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# 22002P0927(01)

**Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Partnership Agreement concluded between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States of the one part and the European Community and its Member States of the other part** 
  
*Official Journal 231 , 27/09/2002 P. 0001 - 0069*

  

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Minutes of the sitting of Monday, 18 March 2002

(2002/C 231/01)

(The sitting opened at 12.05 p.m.)

Formal inaugural sitting

The formal sitting was held in the presence of Mrs Frene Ginwala, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, and Mr Ramón de Miguel, State Secretary for European Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, President-in-office of the Council of the European Union.

(The sitting adjourned at 1 p.m. and resumed at 3.05 p.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Mrs KINNOCK

Co-President

Sitting of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly

1. Composition of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly

2. Documents received

Motions for resolutions submitted to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly by the Bureau, pursuant to Article 18(5).

West Africa

- (APP/3341) by the following members: Schwaiger, Morillon and Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, and Andrews, on behalf of the UEN Group

- (APP/3342) by the following members: Carlotti, Junker, Karamanou and Scarbonchi, on behalf of the PSE Group, van den Bos, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Wurtz, Sylla, Vinci and Sjöstedt, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, and the representative of Mali

- (APP/3343) by the following members: Rod, Maes, Lannoye, Schörling, Isler Béguin and Boumediene-Thiery, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

Central Africa

- (APP/3344) by the following members: Schwaiger, Berend and Van Hecke, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, van den Bos and Dybkjær, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Maes, Rod, Isler Béguin, Schörling and Lannoye, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Vinci, Sylla, Sjöstedt, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, and Andrews, on behalf of the UEN Group

- (APP/3345) by the following members: Sauquillo Pérez del Arco, Carlotti and Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group

Southern Africa

- (APP/3346) by the following members: Van Hecke and Schwaiger, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Andrews and Ribeiro e Castro, on behalf of the UEN Group, and Souchet

- (APP/3347) by the following members: Scheele, Theorin and Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, Maes, Rod, Schörling, Lannoye and Isler Béguin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Miranda, Sylla, Vinci and Sjöstedt, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

- (APP/3348) by the following members: van den Bos and Dybkjær, on behalf of the ELDR Group

- (APP/3349) (Madagascar) by the following members: Corrie, Gemelli, Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Fruteau, Carlotti and Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, van den Bos and Dybkjær, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Rod, Maes, Lannoye and Schörling, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Sylla, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, and Andrews, on behalf of the UEN Group

- (APP/3350) (Zimbabwe) by the representative of Zimbabwe

- (APP/3351) (Zimbabwe) by the following members: Corrie, Maij-Weggen, Bowis, Schwaiger, Gemelli, Van Hecke and Fernández Martín, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Junker and Kinnock, on behalf of the PSE Group, and van den Bos and Dybkjær, on behalf of the ELDR Group

East Africa

- (APP/3353) by Mr Yohannes (Ethiopia)

- (APP/3355) by the following members: Khanbhai, Maij-Weggen and Van Hecke, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Ghilardotti and Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, van den Bos, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Sjöstedt, Sylla and Vinci, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Schörling, Maes, Rod, Lannoye and Isler Béguin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

Caribbean

- (APP/3356) (Haiti) by the following members: Ferrer, Maij-Weggen on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, van den Bos and Sanders-ten Holte, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Schörling, Maes, Rod, Lannoye, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Sylla, Sjöstedt, Vinci and Miranda, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, and Andrews, on behalf of the UEN Group

- (APP/3357) (Cuba) by the ACP Group

- (APP/3358) (Cuba) by Mrs Ferrer, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group

- (APP/3359) (Cuba) by the following members: Martínez Martínez, Fava and Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group

- (APP/3360) (Cuba) by the following members: van den Bos and Sanders-ten Holte, on behalf of the ELDR Group

- (APP/3361) (Cuba) by the following members: Miranda, Vinci and Sylla, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

- (APP/3362) (Cuba) by the following members: Isler Béguin, Rod, Maes, Schörling and Lannoye, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

Pacific

- (APP/3363) by the following members: Zimmerling, Deva and Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Kinnock and Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, van den Bos and Sanders-ten Holte, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Sylla, Sjöstedt and Vinci, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Andrews, on behalf of the UEN Group, and the representatives of Fiji, the Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands and Niue, on behalf of the Pacific Region

- (APP/3364) by Mr Chaudhry (Fiji)

Trade (rules of origin/economic partnership agreements)

- (APP/3365) (economic partnership agreements - EPAs) by the Cariforum Group and the representative of Mauritius

- (APP/3366) (trade, rules of origin and sanitary and phytosanitary measures) by the ACP Group

- (APP/3367) (rules of origin and sanitary and phytosanitary measures) by the representative of Ghana

- (APP/3368) (the trade negotiations between the European Union and the ACP States) by the following members: Lannoye, Rod, Maes, Schörling, Isler Béguin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Miranda, Sjöstedt, Vinci and Sylla, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

- (APP/3369) (NEPAD) by the representatives of South Africa and Namibia and the following members: Schwaiger and Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Junker and Désir, on behalf of the PSE Group, Flesch and van den Bos, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Andrews, on behalf of the UEN Group, and Sandbæk

- (APP/3379) (bananas) by Mr Sardjoe, Mr Kruisland and Mr Sital (Suriname)

- (APP/3370) (sugar) by the ACP Group

Gender issues

- (APP/3371) by the following members: Lulling and Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Gröner and Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, Dybkjær and van den Bos, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Schörling, Isler Béguin, Maes, Rod, Lannoye and Boumediene-Thiery, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Sylla, Sjöstedt, Vinci and Miranda, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Andrews, on behalf of the UEN Group, and Sandbæk, on behalf of the EDD Group

Health

- (APP/3372) by the following members: Bowis and Maij-Weggen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Junker and Howitt, on behalf of the PSE Group, Sanders-Ten Holte and van den Bos, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Andrews, on behalf of the UEN Group, and Sandbæk

- (APP/3373) by the following members: Rod, Lannoye, Maes, Schörling and Isler Béguin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Miranda, Sylla, Sjöstedt and Vinci, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, and Sandbæk

Earth Summit II (Rio +10)

- (APP/3374) by the representative of South Africa

- (APP/3375) by the following members: Wijkman, Fernández Martín and Van Hecke, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Désir and Junker, on behalf of the PSE Group, van den Bos and Flesch, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Andrews, on behalf of the UEN Group, and Sandbæk, on behalf of the EDD Group

- (APP/3376) by the following members: Lannoye, Schörling, Rod, Maes, Isler Béguin and Boumediene-Thiery, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Wurtz, Miranda, Sylla, Sjöstedt and Vinci, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

Declaration

- (APP/3382) by the representative of South Africa: Declaration on the forthcoming ACP-EU negotiations with a view to new trading arrangements.

3. Adoption of draft agenda (APP/3336)

The deadline for tabling compromise resolutions was set for Monday, 18 March at 6 p.m.

The deadline for tabling amendments was set as follows:

- the report by the Working Group on the Implementation of the New Partnership Agreement (Rules of Procedure) (APP/3333): Tuesday, 19 March at 3 p.m.

- the Declaration on the forthcoming ACP-EU negotiations with a view to new trading arrangements: Wednesday, 20 March at 10 a.m.

- compromise motions for resolutions and other motions for resolutions to be put to the vote: Wednesday, 20 March at 10 a.m.

- requests concerning voting procedures (separate votes, secret ballot, by separate colleges): Thursday, 21 March at 9 a.m., in writing.

With the above modifications, the draft agenda was adopted.

4. Composition of the Bureau of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly

The Bureau, as set out above, was elected by acclamation.

5. Accreditation of non-parliamentary representatives

The Assembly agreed to this.

6. Substitutes

7. Statement by Mr Gabriel Sam Akunwafor, Chairman of the Committee of Ambassadors (Nigeria), on behalf of the Presidency-in-office of the ACP Council

8. Statement by Mr Ramón de Miguel, State Secretary for European Affairs (Spain), President-in-office of the EU Council

9. Question Time - Council

Eight questions were put to the ACP Council of Ministers.

Mr Akunwafor replied to the following questions and to supplementary observations by their authors:

Question No 1 by Mrs Kinnock on economic partnership agreements

Question No 2 by Mrs Karamanou on regional economic partnership agreements

Question No 3 by the following members: Lannoye, Rod, Maes and Boumediene-Thiery, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on ACP trade negotiation strategy

Question No 4 by Mr Howitt on country strategy papers

Question No 5 by Mrs Carlotti on establishment of a 'democratic bonus' to support the operation of democratic parliaments in ACP countries

Question No 6 by the following members: Schörling, Lannoye, Rod, Maes and Boumediene-Thiery, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on HIV/AIDS

Question No 7 by the following members: Lannoye, Rod, Schörling and Maes, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on the duration of patents in Africa

Question No 35 by Mr Musikari Kombo (Kenya) on intelligence

Twenty-six questions were put to the EU Council of Ministers.

