30. 9. 74 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 116/1 
II 
(Preparatory  Acts) 
ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
Opinion  on the 'Questions  connected  with  the negotiations  between  the Community 
and the African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific  States' 
The Opinion  of the Committee  is not based  on any text. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
At its 113th  plenary  session  held  on 26 and  27 September  1973  the Committee,  acting 
on a proposal  from  the Bureau,  decided  to deliver  an Opinion  on the abovementioned 
subject  on its own  initiative. 
B. OPINION  OF  THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  prepared  its Opinion  on the above  matter  at its 
121st  plenary  session,  held  in Brussels  on 26 and 27 June  1974. 
The full  text  of the Opinion  is as follows: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE: 
Having  regard  to Article  20 of its Rules  of Procedure; 
Having  regard  to its Decision  on 26 September  1973, 
following  a proposal  from  the Bureau,  to deliver  on 
its own  initiative  an opinion  on the questions  arising 
in connection  with  the  negotiations  between  the 
Community  and  the African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific 
States; 
Having  regard  to the Decision  taken  by its Bureau  on 
25 October  1973,  instructing  the Section  for External 
Relations  to prepare  a report  and  an opinion  on the 
matter; 
Having  regard  to the  Opinion  delivered  by the 
Section  for External  Relations  at its meeting  on 11 
June  1974; Having  regard  to discussions  at its 121st  plenary 
session  on 26 and 27 June  1974,  sitting  of 26 June  1974, 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
unanimously: 
1. GENERAL  COMMENTS 
1.1. The  Economic  and  Social  Committee  notes 
that relations  between  industrialized  and  developing 
countries  are now  considerably  different  from  those 
prevailing  at the  time  of the  negotiations  which 
yielded  the first  and second  Yaounde  Conventions. 
Having  regard  to the report  submitted  by Mr Bodart, 
rapporteur; 1.2. This  change,  and  the  resultant  redistribution 
of power,  is bound  to strengthen  the  Community's 
No C 116/2 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 30. 9. 74 
resolve  to reassess  both  the  foundations  of the 
Association  and  the  whole  pattern  of its relations 
with  developing  countries. 
1.3. The  Community  must  not  merely  extend  the 
geographical  scope  of its  cooperation  policy  by 
granting  associated  status  to further  countries  or 
through  generalized  preferences.  It must  make  a 
fundamental  reappraisal  of this  policy  and  its key 
principles. 
1.4. In  particular,  the  Committee  considers  that 
the quantitative  changes  made  to the  association 
model  must  be coupled  with  qualitative  changes  —• 
that is to say cooperation  should  be based  on genuine 
complementarity  of interests  and  benefits  and  on a 
real equality  of rights  and  obligations.  In particular 
this means  that  consultation  procedures  between  the 
Community  and  its partners  should  be improved, 
both  as regards  association  matters  proper  and  as 
regards  matters  connected  with  international 
monetary,  economic  and  commercial  relations.  By 
acting  in this  way  and  defining  a new  strategy  for 
relations  between  the  industrialized  and  the 
developing  countries,  the Community  will  pave  the 
way for a new  type  of international  relations. 
1.5. As  regards  the  negotiations  proper,  the 
Committee  notes  that  recent  world  developments 
(oil crisis  and  rise  in commodity  prices)  have 
strengthened  the  negotiating  position  of the  ACP 
(countries  in Africa,  the Caribbean  and  the  Indian 
and Pacific  Oceans).  This  helps  to give  the present 
discussions  a novel  character,  different  from  that  of 
those  which  yielded  the  first  and  second  Yaounde 
Conventions. 
1.6. However,  while  it is true  that  the  overall 
negotiating  position  of the ACP  has become  stronger, 
inter  alia  because  they  are more  numerous  and  speak 
with  one  voice,  several  of these  countries  are 
experiencing  an  increasing  deterioration  in their 
economic  and  material  situation.  Thus,  in addition  to 
considerations  regarding  the  evolution  of  the 
respective  negotiating  positions,  a new  dimension  and 
content  should  be given  to the  commitments  and 
increased  responsibilities  which  the  EEC  is duty 
bound  to assume  vis-a-vis  these  countries. 
1.7. The  Committee  points  out  that  if the 
Community  is to adapt  itself  to this  new  situation,  its 
policies  and  cohesion  must  be commensurate  with 
the problems  confronting  it and  enable  it to carry  out 
successfully  the  steps  and  policies  which  it has 
declared  it wishes  to take  and  pursue. 1.8. The  Community  should  also  ensure  that  the 
commitments  which  it makes  at  the  present 
negotiations  are both  consistent  and  compatible  with 
the policies  which  it intends  to pursue  in other  fields 
(agricultural  policy,  social  policy,  regional  policy, 
generalized  preferences,  Mediterranean  policy,  food 
aid, association  and  preferential  agreements). 
1.9. In  this  connection  the Committee  points  to the 
statement  in the  Opinion  of the  Committee  on the 
Commission  memorandum  for  a Community 
development  cooperation  policy  that  'the 
development  aid policy  will  have  to take  account  at 
all times  of two  key  factors;  (1)  the  mutual 
compatibility  of the objectives  pursued  by the various 
parties  and  (2) the  consistency  of common  policies 
with  one  another'. 
1.10.  The  Committee  strongly  urges  that  policy  of 
the Community  on the ACP  should  be integrated  in a 
coherent  manner  into  the other  Community  policies, 
so that  the broad  policy-making  decisions  taken  with 
regard  to  development  aid  are  noK  rendered 
inoperative  because  they  conflict  with  policies 
followed  in other  fields  of Community  activity. 
1.11.  In  the past,  the Committee  has  declared,  as 
regards  points  where  development  cooperation  policy 
overlaps  with  other  Community  policies,  that  the 
most  harmonious  — if not  the  easiest  :— solution 
would  be to incorporate  aid to developing  countries 
in the  medium-term  economic  policy  programme, 
and take  account  of it in all Community  policies. 
Today,  as regards  future  relations  with  the ACP,  the 
Committee  believes  that  the Community  must  define 
its own  development  model  in the  light  of present 
and future  changes  in the  pace  and  nature  of its 
partners'  development  and  the  growth  of their 
competitive  capacity,  since  in order  to encourage  the 
growth  of those  countries  it is just  as necessary  to 
develop  the  exporting  sector  of their  economy  as 
economic  activities  catering  for the local  market  and 
geared  to the satisfaction  of their  own  needs. 
1.12.  This  approach  to development  problems, 
which  entails  reorganization  of  the  economic 
structures  of the  Community,  must  be the keystone 
of the  economic  cooperation  to be  established 
between  the  Community  and  its  partners.  The 
formulation,  application  and  success  of such  a policy 
would  certainly  be made  easier  by arranging  — in 
appropriate  bodies  —  a dialogue  and  contacts 
between  representatives  of economic  and  social 
interests  in the Community  and  in partner  countries. 
