. Approval of the minutes of Monday afternoon, 17 March and Tuesday morning, 18 March 1997

The Co-President announced that the minutes would be deemed approved, if no objections had been received by the end of the day.

On a proposal by the representative of Barbados, a minute's silence was observed in memory of Dr Cheddi Jagan, former Prime Minister of Guyana, and Mr Michael Manley, former Prime Minister of Jamaica.

(The sitting was suspended at 12.25 p.m. and resumed at 3.10 p.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Sir

John KAPUTIN

Co-President

5. Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes:

Mr Garosci (for Mr Baldini)

Mr Martens (for Mrs Glase)

Mr Wiebenga (for Mrs Neyts-Uyttebroeck)

Mrs Carlotti (for Mr Torres Couto)

Mr David (for Mr Paasio).

6. Future of ACP-EU relations

Commissioner Pinheiro introduced the debate. The following spoke: the representative of Trinidad and Tobago, Martens, the representative of Barbados, Vecchi, the representative of Uganda, Schwaiger, the representative of Mauritius, Aldo, the representative of Senegal, Souchet, the representative of Kenya, Maij-Weggen, the representative of Zambia, Rocard, the representative of Zimbabwe, Mr Rob Davies, representing South Africa (observer), and Mr Danny Meyer, President of the Federation of national chambers of commerce, industry and economic operators of the ACP countries (observer).

IN THE CHAIR: CONGO

7. Situation in certain countries or regions

- Zaire and African Great Lakes Region

The representative of Zaire introduced the debate. The following spoke: Mr Pons Grau, the representative of Burundi, Mr Robles Piquer, the representative of Rwanda and Mrs André-Léonard.

(The sitting closed at 7 p.m.)

Sir John KAPUTIN and Lord PLUMB

Co-Presidents

N. P. MAGANDE and J. PRIESTLEY

Co-Secretaries-General

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF THURSDAY, 20 MARCH 1997 (97/C 308/04)

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

(The sitting opened at 9.15 a.m.)

1. Vote on the motion for a resolution on Urban Development in the ACP countries (ACP-EU 1625/A/97)

The motion for a resolution was adopted unanimously.

On a point of order, Mr Vecchi asked that Item 19 on the agenda - Follow-up to the resolution on refugees and displaced persons in the ACP countries in the context of humanitarian aid policy - be postponed until the next session of the Joint Assembly in October.

2. Situation in specific countries or regions (continuation)

- The Great Lakes Region of Africa

- Situation in Zaire

Great Lakes Region of Africa

The representative of the Central African Republic spoke.

IN THE CHAIR: Sir

John KAPUTIN

Co-President

The following members spoke: Stasi, the representative of the Congo, Bertens, Corrie, Berend, Aelvoet and the representative of Zaire.

IN THE CHAIR: Mrs KINNOCK

and Mr WELDEGIORGIS (Eritrea)

Vice-Presidents

Somalia

The following members spoke: the representative of Ethiopia, Vecchi, the representative of Djibouti, Sandbæk, the representative of Ethiopia. Mr Theodorakis, Deputy Director-General of the Commission, replied.

Sudan

The representative of Sudan spoke.

IN THE CHAIR: Mrs JUNKER

Vice-President

The following members spoke: Kinnock, the representative of Ethiopia, Schiedermeier, the representative of Uganda, Bertens, the representatives of Eritrea, Djibouti and Kenya. Mr Theodorakis, of the Commission, replied. The representative of Sudan concluded the debate.

Nigeria

The following members spoke: the representative of Nigeria, Kinnock, Maij-Weggen, Bertens, Cunningham, Kinnock, Thomas and Hallam. Mr Theodorakis of the Commission, replied. The representative of Nigeria concluded the debate.

The chairperson announced that, following a request made by five members, a secret vote would be held on the motion for a resolution on Nigeria.

IN THE CHAIR: Lord PLUMB

Co-President

Angola

The following members spoke: the representative of Angola, Miranda, Cunha, the representative of Zaire. A question was put by Mr Robles Piquer, to which the representative of Angola replied.

Papua New Guinea

The following members spoke: Sir John Kaputin, van Putten, Maij-Weggen, McGowan, the representative of the Solomon Islands, the Ambassador of Papua New Guinea. Mr McGowan spoke on a point of order. Mr Theodorakis of the Commission, replied.