Mr de Miguel replied to the following questions and to supplementary questions by their authors:

Question No 20 by Mr Sylla on Joint Parliamentary Assembly involvement in new trade negotiations

Question No 8 by the representative of Mali on regional economic partnership agreements

Question No 9 by Mrs Carlotti on the ratification of the Cotonou Agreement by EU Member States

Question No 10 by the following members: Martínez-Orozco and Martínez Martínez on ratification of the Cotonou Agreement

Question No 11 by Mrs Kinnock on political dialogue and the Cotonou Agreement

Question No 12 by Mrs Sanders-ten Holte, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the use of sanctions in an ACP-EU context

Question No 21 by Mr van den Bos, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on official development aid

Question No 22 by the following members: Isler Béguin, Rod, Lannoye, Schörling and Maes, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on development funding

Question No 23 by Mr Vairinhos on foreign debt

Question No 24 by Mr Wijkman on involvement of ACP countries in preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development

Question No 25 by Mrs Keppelhoff-Wiechert on reduction of malnutrition

Question No 30 by Mrs Maij-Weggen on the European Union financial contribution to combating AIDS

Question No 32 by Mrs Dybkjær, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the reconstruction of Afghanistan

Question No 33 by Mr Bowis on aid to Afghanistan

Question No 13 by Mrs Sauquillo Pérez del Arco on suspension of cooperation with Haiti

Question No 14 by Mr Busk, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on Haiti

Question No 15 by the representative of Haiti on follow-up to resolutions adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

Question No 16 by Mrs Ferrer on follow-up to the Arusha peace agreements

Question No 17 by Mr Van Hecke on the Great Lakes area

Question No 31 by Mr Cunha on violent crime in South Africa

Question No 18 by the following members: Maes, Rod, Lannoye, Schörling and Isler Béguin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on trade in coltan

Question No 19 by Mr van den Berg on trade in commodities and the financing of conflicts

Question No 27 by Mrs Sudre on education and training

Question No 28 by Mrs Karamanou on gender equality

Question No 29 by Mr Howitt on EU support for a United Nations Convention on Disability

Question No 34 by the following members: Martínez Martínez and Carlotti on revision of the common position on Cuba.

10. The African Union and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) - programme of action, strategy and implementation

11. Regional integration in Africa: the case of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

(The sitting closed at 6.55 p.m.)

Adrien Houngbedji

and Glenys Kinnock

Co-Presidents

Jean-Robert Goulongana

and Dietmar Nickel

Co-Secretaries-General

Minutes of the sitting of Tuesday, 19 March 2002

(2002/C 231/02)

(The sitting opened at 9.10 a.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Mr HOUNGBEDJI,

Co-President

1. Substitutes

2. Democratisation in ACP countries - progress achieved, difficulties, future challenges

- General Rapporteur:Mr Abakaka Alhadji (Chad)

- Introductory statement by General Rapporteur/exchange of views

The Assembly took note of the conclusions of the General Rapporteur and Mr Abakaka thanked everybody for their contributions.

3. The implementation of the European Development Fund (EDF)

- Exchange of views with Mr Giorgio Bonacci, Director General of EuropeAid

4. The involvement of non-state actors in the implementation of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement

- Exchange of views on the state of play

- Speakers: Mr Baeza and Mr Kiriro (ACP-EU Follow-up Committee): Report from the 4th Regional Seminar of ACP-EU Economic and Social Interest Groups held in Nairobi (13-15 February 2002), Mrs Nancy Kachingwe (ACP Civil Society Forum), Mr Philip Dexter, Executive Director of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC): the case of South Africa

The experts replied to questions.

(The sitting adjourned at 1.20 p.m. and resumed at 3.07 p.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Mrs KINNOCK

Co-President

5. Subjects relating to the situation in different countries or regions, pursuant to Article 8(1)(i)

Zimbabwe

Southern Africa

West Africa

Central Africa

East Africa

Caribbean

Pacific

IN THE CHAIR: Mrs JUNKER

Vice-President

(The sitting closed at 7.23 p.m.)

Adrien Houngbedji

and Glenys Kinnock

Co-Presidents

Jean-Robert Goulongana

and Dietmar Nickel

Co-Secretaries-General

Minutes of the sitting of Wednesday, 20 March 2002

(2002/C 231/03)

(The sitting opened at 3.15 p.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Mr HOUNGBEDJI

Co-President

1. Substitutes

2. Subjects relating to the situation in different countries or regions, pursuant to Article 8(1)(i) (continuation)

Madagascar

Cuba

3. Trade and development - future ACP-EU negotiations on regional economic partnership agreements under the Cotonou Agreement

4. Subjects and themes relating to development cooperation between the EU and ACP countries under the Partnership Agreement, pursuant to Article 8(1)(ii)

Gender issues

Health issues

Earth Summit II - Rio + 10

5. Working Group on implementation of the new Partnership Agreement (Rules of Procedure)

- Chairman: Mr Rainer Wieland

- Rapporteur: Mr Edgar Yves Monnou (Benin)

The rapporteur replied to questions.

(The sitting closed at 6.30 p.m.)

Adrien Houngbedji

and Glenys Kinnock

Co-Presidents

Jean-Robert Goulongana

and Dietmar Nickel

Co-Secretaries-General

Minutes of the sitting of Thursday, 21 March 2002

(2002/C 231/04)

(The sitting opened at 9.30 a.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Mrs KINNOCK

Co-President

The Assembly observed one minute's silence in memory of President Léopold Sédar Senghor (Senegal), who had died on 27 December 2001.

1. Substitutes

2. Commemoration of Human Rights Day

3. Follow-up by the Commission to resolutions adopted at the 3rd session of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly (Brussels)

4. Summary reports from workshops

5. Amendment of the Rules of Procedure adopted on 1 November 2001

Three amendments were adopted on the basis of a report tabled by the rapporteur, Mr Monnou (Benin) (see Annex IV).

6. Vote on motions for resolutions

APP/3383/COMP on the situation in West Africa: adopted with six amendments.

APP/3384/COMP on the situation in Central Africa and the African Great Lakes region: adopted with ten amendments.

APP/3385/COMP on the situation in Southern Africa: adopted with nine amendments.

APP/3386/COMP on the situation in Madagascar: adopted.

APP/3396/COMP on the situation in Zimbabwe.

Resolution APP/3396/COMP was adopted with one amendment.

At the ACP Group's request, the sitting was suspended at 12.20 p.m. and resumed at 1.04 p.m.

APP/3387/COMP on the situation in East Africa: adopted with one amendment and deletion of eight paragraphs of the original text.

APP/3388/COMP on the Caribbean region: adopted with three amendments.

APP/3389/COMP on the situation in Cuba: adopted.

APP/3390/COMP on the situation in the Pacific region: adopted.

APP/3397/COMP on the economic partnership agreements (EPAs): adopted with three amendments.

APP/3391/COMP on negotiations between the ACP-EU on trade, rules of origin and sanitary and phytosanitary measures: adopted with one amendment.

APP/3395/COMP on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD): adopted.

APP/3379/COMP on stagnation in the production sectors for bananas, rice and other products: adopted with six amendments.

APP/3370/COMP on sugar: adopted with seven amendments.

APP/3392/COMP on gender issues: adopted.

APP/3398/COMP on health issues, young people, the elderly and people living with disabilities: adopted with six amendments.

APP/3393/COMP on the impact of communicable diseases on health, young people, the elderly and people living with disabilities: adopted with two amendments.

APP/3394/COMP on sustainable development and Rio +10: adopted with six amendments.

APP/3382 - Declaration on the forthcoming ACP-EU negotiations with a view to new trading arrangements: adopted with three amendments.

The Assembly approved this by acclamation.

7. Date and place of next session

8. Other business

(The sitting closed at 1.42 p.m.)

Adrien Houngbedji

and Glenys Kinnock

Co-Presidents

Jean-Robert Goulongana

and Dietmar Nickel

Co-Secretaries-General

Annex I

Alphabetical list of members of the acp-eu joint parliamentary assembly

>TABLE>

Annex II

Record of attendance at the session from 18 to 21 march 2002 in Cape Town

>TABLE>

Observers:

Cuba: LOPEZ, CASTRO, MÚJICA

Also present

ANGOLA

ALMEIDA

CADETE

JOSE

PAULO

SANTOS

VALENTE

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

EVUANA ANDEM

MBA BELA

MEKONG ONGUENE

BENIN

EDON

HINVI

MONNOU

BOTSWANA

GEORGE

MOLOSI

BURKINA FASO

KERE

RAMNDE

BURUNDI

BAZERUKE

NIYUHIRE

NIYUNGEKO

NTIBAHEZWA

NZABAMBEMA

RUKINGAMUBIRI

SINDAYIGAYA

CONGO, (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF)

