Communication from the Commission to the Council on the compendium providing policy guidelines in specific areas or sectors of co-operation to be approved by the Community within the ACP-EC Council of Ministers
Date: 2000-07-05
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: ACP countries, cooperation agreement (EU), cooperation policy, development aid

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 05.07.2000
COM(2000)424 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE COUNCIL

on the compendium providing policy guidelines in specific areas or sectors of co-
operation to be approved by the Community within the ACP-EC Council of Ministers

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE COUNCIL

on the compendium providing policy guidelines in specific areas or sectors of co-
operation to be approved by the Community within the ACP-EC Council of Ministers

The Partnership Agreement between the African Caribbean and Pacific States and the
European Community and its Member States has been concluded last February. It will
succeed to the Lomé Convention which expired on 29 February 2000.

As regards co-operation strategies,
the new Agreement proposes a global approach to
development which emphasizes the objectives and priorities. By contrast with the Lomé
Convention, which contained a detailed description of areas of support, the parties have
decided to regroup such more detailed policy guidelines and orientations in a compendium of
reference texts to be adopted by the ACP-EC Council of Ministers.

These texts will complement, specify or develop the elements already mentioned in the main
text of the Agreement. They may be reviewed and adapted by the ACP-EC Council of
Ministers. The compendium will be updated according to the evolving requirements of co-
operation.

This approach will thus provide for a flexible mechanism to adapt on a regular basis the
specific policy guidelines in the various areas of co-operation while not putting into question
the elements contained in the text of the Agreement.

The decision to adopt the compendium does not constitute a decision having legal effect
within the meaning of article 300, paragraph 2, subparagraph 2 of the EC Treaty. However,
with a view to adopting the Community position within the ACP-EC Council,
the
Commission hereby transmits the draft decision to the Council and invites it to approve the
attached draft.

2

ANNEX

Draft

DECISION OF THE ACP-EC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

on the Compendium providing policy guidelines in specific areas or sectors of co-
operation

THE ACP-EC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Having regard to the ACP-EC Agreement signed in ….on …., and in particular Article 20
thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The Agreement states that the objectives of ACP-EU development co-operation shall
be pursued through integrated strategies that incorporate economic, social, cultural,
environmental and institutional elements that must be locally owned. Co-operation
to ACP’s own
shall
development strategies, ensuring complementarity and interaction between the various
elements.

thus provide a coherent enabling framework of support

Systematic account shall be taken in mainstreaming into all areas of co-operation the
following thematic or cross-cutting themes : gender issues, environmental issues and
institutional development and capacity building. These areas shall also be eligible for
Community support.

According to the above Article 20 (3), the detailed texts regarding development co-
operation objectives and strategies, in particular sectoral policies and strategies shall
be incorporated in a compendium providing operational guidelines in specific areas or
sectors of co-operation. The texts of the Compendium may be revised, reviewed
and/or amended by the Council of Ministers on the basis of a recommendation from
the ACP-EC Development Finance Co-operation Committee.

(4)

A decision of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers is required in order to approve the
above mentioned Compendium.

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Council approves the attached Compendium on co-operation strategies referred to in the
ACP-EC Partnership Agreement. The Compendium does not affect the interpretation of the
provisions of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement.

3

Article 2

This decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at […]

For the ACP-EC Council of Ministers
The President
[…]

4

ANNEX

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP OF
AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC STATES AND THE EUROPEAN
COMMUNITY AND ITS MEMBER STATES

Compendium on co-operation strategies

INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................8

ECONOMIC SECTOR DEVELOPMENT.................................................................9

Agricultural and Rural Development ....................................................................9

Rural Development ..............................................................................................9

Food Security .......................................................................................................9

Agriculture ......................................................................................................... 11

Livestock ........................................................................................................... 12

Forestry.............................................................................................................. 13

Fisheries Development ....................................................................................... 14

Transport Development ...................................................................................... 15

Industrial Development ...................................................................................... 17

Mineral Resources Development ........................................................................ 18

Energy Development .......................................................................................... 19

Trade and Business Development ...................................................................... 21

Trade Development ............................................................................................ 21

Business Development ....................................................................................... 22

Fair Trade........................................................................................................... 24

5

Development of services..................................................................................... 24

Maritime Transport ............................................................................................ 24

Air Transport...................................................................................................... 25

Tourism Development ........................................................................................ 26

Telecommunications and Information Society .................................................... 27

Commodities Development ................................................................................ 28

SOCIAL AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT ............................................................ 29

Education and Training ...................................................................................... 29

Scientific, Technological and Research Co-operation ......................................... 30

Health and Nutrition........................................................................................... 32

HIV/AIDS.......................................................................................................... 34

Population and Family Planning ......................................................................... 35

Cultural Development ........................................................................................ 37

THEMATIC AND CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES ...................................................... 38

Gender ............................................................................................................... 38

Environment....................................................................................................... 40

Institutional Development and Capacity Building ............................................... 42

TRADE RELATED ISSUES ................................................................................... 45

Competition Policy............................................................................................. 45

Protection and Intellectual Property Rights......................................................... 45

Standardisation and Certification........................................................................ 45

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.................................................................. 45

Trade and Environment ...................................................................................... 45

6

Trade and Labour Standards ............................................................................... 45

Consumer Policy and Protection of Consumer Health......................................... 45

ACTORS OF THE PARTNERSHIP ........................................................................ 45

Information and Consultation of Non-State Actors ............................................ 45

Decentralised Co-operation ................................................................................ 47

7

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP OF
AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC STATES AND THE EUROPEAN
COMMUNITY AND ITS MEMBER STATES

Compendium on co-operation strategies

1.

1.

2.

3.

4.

INTRODUCTION

The present compendium of texts on co-operation strategies is intended to provide
detailed reference texts as regards objectives, policy orientations and operational
guidelines in specific areas or sectors of co-operation, as provided for in article 20(3) of
the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement. These orientations and guidelines will be
developed and applied within the framework of the integrated approach for co-
operation strategies as set out in the Agreement and on the basis of the provisions on
development finance co-operation.

The compendium will be updated according to the evolving requirements of co-
operation. The reference texts below may be reviewed, completed and/or amended by
the Council of Ministers on the basis of
recommendation from the ACP-EC
Development Finance Co-operation Committee.

This compendium does not aim at covering exhaustively all co-operation areas and the
list of themes and sectors reflected in the present structure is only indicative. New areas
which may prove of interest for co-operation strategies will be added.

The texts are based on evolving policy documents including communications of the
European Commission and EU Council's resolutions, conclusions and decisions, as
well as policy documents emanating from the ACP Council. Although the above policy
documents
are not the subject of specific references in this first edition of the
compendium, they may be referred to and discussed as of need on a regular basis by the
Council of Ministers.

8

2.

ECONOMIC SECTOR DEVELOPMENT

2.1.

Agricultural and Rural Development

2.1.1.

Rural Development

5.

6.

7.

Rural development is an overarching concept which encompasses most sectors of
political, economic and social activity. The social and economic development of rural
areas is at the heart of sustainable development and poverty eradication. Co-operation
will, therefore, aim at improving rural well-being as a contribution to sustained poverty
reduction. It shall promote sector policies and strategies to achieve economic growth
and equitable social development based on sustainable natural resources management.

In order to stimulate the rural economy and to link it to the national development
efforts, co-operation shall focus on the development of multisectoral rural strategies
aimed at establishing a strategic framework for decentralised planning and resources
allocation and management. Such strategies shall bring together the social, economic
and environmental dimensions of rural development. To increase their relevance and
impact, they shall be designed and implemented in a participatory way.

To ensure meaningful participation of civil society in the strategic process and enhance
the role of women, attention in the design and implementation of strategies shall be
paid to ensure that adequate measures are included to promote inter alia :

a)

b)

c)

d)

the organization, empowerment and capacity building of producers
communities in order
implementation processes;

and local
for them to become active partners in the planning and

the full participation of women and the recognition of the active role they play as
full partners in the rural production and economic development processes;

the availability and equal access to
extension) in rural areas, for both men and women;

social and economic services (including

the development of capacity in local and central administration including the
training of staff;

e)

the sustainable participatory management of common natural resources; and

f)

the decentralisation of planning and implementation of sectoral budgets and the
enhancement of local capacity to improve the effectiveness and transparency of
financial and human resource management.

2.1.2.

Food Security

8.

Food security is a concept which puts emphasis on the availability of and access to
sufficient food of adequate nutritional quality by households and individuals at all
times. Achieving food security is, therefore, a fundamental step in the fight against
poverty. Co-operation shall aim at supporting policy and institutional reforms and the

9

investment necessary to promote national and regional food security including issues
related to developing adequate crisis management capabilities.

9.

The range of interventions shall therefore include:

•

•

•

•

•

support to the formulation and implementation of national and regional food
security strategies addressing availability, access and nutritional quality of
food and aimed at increasing the capability of ACP States to respond to
emergencies and improve forecasting of their food supplies.

support for strengthening the enabling macro-economic and institutional
environments for broad based and equitable growth of incomes;

sector approaches to improve economic and social services accompanied by,
where necessary, targeted programmes for the poor to reduce vulnerability;
and

support to water security, in particular efforts to improve access to safe water
for sanitary, nutritional and productive purposes, in a sustainable and equitable
way;

support to ACP States' efforts to increase food availability by facilitating
food products and
national,
improving the co-ordination of policies and strategies among the countries
concerned.

regional and inter-regional

trade flows of

10.

11.

Co-operation shall focus on food security interventions which are economically,
technically, financially and environmentally sustainable and which firmly integrate
coherent sector policies and strategies.