Lord Plumb supported the sending of a fact-finding mission to Papua New Guinea and to the Solomon Islands.

(The sitting adjourned at 1.20 p.m. and resumed at 3.15 p.m.)

3. Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes:

Mr Cot (for Mr Baldarelli)

Mr Tomlinson (for Mr Paasio)

Mr Vinci (for Mr Wurtz)

Mr Kellett-Bowman (for Mrs Mouskouri)

Mr Pomés Ruiz (for Mr Viola).

4. Vote on motions for resolutions on which the debate had been closed

AP/1801 on ACP fisheries and the 8th EDF.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with one amendment.

AP/2148/Comp., replacing AP/2061, AP/2071, AP/2072, AP/2073, AP/2103, AP/2114, AP/2119, AP/2139, AP/2133, AP/2086, AP/2092, AP/2104, AP/2137, on the situation in the Great Lakes region.

The compromise resolution was adopted with two amendments.

AP/2099, on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

The motion for a resolution was adopted, with one amendment.

AP/2143/Comp., replacing AP/2115, AP/2122, AP/2136, on the situation in Somalia.

The compromise resolution was adopted with one oral amendment.

AP/2141/Comp./Corr., replacing AP/2127, AP/2070, AP/2095, AP/2123, on Sudan.

The compromise resolution was adopted with five amendments.

AP/2152/Comp., replacing AP/2074, on the situation in Sudan.

The compromise resolution was rejected.

AP/2146/Comp., replacing AP/2128, AP/2087, AP/2101, AP/2075, AP/2069, AP/2094, on Nigeria.

The compromise resolution was adopted by electronic vote.

AP/2142/Comp., replacing AP/2067, AP/2076, AP/2084, AP/2093, AP/2116, on the situation in Angola.

The compromise resolution was adopted.

AP/2149/Comp., replacing AP/2062, AP/2088, on the ongoing crisis in Bougainville.

The compromise resolution was adopted with one oral amendment.

AP/2144/Comp., replacing AP/2117, AP/2129, on South Africa.

The compromise resolution was adopted.

AP/2124, on Southern Africa.

The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/2132, on the situation in Southern Africa.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with six amendments.

AP/2091, on beef exports to South Africa.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with one amendment.

AP/2135, on the impact of subsidized EU beef exports.

The motion for a resolution was adopted.

5. Consideration and vote on individual motions for resolutions

AP/2147/Comp., replacing AP/2108, AP/2112, on the situation in Togo.

Following a request for a separate vote by each group of representatives, ACP members rejected the compromise resolution and EP members accepted it. The compromise resolution was therefore rejected.

AP/2138, on the social situation in Niger.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with four amendments.

AP/2080, on Western Sahara.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with one amendment.

AP/2151/Comp., replacing AP/2078, AP/2079, AP/2125, on bananas.

The compromise resolution was adopted. Ambassador Laurent of the Eastern Caribbean States made a statement. Mr Tomlinson spoke.

AP/2126, on rum.

The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/2131/Corr., on sugar.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with one amendment.

AP/2064, on the action to be taken on the Third Conference of Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto, 1997).

The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/2150/Comp., replacing AP/2065, AP/2090, on the integration of sustainable development in EU development cooperation with ACP countries.

The compromise resolution was adopted.

AP/2063, on Protocol 10 on sustainable management of forest resources of the Fourth ACP-EU Convention of Lomé as revised by the agreement signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with four amendments.

AP/2102, on hazardous waste.

The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/2110, on the special session of the United Nations General Assembly in June 1997 to review AGENDA 21.

The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/2098, on orphan drugs.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with four amendments. One paragraph was withdrawn.

AP/2140/Comp., replacing AP/2118, AP/2121, on fake medicines.

The compromise resolution was adopted.

AP/2120, on the international conference in Abidjan on transmissible sexual diseases and Aids in Africa.

The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/2130, on the eradication of poliomyelitis in Africa.

The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/2068, on the prevention of conflict in Africa.

This motion for a resolution was withdrawn.

AP/2096, on conflict prevention in Africa.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with three amendments.

AP/2077, on anti-personnel mines.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with one amendment.

AP/2134, on ACP-EU trade relations.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with three amendments.

AP/2082, on the creation and budgetary funding of the Secretariat for the chambers of commerce of the ACP countries in the Canary Islands, Spain.

The motion for a resolution was adopted with one amendment.

