Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Regional integration and sustainable development
Date: 2004-06-02
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: Mediterranean third countries, aid policy, developing countries, development aid, economic integration, environmental cooperation, least-developed country, sustainable development

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Regional integration and sustainable
development’

(2004/C 241/12)

On 21 January 2003 the European Economic and Social Committee, acting under Rule 29(2) of its Rules
of Procedure, decided to draw up an own-initiative opinion on ‘Regional integration and sustainable devel-
opment’.

The Section for External Relations, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the
subject, adopted its opinion on 9 March 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Dimitriadis.

At its 409th plenary session (meeting of 2 June 2004), the European Economic and Social Committee
adopted the following opinion with 179 votes in favour, 2 against and 5 abstentions.

1. Introduction — Key issues

the added value of

1.1
This opinion is intended as a contribution towards iden-
tifying the basic elements of a working framework through
which European regional development policies, as framed
through intergovernmental and regional agreements and devel-
opment programmes, can incorporate the concept of sustain-
able development. On this basis,
the
opinion lies in the proposals it puts forward for making the
incorporation of the concept of sustainable development in
regional
integration measures a key point on the agenda of
working discussions between the EESC delegations and the
representatives of developing countries and the Euro-Mediterra-
nean Partnership countries. The opinion also aims to serve as a
warning to the developing and least developed countries (LDCs)
not to repeat the mistakes made by European countries during
the long process of economic development they have ahead of
them. Such mistakes have weighed heavily on Europe's efforts
to walk the path of sustainability.

This opinion concerns the EU's external relations with
1.2
the developing countries and LDCs and with the Euro-Med
countries with which it has special ties.

1.3
This opinion adopts the definition of sustainable devel-
opment given in previous EESC opinions (1), which in turn is
based on the Brundtland report and the Gothenburg summit.
Particularly important is the breakdown of the definition of
sustainable development into three pillars, namely economic
development, environmental compatibility and social justice.

None of these three pillars can fully convey the sense
1.4
and importance of sustainable development on its own, but
together they provide a satisfactory basis for identifying the
operational features of sustainable development. These features
are necessary for transforming sustainable development from a
general theoretical concept into a practical tool.

for all policies in which it

It is of course essential to identify the functional features
1.5
of sustainable development
is
supposed to be a basic component. In particular, there must be
recognition of the need to identify functional characteristics in
efforts to make sustainable development an inherent and inte-
gral element of regional integration. This is because regional
integration is mainly realised through specific intergovern-
mental agreements and programmes involving clear actions.

1.6
Regional integration is one of the six key areas of EU
development cooperation agreed on between the Member
States and the Commission in 2000. Together with support for
macroeconomic policies,
transport,
food safety, sustainable agricultural development and institu-
tional capacity building,
it makes up the EU's strategy for
securing productive and constructive cooperation with the
developing countries and LDCs. This fact was also stressed at
the 6th EU-ACP Regional Seminar of Economic and Social
Interest Groups.

trade and development,

1.7
Regional integration and cooperation help to integrate
the developing countries into the global economy and play a
crucial role in consolidating peace and preventing conflict.
They also enable the countries involved to address cross-border
differences, particularly concerning the environment and the
use and management of natural resources.

(1) EESC opinion on The preparation of a European Union strategy for

sustainable development, OJ C 221, 7.8.2001.
EESC opinion on A sustainable Europe for a Better World, OJ C 48,
21.2.2002.
EESC opinion on a Sustainable Development Strategy: Signals for
Barcelona, OJ C 94, 18.4.2002.
EESC opinion on The Lisbon strategy and sustainable development,
OJ C 95, 23.4.2003.

1.8
This link between regional integration and the use and
management of natural resources gives a clear indication of the
direct connection and relationship that efforts towards regional
integration must have with action for sustainable development.
Particular emphasis must be placed on this link, which must
also be manifest in subregional cooperation between the devel-
oping countries and LDCs and the Euro-Med countries.