Food aid operations shall be decided on the basis of the rules and criteria adopted by
the Community for all recipients of this type of aid. Subject to those rules and to the
Community's freedom of decision in this matter, food aid operations shall be governed
by the following guidelines:

a)

except in urgent cases, Community food aid which shall be a transitional measure,
shall be integrated into the ACP States' development policies and strategies and be
consistent with national food security strategies. This calls for consistency
between food aid and other co-operation measures;

b) where the products supplied are distributed free of charge, they shall form part of
nutrition programmes aimed in particular at vulnerable sections of the population
or be delivered as remuneration for work and shall take account of trade flows of
the ACP States concerned and within the region;

c)

d)

food aid operations that form part of development projects or programmes or
nutrition programmes shall be planned on a multiannual basis;

as a matter of priority, the products supplied shall meet the needs of the recipients.
In the selection of such products, account shall be taken in particular of the ratio

10

of cost to specific nutritive value and of the effect the choice might have on
consumer habits and on domestic and regional trade development;

e) where in a recipient ACP State, the trend of the food situation is such as to make it
desirable for food aid to be replaced in whole or in part by operations designed to
consolidate the current trend, alternative operations shall be implemented in the
form of financial and technical assistance,
in accordance with the relevant
Community rules. These operations shall be decided upon at the request of the
ACP State concerned; and

f) with a view to providing products suited to the habits of consumers, speeding up
the supply of products for emergency operations or helping to improve food
security, food aid purchases shall be made in the recipient country, in another
ACP or other developing country, preferably in the same geographical region, or
in the Community.

12.

In implementing this Chapter, special attention shall be paid to assisting and enabling
least-developed, landlocked and island ACP States to utilize fully the provisions of this
Chapter.

2.1.3.

Agriculture

13.

The development of agriculture remains an essential component of economic
development as agriculture stimulates growth in other sectors and contributes
substantially to poverty reduction both in rural and urban areas. Agriculture shall
remain the backbone of strategies aimed at improving rural well-being provided its
resource
long term sustainability is addressed by adopting sustainable natural
management practices.

14. Development of the agricultural sector shall be addressed, wherever feasible, through
sector programmes i.e. programmes based on a coherent policy and strategy owned by
the ACP State and designed with the participation of all stakeholders. Such strategy
shall provide a framework for co-ordination of government and donor financing.
Support to the design and implementation of these programmes, shall put emphasis on
decentralised planning and budgeting, financial management, policy formulation and
planning, monitoring and evaluation systems. Where feasible according to the
provisions of this Agreement, support shall be provided through the national budget.

15.

Co-operation in the agricultural sector shall be aimed at supporting:

•

the design and implementation of national policies and strategies which focus on,
inter alia, improved access to production factors (land, water, credit, inputs, etc.)
in particular for women, improving the efficiency and responsiveness of services
and diversify their provision through a greater involvement of the private sector,
improving productivity and reducing losses in production and storage, facilitating
the transfer of technology, facilitating partnerships and collaboration between the
public and the non-public sector, supporting the development of national and
regional markets;

11

•

•

•

•

•

the reform, strengthening and decentralisation of institutions, contributing to the
investment required to modernise them and increase their capacity, so as to make
them more responsive to the needs of beneficiaries;

the active participation and involvement of the rural population and in particular
its most disadvantaged sections, in the allocation and management of financial
resources at local level, inter alia, by assisting civil society to develop local
associations and professional organisations;

agricultural research through national, regional and international institutions based
respective comparative advantage and complementarity aiming in
on their
particular at:
including water-use
efficiency, sustainably increasing productivity and preserving biodiversity. At
national level, particular attention shall be paid to improving national policies and
building capacity;

improving natural resources management

participatory land reforms and the establishment of land tenure systems ensuring
an equitable and efficient allocation of land and allowing access to land to the
most disadvantaged groups of population while protecting their existing rights;
and

participation of women, as producers, in the development process notably by
improving their access to all factors of production, i.e. inputs, land, financial
services, extension and training services.

2.1.4.

Livestock

16.

17.

Livestock production is a crucial source of revenue and food for a great many families
in the ACP States, especially the poorest amongst them. It is also a source of animal
traction and of manure, which is indispensable for a sustained increase in agricultural
output.

The increase in livestock production, especially in the number of head, is not keeping
pace with demand, however. The resultant stepping-up of production could have
adverse effects on the environment and provoke a reduction in the gene pool of
domesticated species. This problem should be kept in sight by public authorities and be
reflected in national strategies.

18.

The above points shall be taken into account in cooperation, especially as regards
women for whom livestock production is an essential source of alternative and
supplementary income. The main policy planks of such cooperation shall be:

•

support for the formulation and implementation of policies, strategies and
sectoral programmes, with particular emphasis on the development of producer
organisations, decentralisation, distribution and the identification of tasks and
their attribution to the private and public sectors;

12

•

•

•

•

within such policies and strategies, optimising the integration of arable and
livestock farming, the development of fodder production and the improvement
of water supplies for animals and their management in a sustainable way.

support for improved animal health and campaigns to control zoonoses,
including, where justified, the development of infrastructure for that purpose;

strengthening regional organisations and stepping up coordination with
national structures;

support for consideration to be given in domestic policies and strategies to
environmental factors (including the preservation of biodiversity), including
improvement of animal feeds thanks to more effective pasture management
and integration of the role of women.

2.1.5.

Forestry

19.

Forests play an important role in ensuring the environmental, social and economic
sustainability in many developing countries. Addressing underlying causes of forest
degradation and deforestation implies being active in other sectors indirectly having
impacts on forests (good governance, land use planning, poverty, trade and marketing,
environment, macro-economic policies, etc.). This is an important way of achieving
the forest sector. Co-operation shall pursue the
ACP-EC shared objectives for
following objectives:

a)

conservation of endangered tropical forests and their biodiversity and regeneration
of the functions of tropical forests which have been damaged, through reduced
uncontrolled deforestation and forest degradation, on the basis of a sharing of
responsibilities between the various stakeholders having an interest in forests and
taking into account in particular the views of those living in or from forests;

b)

increased extent of areas under sustainable forest management

c)

increased equitable revenue from forest products;

d) maintained genetic resources and biodiversity;

e)

expanded forest-related knowledge base.

20.

Co-operation shall adapt to the evolving situation stemming from international policy
discussions, as well as from national policies and field level needs of partner countries.
To ensure that the requirements of international UN Conventions and non-legally
binding recommendations are reflected into ACP-EC co-operation, priorities, rules and
procedures shall regularly be reviewed. In this context national forest programmes will
be at the center of the co-operation process in line with the International dialogue on
forests. Flexibility is needed to adapt to forthcoming developments impacting on
forestry.

13

21.

Co-operation in this sector shall give priority to activities to :

a) Support

the development and implementation of a policy framework, on a
participatory basis, favourable to the forest sector at national and international
levels, in order to maintain the multifunctional roles of forests and reconcile
conflicting demands placed on them, and aiming at sustainable utilization and
preservation of tropical timber producing forests and their genetic resources as
well as the maintenance of an ecological balance in the regions concerned;

b)

c)

Improve, at field level, sustainability of interventions in forest conservation and
management, promote agro-forestry and other sustainable and socially equitable
forms of land use which have an impact on forests, and support locally adapted re-
afforestation and forest management activities as well as restoration of the fertility
of degradated forest lands;

Improve the efficiency of utilisation and processing of wood and non-wood forest
products, through equitable and comprehensive approaches, and support measures
to increase the share of tropical timber and timber products from sustainable
sources within the overall production of this sector;

d) Contribute to the development of research, information, capacity building and

technology transfers related to the above.

2.1.6.

Fisheries Development

22.

23.

The main fisheries priority in relations between the EC and the ACP States shall be the
food security and income of local communities dependent on fishing for their
livelihood, to be achieved by securing their access to fish stocks and providing
opportunities for adding value..

The aim of cooperation shall be the optimal sustainable use of the ACP States' fishery
resources. It shall promote their mutual interest in a natural resource that must be
managed in accordance with prudential principles with a view to sustainable
development. It shall enable the ACP States to take better advantage of their integration
into the world economy for their fishery products, including farmed products.

24.

In particular it shall aim to:

•

•

help local communities dependent on fishing, especially the poorest
communities engaged in non-industrial fishing, to express themselves and be
taken into account;

improve the ACP States' capacity to formulate and implement sectoral fisheries
policies in line with the aims of poverty reduction (especially in the case of
non-industrialised fishing communities), sustainable management of stocks
and improving the ACP States' marketing of fishery products on the world
market;

14

•

improve knowledge of natural fishery resources at regional and subregional
levels and promote the joint stock management.

25.

The key operational components shall be:

•

•

•

•

support for the setting-up and development of professional organisations within
the partners' fisheries sectors, especially non-industrial sectors; aid to help
communities dependent on fishing to organise;
for women's
organisation involved in the processing and marketing of fishery products;
support for the local authorities to enable them to play an active role in the
sustainable development of coastal areas;

support

support for the setting-up and functioning of international, regional and
national organisations
exchanges between communities
dependent on fishing; aid to carry out development operations of these
networks;

facilitate

that

assistance for the formulation and implementation of sectoral fisheries policies
that comply with the FAO Code of Conduct and have the following
components:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

improving scientific knowledge of and information about aquatic
ecosystems and fishery resources; stepping-up scientific cooperation
between research centres;

organisation of stock management systems that ensure that stocks are
exploited sustainably, with priority to local non-industrial fishing;
sustainable management policies, including those for water resources,
should be implemented in liaison with the main actors involved:
scientific, administrative, other users, fishermen, etc.

organisation and application of systems to monitor and keep under
surveillance fishery activities and combat illicit activities;

support for processing and presentation; support for microcredit bodies;
creation of infrastructure; vocational training;

operations to enhance the position of their fishery products on the
world market by improved compliance with health standards, product
promotion and labelling

Support for the setting-up and development of regional and subregional
organisations capable of managing operations that need to be carried out at that
level, such as stock information and management,
the monitoring and
surveillance of fishery activities, and the fostering and development of regional
fishery organisations .