AP/2089, on the implementation by the Commission of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly's resolution on infrastructure and ACP-EU cooperation.

The motion for a resolution was adopted.

AP/2097, on the employment of children.

Following a request for a separate vote by each group of representatives on amendment 1, ACP members accepted the amendment and EP members rejected it. Amendment 1 was therefore rejected. The motion for a resolution was then adopted with one amendment.

AP/2145/Comp., replacing AP/2083, AP/2100, on the abolition of the death penalty.

The compromise resolution was adopted.

6. Follow-up to the resolution on Industrial Development in the ACP countries

[Chairman: Mr Schwaiger; Rapporteur: Mr Swartz (Botswana) (adopted on 20 March 1996 in Windhoek, Namibia)]

Mr Schwaiger gave an account of the current situation and mentioned the need for assessing the quality of cooperation efforts in this field.

7. Follow-up by the Commission to the resolutions adopted by the Joint Assembly at its 23rd session (Luxembourg, 23-26 September 1996)

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

8. Preparation of the 21st annual meeting with the representatives of the Economic and Social Partners on Conditions for successful integration of the ACP States, on favourable terms, into international trade

Lord Plumb, Co-President, noted that the date suggested by the Economic and Social Partners for this meeting (13-15 October 1997) would cause difficulty for the Joint Assembly and asked that they propose a new date.

9. Subject of the working group to replace the Working Group on Urban Development in the ACP countries

Lord Plumb, Co-President, announced that the Bureau's proposal for the subject of the next working group was 'The future of ACP-EU relations`. This was agreed to by the Joint Assembly.

10. Other business

On behalf of the Joint Assembly, Lord Plumb expressed its condolences to the family of Mr Robert van Volxem, who was tragically killed in an accident on 18 March.

11. Date and place of next meeting

Lord Plumb, Co-President, announced that the venue for the next session remained to be decided. The bureau would seek to organise a fact-finding mission to assess the situation in Togo and would keep the members informed. The date for the next session would be decided by the Bureau. The representative of Togo and Mrs Junker spoke.

12. Closure of meeting

Lord Plumb and Sir John Kaputin, Co-Presidents, thanked all the participants and the organizers.

(The session closed at 4.40 p.m.)