This  would  aid,  inter  alia  through  mutual  exchange 
30. 9. 74 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 116/3 
of information,  the adjustments  which  will  have  to be 
made  progressively  on each  side. 
1.13.  The  Committee  also  considers  that  a 
systematic  scale  of priorities  should  be established  for 
the objectives  which  the Community  and  its partners 
agree  to  pursue  under  the  future  association 
agreement. 
1.14.  Finally,  the Committee  would  emphasize  that 
the present  Opinion  is only  concerned  with  the 
current  stage  of the negotiations,  and  that  it hopes  to 
be able  to continue  its work  at a later  date. 
2. TRADE 
2.1. Access  to  the  Community  of  products 
originating  in the  Associated  and  Associable 
States 
2.1.1.  The  Committee  has already  stated  — and  it 
would  reaffirm  this  view  — that  access  to the 
Community  market  of products  originating  in the 
Associated  States  does  not depend  solely  on measures 
to be taken  with  regard  to tariffs  and quotas,  but also 
on improving  the partners'  marketing  apparatus  and 
commercial  networks  in the Community. 
2.1.2.  As  regards  this  aspect,  the Committee  is in 
favour  of establishing  and  developing  relations 
between  business  circles  in the Community  and  in the 
partner  countries  (for  instance  importers  in the 
Community  and  exporters  in the Associated  States)  in 
order,  among  other  things,  to promote  a better 
circulation  of commercial  information. 
2.1.3.  At  the  general  level,  the  Committee 
understands  the desire  of the  Community's  partners 
to increase  the  volume  of their  exports  to the 
Community  and  obtain  sufficiently  remunerative 
prices  for them. 
2.1.4.  The  Committee  therefore  considers  that  the 
general  rule  must  be free  access  foj these  countries' 
products  to the  Community  market;  well-balanced 
solutions  should  however  be found  for the problems 
listed  below. 
2.2. Rules  of origin 
2.2.1.  The  current  system  is based  on the  rule  of 
change  in tariff  heading,  that  is to say  if a manufactured  product  is classified  in the  customs 
nomenclature  under  a heading  other  than  that  for the 
materials  which  it contains,  it is treated  as an 
'originating  product'  on  the  grounds  that  it has 
undergone  substantial  processing  or is considered  to 
have  done  so. 
2.2.2.  After  examining  the various  aspects  of this 
question,  the Committee  has  come  to the conclusion 
that the present  rule,  namely  change  in tariff  heading, 
should  continue  to be the basic  principle. 
2.2.3.  However,  the Committee  has also  noted  that 
in certain  cases  it may  be essential  to relax  the basic 
rules  in the way  requested  by the partner  countries, 
in order  to satisfy  their  essential  requirements. 
2.2.4.  The  Committee  has  noted  with  interest  the 
statements  by the representatives  of the Commission 
that the  retention  of the  present  'change  in tariff 
heading'  rule  does  not  preclude  the  rules  being 
relaxed  in any  cases  where  the partners'  interests  are 
gravely  jeopardized  by existing  provisions,  or where 
more  liberal  rules  of cumulative  origin  are needed  to 
further  regional  cooperation  between  the Community 
and its partners. 
2.2.5.  In  particular,  exemptions  should,  as an 
exception,  be authorized  in specific  cases,  and  during 
a limited  period,  for products  with  a low  added  value 
— which  can  constitute  the  first  step  in 
industrialization. 
2.2.6.  Such  a possibility  is necessary  because  when 
a developing  country  embarks  on industrialization  it 
generally  begins  by making  products  with  a low 
added  value  (e.g.  assembling  industries,  textile 
products).  Industrialization  would  be hampered  if such 
products  could  not  qualify  'ACP  origin'  treatment. 
They  would  then  come  under  the  ordinary  tax 
system,  and  the fact  that  they  have  a low  added  value 
would  increase  the impact  of the customs  duty. 
2.2.7.  If  these  countries  are to be helped  to resolve 
their  industrialization  problems,  they  must,  initially, 
be allowed  to export  low-added-value  products 
under  favourable  conditions.  Otherwise  the 
industrialization  which  it is planned  to encourage 
may be stillborn. 
No C 116/4 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 30. 9. 74 
2.2.8.  Safeguard  clauses  should  ensure  that 
objectives  are attained  or, if they  are  not,  that  the 
appropriate  steps  can  be taken.  In particular,  such 
clauses  should  limit  the duration  of exemptions  from 
the general  rules  of origin,  in order  to stimulate  the 
manufacture  of goods  with  a progressively  higher 
added  value  and  consequently  industrial  development 
in general. 2.3.3.  The  Committee  states  its interest  in the 
introduction  of  a consultation  and  dialogue 
procedure  enabling  the Community's  partners  to be 
informed  about  that  state  of Community  work  on the 
harmonization  of laws.  This  should  enable  a clear 
identification  to be made  of the  non-tariff-barrier 
areas  in which  the  Community  can  negotiate  and 
subsequently  give  undertakings. 
2.2.9.  The  Committee  therefore  considers  that  the 
rule of change  in tariff  heading  should  be kept  as the 
basic  principle  and  considers  that  the various  types  of 
difficulties  mentioned  above  could  be met  by making 
it possible  to waive  and  ease  the current  rules.  This 
would  safeguard  and  further  the  economic 
development  potential  of  the  Associated  and 
Associable  States,  notably  by allowing  them  to export 
products  with  a low  added  value  under  favourable 
conditions,  and  would  offer  sufficient  protection 
against  the threat  posed  to both  the Community  and 
the partner  countries  by the existence  in the latter  of 
'flag  of convenience  industries',  that  is to say, 
enterprises  financed  by capital  from  industrialized 
countries  and  set  up  solely  to perform  limited 
operations  in order  to gain  maximum  benefit  from 
preferences. 
2.3. Non-tariff  barriers 
2.3.1.  In  this  connection,  the  Committee  is in 
favour  of abolishing  the  consumer  taxes  which  are 
still levied  on tropical  products  in several  countries  of 
the Community.  Even  if consumption  is inelastic, 
such  taxes  can  encourage  the  establishment  of 
subsitute  industries  which  limit  the  possibilities  of 
gaining  access  to the  Community's  markets.  The 
Committee  considers  that  irrespective  of the  stage 
reached  in  fiscal  harmonization  within  the 
Community,  steps  should  be taken  to abolish  such 
taxes  which  are incompatible  with  the  efforts  made 
by the Community  to favour  the access  to its market 
of products  originating  in its partners. 