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regional

On a conceptual

level, sustainable development

1.9
is a
much broader term than regional integration. While sustainable
development refers across the board to all areas of economic
integration focuses more on
and social activity,
economic cooperation through specific trade agreements and
policies. Nevertheless, both terms are directly relevant to the
new globalised environment which has begun to take shape
over
recent decades and which is dramatically changing
economic, social and environmental conditions all over the
planet.

sustainable development in areas where regional integration is
being pursued.

2. Regional

integration and sustainable development in

the context of globalisation

It is also worth pointing out that the term sustainable
1.10
in strategy documents, while
development mainly occurs
integration comes up in documents outlining
regional
programmes of economic action and policy. That is to say,
sustainable development is, and should be treated as, an over-
arching, rather than complementary, dimension of regional
integration.

2.1
The project to create a working framework referred to
in 1.1 cannot fail to take account of the globalised environment
of recent decades and particularly the connection between
regional
integration agreements or regional trade agreements
and the World Trade Organisation.

It is clear that the EU's efforts to promote regional inte-
1.11
gration in the developing countries and LDCs and the Euro-
Med countries are guided by the basic principles, philosophy
and priorities which the EU has applied within its own borders.
Sustainable development is a top priority for the EU. Even
though it has been declared a main strategic goal of the EU (1),
it can hardly be considered fully operational, mainly owing to
the small number of both quantitative and qualitative indicators
proposed for monitoring it. This fact must be addressed as a
challenge and the EESC has clearly stated its intention in
to support moves to fully incorporate
previous opinions
sustainable development in the Lisbon strategy at a practical
level. Particular reference is made to the opinion issued in May
2002 on the Communication from the Commission to the
European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Towards a
global partnership for sustainable development.

1.11.1
That opinion notes: ‘Global sustainable development
is an area for which the EU can furnish a very particular contri-
bution based on experience within the Union itself.’ (2) This
experience must therefore be applied as effectively as possible
to the LDCs and Euro-Med countries.

1.12
Another key parameter in the EU's efforts to promote
the strategy of sustainable development through regional inte-
gration must be to recognise the principle that peace, security
and strong democratic principles are the basic prerequisite for

(1) Gothenburg Summit.
(2) EESC opinion on the Communication from the Commission to the
the Economic and Social
European Parliament,
Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Towards a global
partnership for sustainable development, COM(2002) 82 final,
13.02.2002, OJ C 221, 17.09.2002.

the Council,

2.2
A basic duty of the WTO is the liberalisation of interna-
tional trade: the abolition of tariffs and distorting subsidies, and
removal of non-tariff barriers to trade. Regional development
agreements must be compatible with this objective and go one
step further, giving equal weighting to issues related to restruc-
turing at national level with a view to reducing internal trade
barriers. Thus,
should
concern matters of
reducing political
instability and corruption, creating and supporting new institu-
tions and other domestic issues. Thus they are seen as more in
keeping with efforts to achieve sustainable development as they
create a ripple effect
in areas of social and environmental
policy.

regional development

restructuring,

agreements

fiscal

2.3 While it is not a given that this ripple effect is always
positive, the potential of regional development agreements to
function in a more integrated way than agreements formalised
through the WTO should be acknowledged.

2.4
Another question linked to sustainable development and
regional development is that of foreign direct investment in the
developing countries and LDCs.

2.5
In the recent past, foreign direct investment provided
the focus of increased interest from developing countries. The
influx of foreign direct investment increased eightfold in the
decade 1990-2000, but was concentrated to a large extent on a
limited number of developing countries.

2.6
Foreign direct investment can play an important role in
economic development and consequently in reducing poverty
by creating jobs (a basic requirement of sustainable develop-
ment). It is a fact that creating jobs can really help to improve
people's standard of living in the LDCs and Euro-Mediterranean
countries. The production process can therefore be expected to
bring about growth in national wealth and an improvement in
basic infrastructure through the resulting public investment.