Sir John KAPUTIN and Lord PLUMB

Co-Presidents

N. P. MAGANDE and J. PRIESTLEY

Co-Secretaries-General

ANNEX I

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE ACP-EU JOINT ASSEMBLY

ACP Representatives

ANGOLA

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

BAHAMAS

BARBADOS

BELIZE

BENIN

BOTSWANA

BURKINA FASO

BURUNDI

CAMEROON

CAPE VERDE

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

CHAD

COMOROS

CONGO

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

DJIBOUTI

DOMINICA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

ERITREA

ETHIOPIA

FIJI

GABON

GAMBIA

GHANA

GRENADA

GUINEA

GUINEA-BISSAU

GUYANA

HAITI

JAMAICA

KENYA

KIRIBATI

LESOTHO

LIBERIA

MADAGASCAR

MALAWI

MALI

MAURITANIA

MAURITIUS

MOZAMBIQUE

NAMIBIA

NIGER

NIGERIA

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

RWANDA

ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

ST. LUCIA

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE

SENEGAL

SEYCHELLES

SIERRA LEONE

SOLOMON ISLANDS

SOMALIA

SUDAN

SURINAME

SWAZILAND

TANZANIA

TOGO

TONGA

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

TUVALU

UGANDA

VANUATU

WESTERN SAMOA

ZAIRE

ZAMBIA

ZIMBABWE

European Parliament

AELVOET

ALBER

ALDO

ANDRÉ-LÉONARD

ANDREWS

ANTONY

BALDARELLI

BALDI

BALDINI

BEREND

BERTENS

BONTEMPI

CACCAVALE

CARNERO GONZÁLEZ

CASINI, Carlo

CASTAGNÈDE

CHANTERIE

CORRIE

CUNHA

CUNNINGHAM

DURY

ESCUDERO

FASSA

FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍN

GARCÍA ARIAS

GHILARDOTTI

GILLIS

GIRÃO PEREIRA

GLASE

GROENER

HUME

JUNKER

KINNOCK

KOKKOLA

KUHN

LANNOYE

MACARTNEY

McGOWAN

MAIJ-WEGGEN

MIRANDA

MORRIS

MOUSKOURI

MUSUMECI

NEYTS-UYTTEBROECK

NORDMANN

PASSIO

PERY

PETTINARI

Lord PLUMB

PONS GRAU

van PUTTEN

RACK

RASCHHOFER

ROBLES PIQUER

ROCARD

SANDBÆK

SAUQUILLO PEREZ DEL ARCO

SCHIEDERMEIER

SCHMIDBAUER

SCHWAIGER

SOUCHET

STASI

TELKÄMPER

THOMAS

TORRES COUTO

VANHECKE

VECCHI

VERWAERDE

VIOLA

WURTZ

ANNEX II

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE

>TABLE>

Observers:

South Africa:

DAVIES, GRAAFF

Apologies:

European Parliament:

RASCHHOFER

ACP States:

BAHAMAS, COMOROS, DOMINICA, GRENADA, KIRIBATI, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS, SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE, SIERRA LEONE, SOMALIA, TUVALU and VANUATU

Also present:

ANGOLA

GOURGEL

PASSY

MUACHICUNGO

PRIMO

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

ECHEK

ECUA MIKO

NZANG MIKUE

ANDEME

ETHIOPIA

LEMMA

ROBLEH

ZENA

BARBADOS

KING

BENIN

AGOSSOU

HINVI

BOTSWANA

GEORGE

MOAGI

BURKINA FASO

YODA

OUEDRAOGO

TRAORE

BURUNDI

BAZERUKE

KADEGE

NDUWIMANA

NDORICIMPA

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

BANNY

GBA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

QUIÑONES-RODRIGUEZ

BROS

VAN DER HORST

DJIBOUTI

HASSAN

FIJI

SINGH

GABON

EBIBI-MBA

ANGUILLE

ANGUILE

MENSSAN

GAMBIA

TOURAY

GHANA

ABANKWA

ABAIDOO

MAAMAH

GUINEA

KEITA

KOLINKE

NABY

OUSMANE TOLO

GUINEA-BISSAU

MENDES

GUYANA

MANN

HAITI

CASSEUS

AZOR-CHARLES

PIERRE

JAMAICA

SAUNDERS

BARNES

CAPE VERDE

ROCHA

CONGO

BILOMBO

BOBIBA

DOMBI

KOMBO-KINTOMBO

MBAMDAKA

LESOTHO

MOHASOANE

LECHESA

MAEMA

NZIMA-NTSEKHE

MADAGASCAR

BERIZIKY

MALAWI

GOMANI

NJOLWA

MAURETANIA

MAGAYA

GUELAYE

MOMA

BELLAL

SABARY

MOGUEYA

VALL

MAURITIUS

HOSSEN

GUNESSEE

SERVANSINGH

NIGER

DJERMAKOYE

ABDOU-SALEYE

BAZINDRE

NIGERIA

OKEKE

SHENI

KENYA

MUDHO

MWANZIA

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

TAMEI

RWANDA

FURUMA

MUVUNYI

MANZI BAKURAMUTSA

NDUNGUTSE

SOLOMON ISLANDS

BERAKI

ZAMBIA

CHABALA

MUSENGE

SENEGAL

GUEYE

NDIAYE KANE

NIANG

DIABAKHATE

SOW

SOURANG

DIAGNE

SEYCHELLES

MOREL

ZIMBABWE

MUKWEKWEZEKE

MUMBENGEGWI

WUTUNANASHE

MEYER

MATSVAYI

CHITEKA

MTHETHWA

SUDAN

AMBROSE

KHALIL

ELSAWI

HAMID

OSMAN

SURINAME

RAMKHELAWAN

SARDJOE

LEE-FANG

SPIER

SWAZILAND

DLAMINI

NYONI

DLAMINI, M. D.