2.3.2.  The  Committee  regrets  that  plant  health 
rules  still  differ  widely  from  one  Member  State  to 
another,  and  emphasizes  that  the partner  countries  of 
the Community  are faced  with  a problem  regarding 
the availability  and  utilization  of the  technical 
resources  which  are  vital  in this  field.  This  matter 
should  be taken  into  consideration  in the context  of 
financial  and  technical  cooperation. 2.4. Agricultural  products 
2.4.1.  At  the  general  level,  the  Committee  has 
noted  the  frequent  difficulties  of reconciling  on the 
one hand  the present  machinery  and  principles  of the 
common  agricultural  policy  and,  on the  other,  the 
requests  made  by the ACP  regarding  the system  to be 
laid down  for  agricultural  products  from  the 
Associated  States  which  are  similar  to and  in 
competition  with  European  agricultural  products. 
2.4.2.  The  Committee  has  noted  the  position  of 
the Community's  partners,  which  consider  that 
agricultural  products  must  be treated  in the same  way 
as other  products.  The  negotiating  brief  given  to the 
Commission  specifies  that  the rules  to be applied  to 
agricultural  products  which  are  similar  to and  in 
competition  with  those  covered  by the  .common 
agricultural  policy  must,  in general,  be less  stringent 
than those  for  agricultural  products  from  third 
countries.  These  rules  will  be determined  on  a 
product-by-product  basis  during  the  negotiations, 
proper  care  being  taken  to ensure  that  the principles 
and machinery  of the common  agricultural  policy  are 
safeguarded. 
2.4.3.  The  Committtee  has come  to the conclusion 
that if — for  reasons  of policy  or development 
cooperation  — trade  or other  measures  to aid  the 
Community's  non-industrialized  partners  have  to be 
envisaged  then  steps  should  be  taken  by  the 
Community  to implement  a policy  of compensation 
or reconversion  for the benefit  of any  sectors  in the 
EEC  which  are hit by such  measures. 
2.4.4.  In  this  context,  the  Committee  points  out 
that ACP  agricultural  products  must  be given  priority 
over those  from  third  countries  and  especially  from 
those  third  countries  which  are highly  industrialized. 
30.9.74 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 116/5 
2.4.5.  In  this  connection,  the  Committee  has 
recognized  the need  for a special  drive  within  the 
Community  to make  it easier  for certain  agricultural 
products  from  the  partners  to gain  access  to 
Community  markets.  However,  this  should  be done 
according  to procedures  — e.g.,  establishment  of a 
timetable  based  on production  periods,  safeguard 
clauses  etc. — which  protect  the essential  interests  of 
Community  farmers  and  of certain  regions  in the 
Community. 
2.4.6.  Special  attention  will  also  have  to be paid  to 
certain  horticultural  products  and  vegetables  and 
certain  varieties  of tobacco  which  are  in direct 
competition  with  their  Community-grown  counter-
parts  and  which  are  tending  to be grown  on an 
increasingly  large  scale  in inter-tropical  Africa. 
2.4.7.  The  Committee  asks  that  in order  to avoid  a 
recurrence  of the difficulties  which  were  encountered 
recently  in connection  with  agricultural  imports  from 
the Associated  States,  and which  were  so serious  that 
a mediator  had  to be appointed,  the  consultation 
procedure  between  the Community  and  its partners 
should  include  a permanent  mutual  exchange  of 
information  on the state  of the market  and  ensure 
that the  latter  are  no longer  faced  with  Council 
Decisions  which  they  cannot  change  and  with  whose 
preparation  they  have  been  insufficiently  associated. 
2.4.8.  Nor,  in the Committee's  view,  should  it be 
forgotten  that  in the  agricultural  sphere  solutions 
must  above  all be found  at world  level. 
2.4.9.  In  its Opinion  bn the Memorandum  of the 
Commission  to the Council  on the 'Development  of 
an overall  approach  to trade  in view  of the coming 
multilateral  negotiations  in GATT",  the Committee 
said: 
'It is desirable  that  international  arrangements 
should  be sought  within  the framework  of a good 
conduct  agreement,  concluded  on the  basis  of 
mutual  and  balanced  advantages,  so as to allow 
an expansion  of trade  in. agricultural  products 
between  the developed  and  developing  countries, 
bearing  in mind  the  legitimate  interests  of 
producers  and  consumers  in all the regions  of the 
Community'. 
2.4.10.  It  was  stated  in the  Opinion  on  the 
agricultural  aspects  of the multilateral  negotiations  in 
GATT  that: 'The objective  is the  expansion  of trade  in 
relatively  stable  world  markets  in accordance 
with the  basic  principles  and  machinery  of 
existing  agricultural  policies.  The  Committee 
stresses  the need  to arrive  at an internationally 
agreed  definition  of production  guidelines  and 
objectives  so as to ensure  a supply,  at fair  prices, 
which  is adapted  to  ever-increasing  world 
demand'. 
2.4.11.  The  solution  adopted  for  the  concrete 
problems  arising  in the  agricultural  sphere  — 
whether  arising  under  the  association  policy,  the 
Mediterranean  policy,  the food  aid policy  or other 
policies  — must  therefore  be based  on a logical  and 
overall  consideration  of all available  regional  and 
international  data. 
2.4.12.  In  this search  for global  solutions,  it will  be 
necessary  to make  choices  and establish  priorities  — 
from  which  the  appropriate  conclusions  must  be 
drawn  —  in order  to ensure  consistency  and 
continuity  of Community  measures  in the  various 
fields  which  they  cover;  this  will  apply  in particular 
to the advantages  to be granted  to the countries  and 
groups  of countries  with  which  the Community  is 
negotiating  or proposes  to negotiate. 
2.5. The  effects  on the economies  of the Associated 
and Associable  States  of the  reducing  of the 
Common  Customs  Tariff  and  the application  of 
the system  of generalized  preferences 
2.5.1.  The  Committee  shares  the  Commission's 
view  on this  matter  and  agrees  that  there  should  be 
machinery  to offset  the loss  of advantage  which 
would  result  for  the  Community's  partners  from 
erosion  of the  Common  Customs  Tariff  and 
application  of the system  of generalized  preferences. 
2.5.2.  The  Committee  agrees  that  machinery 
should  be set up to stabilize  export  earnings,  but 
considers  that  account  should  be taken  of the 
following  comments  on  the  way  in which  the 
Commission  considers  this  machinery  should  operate 
in practice. 
2.5.3.  In  view  of the dangers  which  in certain  cases 
could  arise  from  an automatic  application  of the 
proposed  machinery  for stabilizing  export  earnings, 
the Committee  considers  that  automatic  triggering  of 
the intervention  procedure  must  be subject  to: 
No C 116/6 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 30. 9. 74 
— allowance  being  made  — to an  extent  and 
according  to procedures  to be determined  over  all 
export  earnings  per country  so as to preclude  the 
granting  of unjustified  aid by the EEC; 
— provisions  enabling  an assessment  to be made  of 
the reasons  for falls  in prices  or production,  and 
enabling  appropriate  measures  to be taken  in 
cases  of voluntary  cutbacks  in production. 