2.2.

Transport Development

26.

The ACP States and the EC recognise that the overall objectives of poverty reduction,
sustainable development and the greater integration of the ACP into the world economy
require appropriate transport infrastructure and efficient transport services. Transport

15

services must be widely available and safe in order to facilitate the access of
populations, particularly the poorest groups, to social and other services, and markets.
Transport networks must be responsive to the level of demand for transport services
and must be organised to contribute optimally to economic development, both on a
national and regional basis. Efficient inter-country transport networks are a prerequisite
for increased regional integration and trade.

27.

28.

The Partners agree that the improvement of transport infrastructure and services shall
require closer co-operation between the public and private sectors, based on the
principle of stakeholder participation. This implies institutional reforms involving, for
example, greater commercialisation of infrastructure operation (e.g. ports, airports,
railways) and transport services, and a re-focussing of Governments’ role towards
regulation and supervision rather than service provision.

The partners also agree that progress shall require a coherent sectoral approach to the
planning and organisation of transport systems, incorporating all modes of transport,
both at the national and regional levels. The sectoral strategies evolving from this
approach should be economically, financially and institutionally sustainable as well as
environmentally sound, safe and socially aware.

29.

The areas for co-operation shall include, inter alia, the:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

formulation of policies and strategies, at national and regional levels, to achieve
sustainable improvements in transport systems and services (all modes);

implementation of measures to encourage stakeholder participation, increased co-
operation between the public and private sectors and enhanced opportunities for
commercialisation and for cost recovery as appropriate;

formulation and implementation of measures to restructure and strengthen public
sector agencies involved in the sector and improve the legal and regulatory
framework for promoting the sector’s development;

integration of strategies for environmental protection into transport plans and
programmes;

elaboration of sector plans and expenditure programmes designed to reduce
poverty, and promote sustainable development and regional integration;

formulation and implementation of measures to ensure the adequate maintenance of
transport infrastructure;

provision of support for transport sector programmes, with particular priority
accorded to maintenance and the efficient utilisation of existing infrastructure;

promotion of improved safety for transport operators and users; and

development of private sector capacities (for example in road construction and
maintenance) and training programmes to enhance the professional capabilities of
personnel employed in the sector.

16

30. At the regional level, particular attention shall be given to:

•

•

•

supporting regional transport corridors, including inter-modal connections, to
improve regional transport services and enhance regional integration;

providing support for regional organisations to advance regional co-operation
in transport matters, for example, through measures to harmonise and enforce
transport regulations, standards and procedures, and to facilitate transit traffic
and cross-border operations; and

provision of support for improving the reliability and safety of maritime and air
transport, as well as contributing to a global navigation satellite system
interoperable with the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service.

2.3.

Industrial Development

31.

In order to facilitate the attainment of the economic development objectives of the ACP
States, it is important to ensure that an integrated and sustainable development strategy
is evolved within the context of private sector development strategies.

32.

To serve this purpose, the following areas shall be part of those strategies:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

the creation of the basis of and framework for effective co-operation between
the Community and the ACP States in the fields of manufacturing and
processing, mineral resources development, energy resources development,
transport and communications;

the promotion of conditions conducive to enterprise development, and local
and external investment;

improvement of capacity utilisation and rehabilitation of existing industrial
undertakings which are potentially viable in order to restore the productive
capacities of ACP economies;

fostering the creation of and the participation in enterprises by ACP nationals,
especially those of a micro, small and medium-size nature that produce and/or
use local inputs; promotion of new and strengthening of existing enterprises;

support for the establishment of new industries to supply the local market in a
cost-effective manner and ensure the growth of the non-traditional export
sector in order to increase foreign exchange earnings, provide employment
opportunities and an increase in real incomes;

promoting increasingly close relations in the industrial field between the
Community and the ACP States, and in particular further encouraging the
speedy establishment of ACP-EC industrial joint ventures; and

promoting business associations in ACP States as well as other institutions for
industrial enterprise and business development.

17

2.4.

Mineral Resources Development

33. Many ACP countries are significant mineral producers and exporters.

For some
countries of these mineral exports represent a significant proportion of the value of
their total exports. Several additional countries bear a significant, yet mostly untapped,
potential. To unleash this potential requires the further strengthening of the State
(regulator, promoter, provider of geoscientific data at national and regional scales)/
Private Sector (investor and entrepreneur) partnership.

34. Mineral resources include a wide range of commodities e.g metallic minerals (such as
aluminium, copper, gold, iron, nickel, tin), industrial minerals (such as clay minerals,
feldspar, gypsum, magnesite, phosphate, salt), precious and semi-precious
lime,
minerals (such as agate, amethyst, diamond, emerald, tourmaline), ornamental and
dimension stones (such as granite and marble) and construction materials (stone,
crushed rock aggregates, sand and gravel).

35.

The sector has potential to be an even more important contributor to sustained growth,
through the development of
the private sector since minerals are a key productive
resource of many ACP countries. Its development lies within the objectives of the
Partnership Agreement. The importance of
the access to productive resources is a
component of sustainable and equitable development and beyond, a factor for a stable
and democratic political environment. The development of a competitive mining sector,
while encouraging private sector involvement and development, is a component of the
productive resources encompassed in the Agreement. The objective of the parties is to
develop the access to these resources and facilitate their sustainable exploitation.

36.

The parties recognise that the sustainable development of this sector, for the social and
economic benefit of the concerned countries, is dependent on a series of factors:

•

•

•

•

•

clear posting of the policy of the State on the matter;

existence of an enabling legal, regulatory and fiscal environment applicable to
investments into the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, inciting
for the investors while guaranteeing the interests of the State;

focusing of the State on its essential regulator and promoter functions, shifting
away from the economic and technical risks as mining entrepreneur/ operator;

provision of the investors with reliable and sufficiently detailed geoscientific
data, to lead potential investors towards promising target areas;

mobilisation of the human, technical, technological and financial resources
necessary to ensure an effective functioning of the sectorial institutions needed
to:

-

promote and manage the mining sector (compliance of the private
operators with the regulatory framework and/or
their contractual
commitments);

18

-

-

acquire, process and disseminate geoscientific data;

monitor and protect the environment.

37.

In order to successfully manage these key factors of success, co-operation shall provide
technical and financial assistance for the:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

development of sectoral policy documents;

revision of mining codes (and their co-ordination with other regulatory texts
such as environmental, fiscal, work, health and safety regulations;

procedures and means necessary to allocate and manage exploration and
mining securities;

monitoring of the activities of exploration and mining companies, including
their environmental performance;

sustainable development of small and medium-sized mining enterprises;

identification, drawing-up and implementation of new viable projects;

acquisition, conservation, processing and dissemination of geoscientific (such
topographic, geological, geochemical and other mineral
as remotely sensed,
exploration data);

preparation, on this basis, of data subsets needed for natural resources
exploration, prevention of natural hazards, environmental management
and
general development purposes;

development of environmental regulatory frameworks and their enforcement;

training and access to information related to these activities; and

networking and matchmaking with European investors, sectoral institutions
and providers of technology, equipment and specialised works.

38.

Subject to the agreement reached between the parties when designing the strategies for
private development, co-operation mayalso, in accordance with the principles set out
in the Agreement on private sector development and on investments support, assist
and/or contribute to the establishment, strengthening and operation of institutions
providing information, promotion, and transfer of technology facilities and servicesin
the mining sector.

2.5.

Energy Development

39.

Co-operation shall put particular emphasis on energy programming, operations for
saving and making efficient use of energy, reconnaissance of energy potential and the
economically and technically appropriate promotion of new and renewable sources of
energy. Co-operation shall also support policies aimed at the development of the ACP
States' conventional and non-conventional energy potential and their self-sufficiency.

19

40.

41.

42.

43.

Broad access to suitable energy constitutes a necessary condition for economic and
social development, although currently a large, and in places growing, proportion of the
population do not have access to adequate energy services.

future
Long-term sustainable development should be the guiding principle for
development co-operation programmes involving sustainable energy, with the concept
of sustainability encompassing social, economic, environmental,
functional and
institutional considerations.

The priorities for development co-operation are to help improve the supply, distribution
and use of energy in developing countries in order to help foster economic and social
sustainable development and the elimination of poverty.

The adverse local, regional and global environmental effects of current and future
important energy-related
energy systems should be minimised.
environmental issues are the balance between the use and the growth of biomass used
as fuel-wood, reduction of urban air pollution and climate change.

Examples of

44. One objective of the parties is to diversify energy supplies and reduce relative
dependence on imported fossil fuels by using domestic energy resources where
appropriate socially, environmentally and economically. By limiting the growth in
future use of fossil fuels, prospects for energy security for all parties shall be improved.

45. A broad objective is to improve the efficiency of production, distribution and use of

energy in all its forms.

46.

The parties recognise that sustainable energy is an important
tool for achieving
sustainable development, with energy being regarded not as a commodity but as a
provider of services to improve livelihoods. They recognise the importance of
decentralised, user–focussed activities, and place a particular emphasis on renewable
sources of energy and end-use energy efficiency techniques, with large electricity
generating plant now predominantly in the hands of the international financing
institutions and the private sector.

47. As a cross-cutting issue, sustainable energy shall be integrated into wider development
co-operation policies and projects (rural development, water, health, education,
communications and information technology, transport etc).

48. One priority shall be to develop the internal capacity in ACP states to achieve policy
objectives. Institutional capacity and skills shall be enhanced through development co-
operation to allow energy analysis, planning and the development of appropriate
policies and framework conditions to attract investment.