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It is, however, a fact that, in very many cases, foreign
2.7
direct
in the developing countries and LDCs is
investment
mainly based on the low cost of labour in those countries.
Numerous studies claim that, in many instances, such invest-
ment is very likely to be detrimental in the long term both to
sustainable development and to regional
integration. This is
because the jobs created are not underpinned by products and
services based on a comprehensive strategy that includes the
three pillars of sustainable development (economic viability,
respect for the environment and social justice). Thus while low
labour costs help companies to be economically viable, there is
no corresponding guarantee that investment will be environ-
mentally responsible or socially equitable.

2.8
It is possible, at least in theory, that a country involved
in a regional development agreement and at the same time
receiving a much larger amount of foreign direct investment
(compared with other countries involved in regional coopera-
tion) may have difficulty realising the processes of regional
integration. This may happen if foreign direct investment is not
fully compatible with certain principles of regional cooperation
with the other countries.

It is therefore appropriate to carry out further research
2.9
and as far as possible to evaluate the quantitative and qualita-
tive impact of foreign direct investment on sustainable develop-
ment and regional
integration in the developing countries.
Foreign direct investment must therefore be evaluated not just
in terms of its productivity on the basis of strict economic
criteria but also in terms of its impact on the environment and
social structures. Particular attention must be paid to the role
of businesses and especially to promoting Corporate Social
Responsibility.

integration and sustainable development. This reasoning is also
supported by the results of the Johannesburg World Summit
on Sustainable Development, where the EU endeavoured —
though perhaps less successfully than expected owing to resis-
tance from other countries — to commit the international
community to a series of operational measures helping to
promote sustainable development.

3.3
This checklist must be the result of an exhaustive
process of dialogue with civil society organisations. The time-
frame for drawing up this checklist must on the one hand
allow full coverage of the issues while on the other hand
ensuring that the whole undertaking produces results. In other
words, it should be neither uncomfortably short nor unnecessa-
rily long. The whole process could be significantly facilitated by
promoting the development of Local Agendas 21 in the devel-
oping countries, LDCs and the Euro-Med countries. Local
Agendas 21 are action programmes at local level (municipali-
ties, rural communities, etc.) to promote sustainable develop-
ment. The Agendas are designed principally by local authori-
ties, working in close cooperation with all parties concerned,
and with civil society organisations playing an important role.
Development of the Local Agendas 21 is backed by the UN
Environment Programme and was launched after the Earth
Summit in Rio (1992). When drawing up the agendas, priority
must be given to sustainable rural development, which is also
supported by the EU in the context of implementing national
development strategies.

3.4 With this in mind, the following issues are proposed.
This must be seen as a preliminary set of key items on the
agenda referred to above, which may well be added to as a
result of exchanges of views with civil society, as indeed
provided for in the 2003-2004 work programme of the EESC's
Section for External Relations. The
items proposed as
comprising the basic agenda are presented in terms of the three
pillars of sustainability, namely economic development, social
justice and environmental compliance.

3. Strategy and implementation at EU level

3.1
There is no doubting the EU's intention to frame efforts
to achieve regional integration with the concept of sustainable
development. Since regional integration has been recognised as
a key force for development, it makes sense, particularly for the
developing countries and LDCs, to seek to incorporate the
concept of sustainability into the development model being
created in these countries so that it does not subsequently
become necessary to adjust a model which has not taken this
dimension into account. However,
it is especially important
and necessary for this intention to be translated into concrete
action in the developing countries and LDCs. On this point, the
role of sectoral policies is crucial.

The concept of sustainable development can only be
3.2
incorporated effectively into action on regional
integration
through concrete sectoral policies. It is sectoral policies which
determine the measures to achieve certain objectives at an
operational level. It is therefore necessary to create a checklist
of issues to be addressed by specific sectoral policies in regional

4. The economic development pillar

4.1 Agricultural development policies

4.1.1
The developing countries and LDCs are dependent on
agriculture for a large proportion of their GDP. In this context,
the EESC would point out that the European Union has already
taken many initiatives in favour of trade with these countries
(‘all except weapons’ initiative). Indeed, the European Union is
the main importer of agricultural and food products from the
LDCs. However, regional integration is to a large extent based
on agreements concerning agricultural products. Given that the
prevailing methods by which agriculture is practised around
the world are far from what could be described as sustainable,