2.5.4.  The  Committee  also  declares  its interest  in 
the conclusion  of supply  contracts,  for the products 
in question,  committing  the EEC  and  the Associated 
States  for  minimum  periods  of five  years.  These 
contracts  should  specify  the quotas  allocated  to each 
of the  Associated  States  and  the  purchase 
commitments  of the  nine  Member  States  of the 
European  Community. 
2.5.5.  The  Committee  also  asks  whether  it is 
possible  to envisage  a mechanism  which  would  not 
only stabilize  export  earnings  but  also  make  it pos-
sible  to stabilize  and,  better  still,  increase  primary 
producers'  real  revenue  by taking  into  consideration 
the ratios  between  costs  and  selling.  prices,  while 
fostering  adaptation  of  production  to  market 
requirements. 
2.5.6.  The  Committee  also  considers  that 
particular  attention  must  be  given  to  the 
compatibility  of the  machinery  proposed  by  the 
Commission  with  world  agreements,  where  these 
exist  for the same  products,  and  that  such  machinery 
must  not  hamper  the  conclusion  of new  world 
agreements.  Moreover,  the measures  envisaged  by the 
Commission  should  be framed  in such  a way  that 
they can  be extended  later  as part  of cooperation  at 
world  level. 
2.5.7.  However,  the  Committee  recognizes  the 
merits  of a pragmatic  approach  and  of a cooperation 
policy  which  initially  concentrates  efforts  on  a 
smaller  geographical  area. 
2.5.8.  In  choosing  the  products  eligible  for 
application  of the  machinery  envisaged,  account 
should  be taken  of the need  to ensure:  firstly,  that  the 
Community's  partners  —  whose  production 
structures  differ  considerably  — acquire  equivalent 
adventages;  secondly,  that  their  industrialization  and 
the diversification  of their  economic  activity  is not 
held back. 
2.5.9.  The  Committee  also  wishes  to point  out that 
it is possible  to consider  other  machinery  for 
achieving  the objectives  of the Commission. 2.5.10.  For  instance,  this  could  take  the  form  of 
agreements  entailing: 
(a) establishment  of a price  bracket  which  takes  into 
account  not  only  average  world  prices  but  also 
the real  conditions  of production; 
(b) an organization  of stocks  for all the products  for 
which  this  is possible; 
(c) the  creation  of a diversification  fund  which 
would  help  any  necessary  conversion. 
2.6. Safeguard  clauses 
2.6.1.  The  Committee  considers  that  it is in the 
interest  of the Community  and  its partners  to retain 
safeguard  clauses  similar  to those  in Chapter  III of 
Section  I of the Second  Yaounde  Convention. 
2.7. Access  to the Associated  and  Associable  States  of 
products  originating  in the Community 
2.7.1.  The  Committee  has taken  note  of the recent 
declaration  in which  the  Community's  partners 
reiterate  their  position  on  non-reciprocity.  This 
declaration  is as follows: 
'Given  the  present  stage  of development  of our 
economies  and  our  desire  to accelerate  the rate  of 
growth  with  a view  to narrowing  the existing  and 
ever-widening  gap  between  the  developed  and 
developing  countries,  the  ACP  countries  have 
again  discussed  at great  length  the  question  of 
non-reciprocity  and  are satisfied  with  the position 
they took  on  this  matter  that  'the  tariff 
concessions  the  Community  would  offer  would 
demand  no reciprocity  on our part. 
Notwithstanding,  it is important  to mention  that 
while  we do not  want  reciprocity  in our  future 
trade  relations,  we  are  not  contemplating  to 
discriminate  amongst  the  Member  States  of the 
EEC,  but  the  ACP  countries  maintain  that  our 
future  relations  with  the EEC  should  incorporate 
a provision  which  would  allow  us to have  special 
trade  relationships  with  Third  Countries'. 
2.7.2.  This  aspect  of the  negotiations  has  not  yet 
been  discussed  in depth,  and  the Committee  reserves 
the right  to return  to this  matter  later. 
30.9.74 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 116/7 
2.7.3.  The  Committee  wishes  to emphasize  here  as 
it does  in the  section  on financial  and  technical 
cooperation,  that  it wants  regional  cooperation  links 
to be established  between  the Associated  States,  as in 
many  cases  such  links  constitute  an important  factor 
in the  development  of these  States.  Moreover,  the 
Committee  agrees  that  there  should  be 
non-reciprocity  on the  condition  that  the  benefit  of 
the most-favoured-nation  clause  is granted  to the 
Community.  The  Committee,  however,  points  out 
that some  ACP  States  consider  that  reciprocal 
advantages  enable  them  to protect  the  preferences 
given  by  the  EEC  against  the  accusation  of 
discrimination. Moreover,  the  establishment  of a system  of 
invitations  for  tenders  and  management  of 
contracts  which  effectively  ensures  equal 
treatment  for industrialists  in all countries  likely 
to tender  has proved  to be a very  delicate  matter. 
And in all cases  it complicates  procedures  to such 
an extent  as  to  eliminate  a considerable 
proportion  of the  special  advantages  of bilateral 
loans,  especially  as regards  the  swiftness  and 
flexibility  of this  machinery.  It is therefore 
advisable  to  proceed  very  cautiously  and 
gradually  in this  matter,  and  not  to make 
commitments  which  cannot  be reserved  if untying 
does  not  have  the  results  anticipated  by  the 
parties  involved'. 
3.2. Size  of the future  EDF 3. FINANCIAL  AND  TECHNICAL  COOPERATION 
3.1. General 
3.1.1.  The  Committee  approves  the  general 
objectives  assigned  to  financial  and  technical 
cooperation,  namely,  promoting  the  economic  and 
social  development  and  the  economic  independence 
of the partner  countries. 
3.1.2.  As  regards  the  possibility  of a progressive 
untying  of financial  cooperation  the  Committee 
recalls  that  in its Opinion  on the 'Memorandum  from 
the Commission  on  a Community  development 
cooperation  policy';,  it said: 3.2.1.  The  Committee  is of the same  opinion  as the 
Commission  which  wishes  to adhere  to the  two 
principles  listed  in Protocol  No  22 to the  Act  of 
Accession.  These  are,  on  the  one  hand,  the 
continuation  of the advantages  granted  to the present 
Associated  States,  and,  on the other,  the adoption  of 
similar  treatment  in comparable  situations,  in other 
words  the treatment  of future  Associated  States  on an 
equal  footing. 
3.2.2.  The  Committee  considers  that  one  way  of 
increasing  the volume  of aid would  be to use part  of 
the EDF  funds  to help  cover  the  interest  on loans 
obtained  directly  by the ACP,  thereby  affording  them 
access  to the  international  capital  market  under 
financially  tolerable  conditions. 