KASANGA DISAHI

NGOY SALIBOKO

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

ATCHIMON AKE

BLEU VOUA

DIOMANDE GBAOU

GBAKAYORO GBIZIE

MOLLE MOLLE

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

ALVAREZ

DESPRADEL

DJIBOUTI

MOHAMED ELMI YABEH

ERITREA

KASSA TEKLE

TESFAK KELATI

ETHIOPIA

DEMBERU

GEBRE-CHRISTOS

BIRRIE RETTA

KIROS GESSESSE

FIJI

CHAUDHRY

MATAITOGA

GABON

AKAME EMANE

ANDJEMBE

LANDRY POSSO

MAKONGO

NGANGHA

NDONG NGOUA

REKANGALT

GHANA

AMPRATWUM

AWIAGA

AWOTWI

JANTUAH-BANFUL

KOBINA WUDU

NAKAAR

OSEI-PREMPEH

TETTEH-KPODAR

GUINEA

DIARSO

KEITA

HAITI

AZOR-CHARLES

DUPRE

ROCK EXEUS

JAMAICA

SAUNDERS

CAMEROON

BAH

BYAKOLO-BYAKOLO

KENYA

CHESAINA

CONGO

DIMI

OBIA

OSSENGUE

MALAWI

JANA

MANZI

MALI

DRAME

MAURITANIA

VALL OULD BELLAL

MAURITIUS

MUNGUR

MOZAMBIQUE

ALONI

DUMA BANZE

SILVA

USSENE

ZAQUEU

NAMIBIA

DE WALL

HAMUNGHETE

KATJITA

MUPAINE

NGAVIRUE

SCOTT IDHENGA

NIGER

ABDOULRAHIM BALARABE

ABDOU ABDOURAHAMANE

ABDOU-SALEYE

HAMA ASSA

NIGERIA

AKUNWAFOR

CHIKELU

GUMEL

LAWAN

NWAJIUBA

NIUE

McCLAY

TONGIAVALU PHIGIA

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

TUMBU

RWANDA

KAMANDA

MUKABARAMBA

UMUTONI

SUDAN

ABDEL MAHMOUD

AHMED

ALIM AHMED

BADRI

IBRAHIM

MALWEET

MUKTAR

RAMSAY

SURINAME

KRUISLAND

SITAL

BLEAU

SOUTH AFRICA

INKA MPRS

MATJILA

NTSHADI PILANE-TSHEOLE

PELLE

POTELWA

TALJAARD

SWAZILAND

S. DLAMINI

HLOPHE

NTSHANGASE

ROWEN HOWE

ZEEMAN

TANZANIA

KARUME

TOGO

NYAWOUAME

TAMANDJA MATOFAM

PRINCE-DJIDJOLE

CHAD

ANNOUR

DJOUNDOUNG

UGANDA

MWANDHA

ZAMBIA

CHIPERE

CHILIMBOYI

MBEWE

NYIRONGO

SITWALA

WINNEY KAUMBA

ZIMBABWE

CHIMUTENGWENDE

CHIPARE

CHIWANDAMIRA

JONGWE

ACP-EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

>TABLE>

COMMITTEE OF AMBASSADORS

>TABLE>

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PARTNERS

BAEZA, de PAUL de BARCHIFONTAINE (Economic and Social Committee)

MEYER, KIRIRO (representatives of the ACP economic and social partners)

TECHNICAL CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL COOPERATION (CTA)

>TABLE>

OAU

>TABLE>

ECOWAS/CEDEAO

>TABLE>

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)

>TABLE>

ACP CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

BERNARD

ACP SECRETARIAT

>TABLE>

EU SECRETARIAT

>TABLE>

Annex III

Resolutions and declaration adopted

>TABLE>

RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in West Africa

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in the countries of West Africa,

A. whereas the holding of the "National Reconciliation Forum" in Côte d'Ivoire has encouraged former President Henri Konan Bédié and former Prime Minister Alassane Dramane Ouattarra to return to the country and has opened the way for the normalisation of political life in the country,

B. having regard to the radicalisation of the political situation in Guinea Bissau, as illustrated by the Guinean President's decision to dismiss the president and three judges of the Supreme Court, his threat to suspend the parliament for ten years and the arrest of Fernando Gomes, leader of the "Socialist Alliance" opposition political party, in dubious circumstances,

C. having regard to the suspension of the implementation of a human rights programme financed by the European Union in Guinea Bissau, due to the criminal proceedings against human rights activists,

D. whereas the Guinean authorities opposition to setting up an impartial election supervision body is contributing to the deterioration in the political situation in Guinea (Conakry),

E. whereas, by organising a constitutional referendum marred by many irregularities on 11 November 2001, the President of Guinea (Conakry) deliberately manipulated the constitution to introduce a means of extending his rule indefinitely,

F. having regard to the resumption of fighting in Liberia,

G. whereas the "Action for Change Party" in Mauritania has been banned and this ban is undermining the democratic process exemplified by the recent parliamentary elections,

H. having regard to the incidents of ethnic violence in Nigeria,

I. having regard to the Sharia law that has been introduced since 1999 in eight northern states of Nigeria and has serious consequences for civil liberties and human rights and for the peace between ethnic groups,

J. whereas the explosion at the munitions and arms depot in Lagos caused the deaths of several hundred people in Nigeria,

K. whereas only USD 150 million have been repaid out of the several billions of US dollars misappropriated by previous governments in Nigeria and deposited in many countries, including in the EU,

L. whereas the fishery agreement between the European Union and Senegal has not been renewed,

M. having regard to the process of pacifying Sierra Leone, involving the collection of arms, the demobilisation of combatants, the establishment of a special UN tribunal and the calling of elections,

N. having regard to the death of former President Léopold Sédar Senghor, who led Senegal to independence and political pluralism,

O. whereas, in the absence of the new Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), the Togolese authorities have, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Code, decided to postpone the parliamentary elections,

P. stressing that the Lomé Framework Agreement, signed on 29 July 1999 between the President's coalition of supporters and the opposition parties, is still the reference point for the inter-Togolese dialogue, and noting in this connection that on 20 February 2002 the Togolese President called on the leaders of political parties to resume the dialogue within the Joint Monitoring Committee (CPS),

Q. having regard to the measures taken in Togo that may make it more difficult to stand in the elections,

R. noting the numerous political, economic and development efforts and improvements made in this region of Africa with a view to the establishment of an internal market and an economic and social area,

S. whereas regional cooperation should therefore be introduced rapidly between, on the one hand, the ECOWAS regional parliament and, on the other, a delegation from the European Parliament and members of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

1. Pays respectful tribute to the memory of President Senghor and expresses its condolences to the people of Senegal;

2. Calls for the resumption of negotiations between the European Union and Senegal, with due consideration for the country's fishery resources;

3. Notes the postponement of the parliamentary elections and commends the Togolese authorities on this appeasement gesture; urges all the parties concerned to find solutions to the existing problems as soon as possible with a view to organising free and fair elections in consultation with all the country's political movements;

4. Calls on all the political groupings which are signatories to the Lomé Framework Agreement to nominate their new representatives who could be appointed to the CENI;

5. Calls on the parties concerned to promote appeasement measures;

6. Welcomes the release of Mr Agboyibo;

7. Strongly hopes that all the necessary conditions can be met for the normalisation of relations between the European Union and Togo, and considers that the EU should give its full support to the implementation of the electoral process;

8. Welcomes the restoration of peace in Sierra Leone, expects the UN Special Tribunal to prosecute war crimes and expresses the wish for free and fair parliamentary elections; calls on the EU to assist the Government of Sierra Leone in creating the special fund for war victims in accordance with its prior commitments;

9. Urges the democratic authorities in Nigeria to continue their efforts to promote and strengthen national harmony in order to avert further conflict;

10. Welcomes the efforts made by the Federal Nigerian Government in order to save the life of Safiya Husseini, sentenced to death by stoning by a Sharia court, condemns all forms of religious intolerance and expresses its concern that implementation of the Sharia law, in some Nigerian regional states, may affect respect for basic human rights;

11. Sympathises with the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as with the families of the victims of the fatal explosion in Lagos; lauds the efforts of the Nigerian authorities and of local and international charities, and countries that have offered support and assistance; calls on the European Commission to assess the situation and see what assistance can be offered;

12. Calls on banks in all countries, particularly those in the EU States, which received funds misappropriated by previous governments, to return them to Nigeria as soon as possible, and urges EU governments to apply their influence to facilitate this process;

13. Calls for freedom to organise for political parties in Mauritania;

14. Calls on the countries of the "Mano River Union" strictly to apply their decision to act jointly against all groups involved in action to destabilise the region and to work together to police their common borders;

15. Supports the efforts made by ECOWAS to contribute to a lasting and definitive settlement of the crisis between the States of the "Mano River Union";

16. Calls on the Commission to present a report to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly ACP-EU on the outcome of the discussions opened with the authorities in Guinea (Conakry) under Article 8 of the Cotonou agreement;

17. Expresses its full solidarity with the parliament of Guinea Bissau in the face of the threats uttered against it;

18. Calls on the Guinean Government to find a fair solution to the problem of the detention of human rights activists in Guinea Bissau, in order to re-implement the human rights programme, which supports education, democratisation and the strengthening of the rule of law in African countries;

19. Congratulates all members of the Ivorian political class, especially the leaders, for having brought about an easing of tension, a prerequisite for any development; encourages the Ivorian authorities to take vigorous measures with a view to a new economic resurgence;

20. Welcomes the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the African Parliamentary Union and the National Assembly of Niger to hold seminars in Niamey on concepts of international humanitarian law, in order to protect civilians in armed conflicts in Africa;

21. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council and the Commission.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in Central Africa and the African Great Lakes region

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Central Africa and the African Great Lakes region,

A. whereas the signing of the "national indicative programme" between the European Union and Burundi signals a decision to resume cooperation, which had been suspended in 1997,

B. whereas the priority aims of this programme are to combat poverty and implement the Arusha agreement for peace and reconciliation in Burundi,

C. whereas falling coffee prices are seriously hampering the country's economic recovery,

D. whereas despite the setting-up of the Arusha agreement transitional institutions, armed groups are continuing to use violence against the innocent civilian population,

E. whereas half a million Burundian refugees abroad and displaced persons within the country are still living in inhuman conditions,

F. whereas the three-and-a-half year conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has dramatically increased the rates of malnutrition and mortality in the DRC and whereas up to 70 % of the people in the war-affected areas have no access to health care,

G. whereas human rights abuses by all sides in the conflict continue in the east of the DRC and whereas dozens of people were killed in recent tribal clashes in the north-east of the country,

H. whereas the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano has worsened the plight of an already suffering population in the eastern part of the DRC, destroying most of the town of Goma and causing hundreds of thousands of people to flee,

I. whereas the second report submitted to the UN on the illegal exploitation of the DRC's resources largely confirms the first report,

J. whereas these reports highlight the fact that the main causes of the conflict are associated with access to, control of and trade in the country's resources, and whereas the ending of this illegal exploitation will help to bring the fighting to an end,