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all the necessary measures will have to be taken to promote the
use of sustainable farming practices meaning first and foremost
security of food supply, better control of water use and soil
fertility management, in the countries involved in processes of
regional integration. Moreover, agricultural production in the
developing countries and LDCs will have to show substantial
qualitative improvement if the goal of reducing the number of
people below the poverty line is to be achieved. Therefore agri-
cultural methods that are to be used to increase production
must be supported by proven techniques that ensure the
sustainability of the operation.

not necessarily be replaced by modern methods which have
been shown to be disadvantageous both from an environmental
and economic point of view.

4.1.5
In the field of rural development, the EESC wishes to
draw attention to the negative effects of the rural exodus going
on in many of these countries. It would therefore be advisable
to support any measures to keep the existing population in
rural areas by creating new activities to complement farming
and through exchanges of experience.

4.1.2
It should be pointed out in this connection that the
indigenous knowledge of local populations concerning farming
practices can be valuable in regional integration processes. This
knowledge is usually associated with sustainable practices as it
derives from the long-established relationship between man
and his natural environment. In many cases, this knowledge is
in danger of being lost, the practices based on it having been
almost entirely replaced by less sustainable practices. This has
been the result of the rash decision by many developing coun-
tries and LDCs to follow the Western model for modernising
agriculture and of pressure by Western countries on the former
to open their markets to practices which are not in keeping
with the sustainable development of agriculture. Regional inte-
gration can therefore be an excellent opportunity for transfer-
ring technical
expertise on sustainable farming practices
between the countries involved in it. One example of ‘indi-
genous knowledge’ would be the use of processed remains
from agricultural production as fertiliser, which has been
almost entirely replaced by chemical fertilisers. Admittedly, the
available technology means that producing chemical fertilisers
is more cost-effective than recycling, but it is possible to solve
these problems by applying innovative methods.

Current agricultural production practices in the devel-
4.1.3
oped countries have shown their limits. Organic farming and
reduced use of fertilisers and phytochemicals are becoming
more and more important. This has to do not just with the
need to reduce the environmental impact of farming but also
clearly with cost factors. For example, it has been shown that
the high cost of inappropriate use of nitrate fertilisers signifi-
cantly reduces any benefits they have in terms of increasing
agricultural production. For this reason the developing coun-
tries and LDCs must be given the message that traditional
farming practices should not automatically be replaced with
modern practices that have proved incompatible with both
environmental and economic objectives.

4.1.4
The limitations of the practices currently used in agri-
cultural production in the developed countries have become
apparent. Organic farming and the reduction in the use of ferti-
lisers and pesticides are ever more prevalent. This is not only
due to the need to reduce the environmental impact of agri-
culture, but also purely to cost factors. It has been proven for
example that the high cost of excessive use of nitrate fertilisers
in farming significantly reduces any profits which might accrue
from the resulting increase in agricultural productivity. It is
therefore essential to convey the message to the developing
countries and LDCs that traditional farming practices should

4.2 Forestry policies

4.2.1
Forestry plays an important role in both the economic
and social life of many developing countries and LDCs. On this
integration has to address the cross-border
issue, regional
nature of forests and therefore the need for sustainable manage-
ment of forestry resources, which,
it should be noted, are a
prime example of renewable natural resources.

4.2.2
Particular emphasis should be given to developing
national and regional certification schemes for the sustainable
production of forestry products (especially wood). These must
comply with international certification standards
in these
matters.

4.3 Transport policies

International

4.3.1
transport networks are an essential
requirement for regional integration. However, transport infra-
structure also brings with it major risks of damaging or even
destroying important natural resources. For this reason, policies
are required, but also monitoring systems to ensure that the
benefits for regional
integration resulting from international
transport networks are not cancelled out by environmental
damage.