49. A competitive energy sector shall be encouraged through development of appropriate
policies, framework conditions and capacities, with the private sector having an
important role in providing finance for energy developments.

20

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

The parties recognise the importance of civil society for implementation of sustainable
energy objectives. Development of partnerships between the various actors (public
administrations, private sector, civil society and donors) shall be important
for
achieving policy objectives.

The benefits of regional development shall be operationalised where appropriate.
Potential benefits include the enhancement of economic stability, as well as the
advantages of economies of scale.

Technical and financial assistance shall be provided to support priorities outlined in
indicative programmes.

Capacities shall be developed to allow for the integration of sustainable energy into all
levels of development co-operation.

Partnerships shall be encouraged between the various actors (public administrations,
private sector, international financing institutions, civil society etc) in order to allow the
financing and implementation of decentralised activities.

Co-ordination between donors shall be enhanced to improve the effectiveness of
development co-operation in the field of energy. One possible mode of operation is for
partnership agreements between EU and ACP country parties regarding institutional
and policy support for the energy sector.

2.6.

Trade and Business Development

2.6.1.

Trade Development

56. All parties recognise the need to ensure that the ACP States derive the maximum
benefit from the provisions of this Convention and may participate under the most
favourable conditions in the Community, domestic, sub-regional,
regional and
international markets by diversifying the range and increasing the value and the volume
of ACP States' trade in goods and services.

57.

To this end, special attention shall be given to ensure that sufficient weight is given to
the need to include a commercial analysis and trade development element within the
context of instruments for private sector development support and, in particular, when
addressing initiatives aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

58. Within these programmes and subject to the results of such an analysis, the following

specific operations shall be considered for support:

•

•

export promotion or marketing techniques for the improvement of the export
performance of the ACP States;

ACP States in developing their internal capacities, information systems and
awareness of the role and importance of trade in economic development;

21

•

•

•

•

•

•

strengthening the infrastructure related to trade and in particular support for the
ACP States' efforts to develop and improve supportive service infrastructure,
in order to ensure their effective participation in the distribution of goods and
services and in order to enhance the flow of exports from the ACP States;

development of human resources and professional skills in the field of trade
and services;

the ACP States' efforts to develop and improve the quality of their products,
adapt them to market requirements and diversify their outlets;

the ACP States' efforts to penetrate third country markets more effectively;

market development measures including increasing contacts and exchange of
information between economic operators in ACP States, the Member States of
the Community and in third countries; and

ACP States and ACP operators in the application of modern marketing
techniques in production-oriented sectors and programmes, in particular in
areas such as rural development and agriculture.

59. Moreover, the Parties confirm that the terms of the transition period for the current
the Lomé IV
trade development programme established under Annex XX of
convention shall be based on the provision of the private sector development strategy
referred to in the present Agreement. In this regard, recurrent capacities shall be
built/reinforced at the intermediate level in at least three directions :

•

•

•

develop capacity of local support structures to intervene at the microeconomic
level (direct assistance to enterprises);

develop capacity of local structures to intervene at the meso level (strengthen
and contribute to the rationalisation of the delivery system of intermediary
structures aimed at supporting enterprise and private sector development); and

enhance policy dialogue in terms of content and process.

2.6.2.

Business Development

60.

Both Parties recognise the need to support, through integrated and coherent initiatives,
business development in the ACP countries with a view to improving substantially the
macro as well as the micro-foundations of competitiveness. Business development shall
include initiatives such as:

•

improving the quality and availability of
financial services to private
enterprises, and to savers, in ACP countries. The objectives of such assistance
should not only be to bring financing to specific projects and to provide grants
for setting up special credit programmes but also to contribute to the
sustainable strengthening of
Interventions could,
therefore, include not only loans and equity in individual projects and "global
loans" which are on-lent
institutions but also
participation in the development of innovative local financial and capital

financial sectors.

through local

financial

local

22

•

•

•

•

market services, underwriting of local bond and equity issues, and guarantees
for local and external borrowing and for local financing. In the development of
these services, it shall be necessary to pursue efficiency and sustainability of
financial institutions and to avoid market distortions. Appropriate institution
and capacity building activities shall have to be provided to ensure the
achievement of these objectives;

capacity among

local providers of professional,

building
technical,
management and commercial support services and to encourage enterprises to
use these services. This shall include providing support to firms for project
identification, appraisal, preparation and implementation, and to the solution of
the process and marketing problems which they face. Support should also be
given to actively promote local private and market-based providers of services
and to make these more accessible to local enterprises. A demand driven and
cost-sharing approach should represent the normal rule in the provisions of
these services, donors and governments playing essentially a role of facilitators
more than direct providers. An appropriate set of indicators shall have to be
carefully looked at to ensure the best results. These indicators shall have to
take into consideration the different objectives of outreach, cost-effectiveness,
and impact at the enterprises and at socio-economic levels;

continued support
to initiatives that contribute to develop and transfer
technologies and know-how, and best practice on all aspects of business
management. A support shall have to be guaranteed even to those export and
investment promotion agencies able to play an important role in attracting
foreign investment. The strengthening of their capabilities shall represent an
important factor to allow a better integration of ACP countries into the world
economy;

catalysing and leveraging flows of private savings, both domestic and foreign,
into the financing of private enterprise in ACP countries. This shall be done
by:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

providing support
financial
mobilise local savings and channel them into investment finance;

institutions and services which

local

co-finance foreign investment and provide guarantees and other risk-
sharing and risk mitigation devices for encouraging inflows of direct
and portfolio investment;

assist ACP countries in promoting their attractiveness as hosts for
inward investment; and

reinforce dialogue with the European private sector and improve
information about EC-supported initiatives.

support microenterprises and informal sector producers. This objective should
be essentially pursued by encouraging the development of a market for
financial services and the provision of non-financial assistance tailored to the
needs of poor people, and particularly of women. The aim should not be to
provide directly finance to small and microenterprises, but to strengthen local
microfinance institutions to let them to get the necessary capabilities to serve

23

the targeted market according to the principle of efficiency. Sustainability of
in the
microfinance institutions shall represent a crucial
implementation of these actions. The rating of microfinance institutions shall
represent an essential area to work in. This shall ensure the possibility of
identifying the right organisations with which to work.

issue to look at

2.6.3.

Fair Trade

61.

62.

63.

Fair trade is a development-based initiative built on trading relationships and improved
commercial opportunities to bridge the gap between developed and developing
countries, to enable disadvantaged producers in developing countries to take up and
benefit from the opportunities offered through global trading and to facilitate the better
integration of developing countries into the world economy.

Fair trade initiatives give consumers the opportunity to contribute towards sustainable
in developing countries through purchasing
economic and social development
preferences and thus contribute to poverty reduction.

The objective of fair trade is to ensure that producers receive a fair price and a fair
share of any profits. Fair trade aims to contribute to establishing the conditions that can
foster a higher level of social and environmental protection in developing countries. In
particular, fair trade refers to direct buying, fair price, advance payment, long term and
stable relations with producers, conditions of production which respect labour rights as
laid down in ILO Conventions and respect of the environment, including sustainable
methods of production. Participation in any fair trade scheme is, however, voluntary
and all routes between producers and the market are private initiatives.

64.

Co-operation shall provide support to both producer groups in developing countries and
NGOs within the EU through budget headings and EDF resources. This support shall
be used to finance the launching of new product lines, consumer awareness campaigns,
educational activity and capacity building.

2.7.

Development of services

2.7.1. Maritime Transport

65. Measures to develop and promote cost-effective and efficient maritime transport
services in the ACP shall be encouraged and supported within the development
strategies agreed between the Parties, including :

•

•

•

in the Maritime
encouraging the private sector in ACP States to invest
Transport sector with a view to increasing participation of the local private
sector in maritime activities;

supporting the development of Coastal Shipping Networks to promote intra-
regional trade;

promoting efficient port development and facilitation with particular reference
to achieving a cost-effective and faster turn-around times;

24

•

•

•

•

promoting the efficient shipment of cargo at economically and commercially
meaningful rates;

supporting the implementation of good policies and competition rules;

regional

encouraging
trade
development, including the support to regional and sub-regional integration,
and

of maritime

programmes

transport

and

the Contracting Parties undertake to promote shipping safety, security of crews
and the prevention of pollution.

2.7.2.

Air Transport

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

The ACP and the EU recognise the importance of a strong, safe and efficient air
transport for economic and social development and for the development of trade in
goods and services between them.

They, therefore, shall reinforce co-operation between them in this area so as to ensure
regular improvement and growth in air traffic, promote trade, tourism and the export of
agricultural products with high economic value to the EU market.

they shall promote sustained participation by ACP countries in
To this end,
international air transport. They further , shall examine all means of reforming and
modernising the ACP air transport industries, to promote commercial viability and
investment and
competitiveness,
participation, a greater exchange of knowledge and good business practice and to
provide passengers and exporters in all countries with access to global air transport
networks.

levels of private sector

to encourage higher

They shall emphasise the importance of ensuring safety in the air transport sector and
the need to introduce and implement relevant international standards. To that end, the
EU shall assist the ACP, in accordance with the provisions set out in this Agreement, to
implement air navigation safety systems,
including the CNS/ATM system, airport
security, strengthening the capacity of civil aviation authorities to manage all aspects of
operational security placed under their control and to develop infrastructures and
human resources, taking care that any measures taken in this field are based on advice
from the relevant
they shall be effective and
sustainable in the long-term.

international organisations and that

The ACP and the EU recognise the need to ensure that proper attention is paid to
minimising the environmental impact of air transport. They shall work together
towards this objective.