K. whereas, according to the joint military commission, set up under the Lusaka agreements, only Namibia has withdrawn its troops,

L. having regard to the right of all countries to their territorial integrity and security,

M. whereas the negative forces are a source of insecurity in the Great Lakes region,

N. having regard to the resumption of the inter-Congolese dialogue on 25 February in Sun City (South Africa),

O. having regard to the signing of the "national indicative programme" between the European Union and the DRC,

P. recognising the importance and value of the work done by the Belgian parliament's Lumumba Commission to investigate the role of the Belgian authorities in the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the democratically elected Prime Minister of Congo, and his companions on 17 January 1961; having regard, also, to the Belgian Government's apologies for the Belgian authorities' involvement in these events,

Q. whereas there were a large number of observers for the presidential elections in the Republic of Congo on 10 March 2002,

R. having regard to the political tension in the Central African Republic following the coups on 28 May and 3 November 2001 and the arrest of those involved in these coups,

S. having regard to the decision of the Community of Sahel and Saharan States (CEN-SAD), including the representative of the Central African Republic, to deploy an international peacekeeping and security force in the Central African Republic,

T. having regard to the reconciliation agreement between the Government of Chad and the Tibesti armed rebellion,

1. Notes with satisfaction the decision to resume cooperation between the European Union and Burundi and calls for this to be rapid and effective with a view to rebuilding the country;

2. Calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and appeals for rapid negotiations with a view to signing a permanent comprehensive ceasefire agreement;

3. Calls on all parties concerned to make the efforts needed for the repatriation of refugees and the rehabilitation of those displaced within the country;

4. Calls for the setting up without delay of the commissions provided for under the Arusha Agreement for peace and reconciliation in Burundi (international judicial commission of inquiry into genocide, war crimes, and other crimes against humanity and a national truth and reconciliation commission);

5. Calls on all the parties in the conflict in the DRC to respect human rights, the freedom of expression and movement and the right to property;

6. Calls for the disarmament and demobilisation of combatants and freedom of movement for persons and goods and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the DRC;

7. Calls for the MONUC to be equipped as soon as possible and mandated to locate and identify the armed groups operating in the DRC and to be given a strong mandate to organise all the necessary negotiations with a view to their disarmament and their repatriation and reintegration;

8. Reaffirms its attachment to the sovereignty of the DRC, including sovereignty over its natural resources;

9. Calls for the recommendations contained in the various United Nations reports on countries contributing to the plundering of the DRC's resources to be given due consideration;

10. Calls on the United Nations to carry out permanent monitoring of the provision of arms and munitions supplies to the region;

11. Welcomes the resumption of the inter-Congolese dialogue and hopes that this will enable the decisions taken at Gaborone to be implemented and that all the necessary pressure will be exerted on the warring parties and occupying forces to achieve a consensual transition; but regrets that some actors have refused to take part in the dialogue;

12. Hopes that the inter-Congolese dialogue can lead to a new political order guaranteed by new institutions;

13. Welcomes the resumption of cooperation between the European Union and the DRC and calls for the EDF programme to benefit the DRC territory as a whole;

14. Calls on the European Commission to give more support to the United Nations programme to disarm the negative forces in Kivu;

15. Calls on the forces controlling the town of Goma to allow food aid and humanitarian aid for the disaster-stricken people of this town to be delivered by the MONUC;

16. Welcomes the improved relationship between Uganda and Rwanda and the efforts of both presidents to defuse the tensions between their countries;

17. Urges Rwanda to continue efforts to integrate former rebels into civil society and the army, in addition to the 18000 rebels who have already been reintegrated;

18. Calls for an international conference on the Great Lakes region to be convened under United Nations auspices to establish a unified approach to problems of military security and the political, humanitarian, social and economic problems that affect all the countries in the region, with the involvement of national governments, regional organisations and the European Union;

19. Welcomes the end of the civil war in the Republic of Congo, made possible by the fact that the elections on 10 March 2002 took place peacefully and without major irregularities, and considers that this has given President Denis Sassou Nguesso a very clear mandate, with a substantial majority over the seven other candidates;

20. Condemns any seizure of power by force of arms and calls on the Government of the Central African Republic to hold a fair trial for those charged and to promote national reconciliation;

21. Encourages the CEN-SAD to set up the international peacekeeping force as quickly as possible;

22. Welcomes the reconciliation agreement reached in Chad;

23. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, the United Nations and the OAU.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in Southern Africa

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the subject,

Situation in Angola

A. whereas the death of Jonas Savimbi totally changes the face of the political situation in Angola, and may mean that Angola is going through a special phase of its history,

B. having regard to the opening of discussions between both military leaderships aiming at a general and definitive ceasefire,

C. having regard to the Angolan Government statement of 13 March and the intentions of President Dos Santos to fully organise the conditions for national reconciliation, based on an inclusive social and political dialogue, and to provide a total amnesty for all crimes committed within the scope of the armed conflict, in accordance with the Lusaka Protocol,

D. having regard in particular to the commitment to involve civil society and the churches, namely those within COIEPA (Inter-Church Committee for Peace in Angola), in this national peace and reconciliation process, in order to associate all Angolans and not only the government and UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola),

E. whereas UNITA's full integration in the national political scene as a non-armed political party freely reorganised is essential for the consolidation of the democratic process,

F. whereas the situation is disastrous in humanitarian terms, as 4 million people have been displaced by war,

G. having regard to the inhuman paradox of a potentially very rich country whose population lives in conditions of extreme poverty, which has been a feature of the suffering of the Angolan people for many years,

Economy

H. having regard to the two successive crop failures due to flooding caused by torrential rains and the resulting famine which is claiming many lives and threatening lives of as many as 7 million people in Malawi; and having regard to the recent drought situation affecting Malawi and other countries in the region,

I. whereas Zambia's main investor has decided to pull out of the copper mines, the country's main resource, which would result in more than 10000 people without employment,

J. whereas apartheid led the Republic of South Africa to develop a largely self-sufficient economy and whereas it must now face the challenges of globalisation,

K. whereas the crisis in Zimbabwe is having severe economic repercussions on neighbouring countries, in particular by discouraging new investors,

L. having regard to the high rate of immigration from neighbouring countries to the Republic of South Africa,

Democracy

M. whereas European observers to the elections in Zambia considered that the results of the elections did not reflect actual voting patterns,

N. whereas the other international observers, including those from the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region, to the elections in Zambia considered that the results of the elections did reflect the actual voting patterns,

O. whereas the constitution of Zambia provides remedies for persons or parties with complaints about the outcome of an election, and this avenue is already being pursued by the aggrieved parties,

Human Rights

P. whereas an alarming and unacceptable high number of rapes in South Africa is reported, in particular among the younger age group, including an increasing number of children,

Q. whereas these criminal practices are linked both to the violence of the society born of the apartheid regime and to mistaken beliefs relating to the transmission of the AIDS virus,

R. whereas only a small number of those responsible for these sexual crimes are brought to trial and only a very limited number of those are convicted,

S. whereas AIDS represents a major threat to the populations of Southern Africa,

T. whereas many children who are now orphans as a result of AIDS are liable to be left to their own devices,

U. having regard to the sentencing of certain policemen to the maximum penalties for training their dogs to attack black people,

V. having regard to the aid provided by the European Union for the reform and modernisation of the South African police force,

Angola

1. Welcomes the constructive position, expressing tolerance and reconciliation, set out in the Angolan Government's statement of 13 March 2002, and the cessation of all military activity by the Angolan armed forces and UNITA military forces;

2. Calls on the Angolan Government and UNITA to make this ceasefire definitive and irreversible;

3. Calls on all Angolans, especially the UNITA leadership abroad, to join in the current peace and reconciliation efforts;

4. Encourages the Government to intensify its cooperation with civil society and the churches, namely those within COIEPA, in order to involve every Angolan citizen in this peace and reconciliation process;

5. Encourages the full integration of UNITA into the national political scene as a freely reorganised non-armed political party;

6. Asks the Angolan Government to fully use the assistance of the UN representatives within the framework of the Lusaka Protocol and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions;

7. Calls on the Government to use this opportunity of peace to give absolute priority to improving the humanitarian and health situation, without any discrimination;

8. Calls on the Government to organise the return of displaced populations to their regions of origin and their reintegration there;

9. Calls for the improvement of mechanisms of transparency, in accordance with the IMF recommendations, related to the exploitation of national resources, income from which must be dedicated to the financing of global, fair, and sustainable development;

10. Calls on the Commission and the ACP-EU Council to support programmes for demining, humanitarian aid, the social reintegration of displaced people, demobilised soldiers, disabled members of the armed forces and war orphans, and the organisation of an international conference of donors for reconstruction of a peaceful Angola;

Economy

11. Calls on the Commission to make urgent efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid for the population threatened by the famine in Malawi and other countries in the region, to limit the impact of future bad weather;

12. Calls on the EU and its cooperating partners to encourage foreign investors to practise good corporate governance, thus ensuring that foreign investors act in accordance with national laws and commercial and legal requirements and respect their social obligations in host countries in order to avoid the situation obtaining in Zambia, particularly the mining sector;

Democracy

13. Notes the ongoing discussions between the EU and Zambia within the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and hopes that these discussions will result in a positive outcome;

14. Calls on the Commission to support Zambia and other countries in the region in developing institutions aimed at consolidating good governance;

Human Rights

15. Takes note of the fact that authorisation has finally been granted in the Republic of South Africa for an extension of the nevirapine treatment programme and demands that the South African Government make it generally available to combat mother-to-child transmission of AIDS;