4.4 Tourism policies

Tourism is a direct example of international exchanges
4.4.1
of all kinds, from economic to social and cultural. The devel-
oping countries and LDCs taking part in regional integration
schemes can benefit enormously from the development of
tourism. It is important to achieve the sustainable development
integration schemes. Something
of tourism through regional
approaching this can be achieved with coordinated interna-
tional programmes to diversify tourist facilities on offer and to
develop new forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, cultural
tourism, etc.

4.4.2
It should be stressed in this respect that the diversifica-
tion of tourist facilities and new forms of tourism should be
based on best practice adapted to the local conditions in each
country. The EU should also be more active in supporting
projects to develop new forms of tourism in the developing
countries and LDCs, as well as the Euro-Med countries, invol-
ving public-private collaborations to develop know-how in
these sectors. The need for this is born out of the fact that the
diversification of tourist facilities and the development of new
forms of tourism does not constitute direct competition with
conventional tourist activities and therefore cannot be regarded
as an area which is not eligible for assistance and incentives.

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4.5 Fisheries policies

achievements of regional integration continue to be built upon
in a sustainable way.

After long deliberations the EU has managed to frame
4.5.1
a common policy in the area of fisheries. However, the wealth
of the sea is not subject to physical boundaries. Both the Medi-
terranean and the Atlantic are exploited by a whole host of
countries outside the EU. Many of these are developing or least
developed countries that are not obliged to follow sustainable
practices.

The value cycle of marine products involves many
4.5.2
countries and forms of regional cooperation. For this reason,
compliance with sustainable
should be
ensured by implementing initiatives and programmes aimed at
regional
integration, especially through North-South agree-
ments, but also through South-South agreements.

fishing practices

4.6 Energy policies

4.6.1
The EU has published a Green Paper on security of
energy supply, in which particular attention is paid to environ-
mental protection issues. Since the EU directly links energy
supply policy to sustainable development, regional integration
strategies must provide for policies and measures in the sphere
of energy. This is quite a tricky issue because many of the
developing countries, LDCs and Euro-Med countries have
substantial reserves of oil, which is currently the main source
of energy for the EU; optimistic targets have been set for redu-
cing oil consumption, also based on commitments in relation
to greenhouse gas emissions (Kyoto Protocol).

4.6.2
One topic highlighted as being of key importance for
sustainable development in the developing countries, LDCs and
Euro-Med countries is the development of energy infrastruc-
tures in rural areas. Given the importance of this issue, and the
EU's strategic goal of
improving energy management and
making it consistent with the objectives of sustainability,
energy infrastructure must be developed in such a way that the
economic gains from such infrastructure are compatible with
environmental protection and social development.

4.7
These are not the only areas of economic activity where
regional integration schemes must be based on the rationale of
sustainable development. They should simply be thought of as
the basic areas which will
for other
economic activities. Trade agreements and programmes to
promote them in these areas must show the way ahead, based
on participatory planning procedures.

serve as examples

5. The social justice pillar

5.1
It is impossible to ensure the long-term success of any
regional development effort unless it is based on education and
in education must be a
training. Sustainable development
It is the
fundamental goal of regional
the
educated citizens of

the future who will ensure that

integration schemes.

5.2
Given that, in many developing countries and LDCs, the
position of women is not that required for a policy of sustain-
able development, regional integration schemes must not only
eliminate any cases of social exclusion of women, but also
provide for the particular role women have to play in interna-
tional exchanges. Regional integration schemes must inter alia
support changes in the way the sexes are treated, as well as
structures and mechanisms on a political, legal and family level
to help do away with possible discrimination on the basis of
gender.

5.3
Under no circumstances must regional integration alter
the cultural identity of developing countries. On the contrary,
integration schemes must respect specific cultural
regional
features, seek to promote cultural exchanges and support the
rights of cultural minorities. Preserving the cultural identity of
developing countries should of course always go hand in hand
with respect for individual rights and the principles of democ-
racy, equal opportunities and the eradication of social or racial
discrimination.