In many aspects of air transport, the ACP and the EU recognise that regional solutions
shall offer scope for greater cost effectiveness and economies of scale. To this end, the
EU shall support and encourage actions on a regional level, where appropriate.

25

2.7.3.

Tourism Development

72.

Both parties agree that the development of the tourism sector, given its importance in
international trade and in the exportation of services, shall make a major contribution to
integrating the developing countries into the world economy.

73.

Tourism's contribution to sustainable development is contingent on:

•

•

the ability of local authorities to plan and manage the development of tourism
taking account of all the economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects
and the potential drawbacks ; and

the industry's commitment
sustainable development in an open and competitive market.

to adhere to the principles and practices of

74. With a view to fulfilling its development objectives, the co-operation shall help create
the conditions for maximising the contribution of tourism to the economic and social
development of the host country and minimising any actual or potential deleterious
effects. Programmes relating to tourism shall, therefore help to ensure that initiatives in
that sphere address the following issues:

•

•

•

•

•

•

fostering the sustainable development of
environmental practices;

tourism,

including sustainable

helping public authorities in their planning, management and follow-up
(supporting the development of the legal and institutional framework, human
resource development, safeguarding the public heritage and infrastructure, and
information and commercial organisation);

infrastructure development and expansion;

product diversification and improvement;

consolidating the tourist industry in an open and competitive market economy
(encouraging co-operation in the private sector and direct support for small and
medium sized enterprises – SMEs).; and

the complex and dynamic nature of tourism, coupled with the different degrees
of maturity achieved in the sector by different developing countries, mean that
there are no typical problems or solutions. Thus, the kind and scale of support
shall vary according to the level of tourism development the country has
already achieved and specific local needs.

75.

The Parties recognise that sustaining the social and cultural fabric as well as the natural
and built environment, and promoting competitiveness and open markets, are the
guiding principles for developing a viable sector with quality tourism products. In this
view, the co-operation shall include support :

•

for the private sector in this area will aim at improving the partnership between
firms and branches of activity connected with tourism and through cross-
disciplinary measures for SMEs in general; and

26

•

to authorities and to governments will focus on establishing a legal and
institutional framework, developing human resources and public infrastructure,
protecting and developing the natural and cultural heritage and modernising
methods and instruments for marketing the destination country.

76.

The Parties consider that close consultations shall be promoted between existing public
and private sector organisations in the development of policies and strategies.

2.7.4.

Telecommunications and Information Society

77.

Co-operation shall, inter-alia, extend to the following areas :

•

•

•

•

•

•

promote consultations between ACP and EU appropriate telecommunications
bodies with a view to encouraging development of
competitive
telecommunication environment bringing rates closer to costs;

a

establishment of a dialogue on the different aspects of information society,
including regulatory aspects and communications policy;

information exchanges and possible technical assistance on regulation,
standardisation, conformity testing and certification of
information and
communications technologies and the use of frequencies;

dissemination of new information and communication technologies, and in the
development of new facilities, particularly in relation to interconnection of
networks and interoperability of applications;

promotion and implementation of
technologies related to the information society; and

joint

research in the field of new

to raise the
design and implementation of programmes and policies
awareness of the economic and social benefits deriving from the Information
Society.

78.

The Contracting Parties recognise the role that
information and communication
technology-ICT shall play to promote the effective integration of ACP countries into
the world economy and to achieve their objectives of social and economic
development. Their objective shall be to facilitate ACP ability to participate actively in
the mastery of the new technologies. To achieve lasting results, effective public-private
partnerships are important.

79.

The principles that the contracting Parties shall adopt in assisting ACP overcome the
challenges posed by ICTs shall include:

•

•

a combination of regulation, competition and privatisation in order to clearly
delineate the respective competence of the public and private sectors;

a proactive public action to address inequalities and potential negative
outcomes;

27

•

•

a participatory approach to policy making; and

a demand-driven approach to the development of the sector.

80.

The priority areas of co-operation in the field of information society shall be to:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

the

creation of national plans

favour
ICT-friendly regulatory
environments, defined in a participatory way among all
stakeholders
the development of
concerned,
infrastructure, a better quality of services and to promote universal access
through such formulae as community access;

in order to increase private investment,

and

help ACP countries to improve their effectiveness and transparency with the
use of new technologies in the delivery of public services in the field of
education, health, environment, knowledge for development, etc, as well as for
increased citizen information and participation in public life;

support regional co-operation among ACP countries to raise their awareness of
and response to global
to promote the adoption of
international standards in order to secure interconnectivity and interoperability;

technological

trends,

increase awareness among key civil society actors of the opportunities offered
by the new technologies in addressing economic and social objectives,
including exchange of experience and dissemination of best practices, for the
dissemination of ICT applications;

strongly support an education agenda in ICT skills to help ACP countries
address emerging issues in the regulatory, technical and content areas;

foster proactive public action to promote ICT as enabling technologies for
decentralised co-operation actors, including those catering for the poor, women
and ethnic minorities; and

facilitate ACP active participation in international negotiations and processes
in the field of ICTs.

2.8.

Commodities Development

81.

This area of co-operation is mentioned for the record; specific texts will be elaborated
according to the evolving needs of co-operation as requested by the Council of
ministers.

28

3.

SOCIAL AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

3.1.

Education and Training

82.

The vital role of practical and effective education and training policies in the
development process is clear. A well educated and skilled workforce contributes
directly to raising overall productivity, enhancing economic growth, eradicating
poverty and ultimately improving the living standard of the population of ACP
countries. Properly designed, targeted and executed education and training projects and
programmes can also be effective in removing impediments in the way of people living
useful and productive lives in their own communities .

83.

In order to meet immediate and foreseeable education and training needs, co-operation
shall, therefore, support the ACP States' efforts to:

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

set up and expand training and educational establishments, particularly those of a
regional nature;

restructure their educational establishments and systems, update curricula,
methods and technology employed and reform their basic educational institutions
and systems, in particular by providing overall primary education coverage and
adjusting imported systems as well as incorporating them into development
strategies;

educational

encourage
and training operations proper, notably literacy
programmes and programmes of non-traditional forms of training, for functional
and vocational purposes as well as components of programmes that enhance the
potential and status of illiterate people;

exchange ACP’s experience with the Community in the field of literacy education
and promote and support
the participation and integration of women into
education and training and give less advantaged sections of the population in rural
areas access to education and training;

stimulate training of
in
educational technology, including the provision of relevant educational materials;
and

instructors, educational planners and specialists

initiate associations, twinning, exchanges and transfers of teachers, students and
information and technology between universities and institutions of higher
education in the ACP States and in the Community.

84.

85.

The Community and the Member States shall allocate more resources to support for
education and training in absolute and in relative terms.

The problems of the education sector shall be analysed correctly only on a country-by-
country basis.

29

86. Aid from the Community and the Member States for education and training in the ACP
countries shall be designed to support those countries' own efforts and not replace local
initiative.

87.

The sustainability of schemes in this field shall be a long-term concern.

88.

89.

The programmes financed under macro-economic reforms shall be coherent with the
long-term priorities of education in the ACP countries and not a substitute for them.

Priority shall be given to a sectoral approach wherever it can substitute the "traditional"
project.

90.

The quality of education shall be improved as much as the quantity.

91.

92.

93.

94.

95.

96.

Priority shall be given to improving educational opportunities for disadvantaged
groups, in particular women and girls.

Support for the programming and management of education under
approach shall be considered as a priority (institutional development).

the sectoral

The actors in education shall be involved in the programming and implementation
process.

Support shall foster innovation and reform in education; training of teachers shall be a
priority.

Support from the Community and the Member States shall be afforded with an eye to
together with the other main donors in the
co-ordination and complementarity,
framework of an appropriate programme for the recipient country .

Education and training operations shall, as a matter of priority, be undertaken in the
recipient ACP State or region. Where necessary, they shall be undertaken in another
ACP State or in a Member State of the Community. In the case of specialized training
particularly suited to the ACP States' needs,
training schemes shall by way of
exception, be carried out in another developing country other than an ACP State.

3.2.

Scientific, Technological and Research Co-operation

97.

The aim of scientific and technical co-operation shall be to provide support for the ACP
States' efforts to acquire their own scientific and technical skills; master the technology
they require for their development and participate actively in modern scientific,
environmental and technological developments; target research to find solutions to
economic and social problems; and improve the quality of life and well-being of the
people.

30

98.

99.

The recognition of the role of knowledge for resolving local development issues and to
enhance the competitiveness of economies is being accepted increasingly by all
societies and governments. It requires enhanced capacities at all levels to generate,
assimilate, disseminate and apply knowledge.

Progress has been made in the past years in developing strategies to enhance the
effectiveness of government
intervention in the field of research and technology
development. These strategies concentrate on creating policy environments that :

•

•

•

•

stimulate co-ordination of research efforts;

create agenda setting platforms
community, private sector and civil society;

that

include policy makers,

research

stimulate public-private partnerships; and

contribute to the reform of education systems.

100. Central in the texts adopted by the various EC and ACP entities is furthermore the
mainstreaming of research and other knowledge-related efforts within the various
programmes, sectoral, regional or thematic.

101. Finally, international endeavours as the global knowledge partnership emphasise the
urgent need to stimulate the conservation and use of indigenous and local knowledge in
a world with increasing exogenous information overload.

102. To this end, co-operation shall contribute to the:

a)

b)

c)

drawing-up and implementation of research and development projects and
programmes established by the ACP States, integrated into other development
operations and in line with the needs and living conditions of the people
concerned;

the consolidation of
establishment and promotion of activities aimed at
appropriate indigenous technology and the acquisition and adaptation of relevant
foreign technology, in particular that of other developing countries, compatible
with the specific needs of the ACP States;

promotion of scientific and technological co-operation between ACP States
themselves, between ACP States and other developing countries and between
ACP States and the European Community and its Member States, including
support to research and development units particularly at regional level in order to
make the best use of any appropriate scientific and technical facilities and services
they may process; and

d)

assistance to the ACP States’ design and development policies,
incentive
structures and institutions that support the development of domestic innovative
capability and transform firms into dynamic competitors.