16. Welcomes the fact that an extra EUR 2.5 million is to be allocated to the programme to combat mother-to-child HIV transmission and that funding for the AIDS prevention education programme has been quadrupled;

17. Demands that the South African Government take firm and immediate action to stop the rape of women and girls, and to bring those responsible to justice;

18. Calls on the South African democratic authorities to ensure that measures taken to combat crime do not violate human rights;

19. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council and the Commission.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in Madagascar

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

A. whereas it is for the people of Madagascar to choose their President democratically through free and fair elections,

B. whereas the particularly high turnout in the election of 16 December 2001 showed that the people of Madagascar are determined to contribute to this democratic choice,

C. whereas the presence of international observers and a comparison of reports would have provided a means of obtaining indisputable voting results,

D. having regard to the serious unrest which followed protests against the results proclaimed by the High Constitutional Court,

E. whereas no common interpretation of the results has been possible,

F. concerned at the fact that the outgoing President proclaimed a state of "national necessity", and then a curfew,

G. whereas the country's territorial and social cohesion is seriously threatened,

H. whereas the confrontation, which until then had been peaceful, has now become brutal, and whereas clashes are likely to recur at any moment and to degenerate into widespread confrontation,

I. whereas the armed forces have so far succeeded in avoiding the use of arms,

J. whereas the members of the UN Security Council have expressed "concern over the situation of unrest prevailing in Madagascar and the potential for undermining peace and stability in that country in particular and the region as a whole",

K. having regard to the importance of freedom of movement for persons and goods inside the country, in particular between Antananarivo and Toamasina,

L. whereas Madagascar is one of the world's poorest countries and whereas the losses caused by the crisis are making the situation worse day by day,

M. having regard to the OAU's mediation efforts, but noting that there has been no positive response to its latest proposals,

1. Expresses its extreme concern about the risks inherent in the current situation in Madagascar and calls on all parties to refrain from violence;

2. Commends the military authorities on not having resorted to violence, and calls on them to continue in this way and refrain from taking on the responsibilities of the civilian authorities;

3. Congratulates the OAU on its mediation proposals, expresses its encouragement and support for it, and asks it to pursue its efforts assiduously;

4. Calls on the people of Madagascar to engage in dialogue, including direct dialogue between the two main protagonists, which will make it possible to achieve a fair political settlement based on consensus, in accordance with the people's democratic aspirations, acceptable to both sides and capable of breaking the institutional deadlock;

5. Expresses the wish that the people of Madagascar will be allowed to express themselves democratically in order to ratify the institutional settlement which will have been agreed to within the framework of the constitution;

6. Calls for the sending of an ACP-EU joint facilitation mission, coordinated with the OAU;

7. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, the OAU, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the political authorities of Madagascar.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in Zimbabwe

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to previous resolutions on Zimbabwe adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament,

- having regard to the agreement reached in Abuja on 6 September 2001,

- having regard to the decisions of the EU General Affairs Council meetings of 28 January 2002 (to close its Cotonou consultations with Zimbabwe), of 18 February 2002 (to introduce a package of targeted sanctions) and of 16 March 2002,

- having regard to the outcome of the 9-11 March 2002 Presidential elections,

- having regard to the decision by the Commonwealth to suspend Zimbabwe's membership on 19 March 2002, for a period of one year,

A. whereas the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth for one year following the agreement of Commonwealth leaders including President Mbeki of South Africa, and the implementation of further "smart" sanctions on and global reaction to Zimbabwe by additional nations including Switzerland, indicates the level of international concern at the outcome of the 9-11 March Presidential elections,

B. deeply regretting all actions by President Mugabe before, during, and after the Zimbabwean presidential elections which have led to this concerted international reaction and the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth,

C. whereas the political situation in Zimbabwe must be the subject of international and regional initiatives leading to free and fair elections as soon as possible monitored by, amongst others, the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the SADC (Southern African Development Community) and the European Union,

D. whereas the international community recognises the humanitarian needs of the people of Zimbabwe,

1. Welcomes the decision of the Commonwealth Troika meeting on 19 March 2002, to suspend Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth for one year, believes that this judgement reflects the clear views expressed by the Commonwealth observer team and hopes that this will pave the way for reconciliation in Zimbabwe;

2. Calls on President Mugabe to drop all charges of treason immediately against the legitimate leader of the opposition, Morgan Tsvangirai, and his colleagues and to rescind immediately all the draconian legislation proposed and adopted by the government, which has restricted the freedom of speech, freedom of the media, and democracy in Zimbabwe before, during and after the elections;

3. Calls upon the Government of Zimbabwe to work alongside the Commonwealth and other regional and international groupings so as to put in place confidence-building measures which create a genuine and transparent environment for national dialogue aimed at promoting national understanding and reconciliation in Zimbabwe;

4. Calls upon the EU and the wider international community to provide large-scale assistance to Zimbabwe, including support for a legal land reform process, when it is evident that democracy, human rights and the rule of law have been re-established following free and fair elections;

5. Calls for new elections to be held within the year under the auspices of the Commonwealth and the international community so as to allow all the people of Zimbabwe the freedom to elect the President of their choice;

6. Pledges support for continued humanitarian aid and assistance for the people of Zimbabwe in this time of need, and urges the EU and the wider international community to respond with urgency to any genuine and clearly non-partisan appeal for food aid;

7. Calls for an ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly mission to Zimbabwe, which should be at the highest level and at the earliest opportunity, but must only take place if there is clear support from all the major Zimbabwean political parties;

8. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, the Government and Parliament of Zimbabwe, the Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth, the SADC, the OAU and the United Nations, and the Presidents of the European Investment Bank, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in East Africa

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on East Africa, in particular the Horn of Africa,

- having regard to its resolution on the situation in Sudan (ACP-EU 3327/01/fin) adopted at its third session on 1 November 2001,

- having regard to the results of the ninth Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) held in Khartoum on 10 and 11 January 2002,

- having regard to Resolution No 7 of the 74th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers on the normalisation of relations between the EU and Sudan,

- having regard to the decision of the EU to normalise relations with Sudan,

A. whereas progress in the implementation of the peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea has been achieved over the past year, but some issues still need to be resolved in order to achieve full implementation of the Algiers Peace Accord,

B. whereas the UN Security Council sent a 15-member mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea from 20 to 25 February 2002 in order to address the issues of the peace process between these two countries and discuss the further implementation of the Algiers Peace Accord signed in December 2000,

C. recalling the EU's commitment to supporting the implementation of the Algiers Peace Accord, and the important contribution made by the EU Member States to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) and to the OAU observer missions,

D. noting the positive progress in the EU-Sudan dialogue and the recent improvement of relations with Sudan, particularly the results of the EU Troika mission to Sudan in December 2001, and the decision of the EU to normalise relations with Sudan,

E. whereas a ceasefire agreement in the Nuba mountains was signed on 19 January 2002 by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Nuba, which could represent an important step towards achieving a comprehensive settlement of the Sudanese civil war,

F. considering the resolution on Sudan adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in November 2001 in Brussels and having noted that improvement has been made in the areas currently covered by the political dialogue - notably human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance,

G. considering the increased transparency shown by the Government of Sudan and its support for the fight against terrorism,

H. deploring the recent bombing of the food distribution centre of the WFP in South Sudan, but welcoming the agreement signed by the Government of Sudan and SPLA/SPLM under the auspices of the USA to refrain from attacking civilians and civilian targets,

I. whereas the Government of Sudan has stopped all supplies to the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), and has made yet another attempt to get the LRA to enter into a dialogue with the Government of Uganda, but Joseph Kony has refused,

J. whereas the LRA has been placed on the list of international terrorist groups,

K. whereas the LRA is now attacking villages in southern Sudan, looting food and killing civilians, causing thousands of people to flee,

L. whereas abductions, fighting and looting in northern Uganda by the LRA are continuing and up to 500000 people in northern Uganda still live in protected villages, their return home being hindered by ongoing activities of the LRA,

M. whereas seven LRA commanders surrendered and returned to Uganda at the beginning of 2002 under the terms of the Amnesty Bill,

N. concerned about the continuous conflict in Somalia that has resulted in an exodus of refugees to neighbouring countries and has contributed to illicit trade and proliferation of small arms, leading to insecurity, despite the arms embargo against Somalia imposed by Resolutions 733, 751 and 1356 of the UN Security Council,

O. whereas the security situation in Somalia could have a disastrous impact on the precarious humanitarian situation in the country,

P. whereas Somalia requires the urgent attention and assistance of the international community, in particular of the EU, in order to consolidate the peace process and assist the transitional institutions in the restoration of the state and the preservation of national unity and territorial integrity,

Q. whereas 75 % of the voters in the Comoros were in favour of the new constitution, which guarantees a large measure of autonomy for each island and democratically-run institutions,

R. whereas, under the Framework Agreement for Reconciliation, Azali Assoumani has resigned as head of state and army chief of staff to stand as a candidate in the presidential elections,

1. Welcomes the steps being taken by the UN Security Council in pursuing measures to contribute to the completion of the Ethiopia/Eritrea peace process;

2. Calls on both parties to expeditiously implement the decision of the Boundary Commission on the border delimitation;

3. Reiterates its support for the efforts of the special representative of the UN Secretary-General and calls on Ethiopia and Eritrea to enhance fully their cooperation with UNMEE in the implementation of its mandate, which was renewed on 15 March 2002;