It is also very important that employees be involved on
5.4
an equal footing in decisions relating to regional
integration
and sustainable development. Obviously job creation is one of
the major goals of the regional integration programmes. Active
participation of employees and their representative organisa-
tions in the process of organising these programmes can be
very helpful both in terms of achieving the objective of creating
new jobs and of reducing the possible negative impact of job
creation on the environment. Since workers themselves are
informed citizens of the communities in which regional inte-
gration programmes are intended to promote growth, their
opinion must be of key importance and they must be directly
represented, since they are consumers as well as producers of
the products and services concerned by the programmes.

from
Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
5.5
the LDCs and Euro-Med countries have indicated their interest
in actively supporting measures to promote sustainable devel-
opment. Many have also taken measures relating to the above
issues. This means that they must be closely involved in the
processes of incorporating sustainable development into the
regional development programmes through the formal chan-
nels of organised civil society.

5.6
Developing effective and accountable institutions with
the powers required to promote the necessary strategies and
policies for sustainable development and regional integration is
a basic prerequisite for the success of this effort. For this
reason, developing capacity building programmes at local and
regional level in the developing countries, LDCs and Euro-Med
countries must be a political priority.

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6. The environmental compatibility pillar

include

The geographical areas where regional

integration is
6.1
sought
important water
countries which share
resources. The management of water resources is also a major
cause of friction between a number of countries. Securing the
sustainable management of transnational water resources must
be considered a top priority in regional integration processes.
There can be no question of any type of trade, economic or
other regional integration agreement between countries which
do not respect the right of all to access to good quality water
in sufficient quantities.

or indirectly. Given the complexity of both the ecosystems and
economic activities in such areas, regional
integration must
also be used as a means of promoting the sustainable manage-
ment of the coastal zone. In this field, the EESC is in favour of
implementation of the integrated coastal zone management
developed by the Commission.

Another

issue of particular

6.6
importance is wildlife
management and strict controls on the trade in wild flora and
fauna. In this context, the EESC supports the strictest possible
implementation of the CITES convention and the promotion of
it in as many countries as possible.

It goes without saying that the management of transna-
6.2
tional water resources must go hand in hand with rational
management at national level. On this point, the Commission
directive 60/2000 (1) on the management of water resources
should be promoted in the developing countries, LDCs and
Euro-Med countries. That directive establishes a comprehensive
framework for the management of water resources and could
form the basis for framing regional water management policies
in respect of technical issues.

Special attention must also be paid to the considerable
6.7
problems posed by the increased risk of desertification in many
Euro-Med countries. In many parts of the Euro-Med countries
this phenomenon not only has environmental implications for
the regions concerned but also disrupts regional economies by
preventing economic activities. The Euro-Med countries must
therefore be helped to develop regional cooperation projects
that provide for specific measures to contain the risk of deserti-
fication.

6.3
Equally important is the management of protected areas,
as, in this case too, there are many examples of transnational
reserves, as well as cross-border friction. Given that these areas
support many economic activities, it is clear that regional inte-
gration agreements directly affect management of them. For
this reason there must be special provision for the sustainable
management of protected areas.

6.3.1 Management of protected areas must be based on
comprehensive plans that are not only supported by adequate
evaluation of
the three pillars of sustainable development
(economic, environmental and social) but also lead to opera-
tionally practicable measures that include the dimension of
regional cooperation.

6.4
The EU is in the process of establishing a network of
protected areas in the Member States with the aim of preser-
ving biodiversity (the Natura 2000 network). The experience
Member States have in this field should be passed on to the
developing and least developed countries. Programmes
to
develop skills in managing protected areas and maintaining
biodiversity should therefore be promoted. The Commission
and Member States can also contribute directly to this by
inviting observers from the developing and least developed
countries to sit in on the biogeographical seminars (especially
seminars on the Mediterranean region).

7. Measures and practices

The basic principles of incorporating sustainable devel-
7.1
opment into regional
integration initiatives presented above
demand specific measures and practices. The measures and
practices must help the developing countries and LDCs to
include the concept of sustainable development in regional
integration and make it possible to monitor the progress made
on this issue in these and the Euro-Med countries. A key role
must be given in the process of developing such measures and
to participatory planning and efforts to achieve
practices
optimum forms of governance.