31

103. To allow building on on-going efforts and to improve synergy between efforts of
different partners, ACP/EC collaboration shall continue to stimulate partnerships
between all sectors of society, both users and “generators” of knowledge, based on a
step by step refined analysis of existing research capacities and needs. It shall
emphasise the elaboration of widely shared strategies and policies that allow each of
the partners to play its respective roles.

104. Programmes within the partnership shall build, where possible, on the collaborative

efforts of the research framework programmes managed by DG RTD.

105. The application of science and technology is essential in today’s global market place
for sustainable economic and social development and for protecting and conserving the
environment and natural resources. Skilled management of science and technology is
essential for development.
In order to help ACP States increase their capability and
expertise in these areas, co-operation shall support the efforts of the ACP States to:

a)

b)

create and develop the scientific and
infrastructure, skill and
knowledge base necessary for the acquisition, adaptation and generation of
environmentally sound technologies and for strengthening entrepreneurship;

technological

build - up information technology and telematics capacity, particularly for the
support of efforts to acquire and instal information technology systems and for the
telematic networks, including international financial
development of efficient
information; and

c)

promote technological
capacity-building

3.3.

Health and Nutrition

innovation and Research and Development (R & D)

106. The aim of co-operation in health and nutrition shall be to facilitate the right of access
of all people to adequate and appropriate health care and nutrition, thus promoting
equity and social justice, alleviating suffering, reducing the economic burden of disease
and mortality and promoting the effective participation of the community in operations
to improve health and well-being.

107. To this end, co-operation in this sector shall seek to support functional and sustainable
health and nutrition services which are financially affordable, culturally acceptable,
geographically accessible and technically feasible.
It shall seek to promote an
integrated approach to the creation and maintenance of health and nutrition services
based on the extension of preventive care, the improvement of curative care, access to
safe water and adequate sanitation, balanced diet
in terms of nutrients and the
promotion of complementarity between hospital-based and basic-level services in
accordance with primary health care and nutrition policies.

108. Co-operation in the health sector shall provide support for:

a)

health-sector planning and management, including the strengthening of statistical
and information systems and the formulation of health financing strategies at
national, regional and district levels;

32

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

g)

h)

establishment and promotion of
modern health care;

schemes to integrate traditional medicine into

implementation of essential drug programmes and strategies.;

carrying out of training of staff in the context of an overall programme, ranging
from public health planners, administrators, management staff and specialists
down to the personnel in the field;

setting up, execution and enhancement of schemes aimed at integrating nutrition
policy into the overall health care policy;

increasing security of household water with a sustainable and equitable access to
water of sufficient quantity and quality, at an affordable cost;

promotion of training and information programmes and campaigns aimed at
stamping out endemic diseases, improving environmental hygiene, combatting the
use of narcotic drugs, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and other health
scourges in the framework of integrated health systems; and

the building-up and maintenance of research institutes, university departments and
specialist schools in ACP countries, notably in the field of public health and
nutrition.

109. The priorities of co-operation, with a view to reducing poverty, are :

•

•

•

•

•

facilitating the adaptation of national policies and strategies;

contributing to creating an environment conducive to health;

supporting reform of care systems by remedying structural imbalances in care
systems through a better share of responsibilities between the different players
and notably between the public and private sectors and by fostering public-
private partnerships;

developing financial systems enabling mobilisation of resources conducive to
ensuring better equity ; and

developing, as a priority, schemes aimed at improving the quality of care in an
urban environment and in outlying areas.

110. Support shall be given chiefly as part of the sectoral approach, encouraging ownership
by the ACP countries, institutional support, dialogue on all facets of health policy and
trans-sectoral approach, involvement of all the players, priority to the extension and
quality of basic services, co-ordination and complementarity with other donors.

•

•

access to essential medicines remains a priority;

targeting the support at the poorest sections of the population is a priority; and

33

•

increased investment
for
institutional development will be encouraged at the national and regional
levels.

in the generation of knowledge and support

3.4.

HIV/AIDS

111. Co-operation’strategic objectives and priorities in the fight against Aids are :

•

•

•

•

•

To eliminate as far as possible the propagation of the epidemic by avoiding
discrimination and exclusion of persons running the risk of infection, infected
persons and those already ill by:

-

-

implementing measures relating to sexual education and health and the
availability of means of protection ;

paying greater attention to disadvantaged groups and regions.

Helping health systems incorporate the additional burden represented by Aids;

Reducing the consequences of
development;

the epidemic on social and economic

Increasing scientific knowledge on Aids – and its dissemination – and
widening possible action and its application at the level of implementation and
follow-up; and

Increase the coherence, co-ordination and complementarity with the Member
States and other major donors, in particular UNAIDS, the World Bank and
bilateral donors. Co-ordination takes place on the basis of the following
principles:

-

-

-

-

-

-

action must be geared to risk behaviours but also to the socio-economic
factors underlying them which create environments with specific risks ;

it should be specific and gender-sensitive;

it should be based on a strategy of social learning that is not coercive
and fosters respect for human rights and human dignity;

it should not be administered from on high but based on the
empowerment of individuals and communities to take charge and
assume responsibilities;

it should be incorporated into a wider framework geared to the stage of
the epidemic and reaction must be swiftly mobilised ; and

it should enable governments, communities and individuals to minimise
the propagation of the epidemic, while preventing discrimination and
exclusion of persons at risk, infected persons and those already ill by
treating Aids as a multi-sectoral problem and an issue requiring a
specific form of action.

34

112. Co-operation shall examine the possibility of creating new solidarity mechanisms and
consider several alternative solutions; envisage the possibility of financing care,
including anti-retroviruses, in the developing countries while examining aspects of
technical uncertainty, relative priorities, prices and the general interest. The possibility
of developing vaccines and microbicides, then creating a fund for purchases of these
products, is being discussed and enjoys widespread support.

113. Consideration shall also be given to possibilities of an additional special contribution
by the European Community to help certain countries purchase essential products; and
encourage the private sector to continue investing in research on vaccines and
microbicides and then provide funds for the purchase of these products.

3.5.

Population and Family Planning

114. The main objective of co-operation in the area of population and family planning shall,
inter alia, be the support of policies and strategies aimed at improving primary health
care services, reproductive health and family planning as well as the prevention of
female genital mutilation. The adoption of effective and practical policies and
strategies in these areas are critical to ACP States if they are to break out of the vicious
circle of poverty and ultimately to its eradication.

115. To this end, co-operation shall aimed at:

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

g)

h)

i)

improving access to safe, effective, affordable and culturally acceptable methods
of fertility regulation ;

preventing diseases and deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth ;

promoting and protecting the mother and child in the overall population ;

strengthening access to appropriate primary health care services and counselling
that allow women to go through pregnancy and childbirth safely and with the best
chance of a healthy infant ;

improving access to and choice in family planning, including the control and
prevention of sexually transmitted diseases ;

incorporating family planning services into maternal and child health services ;

strengthening and improving the knowledge base of ACP States as well as
promoting and applying best practices ;

enhancing the ability of
local communities to participate actively in the
management of their own health and strengthening operational health systems ;
and

eliminating traditional practices that are harmful to health such as female genital
mutilation.

35

116. Measures to achieve the objectives referred to above shall be made part of training
programmes and projects, health and/or land-use planning strategies and shall include
the:

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

creation of statistical and demographic services in the ACP States and/or
expansion of their capacity with a view to collecting reliable data for the
formulation of population and family planning policies and strategies;

dissemination of public information about population issues and policies;

preparation,
programmes;

implementation and evaluation of

relevant projects

and/or

formulation and implementation of voluntary family planning policies; and

training and retraining of personnel in the ACP States to prepare and implement
population policies and strategies in various sectors.

117. Such measures shall take into account local, cultural and social practices and local
economies. They shall be drawn up and carried out in accordance with the policies,
projects and programmes of ACP States and in conformity with fundamental human
rights and the freely made choices of individuals concerning family size, the planning
of births and the means and ways to be used for family planning.

118. The implementation of such measures shall take particular account of the interface and
interaction between demographic and other relevant policies. The role of women and
youth in these different social and development areas shall be considered essential.

119. The following objectives are being pursued by co-operation :

•

•

•

fostering the definition and implementation of national population policies
integrated with health policies;

fostering the development of systems, methods and means enabling wide
dissemination of information; and

supporting the development of services disseminating the methods and means
of family planning.

120. Co-operation shall create an environment (political, legal, institutional) conducive to
the development of family planning and free choice of the number of children. It shall
in particular

•

•

call for the development of family planning in the policy dialogue conducted
with aid recipients;

provide technical assistance to help the countries frame sustainable policies on
family planning and strengthen institutional and local management capacity in
this field;

36

•

strengthen research and training on family planning in Europe and in the
developing countries. To guarantee the implementation of family planning
under ideal conditions with a view to efficacy and efficiency, priority should
go to :

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

developing research in this field, particularly operational research;

strengthening, through a major training and education drive, the capital
of specialised human resources in this field available both in Europe and
in the recipient countries;

speeding up the development of services offered in the way of family
planning and reproductive health by facilitating their incorporation into
existing health policies;

offering more appropriate and better targeted financial support and
technical assistance;

focusing efforts: Given the limitations on means, spreading the schemes
to agree on
is,
too thinly harms efficiency. It
focusing means both on geographical areas and on certain types of
family planning programme;

therefore,

important

the aid will be granted as a priority to countries with a high population
growth rate which have expressed a clear desire to implement
population policies; and

improving co-ordination and complementarity with EU Member States
and other major donors.