4. Welcomes the ceasefire agreement in the Nuba mountains signed on 19 January 2002 by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Nuba; calls on both signatory parties to this agreement to implement all its modalities, in particular Article VII thereof, establishing an international monitoring unit to contribute to a viable peace process; encourages positive efforts taken on the same lines in other parts of Sudan aimed at bringing the Sudanese civil conflict to an end;

5. Calls on the international community, including the EU, to capitalise on the political will and window of opportunity prevailing in Sudan by creating a single, multilateral, high-level and sustained peace process building on all current peace initiatives;

6. Calls on the Government of Sudan and the SPLA/SPLM to adhere to the agreement recently signed on the cessation of attacks against civilians and civilian targets;

7. Calls on both the Government of Sudan and the SPLA to allow relief organisations access to the affected areas, including the southern Blue Nile region, and to allow UN human rights observers to monitor the human rights situation in those areas;

8. Calls on the EU, its Member States and other donors or potential donors to actively support the aid, relief and rehabilitation projects in the Nuba Mountains region, with a view to consolidating the parties' stance and commitment to the peace process and with a view to inducing other groups to join the search for peace throughout the country;

9. Welcomes Sudan's and the EU's involvement in defining the priorities for programming of EDF support for all Sudan;

10. Welcomes the cessation of support for the LRA by the Government of Sudan;

11. Welcomes the improving relationship between the Government of Uganda and the Government of Sudan with a view to achieving peace in the region;

12. Welcomes the latest mediation attempts by the Government of Sudan, but regrets that these did not lead to a dialogue between the LRA and the Government of Uganda with a view to the dissolution of the LRA and the release of the abducted children;

13. Is gravely concerned about the ongoing abduction of children in northern Uganda and the continued mistreatment of the thousands of children abducted by the LRA, including rape, beatings, killings, denial of medical treatment, forced fighting and looting;

14. Is gravely concerned about the raids by the LRA on villages in southern Sudan, in which civilians are being killed and forced to flee;

15. Calls on the Governments of Uganda and Sudan to consider all necessary measures to dismantle the LRA camps and to ensure the release of the abducted children, provided that any military or security operation is conducted in accordance with the UN conventions and resolutions designed to protect children, women and civilian hostages;

16. Calls on the Government of Uganda to provide all possible support to the Government of Sudan, respecting international laws, and recommends the involvement of international organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross;

17. Calls on the Government of Uganda to continue to offer LRA Members every opportunity to surrender under the terms of the Amnesty Bill;

18. Calls on the EU to consider appointing a special representative to assist and monitor the efforts being made by the Governments of Uganda and Sudan to get the children released and repatriated to Uganda;

19. Welcomes the IGAD decision to set up a technical committee to prepare for a Somali reconciliation conference that would be an inclusive political framework, to include Somalia's Transitional National Government and other Somali parties;

20. Calls upon all Somali parties to put aside their differences and participate in the IGAD-facilitated dialogue without preconditions and with a genuine resolve to broaden and complete the national reconciliation process;

21. Calls on the EU to examine ways and means of supporting IGAD's efforts to assist the Somalis to achieve peace and national reconciliation and to put an end to a situation which is causing much distress and suffering among the civilian population;

22. Urges the EU to contribute to the enormous financial resources required to finance development projects and programmes in the region;

23. Welcomes the implementation of the Framework Agreement for Reconciliation in the Comoros and the establishment of new decentralised democratic structures;

24. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, IGAD, the African Union and the Governments of the Comoros, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the Caribbean region

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

A. having regard to the impact of the attack on 11 September on tourism in the Caribbean and on the economy as a whole, including the loss of tax income,

B. whereas progress has been made towards a Caricom common market, which should be in set up by 2005,

C. having regard to the Conference of Caricom Heads of State and Government, held in Belize from 3 to 5 February 2002,

D. having regard to the illegal trafficking in drugs and associated criminality and the meeting in Trinidad and Tobago from 4 to 6 December to organise action to address these ills,

E. noting that the general elections of 10 December 2001 in Trinidad and Tobago ended in a tie (each of the two main political parties in the country won 18 seats in Parliament) and hoping that the situation will be resolved expeditiously,

The situation in Haiti

F. having regard to its earlier resolution on the situation in Haiti, adopted on 21 March 2001 in Libreville, calling inter alia for the lifting of sanctions,

G. concerned by the general deterioration of the situation in the country and the political impasse, especially since the controversy about the percentage calculation method used by the Provisional Electoral Council in the legislative and municipal elections on 21 May 2000,

H. concerned by the explosion of violence and the attempted coup d'état against President Aristide in December 2001, which cost several people their lives,

I. concerned at the attacks and threats against journalists and the independent media and the assassination in December 2001 of Mr Brignol Lindor, Director of Radio Echo 2000 and the assassination of Lavalas Marc André Dirogène, Member of Parliament, in February 2002,

J. having regard to the assassination in April 2000 of Mr Jean Dominique, Director of Radio Haiti and the best-known political analyst in the country,

K. having regard to the European Union's suspension of development aid to the end of 2002, in accordance with Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, which is aggravating the situation in Haiti,

L. whereas the European Union has stated its intention of reviewing this decision with a view to a gradual resumption of aid if the political situation improves as regards the holding of legislative elections and the creation of a Provisional Electoral Council and democratic institutions,

M. whereas Haiti will only find the political stability that it needs for economic and social development by respecting the principles of democracy and human rights that form the essential bases for a solution to the current crisis,

N. whereas the economic sanctions imposed on Haiti have a negative impact on the other Caribbean countries,

O. having regard to the problems identified by the OAS mission concerning counting procedures, which led to the resignation of seven senators, and the reduction of the term of office of the members of parliament elected in May 2000,

P. having regard to the Haitian Government's decision to hold elections scheduled for November 2002,

Q. having regard to the agreement between the Haitian Government and the OAS, signed on 4 March 2002, on the OAS's request to send a long-term mission to Haiti,

R. having regard to the formation of a new government, with a policy of openness, especially the appointment of a minister from the opposition with responsibility for relations with opposition dissidents,

1. Recognises the efforts of the Association of Dominican Free Zones and the government to establish industrial parks on the Dominican-Haitian boarder with the objective of creating jobs for nationals of both countries with equal working conditions;

2. Highlights the beneficial cooperation between the Haitian and Dominican Governments to resolve the problems common to both peoples;

3. Asks the Dominican people to participate massively in the upcoming 16 May 2002 municipal and congressional elections that will be guaranteed by the impartiality of the members of the Central Electoral Junta;

4. Welcomes the general elections that were successfully held in Guyana (19 March 2001), St Vincent and the Grenadines (28 March 2001) and St Lucia (3 December 2001);

5. Stresses the need to combat money laundering from illegal trafficking;

6. Supports the Caricom presidency in its efforts to resolve the political crisis in Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti;

7. Calls on the Commission to give particular attention to countries that are suffering from the crisis in tourism and associated economic sectors;

8. Welcomes the fact that regional economic integration may lead to the formation of a regional common market;

9. Welcomes the decision by international donors to support Jamaica in repairing the economic damage caused by acts of violence in the country, by the events of 11 September 2001 and by the disastrous rains which have particularly affected agriculture and tourism;

10. Encourages the Government of the Dominican Republic to continue the implementation of the social programme of February 2001 to reduce poverty;

The situation in Haiti

11. Strongly condemns the assassinations of journalists and the assassination of Lavalas Marc André Dirogène, Member of Parliament, and calls on the Haitian Government to take the necessary action to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice;

12. Condemns the attempted coup d'état against President Aristide on 17 December 2001;

13. Calls on President Aristide to continue efforts to find a definitive solution to the Haitian crisis;

14. Calls on the opposition party leaders to find a negotiated solution to bring the country out of its political impasse and to allow the Haitians to concentrate on development problems;

15. Recommends the appointment of mediators, along the lines of the inter-Congolese dialogue, to encourage a lasting political agreement between the followers of President Aristide, the opposition leaders and representatives of civil society;

16. Considers that development aid can be granted only if human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law are respected in accordance with Article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement;

17. Believes that the suspension of development aid will aggravate Haiti's already precarious socio-economic situation;

18. Calls on the EU to reconsider the Haiti case, taking account of the people's interests;

19. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission and the Government of Haiti.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in Cuba

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in the Caribbean and, in particular, in Cuba,

- having regard to the resolution which it adopted in Gabon (March 2001) on Cuba's accession to the new ACP-EU association agreement,

- having regard to the various European Parliament initiatives relating to relations between the EU and Cuba,

- having regard to the repeated statements by the EU Council Presidency to the effect that the Council would welcome an application from Cuba to accede to the Cotonou Agreement,

- having regard to Articles 9 and 96 of the Cotonou Agreement on respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law,

A. whereas it may be concluded from the EU Troika's visit to Havana in December 2001 that Cuba accepts the text of the Cotonou Agreement in every respect and is willing to abide fully by all provisions and articles, including those on human rights,

B. whereas the General Affairs Council stated in December 2001 that there are certain positive signs in Cuba-EU relations,

C. whereas Cuba has stated that it will reapply for accession to the Cotonou Agreement if it receives assurances to the effect that, on accession, it will have the same rights and the same obligations as the other members of the ACP-EU association,

D. whereas most of the Council members are in favour of Cuba's accession to the Cotonou Agreement on the above terms and conditions,

E. whereas Cuba's full accession to the ACP-EU Association Agreement provides an opportunity for promoting the necessary political and economic progress of the country,

F. bearing in mind the impact of the embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba and the numerous successive resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly on this topic,

G. whereas the Commission (especially after the recent natural disasters which have struck the island) has stated that it appreciates the need for greater cooperation with Cuba in terms of humanitarian and development aid,