'The  Committee  supports  the  view  of the 
Commission  that  public  loans  should  be 
progressively  untied  — in anticipation  of the 
untying  of all aid  — while  pointing  out  that 
buyers  can  obtain  better  prices  if they  take 
advantage  of  international  competition.  It 
therefore  suggests,  like  the Commission,  that  the 
Member  States  of  the  Community  should 
progressively  untie  bilateral  loans  — which  they 
are granting  to the  developing  countries  on a 
wider  scale  — with  respect  to each  other  and  in 
favour  of the  beneficiary  countries.  Experience 
however  has  shown  that  when  an industrialized 
country  experiences  budgetary  and  balance  of 
payments  difficulties,  the  pressure  of public 
opinion  and  parliament  is strongly  directed  in the 
first place  to public  credits  which  are  liable  to 
aggravate  the financial  difficulties  of that  country 
and which  also  favour  better-placed  foreign 
competitors. 3.2.3.  The  advantage  of this  is that  Community  aid 
would  have  a multiplying  effect  and  its value  would 
be enhanced. 
3.2.4.  While  being  aware  that  objectives  may  be 
raised  to such  a proposal  — particularly  about  the 
origin  of the  capital  borrowed,  the  nature  of the 
credit  institutions  to which  resort  would  be had  and 
the use  of the capital  — the Committee  nevertheless 
considers  that  a solution  should  be found  along  the 
lines  suggested  above. 
3.2.5.  As  regards  countries  experiencing  difficulties 
because  they  are heavily  in debt,  the loans  made  by 
the EIB  and  special  loans  decided  by the Commission 
must  constitute  the  smallest  possible  percentage  of 
the Fund,  while  subsidies  and  grants  must  constitute 
the largest  possible  proportion. 
No C 116/8 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 30.9.  74 
3.2.6.  Moreover,  in view  of experiences  in recent 
years  it is necessary  to preserve  and strengthen,  either 
ouside  the framework  of the EDF  or under  a special 
chapter,  a fund  that  can  be brought  into  play  very 
rapidly  in the event  of a disaster.  It has been  found 
that the mobilization  of resources,  the purchase  of 
goods  and  their  transport  takes  a fairly  long  time, 
during  which  people  may  starve  to  death. 
Consideration  should  be given  to a measure  of this 
kind,  in view  of the duration  of the consequences  of 
drought  (10 years). 
3.2.7.  In  order  to meet  the wishes  of some  people, 
it should  be declared  that  the  disaster  fund  in 
question  will  work  hand-in-hand  with  the  fund 
which  should  be set up at world  level,  and  that  it 
may possibly  merge  with  that  world  fund.  Another 
factor  which  must  be taken  into  account  in operating 
the disaster  fund  is the need  to coordinate  it with  aid 
from  other  countries  and groups  of countries. 
3.3. The  planning  of aid 
3.3.1.  The  Committee  believes  that  the planning  of 
aid must  be sufficiently  flexible  to allow  gradual 
adaptation  in the  light  of changes  in respective 
situations. 
3.3.2.  Such  planning  is particulary  needed  in order 
to establish  a scale  of  priorities  for  the 
implementation  of the proposed  measures. 
3.3.3.  Measures  should  not only  be planned  from 
the timing  angle  but also  adjusted  quantitatively  and 
qualitatively  in the  light  of differences  in the 
situations  in the partner  countries,  which  — partly  as 
a result  of recent  developments  — are  growing 
considerably  more  marked. 
3.3.4.  The  Committee  agrees  that  aid  must  be 
planned  with  each  beneficiary  State  at the beginning 
of the period  covered  by the Convention,  so that  each 
partner  of the Community  may  have  as clear  an idea 
as possible  as to the aid which  it can except  during 
that period. 
3.3.5.  The  Committee  hopes,  however,  that 
sufficiently  precise  criteria  will  be established  for the 
utilization  of the  future  EDF.  In particular  these 
criteria  should  take  into  account  the special  needs  of 
the most  underprivileged  countries,  the importance  of 
action  to promote  literacy,  the extension  of relations 
between  economically  complementary  countries  and 
the development  of employment. 3.3.6.  As  regards  this  last  point,  which  is of 
particular  social  importance,  the Committee  considers 
that a distinction  should  be made  between  exporting 
firms,  whose  products  face  the competition  of world 
markets,  and firms  which  cater  mainly  or exclusively 
for the home  market  and  are  geared  to satisfying 
certain  specific  needs. 
3.3.7.  In  the case  of the latter,  it should  be possible 
to give  priority  where  necessary  to the creation  of 
jobs,  even  if in certain  cases  this  may  conflict  with 
economic  profitability  in the strict  sense  (e.g.,  using 
men rather  than  machines  for certain  public  works). 
3.3.8.  This  priority  action  to create  new  jobs 
should  take  the  form  of specific  agreements 
benefiting  firms  which  create  jobs.  Such  firms  should 
be chosen  in the light  of the relevant  situation  and 
local  needs,  and bearing  in mind  the specific  features 
of employment  problems  in the developing  countries. 
3.4. Participation  of the  Associated  States  in the 
management  and administration  of aid 
3.4.1.  The  Committee  is satisfied  with  the  new 
pattern  which  is emerging  with  regard  to this  matter, 
and calls  for a genuine  dialogue  in the Association 
Council  and Committee.  This  dialogue  must  deal  not 
only with  the definition  of the policy  and  broad  lines 
of financial  and technical  cooperation,  but also  with 
the outcome  of action  taken,  so that  an assessment 
can be made  of whether  aid objectives  are attained  in 
practice. 
3.4.2.  The  Committee  agrees  that  applications  for 
financial  aid should  be assessed  jointly,  on the basis 
of general  criteria  worked  out  with  the  partner 
countries. 
3.4.3.  The  Committee  has  noted  the  divergences 
between  the views  of the Community  and  its partners 
about  the question  of possibile  participation  by the 
latter  in decisions  on financing  and  about  the 
membership  of the EDF  Committee. 
3.4.4.  The  Committee  welcomes  the fact  that  ways 
are being  sought  to make  this  participation  possible. 
Such  participation  ought  not only  to meet  the wishes 
of the ACP  but  also  make  for greater  clarity  with 
respect  to cooperation. 
30. 9. 74 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 116/9 
3.4.5.  The  Committee  agrees  that  national  or 
regional  bodies  in the  beneficiary  States  should  be 
responsible  for  the  implementation  of schemes, 
especially  as regards  the negotiation  and  conclusion 
of public  works  and  supply  contracts  and  contracts 
for technical  assistance. 