3.6.

Cultural Development

121. Cultural co-operation shall seek to preserve the cultural heritage

and promote the
cultural identities of the ACP States’ peoples with a view to fostering their self-
advancement, stimulating their creativity and encouraging inter-cultural dialogue.
Cultural co-operation shall also encourage communities to blossom and is a very
important way of securing economic and social development. Such co-operation shall
aim at promoting, in the interests of dialogue, exchange and mutual enrichment and on
a basis of equality, a better understanding and greater solidarity between ACP
governments and peoples on the one hand, and between ACP and EU governments and
peoples on the other.

122. ACP – EU cultural co-operation shall take account of the following dimensions :

•

the need to take account of the cultural dimension (that is to say all the values,
levels of
representations, ways of thinking and acting) at
development co-operation. Here, culture means all
the values, ways of
thinking and acting which form the more or less visible structure of a human
"Taking into account" is a complex and difficult task even if the
society.
know-how exists (for example, taking account of the role of women). In those
countries torn apart by conflict we see that some of these initial initiatives of
reconciliation are taken into account;

the different

37

•

•

•

recognition and promotion of mutual cultural
identities between African,
Caribbean and Pacific countries and EU countries in an inter-cultural dialogue;
mutual enrichment of ACP peoples and Community peoples shall be fostered
by stimulating an awareness of the interdependence of peoples of different
cultures;

safeguarding and developing cultural heritage and the development of capacity
in this sector; cultural heritage is at the very heart of people's identity;

access to the market for ACP cultural products in particular for the culture
industries.

123. The economic importance of culture for the ACP countries shall be stressed. The major
role already occupied by this tertiary sector in Western economies presages what shall
happen a few years from now in the economies of the South. At global level, the music
sector and the picture industry shall be among the top ten industrial sectors.

124. For the ACP countries, culture is every bit as much a job-creating sector for local
development as a factor for integrating their economy into global economic networks.
In those countries an active economy has grown around the culture industries, above all
music and the applied arts (notably stylism).
It shall develop further through
professionalisation of networks and a minimum of legal security in dealing with piracy.
A similar economic challenge, albeit on a smaller scale, shall be found in the plastic
arts, the cinema or live shows.

125. The economic openings are indirect. This is especially the case of heritage, where
restoration requires an economy led by the craft sector and tourism.
It is, therefore,
necessary to broach the issue of a cultural economy in a sectoral approach branch by
branch.

126.

In respect of cultural co-operation, activities undertaken to this end shall, therefore,
cover the following areas:

a)

b)

studies, research and measures concerning the cultural aspects of taking into
account the cultural dimension of co-operation ; and

studies, research and measures to promote the cultural identities of the ACP
peoples and all initiatives likely to contribute to inter-cultural dialogue.

4.

THEMATIC AND CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

4.1.

Gender

127. Gender means the different and interrelated roles, responsibilities and opportunities of
women and men, which are culturally specific and socially constructed, and can change
over time, inter alia as a result of policy interventions. Gender has crucial implications
for the achievement of all development objectives.

38

128. The principles which shall guide co-operation are :

•

•

•

•

•

Gender analysis at macro-, meso- and micro-levels must be mainstreamed in
the conception, design and implementation of all development policies and
interventions, as well as in monitoring and evaluation ;

Women and men should both participate in and benefit from the development
process on an equal basis ;

Reducing gender disparities is a priority for society as a whole ;

Analysis of differences and disparities between women and men must be a key
criterion for assessing the goals and results of development policies and
interventions ; and

Co-operation must encourage and support changes in attitudes, structures and
mechanisms at political, legal community and household levels in order to
reduce gender inequalities and in particular :

-

-

-

political power-sharing and full and equal participation in decision-making
must be promoted at all levels;

economic empowerment and equal access to and control over economic
resources must be strengthened;

equal access to and control over social development opportunities must be
fostered.

129. The formulation of all development policies shall explicitly take into account the
general principles for gender-sensitive development co-operation. In particular, macro-
economic policies such as structural adjustment shall properly take into account the
indications coming from micro- and meso-level analysis, and the interdependence
between women's and men's roles both in production and in the reproduction and
maintenance of human resources.

130. The general principles shall be a constant feature in all policy dialogue and negotiation
In particular, external assistance shall encourage and support
legal and administrative frameworks in a gender-

with partner countries.
the revision of existing policy,
sensitive way.

131. At project, programme and country strategy levels, external assistance shall ensure that
interventions from the planning to the
In addition, special attention shall be given to

gender analysis
evaluation phase (mainstreaming).
positive actions addressing major gender disparities.

orients all development

132. Both mainstreaming and positive actions shall be considered as complementary
strategies aimed at enabling the full release of women’s and men’s development
potential and their equal access to economic, political and social development
opportunities, including education and health.

39

133. When special interventions are provided to reduce major disparities between women
and men, they shall be structurally linked to major sectors of activity, supported with
adequate financial, technical and human resources, limited in time and with a clear
perspective of linking up with mainstreaming activities.

134.

In non-project forms of development aid, efforts shall be made to establish the
necessary links between the micro-, meso- and macro-analysis, paying specific
attention to gender issues.

4.2.

Environment

135.

In the framework of this Agreement, the protection and the enhancement of the
environment and natural resources, the halting of the deterioration of land, forests and
aquatic ecosystems, the restoration of ecological balances, the preservation of natural
resources and their sustainable use are basic objectives that the ACP States concerned
shall strive to achieve with Community support with a view to bringing an immediate
improvement in the living conditions of their populations and to safeguarding those of
future generations.

136. The ACP States and the Community recognize that the existence of some ACP States is
under threat as a result of a rapid deterioration of the environment that hinders any
development efforts, in particular those aimed at achieving the priority objectives of
poverty reduction and the integration into the world economy. For many ACP States
efforts to halt this deterioration of the environment and conserve natural resources are
imperative and call for the preparation and implementation of national strategies for
sustainable development that have due regard for ecological balances.

137. The dimension of the environmental problem and of the means to be deployed mean
that ACP-EC co-operation shall have to be carried out in the context of overall, long-
term policies for sustainable development, drawn up and implemented by the ACP
States at national, regional and international level with international support.

138. To this end, co-operation shall give priority in their activities to:

•

•

•

•

from

environmental sustainability at all
a systematic approach that will ensure
stages,
identification,
formulation,
implementation and evaluation and in every sphere, including trade, regional
co-operation, macro-economic
support
programmes, as well as projects implemented by the various actors;

programming

adjustment

strategy

sectoral

and

and

a preventive approach on the basis of the precautionary principle aimed at
avoiding harmful effects on the environment as a result of any programme or
operation;

a pro-active approach searching and incorporating opportunities from the
improvement of the environment in any programme or operation;

a cross-sectoral approach that takes into account not only the direct but also the
indirect consequences of the operations undertaken; and

40

•

a cost-efficient approach promoting appropriate regulatory and market-based
policy instruments placing emphasis on the polluter pays principle.

139. Effective mainstreaming of the environment into every sphere of the ACP-EU co-
operation shall require the significant enhancement of the existing capacities in ACP
countries. Where necessary, appropriate measures shall be identified assisting in the
implementation of multi-lateral environmental agreements, supporting the formulation
and enforcement of environmental policies, strengthening the relevant institutions, and
building the capacity of public and private sector, and of civil society in ACP countries
to effectively address environmental
issues. During the formulation of country
strategies and indicative programmes particular attention shall be paid to the
international commitments to multi-lateral environmental agreements, such as the
Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the
Framework Convention on Climate Change, to the domestic environmental policies and
the relevant institutional framework of ACP Countries.

140. The protection of the environment and natural resources requires a comprehensive
approach embracing the social and cultural dimensions. In order to ensure that this
specific dimension shall be taken into account, attention shall be given to incorporating
suitable educational, training,
information and research schemes into projects and
programmes.

141. Co-operation instruments appropriate to environmental needs shall, as and when

necessary, be designed and implemented.

142. For the proper integration of environmental considerations, physical inventories, where

possible translated into accounting terms, shall be drawn up.

143. Where necessary, both qualitative and quantitative criteria shall be used. Jointly
approved check-lists shall be used to help estimate the environmental viability of
proposed operations, whatever their scale. Strategic environmental assessments or
environmental impact assessment shall be carried out as appreciate.

144. The implementation of these instruments shall to ensure that,

•

•

should an adverse environmental impact be foreseen, the necessary corrective
measures are formulated; and

opportunities for environmental improvements are taken into consideration, in
the early stage of the preparation of the proposed project or programme so that
it can go ahead in accordance with the planned timetable though improved in
terms of the sustainable management of environmental and natural resources.

145. The Parties, desirous of bringing real protection and effective management to the
environment and natural resources, consider that all the areas of ACP-EC co-operation
covered in this Agreement shall be systematically examined and appraised in this light.

41

146.

In this spirit the Community shall support efforts made by the ACP States at national,
regional and international level and also operations mounted by intergovernmental and
non-governmental organisations in furtherance of national and intergovernmental
policies and priorities. Recognising that many environmental and natural resource
management (i.e. water) problems have regional aspects that cannot be dealt with
effectively at country level, special emphasis shall be given to environmental protection
programmes in the context of regional programming. Complementarity between
national and regional
indicative programmes is important to address cross-border
environmental effects of development projects and programmes.

the greenhouse effect,

147. The Parties recognize the value of exchanging views, using existing consultation
mechanisms under this Agreement, on major ecological hazards, whether on a global
scale (such as
the ozone layer,
tropicaldeforestation, misuse of water resources, etc.), or of a more specific scope
resulting from the application of
technology (pollution, health risks,
industrial
industrial hazards, etc..). Such consultations shall be requested by either Party, insofar
as these hazards shall in practice affect the Contracting Parties, and shall be aimed at
assessing the scope for joint action to be undertaken within the terms of this
Agreement. If necessary, the consultations shall also provide for an exchange of views
prior to discussions conducted on these subjects in the appropriate international fora.

the deterioration of

4.3.

