Council Common Position

of 19 June 2000

on Angola

(2000/391/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 15 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The Council has adopted Common Position 95/413/CFSP(1) defining the objectives and priorities of the European Union vis-a-vis Angola.

(2) In the light of the substantial political changes that have occurred in Angola since 1995, certain provisions of the said Common Position are obsolete and require updating.

(3) The Council has adopted Common Position 97/356/CFSP(2) concerning conflict prevention and resolution in Africa and Common Position 98/350/CFSP(3) concerning human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance in Africa.

(4) The Council has adopted Common Positions 97/759/CFSP(4) and 98/425/CFSP(5) with regard to Angola and aimed at inducing the "União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola" (UNITA) to fulfil its obligations in the peace process in view of the relevant decisions of the United Nations Security Council, in particular its Resolutions 864 (1993), 1127 (1997), 1130 (1997), 1173 (1998) and 1176 (1998).

(5) As stated in the declarations by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union of 22 July 1999 and 17 January 2000, the Union deeply deplores the resumption of civil war in Angola, for which the responsibility lies primarily with UNITA under the leadership of Dr Jonas Savimbi. The Union called for a political solution to bring lasting peace to the country and declared its readiness to consider how to assist the Government of Angola in facing the challenges of rebuilding and reconstructing the country within a democratic environment.

(6) The United Nations Security Council has adopted Resolution 1268 (1999) on the establishment of the United Nations Office in Angola (UNOA) and Resolution 1294 (2000) on the extension of UNOA's mandate until 15 October 2000.

(7) The United Nations Security Council has adopted Resolution 1295 (2000) on the implementation of the measures against UNITA contained in Resolutions 864 (1993), 1127 (1997) and 1173 (1998) on the basis of the conclusions and recommendations of the report of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to Resolution 1237 (1999).

(8) The Council adopted a resolution on demining assistance on 22 November 1996 recommending that, except for humanitarian relief, funds for mine clearance interventions should be allocated to beneficiary countries whose authorities cease further use of anti-personnel landmines and a Joint Action 97/817/CFSP(6) on anti-personnel landmines,

HAS ADOPTED THIS COMMON POSITION:

Article 1

The European Union will pursue the following objectives with regard to Angola:

(a) to support a political solution for the Angolan conflict on the basis of the Bicesse "Acordos de Paz", the Lusaka Protocol and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions;

(b) to support fully all the international efforts to tighten the UN Security Council measures imposed against UNITA, including through supporting the monitoring mechanism established by Resolution 1295 (2000), and offer assistance, in particular to African States and to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to implement them fully;

(c) to contribute to a policy of national reconciliation in Angola through the promotion of a culture of tolerance and dialogue among all those within UNITA and other political parties who are truly committed to peace and unequivocally demonstrate their will to abide by the rules enshrined in the Lusaka Protocol and democratic principles;

(d) to urge the Government of Angola to implement fully its international obligations by strengthening its democratic institutions, including by widening the participation of all sectors of civil society in the democratic development of the country and the holding of free and fair legislative and presidential elections, and by respecting human rights and freedom of the media, the rule of law and justice throughout the Angolan territory;

(e) to encourage the Government of Angola to promote peace-building initiatives, notably in favour of those groups particularly affected by the conflict, as well as rehabilitation, poverty alleviation and development policies, with a view to creating conditions for an effective and durable peace;

(f) to urge the Government of Angola to implement transparent management of public resources for the benefit of all her peoples and to support the pursuit of sound macroeconomic policies, which can ensure more accountability and better prospects for economic growth and sustainable development for the country;

(g) to continue to press on the Government of Angola, as a signatory of the Ottawa Convention, and in particular on UNITA, to cease mine-laying activities and to ensure that valid records exist so that these weapons can be removed;

(h) to encourage cooperation and understanding among the countries in the region for the security and economic development there.

Article 2

In order to further the abovementioned objectives, the European Union is prepared:

(a) to support, in the framework of its Common Foreign and Security Policy, initiatives contributing to a political solution for the Angolan conflict in accordance with the legal instruments indicated in Article 1(a) and in consultation with the UN Secretary-General, the Troika of Observer Countries, UN Member States and regional and subregional African Organisations;

(b) to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1295 (2000) and to support international efforts aimed at rendering the existing measures against UNITA under relevant UN Security Council Resolutions more effective;

(c) to assist efforts by the Government of Angola to strengthen democratic institutions and practices, specifically by encouraging it in its intention to hold free and fair legislative and presidential elections and to ensure respect for human rights, freedom of the media, independent civil society and the rule of law;

(d) to assist efforts by the Government of Angola to improve the economic and financial situation and to fight against corruption and poverty in coordination with the international community;

(e) to encourage the Government of Angola to meet the economic targets set out by the Staff Monitoring Agreement between Angola and the IMF, which constitutes an essential step in the process of reform of the Angolan economy;

(f) to assist the Government of Angola in the rebuilding and reconstruction of the country, paying due regard to the rules of transparency and accountability and within a democratic environment;

(g) to continue its participation in the efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Angolan population affected by the war, in particular refugees and internally displaced persons, taking into account the need to secure safe and unrestricted access to them by the relief agencies in accordance with internationally accepted humanitarian principles;

(h) to contribute to the efforts made towards the social reintegration of demobilised soldiers as a key element in the stabilisation and pacification of the country;

(i) to participate in mine action operations, in accordance with the Council resolution of 22 November 1996, in response to humanitarian needs as they arise;

(j) to assist the United Nations Office in Angola in the discharge of the mandate entrusted to it by UN Security Council Resolution 1268 (1999).

Article 3

The Council notes that the Commission intends to direct its action towards achieving the objectives and the priorities of this Common Position, where appropriate, by pertinent Community measures.

Article 4

This Common Position shall be reviewed every 12 months after its adoption.

Article 5

Common Position 95/413/CFSP is hereby repealed.

Article 6

This Common Position shall take effect on the day of its adoption.

Article 7

This Common Position shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Santa Maria da Feira, 19 June 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. Gama

(1) OJ L 245, 12.10.1995, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 153, 11.6.1997, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 158, 2.6.1998, p. 1.

(4) OJ L 309, 12.11.1997, p. 8.

(5) OJ L 190, 4.7.1998, p. 1.

(6) OJ L 338, 9.12.1997, p. 1.