Through its external assistance section,

the EU has
7.2
planned and implemented development programmes for the
developing countries and LDCs (MEDA, ALA, CARDS etc.).
Sustainable development is an integral element in the planning
of these programmes. Their effectiveness has not so far lived
up to the EU's ambitious aims, but they can help to promote
the idea of incorporating sustainable development in regional
integration initiatives.

6.5
Among the most important areas for development is the
coastal zone. Any process of regional integration must inevi-
tably involve issues which affect the coastal zone, either directly

(1) Directive 60/2000/EC establishing a framework for Community

action in the field of water policy.

7.3
Special mention should be made of Euro-Mediterranean
cooperation arrangements. The Euro-Mediterranean coopera-
tion strategy is a high-priority area in the EU's external rela-
tions. The basic tool for implementation of this strategy is the
MEDA programme. The SMAP programme is another key tool
for policy implementation in the environmental and sustainable
development field.

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the start of

to implement projects under

7.4
The MEDA programme has not lived up to expectations
to date. Despite the fact that the budget for MEDA II was
considered more than adequate,
it has not yet managed to
implementation.
achieve the objectives set at
Although it has succeeded in triggering off sustainable develop-
ment projects, the SMAP programme does not have the neces-
sary continuity to ensure completion of actions. Although it is
difficult
these programmes
because of a lack of the necessary cooperation between the
target countries, the EU's efforts, and particularly those of the
Commission, will have to be directed towards mobilising the
necessary players with a stake in the programmes. The EESC
feels that the Commission should examine the possibility of
funding more flexible mechanisms involving both public opera-
tors, who will guarantee the national commitment of the coun-
tries with a stake in the programmes, and private players, who
can fulfil the function of transferring technical expertise to the
target countries.

7.5
As regards monitoring the progress made in the devel-
oping countries and LDCs and the Euro-Med countries with
efforts to incorporate sustainable development into regional
integration measures, the particular importance of sustainability
impact studies should be highlighted. On this point, the EESC
endorses the Council's view that a sustainability impact assess-
ment study should be drawn up for free-trade agreements. This
view was confirmed in May 2003 at the mid-term Euro-Medi-
terranean conference in Crete.

7.6
The performance of countries where regional integration
measures are being implemented should also be assessed on the
basis of the sustainable development indicators which have
been adopted and are starting to be applied in the EU Member
in an early stage of development and
States. Although still
application, these indicators should be thought of as a modus
vivendi providing a working framework for assessing the
performance of such countries.

7.7
One issue that will have to be considered very carefully
during the process of assessing the performance of countries in
which the regional
integration programmes are being imple-
mented is the overlapping of measures implemented due to
countries taking part in more than one regional
integration
agreement. Many developing countries and LDCs belong to
several regional integration agreements, which can reduce effi-
ciency and create a risk of wasting resources. A major aim of
incorporating sustainable development into regional integration
measures must be to mitigate any consequences this might
have.

7.8 With regard to financing sustainable development in
regional
the
Monterrey Agreement on financing for development, which

integration programmes,

the EESC supports

provides for a steady increase in the amount of financing avail-
able for sustainable development. (1) The declaration calls for
increased mobility and effective use of financial resources so as
to establish the conditions required to meet the development
goals agreed on at international level. These goals are also set
out in the Millennium Declaration (2) and concern eradicating
poverty,
increasing living stan-
dards and protection of the environment as a first step towards
satisfying the need for the 21st century to be a century of devel-
opment for all.

improving social conditions,

8. Concluding remarks

8.1
As mentioned in the introduction, sustainable develop-
ment is, and must be treated as, an overarching, and not
complementary, dimension of regional integration. This issue is
not easy but must not be regarded as impossible. The goals set
for the EU's efforts in this direction may bring substantial
results. By way of regional cooperation programmes, the EU
not only helps the developing countries and LDCs, but also
conveys cultural, political and social messages. These messages
can be summed up in the concept of sustainable development
and implemented, inter alia, through regional integration.