Institutional Development and Capacity Building

148. Co-operation in the area of institutional development and capacity building concerns
support for the efforts by the ACP countries related to four areas in which assistance
shall be provided by the Community:

•

•

•

•

the promotion and strengthening of the respect for human rights, democratic
principles, rule of law and of transparent and accountable governance and
administration in all public institutions (including fight against corruption):
support for the development and strengthening of structures, institutions and
procedures;

the strengthening of the capacities of public institutions and public sector
effectiveness as positive force of development and growth and of
the
efficiency of government services: support for reforms of the judiciary and the
public sector, including its rationalisation and modernisation; decentralisation;

the restoration or enhancement of critical public sector capacity and of
institutions required for the proper functioning of market-economy based
societies; and

the development of the capacities of (emerging) non-state actors and the
strengthening of structures and mechanisms of information, dialogue and of
consultation between non-state-actors and the national authorities.

42

149. Support and assistance for establishing/reforming or improving structures, institutions
and mechanisms relevant for the effectiveness of respect for human rights, rule of law,
democratic principles and good governance include:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

support for the establishment and strengthening of clear-cut rules reflected by
appropriate constitutional,
including
transparent mechanisms of application and monitoring;

legislative and regulatory systems

the
support for reforms and the proper functioning of electoral systems,
election administration and of electoral processes at national and local levels;
support for setting-up institutionalised mechanisms of consultation of the
people (e.g. referenda) ;

strengthening the capacities (= institutional and personal know-how and skills,
organisational, planning,
implementation and monitoring capacities) of
emerging and existing relevant public and non-governmental institutions and
organisations through technical assistance, training and information provision -
with a special focus on international agreements and standards of human
rights, on democratic systems and decision-making procedures and on
transparent and accountable management of public resources, respectful of the
rule of law;

support for strengthening monitoring-related statistical information-gathering
capacities of institutions and related mechanisms according to internationally
comparable standards;

support for the multiplicator-function of relevant training institutions (Public
Administration Academy, Police Academy, Bar Associations etc).;

support for improved access to justice through assistance for 'Ombudsperson'-
like institutions and publicly accessible relevant information;

support for strengthening the role and capacities of independent media and
professional skills of journalists through training;

for

institutional

support
reforms and codes of conduct within public
administration to improve transparency and accountability in public resource
management; and

strengthen institutions (Public Prosecutor, Anti-Corruption Commissions etc.)
and mechanisms providing public monitoring of and regular reporting on
government performance at national and local levels with a view to fighting
and prosecuting corruption and bribery.

150. Results-based support for strengthening the capacities of public institutions and the

efficiency in public service delivery:

•

through support for organisational and functional reforms of the civil service to
modernise and improve their efficiency;

43

•

•

•

•

•

through support for legal and judicial reforms and for the modernisation of the
including modernisation of administration and professional
justice system,
training of judges;

the
strengthening the public finance management
introduction of
the
transparent organisational
responsibilities, rules and mechanisms of checks and balances including the
provision of the relevant skills at all levels of responsibilities;

for
through support
system setting out

a

support and technical assistance for accelerating reforms of the banking and
financial sector ;

through assistance (reforms, skills) for improving the management of public
assets and reform of public procurement procedures; and

through assistance for implementing political, administrative, economic and
financial decentralisation.

151. Restoration or enhancement of critical public sector capacity and of institutions
required for the proper functioning of market-economy based societies, especially
through assistance (Technical assistance, training) for:

•

•

•

•

•

developing legal and regulatory capabilities that are needed to cope with the
operation of a market economy, including competition policy and consumer
policy;

improving capacities to analyse, plan, formulate and implement policies,
particularly in the economic, social, environmental, research, science and
technology and innovation fields;

for modernising,
institutions and improving procedures;

strengthening and reforming financial and monetary

for building at local and municipal levels the capacity required for the effective
implementation of decentralisation policy and to increase the participation of
the population in the development process; and

for developing capacity in critical areas such as international negotiations and
management and co-ordination of external aid.

152. Support (through technical assistance,

training etc. ) for the development of the
capacities of non-state actors and the strengthening of structures for information,
dialogue and consultation between them and the national authorities related to all areas,
sectors and levels.

153.

In its assistance efforts the Community shall increase the use of local expertise.

44

5.

TRADE RELATED ISSUES

154.

The following areas are mentioned for the record; specific texts will be elaborated
according to the evolving needs of co-operation as requested by the Council of
ministers.

5.1.

Competition Policy

155. For the record

5.2.

Protection and Intellectual Property Rights

156. For the record

5.3.

Standardisation and Certification

157. For the record

5.4.

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

158. For the record

5.5.

Trade and Environment

159. For the record

5.6.

Trade and Labour Standards

160. For the record

5.7.

Consumer Policy and Protection of Consumer Health

161. For the record

6.

ACTORS OF THE PARTNERSHIP

162. Co-operation

shall

promote

participatory

the
complementary role and contributions of state and non-state actors to co-operation
strategies. Best practices on participation of non-state actors and decentralised co-
operation shall be collected and subject to regular updtating for the purpose of the
present compendium.

approaches which

recognise

6.1.

Information and Consultation of Non-State Actors

163. Within the framework of ACP-EU co-operation strategies non-state actors are informed
and consulted according to provisions of the Agreement. Co-operation in this area shall
be guided by the following principles:

45

•

•

•

•

consultation and democracy are interrelated;

ownership of development
concerned;

strategies by the countries and population

greater paticipation of an active and organised civil society and the private
sector in the development process, especially in areas that concern or directly
affect these actors or where they have specific competencies; and

initiative to be taken by non-state actors.

164. For the purpose of taking full advantage of the partnership Agreement co-operation
shall encourage and facilitate efforts of non-state actors at both national and regional
level
in assessing their needs and elaborating proposals for capacity-building
programmes in order to :

a) develop their capacity to organise and structure themselves through:

•

•

•

inventory/assessment of existing mechanisms and structures;

the development of appropriate information and communication networks at
national and regional levels; and

exchange of experiences.

b) develop specific competencies in order to be able to analyse economic and social
issues and to propose recommendations for policy guidelines, with particular
emphasis on capacity to:

•

•

•

•

identify the constraints on business development, on competitiveness,
employment creation, social needs, reforms needed in the regulatory and
administrative framework;

draft a proposal for a project/programme;

develop negotiating skills;

develop human resources capacity and competencies at
representative organisations and at the level of their members.

the level of

165.

In the area of information, co-operation shall cover the following aspects:

•

•

•

informing non-state actors on the overall partnership agreement, on the
programming dialogue with the government, on the country support strategies
and on the modalities of access to financial resources;

facilitating the dialogue between non-state actors in and among ACP countries
and between ACP and EU/EC representatives;

encouraging the activities of existing facilitator structures such as the ACP-EC
follow-up committee of the European Economic and Social Committee, the
the ACP civil society forum and the ACP Local
ACP business forum,

46

forum, and support

Government
to co-operation with
international organisations and agencies such as ILO, UNICEF, and between
ACP-EU NGO partners; and

in this context

•

in particular
clarifying and strengthening the role of EU delegations
bydesignating a contact point responsible for the relations with non-state actors
including access to information,technical advice and dialogue facilitation.

166.

In the area of consultation, distinction should be made between:

•

•

consultation in respect of democratic principles on the one hand (to be
the
addressed
Agreement/through the political dialogue/role of the Council of Ministers and
of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly); and

institutional

procedures

through

out

the

set

in

consultation within the framework of the country development strategies, to be
addressed through the review mechanism foreseen in the programming process
defined in the Agreement (Country Support Strategies) and through reports of
ACP representatives to members of the ACP/EU Follow-up Committee.

167. Concerning consultation on development strategies, co-operation shall facilitate the
elaboration of adequate and flexible mechanisms of dialogue between the government
and non-state actors with a view to :

•

•

•

disseminating information on country development strategy, country support
strategy and sectoral strategies;

establishing a structured dialogue on development policies including trade
policy, macro-economic policy, economic and social regulations and sectoral
policies; and

ensuring that non-state actors are adequately involved in the process leading to
the definition of ACP-EU country strategies and sectoral priorities, according
to each country's individual circumstances.

6.2.

Decentralised Co-operation

168. Decentralisation cooperation is above all another way of going about cooperation, one
that places the actors themselves (in all their diversity) at the heart of the cooperation
process.

169. The actors of decentralisation cooperation shall include local government authorities,
local associations and groups, public service structures, development
support
structures, and federations and networks of private operators. The range of possible
actors has voluntarily been left open with a view to welcoming initiatives from
different sectors of a pluralist civil society.

47

170. Decentralised cooperation shall be based on five key components:

•

•

•

•

•

the active participation of all classes of actors (assumption of responsibility;

collaboration between and complementarity of the different actors (ensuring
the consistency of the initiatives of different actors within a programmed
approach);

decentralised management (principle of subsidiarity);

the adoption of a "process-approach" where duration is an essential element;

priority to capacity and institution building.

171. Decentralised cooperation programmes shall have three main intervention planks:

•

•

•

Support for the decentralisation process, namely the emergence of legitimate
and efficient systems of local government;

support for local development initiatives and trends;

support for political and social dialogue aimed at ensuring the involvement
upstream of local actors in the formulation of policies and programmes.

48