H. having regard to the UN General Assembly's resolution A/56/9, which was adopted on 27 November 2001 by a resounding majority (including votes in favour from the 15 EU Member States) and which calls for an end to the economic, trade and financial embargo imposed on Cuba by the USA,

I. whereas the political dialogue between the EU Troika and Cuba, which resumed in December 2001, has been described by both parties as frank, open and without preconditions, respecting differences and oriented towards the future,

J. whereas the European Union Member States have become the most important economic and trade partners of Cuba,

1. Welcomes the willingness demonstrated by the Cuban Government to open a political dialogue with the EU on all matters of common interest including human rights and to accept and abide by all the principles laid down in the Cotonou Agreement;

2. Encourages the Cuban people in their efforts to overcome the economic and humanitarian difficulties, which have been aggravated by the natural disasters that have occurred in recent months;

3. Calls on the Spanish Presidency to pursue the political dialogue relaunched by the Belgian Presidency;

4. Urges both Cuba and the European Union to pursue their relations and their renewed political dialogue on the basis agreed in the joint communiqué issued on the occasion of the political dialogue between Cuba and the EU Troika, held in Havana, on 2 December 2001, and to continue to exercise the constructive spirit thus shown by them;

5. Considers that, should Cuba reapply for accession to the Cotonou Agreement, it should receive a swift response, as called for on a number of occasions by both the ACP community and the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly;

6. Calls on the Joint ACP-EU Council of Ministers to ensure that an eventual accession application by Cuba be treated fairly, impartially and equitably, and under the same conditions that have been requested from the other signatories to the Agreement;

7. Considers that the EU and Cuban authorities must deepen the dialogue on all issues of common interest in a constructive and frank manner, including on a future cooperation framework;

8. Encourages the European Commission to strengthen its efforts for cooperation, including with civil and non-governmental organisations in Cuba;

9. Welcomes the Commission's decision to open a delegation in Havana and asks for a timetable for implementation of this decision;

10. Favours maintaining and pursuing the same spirit of openness and gradual rapprochement between the European and Cuban parties;

11. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the European Commission, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and to the Government and the Parliament of Cuba.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the situation in the Pacific region

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the Pacific region and with specific reference to the situation in Fiji and the Solomon Islands,

A. whereas the Pacific region has recently experienced ethnic tensions and political turmoil,

B. whereas organisations like the Pacific Regional Forum are moving towards establishing a free-trade area for the Pacific, which would encourage economic growth and sustainable development in the Fiji Islands and the ACP countries in the region,

C. whereas general elections took place in Fiji in August and September 2001,

D. whereas George Speight, who led a coup in Fiji two years ago, has received a life sentence after pleading guilty to treason,

E. whereas a court in Fiji has ruled that a provision of the constitution permits the formation of a multi-party Cabinet,

F. whereas voting has taken place peacefully in the Solomon Islands' first election since the violent coup in 2000,

G. noting the Solomon Islands' financial and social problems,

H. whereas geographic isolation coupled with under-resourced transport infrastructure often leads to a destabilisation of resident populations, which in turn has a negative effect on the socio-economic development of small countries and their economies, particularly in relation to private sector development, trade, health and tourism,

Fiji

1. Stresses that recent voting results in Fiji reflected the will of the people after a free and fair election;

2. Notes that international observers made suggestions for improvements in the electoral system for future use and urges the relevant authorities to give consideration to these suggestions;

3. Calls on all elements of Fijian society to work together in a spirit of reconciliation to restore inclusive democratic rule in Fiji;

4. Welcomes the European Union's decision to lift all sanctions placed on Fiji after the 19 May 2000 coup and calls on the Commission to take all reasonable steps to facilitate the expeditious processing of development assistance projects that were held up because of the recent political situation in Fiji;

5. Considers that the decision of the European Union to lift all sanctions on Fiji has been made in the light of positive developments in the country since Fiji's return to constitutional governance;

Solomon Islands

6. Supports all efforts to create national unity and reconciliation in the Solomon Islands;

7. Recognising that the Solomon Islands cannot afford further ethnic unrest;

8. Urges the Commission to keep a close watch on moves towards democracy and reforms in the Solomon Islands, particularly in view of the crucial role played by EU funds, and where appropriate to assist the government in its rehabilitation process;

Investment

9. Calls on the Commission to provide assistance to countries in the Pacific Region to help them identify EU businesses willing to invest in the region, particularly in SMEs, and, where necessary, to provide assistance to those businesses who currently invest there;

Aviation and small island states

10. Recognises that many Pacific Islands, in particular small island states, are disadvantaged as a result of irregular and infrequent transport links, and this problem affects particularly the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Nauru and Tuvalu;

11. Calls on the Commission to take note of the difficulties experienced by small island nations of the Pacific in relation to air transport links in the Pacific;

12. Asks the Commission, in deciding upon measures under Annex VI Articles 4 and 5 of the Cotonou Agreement, to assist small island ACP states, to consider issues relating to air transport and shipping, and, where possible to come up with quantifiable initiatives and programmes to assist individual ACP States and their citizens;

13. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the Commonwealth, and the Governments of the Solomon Islands and Fiji.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the economic partnership agreements (EPAs)

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to Article 37(1) of the Cotonou Agreement concerning the negotiation of economic partnership agreements "during the preparatory period which shall end by December 2007",

A. whereas Article 1 of the Cotonou Agreement refers to the partnership that exists between the ACP countries and the EU and states that this partnership "shall be centred on the objective of reducing and eventually eradicating poverty consistent with the objectives of sustainable development and the gradual integration of the ACP countries into the world economy",

B. whereas the aim of the ACP-EU partnership should be the economic, social and cultural development of the ACP States and should facilitate the transformation of the basis of integration of ACP economies into the world economy so as to lay the foundation for sustainable forms of poverty-focused development,

C. whereas any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should be structured in such a way as to reduce gender gaps in access to economic resources, opportunities and outcomes,

D. whereas any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trading arrangements should support and promote the structural transformation of ACP economies, so that their production structures shift away from goods with low demand growth and stagnant or declining price trends towards the production of goods and services with higher demand growth and favourable price trends,

E. whereas any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trading arrangements should support increased levels of local value added in the processing of products in ACP countries for the domestic, regional or international markets,

F. noting that Article 37(6) of the Cotonou Agreement states that "in 2004, the Community will assess the situation of the non-LDC which, after consultations with the Community, decide that they are not in a position to enter into economic partnership agreements and will examine all alternative possibilities",

G. noting that Article 37(7) makes provision for the negotiations to "take account of the level of development and the socio-economic impact of trade measures on ACP countries and their capacity to adapt and adjust their economies to the liberalisation process",

H. recognising that no ACP country should be left worse off in terms of conditions of access to the EU market than under the current trading arrangements,

I. noting that any future ACP-EU development arrangements should address the needs of small economies, including small island developing states and single-commodity-dependent economies, with the objective of ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage by the introduction of any WTO-compatible trading arrangements,

J. acknowledging that it is essential to ensure that trade negotiations are conducted in an open, transparent and inclusive manner incorporating all concerned stakeholders, including national parliaments, into trade policy debates, in order to ensure that wider sustainable development objectives guide the conduct and outcome of the negotiations,

K. noting that the forthcoming negotiations are of particular importance to ACP countries since the EU is the most important trading partner for many of them and that it is critical for broad discussion to be encouraged on the form of future ACP-EU partnership agreements,

L. acknowledging that capacity constraints exist in ACP countries and that it is therefore important to ensure that trade arrangements established between ACP countries and the EU take account of this reality,

M. acknowledging the EU's contribution of EUR 20 million for the development of trade negotiating capacity within ACP countries,

N. whereas, at the last joint meeting of the Ministerial Trade Committee in Nairobi in October 2001, the EU indicated that the amount should be regarded as an initial allocation,

O. recognising that, as a result of the delays in the preparation of the studies and the establishment of the Project Management Unit, the schedule for ACP preparations for the negotiations has been adversely affected with the result that it will be difficult for an ACP mandate to be prepared in time to commence substantive negotiations in September 2002,

P. recognising the need to preserve effective market access opportunities for ACP exporters,

Q. noting that regulatory measures, including health and safety issues, and rules of origin are amongst the principal barriers to ACP exports to the EU,

R. considering that substantial supply-side constraints face the ACP countries in their efforts to bring their industries up to standards that will be acceptable to the EU,

S. recognising that many ACP governments are concerned about the impact that the implementation of free-trade agreements with the EU could have on government revenues and hence on the availability of funds for programmes of assistance to various disadvantaged groups such as the poor, women and indigenous persons,

T. acknowledging that the lack of progress in the current process of reform of the Common agricultural policy could have adverse implications for agriculture and agro-processing industries in ACP countries,

1. Calls on all parties to uphold the legal obligations and political commitments enshrined in Articles 35, 36, and 37 of the Cotonou Agreement for the negotiation of economic partnership agreements, in particular the safeguarding of the benefits which the ACP countries currently derive from the existing trade arrangements; affirms that this commitment goes to the very heart of the credibility of and the partners' trust in the EU-ACP relationship;

2. Calls for any future ACP-EU partnership agreements to be relevant to the priorities of ACP countries, taking into account the need for adequate differentiation for small economies, including small island developing and landlocked states, and to ensure that ACP States are able to benefit from real access to European markets;

3. Calls for the EPAs to be structured in such a way as to bring about sustainable development and poverty reduction in the ACP countries;

4. Highlights that it is necessary for EPAs to support the structural transformation of ACP economies and facilitate the reduction of gender gaps in access to economic and social resources and opportunities;