TANZANIA

SLAA

KAIGANE

KARUME

TOGO

KOFFIGOH

LAWSON

TONGA

ALEAMOTUA

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

GORDON

CHAD

ZAKARIA

NODJIGOTO

BARMA

WAROU

UGANDA

MWAKA

CHEBROT

WNAM

MUGABI

NIAMBI

ZAIRE

TAMBUKA

NSUMPI

NAKAMU

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

MAITAR DJIM

MOLOUA

SOKAMBI

European Parliament:

BÉBÉAR (1)

CABEZÓN ALONSO (2)

CASTAGNETTI (1)

CHRISTODOULOU (1)

COT (4) (1)

DARRAS (4) (2)

DE LUCA (1)

HAPPART (4) (2)

HORY (3) (4)

KOUCHNER (1)

LARIVE (2)

LIESE (1)

LÜTTGE (3) (4) (1)

NEWENS (4)

ODDY (3)

POMES RUIZ (1)

REDING (1)

SCHNELLHARDT (1) (2)

SMITH (4) (1)

TOMLINSON (1)

WHITE (4) (1) (2)

ACP-EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

>TABLE>

ACP COMMITTEE OF AMBASSADORS

>TABLE>

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

>TABLE>

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE

BAEZA

STRAUSS

CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT (CID)

NIJBORG

GUILLAUME

MAJOS-ROSA

MAKA

TECHNICAL CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION (TCA)

BURGUET

SIKKENS

ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (OAU)

>TABLE>

ANNEX III

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED

Page

- on urban development in the ACP countries (ACP-EU/1625/A/fin.) ... 22

- on ACP fisheries and the eighth EDF (ACP-EU/1801/97/fin.) ... 26

- on the situation in the Great Lakes region (ACP-EU/2148/97/fin.) ... 28

- on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ACP-EU/2099/97/fin.) ... 30

- on the situation in Somalia (ACP-EU/2143/97/fin.) ... 31

- on Sudan (ACP-EU/2141/97/fin.) ... 34

- on Nigeria (ACP-EU/214697//fin.) ... 37

- on the situation in Angola (ACP-EU/2142/97) ... 39

- on the ongoing crisis in Bougainville (ACP-EU/2149/97/fin.) ... 41

- on South Africa (ACP-EU/2144/97/fin.) ... 42

- on Southern Africa (ACP-EU/2124/97/fin.) ... 44

- on the situation in Southern Africa (ACP-EU/2132/97/fin.) ... 45

- on beef exports to South Africa (ACP-EU/2091/97/fin.) ... 49

- on the impact of subsidized EU beef exports (ACP-EU/2135/97/fin.) ... 50

- on the social situation in Niger (ACP-EU/2138/97/fin.) ... 51

- on Western Sahara (ACP-EU/2080/97/fin.) ... 52

- on bananas (ACP-EU/2151/97/fin.) ... 53

- on rum (ACP-EU/2126/97/fin.) ... 55

- on sugar (ACP-EU/2131/97/fin.) ... 56

- on the action to be taken on the Third Conference of Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto, 1997) (ACP-EU/2064/97/fin.) ... 57

- on the integration of sustainable development in EU development cooperation with ACP countries (ACP-EU/2150/97) ... 58

- on Protocol 10 on sustainable management of forest resources of the Fourth ACP-EU Convention of Lomé as revised by the agreement signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995 (ACP-EU/2063/97/fin.) ... 59

- on hazardous waste (ACP-EU/2102/97/fin.) ... 61

- on the special session of the United Nations General Assembly in June 1997 to review AGENDA 21 (ACP-EU/2110/97/fin.) ... 62

- on orphan drugs (ACP-EU/2098/97/fin.) ... 63

- on fake medicines (ACP-EU/2140/97/fin.) ... 65

- on the international conference in Abidjan on transmissible sexual diseases and Aids in Africa (ACP-EU/2120/97/fin.) ... 67

- on the eradication of poliomyelitis in Africa (ACP-EU/2130/97/fin.) ... 68

- on conflict prevention in Africa (ACP-EU/2096/97/fin.) ... 69

- on anti-personnel mines (ACP-EU/2077/97/fin.) ... 71

- on ACP-EU trade relations (ACP-EU/2134/97/fin.) ... 72

- on the creation and budgetary funding of the Secretariat for the chambers of commerce of the ACP countries in the Canary Islands, Spain (ACP-EU/2082/97/fin.) ... 73

- on the implementation by the Commission of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly's resolution on infrastructure and ACP-EU cooperation (ACP-EU/2089/97/fin.) ... 75

- on the employment of children (ACP-EU/2097/97/fin.) ... 76

- on the abolition of the death penalty (ACP-EU/2145/97/fin.) ... 77

(1) Present on 17. 3. 1997.

(2) Present on 18. 3. 1997.

(3) Present on 19. 3. 1997.

(4) Present on 20. 3. 1997.