3.4.6.  The  Committee  has  also  examined  the 
question  of transferring  the duties  of the  delegated 
agent,  i.e.,  the bank  which  makes  payments.  In this 
connection  the Committee  has noted  the explanations 
given  regarding  the  difficulty  of acceding  to the 
Associated  States'  request  to transfer  the duties  of the 
delegated  agent,  which  are  at present  performed  by 
European  public  or private  banks,  to their  own 
central  banks  or  to  other  national  financial 
institutions.  The  Committee  considers  that  at the 
present  time  such  a transfer  would  pose  serious 
technical  difficulties  • and would  have  financial 
implications  to the detriment  of the Community. 
3.4.7.  Moreover,  it is generally  recognized  that  the 
question  of training  is of prime  importance  within  the 
Association  framework,  certainly,  adequate  training 
conditions,  the intensification  of trade  relations  and 
the rational  use  of  financial  and  technical 
cooperation.  In other  words,  it is an  essential 
prerequisite  for development. 
3.4.§.  In  this  field,  as  in  all  others,  the 
Community's  partners  are  the  Associated  States 
represented  by their  governments.  However,  nobody 
can deny  the  important  role  and  activities  of the 
private  organizations  operating  in the  ACP  States. 
Among  these  are  trade  unions  and  employers' 
associations,  agricultural  organizations,  cooperatives, 
cultural  organizations  etc. 
3.4.9.  These  organizations  do not  always  work 
directly  with  the  governments  concerned  but  they 
make  a crucial  contribution  to the implementation  of 
national  development  plans  and  to the  economic, 
social  and  cultural  promotion  of the  Associated 
States.  It is vital  that,  while  respecting  the 
prerogatives  of the  governments  who  represent  the 
States  as  partners  of  the  Association,  these 
organizations  should  be able  to take  part  in the 
training  (including  in-service  training)  and  scholar-
ship programmes  within  the  framework  of the 
Association.  Their  direct  knowledge  of the problems 
which  concern  them  and  the  Fund  of experience 
which  they  have  acquired  would  be a very  great  asset 
to these  programmes,  to the  greater  good  of the 
Associated  States. 3.4.10.  What  is more,  the Association  can  serve  as 
a very  apt framework  for an exchange  of information 
and experiences  and  even  for collaboration  between 
the Associated  States,  the  Community  and  these 
organizations. 
3.4.11.  The  Committee  therefore  proposes  that  a 
Training  Committee  be set up at Association  Council 
level.  This  would  be responsible  for  instance  for 
organizing  in-service  training  courses  in the  most 
appropriate  places,  awarding  grants  and  welcoming 
grantees,  and  would  be made  up of representatives  of 
the Community  and  its  Member  States,  the 
Associated  ACP  States,  delegates  from  employers', 
workers',  industrial  and  agricultural  organizations 
and possibly  from  other  appropriate  bodies  in the 
ACP  States  and  the  Member  States  of  the 
Community. 
3.4.12.  Without  prejudice  to any  guidelines  which 
might  be laid  down  for the abovementioned  training 
by the Commission,  the Committee  would  point  out 
that pragmatism  and  flexibility  should  be shown  with 
regard  to the practical  organization  of action  in the 
field  of training,  and  in particular  in the choice  of the 
most  suitable  places  to implement  such  action. 
3.4.13.  The  Committee  considers  that  in this 
matter  there  is no ready-made  solution  and  that  each 
case must  be examined  on its merits,  -bearing  in mind 
in particular  the type  of training  provided,  the people 
for whom  it caters,  the objectives,  the material  and 
human  resources  to be  used  and  the  desirable 
spin-off. 
3.4.14.  Having  said  this,  the Committee  is of the 
opinion  that  wherever  possible,  and  taking  into 
account  the  factors  mentioned  above,  the  provision 
of training  in the  beneficiary  countries  should  be 
promoted. 
3.4.15.  Finally,  the  training  grants  and  in-service 
training  which  the EEC  gives  and  arranges  ought  to 
be shared  out  equitably  between  applicant  ACP 
States. 
3.5. Regional  cooperation  between  developing 
countries  and  aid to the least  developed  States 
3.5.1.  In  line  with  the remarks  made  previously  on 
the need  to draw  up a scale  of priorities  for  the 
objectives  of the  future  agreement,  the  Committee 
No C 116/10 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 30. 9. 74 
supports  the suggestion  made  by the Community  to 
set up specific  instruments  for regional  cooperation 
aids.  In this  field  special  attention  must  be given  to 
the regional  aspect  of schemes  and  to efforts  towards 
opening  up markets  and  extending  outlets. 
3.5.2.  One  of the  incentives  which  could  be 
envisaged  in this  sphere  might  be to earmark  part  of 
the EDF  for regional  cooperation. 
3.5.3.  The  Committee  considers  that  special  aid 
must  be given  to the  least  developed  States,  which 
tend to be the  land-locked  and  island  countries. 
Specific  measures  — such  as non-reimbursement  in 
the case  of guarantees  of resources,  compensation  for 
costs  incurred  in promoting  products,  interest-free 
loans  — must  be taken  to help  these  countries, 
particularly  as regards  the financial  conditions  of aids 
which  should  be geared  to the degree  of development 
of the recipient.  The  application  of priority  measures 
to stimulate  regional  growth  in these  countries 
should  also  be considered. 
3.5.4.  Care  should  also  be taken  to retain  the 
possibilities  of granting  aid independently  of certain 
projects  for  the  benefit  of the  least-developed 
countries,  and  of granting  aids  for the financing  of 
expenses  incurred  in maintaining  and  managing 
projects  undertaken. 
3.5.5.  Given  that  in the  provisions  which  were 
initially  in force  the initiative  for submitting  projects 
was left  to the  Associated  States  themselves,  it is 
desirable  to retain  and  develop  established  practice, 
whereby  the  European  Commission  may  itself  — 
though  of course  in collaboration  with  the  State 
concerned  — have  an examination  made  of the 
possibilities  of drawing  up plans  and  of furnishing, 
where  necessary,  the  technical  and  financial 
assistance  required  for  making  up the  dossiers  on 
these  plans. 
3.6. Economic  cooperation 
3.6.1.  The  considerable  changes  which  have  taken 
place  recently  in relations  between  the industrialized 
and the  developing  countries,  and  which  have  been 
mentioned  in the general  comments,  have  prompted 
the ACP  to point  out  that  in practice  the quality  of 
the aid granted  to them  by the  developed  countries 
has often  enhanced  rather  than  decreased  their 
dependence  on developed  countries  or regions. 3.6.2.  The  Community's  partners  ask  therefore 
that,  as part  of the  overall  review  of the  objectives 
and instruments  of  development  cooperation, 
consideration  should  be given  to the  possibility  of 
establishing  a  genuine  economic  cooperation 
designed  to promote  a real  partnership  between  the 
two sides. 
3.6.3.  The  purpose  of economic  cooperation  is to 
ensure  that  the  developing  countries  can  achieve 
economic  growth  and  independence,  and  that  the 
fruits  of economic  growth  can  be distributed  more 
fairly  in the  world,  in particular  by an orderly 
re-patterning  of the international  division  of labour. 