One of the EU's concerns as part of its effort in this field
8.2
should be to seek out opportunities for international coopera-
tion. On this subject, special mention must be made of coop-
eration with the United Nations.

Relations between the UN and the EU have developed
8.3
over
time through a variegated network of cooperation
projects. These relations are strong and cover virtually all areas
of external relations. The further promotion of relations with
the UN is a strategic priority of the EU, of the Member States
and of the Commission.

Regional integration and sustainable development offer
8.4
an ideal area for improving these relations. Given the strategic
orientation and experience of the UN in matters of sustainable
development and the technical expertise of the EU in matters
of regional integration, the EESC is in favour of cooperation
between the two organisations through regional and sustainable
development projects funded by joint mechanisms of the two
organisations.

8.5
The EU's intention to pursue such cooperation has
already been expressed both in the November 2000 declaration
by the Council and the Commission on European Community
development policy and in the Communication from the
Commission to the Council and the European Parliament -
Building an effective partnership with the United Nations in the
fields of Development and Humanitarian Affairs (COM(2001)
231 final/2.5.2001).

(1) United Nations, Report of the International Conference on financing
for development, Monterrey, 18-22 March 2002, A/CONF.198/11.
(2) United Nations Millennium Declaration, The Millennium Assembly

of the United Nations, General Assembly A/55/L.2.

28.9.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 241/41

8.6 With respect to regional integration the EU cooperation
programmes, in particular those that concern regional integra-
tion with the developing countries and LDCs, must therefore
place special emphasis on the various dimensions of sustain-

ability, i.e. economic, social and environmental. The EESC can
contribute greatly to the success of these efforts, since it is the
EU body with the most appropriate remit to address these
questions within civil society.

Brussels, 2 June 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Council Directive
implementing the principle of equal treatment between women and men in the access to and
supply of goods and services’

(COM(2003) 657 final – 2003/0265(CNS))

(2004/C 241/13)

On 31 March 2004 the European Economic and Social Committee decided to draw up an own-initiative
opinion, under Article 29(2) of its Rules of Procedure, on the ‘Proposal for a Council Directive imple-
menting the principle of equal treatment between women and men in the access to and supply of goods
and services’.

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for preparing the
Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 5 May 2004. The rapporteur was Mrs Carroll.

At its 409th plenary session of 2/3 June 2004 (meeting of 3 June 2004), the European Economic and
Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 120 votes to 49 with 15 abstentions:

reasons of pregnancy and maternity. Harassment and sexual
harassment, as defined in the proposal, are deemed to be discri-
mination on grounds of sex and,
therefore, prohibited. A
person's rejection of, or submission to, such conduct may not
be used as a basis for a decision affecting that person. Incite-
ment
to discriminate is also deemed to be discrimination
within the meaning of the Directive.

1. Legal basis, content and scope of the proposal

1.1
The Commission's proposal is based on Article 13(1) of
the Treaty establishing the European Community, which has
already been the basis for the Directives combating discrimina-
tion in employment or occupation on grounds of religion or
belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (1) and, in relation to
both employment and occupation and access to and the supply
of goods and services, on grounds of racial or ethnic origin (2).

1.2
The proposed Directive lays down a framework for
combating discrimination based on sex in access to and the
supply of goods and services, with a view to putting into effect
in the Member States the principle of equal treatment between
men and women. It has no retrospective effect.

Direct and indirect discrimination based on sex are
1.2.1
prohibited, including less favourable treatment of women for

(1) Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing
a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occu-
pation.

(2) Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the
principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial
or ethnic origin.

1.3
The scope of the proposal is wide, although there are
certain significant limitations. Broadly it covers access to and
supply of goods and services available to the public, including
housing. It covers both the public and private sectors, including
public bodies. Transactions of a purely private nature are
excluded, for example the renting of a holiday home to a
family member or the letting of a room in a private house.