3.6.4.  One  of the  objectives  of this  economic 
cooperation  will  have  to be industrial  cooperation, 
this being  defined  as covering  all  measures  to 
promote  the industrial  development  of the Associated 
States. 
3.6.5.  In  practice  such  cooperation  entails  an 
evolution  of the international  division  of labour  and 
a progressive  promotion  of a certain  number  of 
industrial  activities  in the  developing  countries.  A 
number  of major  economic  and  social  issues  therefore 
arise. 
3.6.6.  At  all events,  this  cooperation  policy  must 
be framed  and  applied  in such  a way  that  it can  be 
dovetailed  smoothly  into  the Community's  action  in 
other  fields,  notably  the  agricultural  and  social 
spheres.  In addition,  when  the transfer  of industrial 
activities  proves  desirable,  this  must  be properly 
planned  and  must  be accompanied  by reconversion 
measures,  regional  policy  action,  etc.,  enabling  the 
level  and  quality  of employment  to be safeguarded. 
In this  connection,  very  special  attention  will  have  to 
be paid  to the activities  of the multinationals. 
3.6.7.  It  has been  pointed  out that  because  of their 
technical  and  commercial  capacities,  international 
scale  and  certain  other  features  these  companies  can, 
on certain  conditions  designed  to preclude  negative 
aspects,  make  a useful  contribution  to  the 
development  of the Associated  States. 
3.6.8.  In  fact  it is much  more  appropriate  for the 
Community  and  the Associated  States  as a group  — 
rather  than  individual  States  — to hold  a dialogue 
30. 9. 74 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 116/11 
with  such  companies,  notably  in a setting  where  the 
economic  and  social  groups  of the  Community  and 
its partners  are  represented,  and  see  that  the 
multinationals  operate  within  a framework  of real 
economic  cooperation  and  in line  with  objectives  laid 
down  jointly  with  the Community  and  its partners. 
3.6.9.  The  Committee  considers  that  if industrial 
transfers  are carried  out under  good  conditions,  they 
can — as witness  certain  recent  cases  particularly  in 
Germany  — make  for the maintenance  and  even  the 
development  of industrial  activity,  and  therefore 
employment,  in the Community. 
3.6.10.  It  seems  appropriate  to point  out that  in its 
Opinion  on the Memorandum  from  the Commission 
for a Community  Development  Cooperation  Policy, 
the Committee,  after  saying  that  the industrialization 
of the developing  countries  could  only  be achieved  in 
the long  term,  came  out in favour  of accelerating  this 
process  and  made  various  remarks,  the following  in 
particular: 
'The  Committee  supports  the  progressive 
establishment  in the  developing  countries  of 
certain  types  of industrial  activity  which  up to 
now have  been  carried  out  exclusively  in the 
advanced  nations.  A wider  distribution  of labour 
will certainly  be as much  in the interests  of the 
advanced  nations  as in those  of the  developing 
countries,  if not more  so. 
If the development  of industrial  activity  is left  to 
the free  play  of market  forces,  the  workers 
employed  in the  industries  transferred  may  be 
faced  with  very  grave  difficulties,  whatever 
general  advantages  the nation  may  gain.  For  this 
reason,  the Committee  believes  that  it is necessary 
to adopt  industrial  policies  which  make  provision 
for industrial  changes  long  before  they  occur. 
In view  of this,  it can  be pointed  out  that  the 
changes  which  would  result  from  greater  trade 
with  the  developing  countries,  although 
considerable  in certain  industries,  would  be 
minimal  in comparison  with  the  changes  caused 
by other  factors,  such  as  technological 
developments.  The  Committee  points  out  that  it 
is essential  to be able  to base  policy  on forecasts 
of technological  development'. 
3.6.11.  At  the practical  level,  and  if it embarks  on 
such  industrial  cooperation,  the  Community  will 
have  to avoid  any  tendency  to impose  or encourage 
the choice  of industrial  models  with  which  it is familiar.  Such  choices  should  be made  solely  by its 
partners. 
3.6.12.  Among  the  matters  which  could  be the 
subject  of cooperation  in the  industrial  field  the 
Committee  has  singled  out  private  investment, 
measures  to help  small  and  medium-sized  buisinesses, 
industrial  promotion,  studies  and  information,  the 
use of new  forms  of financing  (leasing-monitoring), 
and the transfer  and  adaptation  of technology. 
3.6.13.  Rules  on  conditions  offered  to private 
investors  and  on the  commitmens  into  which  they 
enter  should  be laid  down  jointly  by the EEC  and  its 
partners. 
3.6.14.  Without  wishing  to  prejudge  any 
procedures  and  accompanying  measures  which  may 
prove  necessary,  the  Committee  has  found  that,  if 
one wishes  to provide  an answer  in keeping  with  the 
industrialization  needs  of the  developing  countries, 
then industrial  cooperation  will  have  to be  an 
integral  part  of the  new  cooperation  model  which 
must  be established. 
3.6.15.  The  Committee  also  considers  that, 
regardless  of what  precautions  and  conservatory 
measures  have  to be taken,  industrial  cooperation 
will in the long  run  be in the interests  of both  the 
Community  and  its partners  and  will  be able  to make 
a decisive  contribution  to an ordered,  progressive  and 
balanced  repatterning  of the international  division  of 
labour. 
3.6.16.  The  need  to embark  on this  course  is all 
the more  pressing  because  some  partners,  who 
already  have  considerable  financial  resources  or will 
have  them  in  the  future,  feel  that  economic 
cooperation  is the main  aspect  capable  of justifying 
their  participation  in the future  agreement. 
3.6.17.  The  Committee  therefore  expresses  its 
interest  in the new  guidelines  and  agrees  that  there 
should  be close  economic  cooperation  between  the 
Community  and  the  Associated  States.  With  this  in 
mind  it points  out that  the overall  cooperation  model 
constituted  by the planned  association  agreement  is a 
particularly  suitable  vehicle  for the implementation  of 
this new  policy. 
4. RULES  ON  THE  RIGHT  OF ESTABLISHMENT,  THE 
PROVISION  OF  SERVICES,  EXTERNAL  PAYMENTS 
AND  MOVEMENTS  OF  CAPITAL 
4.1. The  Committee  has  taken  note  of statements 
that application  of the rules  contained  in the Second 
No C 116/12 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 30. 9. 74 
Yaounde  Convention  has  not  posed  any  major 
problems. 
4.2. The  Committee  agrees  with  the rules  — based 
on the  two  essential  principles  of most-favoured-
nation  treatment  and  non-discrimination  between 
nationals  and  companies  from  Member  States  — 
which  the  Community  proposes  should  be 
incorporated  in agreement. 
4.3. The  Committee  also  agrees  that  it should  be 
possible  to waive  the most-favoured-nation  clause  to 
meet  the  requirements  of regional  cooperation 
agreements  between  partners  of the Community  and 
other  developing  countries  in the same  region. 
5. INSTITUTIONS 
5.1. In  previous  chapters  (training,  trade 
promotion,  role  of the multinationals)  the Committee 
has on  several  occasions  urged  the  case  for 
establishing  bodies  which  could  serve  as a vehicle  for 
joint  consultations  between  representatives  of 
economic  and  social  groups  from  the Community 
and its partners.  , 
5.2. The  Committee  considers  that  such  sectorial 
consultation  or management  bodies  made  up of 
representatives  of the relevant  economic  and  social 
interests  should  be supplemented  by the creation  of a 
general  economic  and  social  coordination  institution 
with a similar  membership  at the  level  of the 
agreement  between  the EEC  and the ACP. 
5.3. In  this  connection  the Committee  is aware  of 
the possible  differences  between  the way  the 'social 
partners'  are organized  and  consulted  in the  ACP 
States  and in the Community.  It recognizes  the value 
of informal  contacts  and  consultation  bodies  which 
are specific  to certain  sectors. 
5.4. Nevertheless,  the Committee  considers  that,  in 
the specific  case  of relations  with  the  future 
associated  States,  as in the other  areas  of Community 
policy,  the disadvantages  of an excessive  dilution  of 
consultation  should  be avoided. 
5.5. This  is why  the Committee,  which  represents 
the various  categories  of economic  and social  activity 
in the  Community,  considers  that  the  future 
agreement  should  include  provision  for  the 
introduction  of a procedure  which  enables  official, overall  consultation  on questions  of mutual  interest 
to take  place  between  the economic  operators  and 
social  groups  of the EEC  and  their  counterparts  in 
the ACP  States. 
5.6. The  Committee  is convinced  that  this 
collaboration  in certain  specific  sectors  and  on an 
overall  basis  between  economic  operators  and  social 
groups  in the Community  and  the partner  countries 
will make  an important  contribution  to the efficient 
operation  of the future  association  agreement. 
5.7. The  Committee  also  stresses  the importance  of 
such cooperation  for bringing  the peoples  concerned 
closer  together  to ensure  that  public  opinion  on both 
sides  is kept  up-to-date  with  essential  information. 
5.8. The  Committee  reserves  the right  to revert  to 
this question  once  the Community  and  its partners 
have  stated  their  points  of view. 
5.9. However,  the Committee  considers  that  at all 
events  a special  effort  should  be made  to promote 
contacts  between  economic  and  social  groups  in the 
Associated  States  and  those  in the Community,  in 
ways  which  are still to be determined. 
5.10.  In  its Opinion  on the Memorandum  from  the 
Commission  for  a Community  Development 
Cooperation  Policy,  the Committee  had the following 
to say on this topic: 
'The Economic  and  Social  Committee  considers 
that it would  be desirable  to promote  contact 
between  the  representatives  of economic  and 
social  activities  in the  Community  and  their 
counterparts  in the  developing  countries.  Such 
contacts  could  be established  initially  between  the 
members  of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
and those  of any  similar  institutions  in the 
AASM'. 
5.11.  In  this  connection,  mention  should  be made 
of the recent  trip made  by the enlarged  Bureau  of the 
Section  for  External  Relations  to Senegal  and  the 
Ivory  Coast,  during  which  fruitful  and  promising 
contacts  were  established  with  the representatives  of 
economic  and social  interests  in these  countries. 
6. ALLIED  PROBLEMS 
6.1. The  status  of Community  technical  cooperation 
assistants 
6.1.1.  Without  wishing  to discuss  the  practical 
details  of the measures  to be taken  in this matter,  the 
30.9.74 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 116/13 
Committee  would  draw  attention  to the urgent  need 
to settle  the problems  arising  in this  connection  — 
such as the  recruitment,  specific  training  and 
subsequent  employment  of technical  cooperation 
assistants. 
6.1.2.  Technical  cooperation  is an act of solidarity 
whose  aim  is to assure  the  dissemination  of 
knowledge  and the training  sought  by the responsible 
authorities  in the ACP  States. 
6.1.3.  Its  success  depends,  to a large  extent,  on the 
work  done  by the  technical  cooperation  assistants 
who are sent  to the ACP  countries  by the EEC. 
6.1.4.  Success  thus  depends  on: 
(a) A choice  of cooperation  assistants  based  on 
criteria  which  cover  technical  proficiency, 
experience,  psychological  ability  to adjust  to 
local  conditions  and  aptitude  to  give 
, introductory  training  to successors; 
(b) Special  training  prior  to assignments; 
(c) Providing  any  training  and  refresher  courses 
which  may  be  required  in the  course  of 
cooperation  schemes; 
(d) The  establishment  of service  regulations  for 
cooperation  assistants  to  cover  their 
appointment,  remuneration,  leave,  accommoda-
tion,  medical  care  and repatriation; 
(e) The  assurance  that  each  assistant  will  be 
reintegrated  in the  European  country  of his 
choice  in a post  corresponding  to that  held  upon 
his departure,  with  due  regard  being  given  to 
experience  acquired. 6.2. The  position  of  migrant  workers  from 
Associated  and  Associable  States  in  the 
Community 
6.2.1.  In  general,  the  Committee  believes  that 
efforts  must  be made  to improve  the position  of these 
workers,  especially  within  the  framework  of 
Community  and  national  measures  in the  social 
sphere. 
6.2.2.  In  fact  numerous  workers  from  the ACP 
States  are employed  in EEC  firms. 
6.2.3.  The  role  they  play  is important  for  the 
European  economy  within  which  they  constitute  a 
labour  force  whose  general  education  has  not  cost 
the EEC  a penny. 
6.2.4.  In  addition,  they  often  perform  difficult  and 
unpleasant  tasks. 
6.2.5.  The  existing  or planned  EEC  Regulations 
for migrant  workers  from  the Member  States  of the 
EEC must  be applied  to them  during  their  stay.  The 
Regulations  in question  cover  working  conditions 
(wages,  jobs,  occupational  accidents,  labour 
legislation,  trade  union  rights,  elections  to bodies 
representing  workers)  and  living  conditions 
(accomodation,  health,  schooling,  social  guarantees). 
6.2.6.  In  addition,  the host  countries  must  provide 
these  migrant  workers  with  special  schooling  and 
vocational  training  which  will  equip  them  to make  a 
contribution  to the  development  of their  own 
countries  when  they  return  home. 
6.2.7.  Such  measures,  as part  of the coordination 
of Member  States'  immigration  policies,  must  aim  in 
particular  to put an end to the illegal  immigration  of 
workers  from  the ACP  States,  which  is increasing  in 
an intolerable  manner  in certain  Member  States. 
Done  at Brussels,  26 June  1974. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Alfons  LAPPAS