5. Calls for the negotiating process to be structured in such a way as to clearly and systematically address, within realistic time frames, the areas of major concern identified by ACP countries;

6. Calls for national and regional parliaments to establish appropriate mechanisms to enable all concerned stakeholders to be involved in the trade policy debates at national and regional levels, in order to ensure that wider sustainable development objectives guide the conduct and outcome of the negotiations;

7. Stresses that a commitment should be made by all parties to a negotiation process that is open and transparent;

8. Urges the EU to take into account the importance of removing residual tariff and market access restrictions which are currently imposed on ACP exports, especially in those areas where there is potential for benefits from increased production and exports;

9. Calls for the application of rules of origin, the establishment of regulatory measures and the application of sanitary and phytosanitary standards to be undertaken in ways that will encourage new investment in ACP countries and also minimise the economic costs for small ACP enterprises;

10. Calls for a review of existing institutional arrangements for the provision of assistance in addressing supply-side constraints, in order to determine their level of effectiveness;

11. Calls for the establishment and implementation of coordinated and integrated country-specific programmes of assistance to address supply-side constraints, which extend beyond current initiatives within existing ACP-EU cooperation arrangements;

12. Calls for the provision of assistance to address the possible negative fiscal adjustments which could occur as a consequence of the introduction of new trade arrangements, with particular emphasis on institutional reform and strengthening of government revenue collection agencies in ACP countries, identification of expenditures of greatest importance to, and the impact of new revenue measures on, disadvantaged groups, especially the poor, women and indigenous persons;

13. Stresses the importance of assessing the possible implications of the ongoing process of reform of the Common agricultural policy for the ACP countries and calls for mechanisms to be put in place to minimise the possible adverse effects of such reforms;

14. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council and the Commission.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on negotiations between the EU and the ACP States on trade, rules of origin and sanitary and phytosanitary measures

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to Decision No 5/LXXIV/01 of the 74th session of the ACP Council of Ministers held in Brussels on 6 and 7 December 2001 calling for the problem of investigative missions into the origin of products to be placed on the agenda of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

A. mindful that one of the Cotonou Agreement's principal objectives is to promote and expedite the economic, cultural and social development of the ACP States,

B. whereas the two parties signatory to the Cotonou Agreement have undertaken, in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of the Agreement, to refrain from any measures liable to jeopardise these objectives,

C. aware of the importance of investment for the ACP countries' economic and social development,

D. whereas access to the ACP markets by heavily subsidised European and North American products contributed to the weakening of these countries' economic and social fabric, malnutrition, famine and dependence on outside aid,

E. having regard to the main purpose of rules of origin, which is to promote industrial development and create jobs in the ACP countries, avoiding deflections of trade that may reduce the effectiveness of the EU customs tariff,

F. noting the complexity of the rules of origin for certain products, especially fishery products and textiles,

G. whereas there is a need for the adoption or strengthening of legislation, where appropriate, and its enforcement to control the unsustainable hunting and commercial trade in bush meat,

H. whereas a partial interpretation with no legal foundation of the provisions of Protocol 1 on rules of origin is likely to discourage industrialisation efforts in the ACP countries by significantly reducing investment in these countries,

I. having regard to the provisions of Article 26 of Protocol 1 to the Fourth Lomé Convention and of Article 32 of Protocol 1 to Annex V to the Cotonou Agreement,

J. concerned at the procedure followed in investigative missions on product origin, the methods by which the Commission department responsible for combating fraud (OLAF) conducts these missions in the ACP countries, and the measures that are taken against the countries concerned following these inquiries,

K. having regard to the need to ensure rigorous respect for the provisions on administrative cooperation and the serious damage to the ACP countries that could ensue because of a breach of these provisions,

L. aware of the importance of sanitary and phytosanitary measures for the protection of human, animal and plant health,

M. having regard to the provisions of Article 12 of the Cotonou Agreement that states that where the Community intends to take a measure which might affect the interests of the ACP States it shall inform the states concerned of its intentions in good time, with a view to consultations before the measures are adopted,

N. whereas the Commission tends to adopt sanitary and phytosanitary measures without informing the ACP States in good time and is thus in breach of the provisions of Article 48 of the Cotonou Agreement,

O. whereas these measures require the ACP countries to make adjustments that entail considerable costs and primarily affect the agricultural sector, which represents an important part of the ACP countries' export income,

P. having regard to the provisions of Articles 2, 3, 5, 9 and 10 and Annex B to the WTO Agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS),

Q. whereas sanitary inspections at the point of entry to the Community are more harmful to the ACP countries than those carried out before export,

1. Calls on the European Union to:

(a) consent to examine aspects of the rules of origin, which remain complex;

(b) ensure correct and standard implementation of Protocol 1 in conformity with the principal objective of the rules of origin in the Cotonou Agreement and in a way consistent with the EU's development policy;

(c) make the control mechanisms for OLAF activities more efficient to ensure that the authorities of EU Member States do not take measures that are prejudicial to the ACP countries solely on the basis of an isolated initiative by OLAF that has not been discussed by the Commission;

(d) take all necessary provisions to ensure scrupulous respect for the obligations laid down in the relevant provisions of the Cotonou Agreement and the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS);

(e) implement the provisions on special, differentiated treatment in the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS);

(f) create a mechanism for export controls rather than controls at the point of entry into the Community;

(g) give the ACP countries financial and technical assistance to help establish the necessary infrastructure and develop their capacity for improved monitoring and management of sanitary and phytosanitary issues;

(h) avoid using sanitary and phytosanitary measures as disguised trade restrictions;

2. Considers that future trade negotiations between the ACP countries and the EU must be based on an assessment of the current trade liberalisation policy and its impact on the ACP countries' economies;

3. Calls for future trade negotiations between the ACP countries and the EU to take sustainable development as their objective and to be oriented towards supporting ACP internal efforts to strengthen their own development strategy and their autonomy;

4. Considers that efforts to alleviate poverty must specifically tackle the structural causes of the ACP countries' impoverishment and calls for an end to export subsidies that disrupt local markets, cancellation of the debt that absorbs over 40 % of the Least Developed Countries' GNP, reform of the current WTO rules and their revision by fair rules that take account of the southern countries' concerns;

5. Considers that the private sector, which has social and environmental responsibilities, can contribute to sustainable development and points out that it is the ACP countries' responsibility to adopt appropriate rules to protect and develop their industries and selectively open their markets in the light of their economic situation without, however, jeopardising the local private sector;

6. Urges the taking of all necessary steps to restrict the illegal consumption of great ape bush meat and to inform people in all the ACP and EU countries of the high public health, conservation and trade risks of eating great ape bush meat;

7. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission and the World Trade Organisation.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to the September 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg (South Africa),

- having regard to the New African Initiative adopted by the African Union in Lusaka (Zambia) in July 2001,

A. whereas African leaders have developed a new initiative, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD),

B. whereas NEPAD has been endorsed by the Organisation of African Unity/African Union (OAU/AU) and supported by a wide spectrum of world leaders and organisations, including the EU and the ACP,

C. whereas NEPAD is based on a firm and shared conviction by African leaders that they have a pressing duty to eradicate poverty and place Africa on a path of sustainable growth and development while creating conditions for Africa to participate actively in the world economy and body politic,

D. whereas NEPAD envisages the elaboration and implementation of concrete plans and programmes to address, inter alia:

- the promotion of peace, security, democracy and political governance,

- the improvement of economic and corporate governance,

- the bridging of infrastructure gaps, including the digital divide,

- the promotion of human resource development and the reversal of the brain drain from the continent,

- the development of agriculture and industry, and the promotion of culture, science and technology,

- the improvement of market access within Africa and between Africa and developed economies,

E. whereas NEPAD is firmly based on the principle of African ownership, responsibility and leadership, including a recognition that African development will be a product of African people themselves,

F. whereas NEPAD, nevertheless, recognises that its success depends on a positive response from international partners, including:

- finding ways to increase private capital flows to Africa, enhance debt relief and reform ODA programmes,

- enlarging access to global markets for Africa's products,

- developing a new partnership with industrialised countries and multilateral organisations on the basis of mutual commitments, obligations, interests, contributions and benefits,

G. whereas NEPAD was formulated against a background of worrying signs of growing marginalisation of African economies and African peoples within the world economy, and as the digital divide in information and communication technologies (ICT) widens,

H. whereas NEPAD is, nevertheless, based on a positive view that Africa has tremendous potential, and that it is in the interest of the entire world to ensure that it is developed,

I. believing that NEPAD provides a coherent vision and programme for Africa's growth and development,

J. noting that steps are being taken to give concrete effect to the various programmes elaborated under NEPAD, and that the EU must also take account of the particular disadvantages facing small and remote island states in the Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Ocean regions,

1. Welcomes NEPAD and expresses its full support for this vital new initiative which should promote sustainable development and assist in reducing poverty;

2. Recognises that there is considerable scope for the ACP-EU partnership to be effectively aligned with NEPAD;

3. Believes that support for NEPAD from international organisations and partners has to reach beyond rhetoric, and that it raises a challenge to go beyond "business as usual" and to identify new ways to cooperate in taking this project forward;

4. Urges the Commission, therefore, to make a serious commitment to the detailed NEPAD programmes and projects, to identify ways in which, both directly and through the EU-ACP partnership, EU programmes can support NEPAD;

5. Requests the Commission to table a report on this matter at the next session of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly;

6. Urges African parliamentarians to find ways of contributing to taking NEPAD forward;

7. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, the Organisation of African Unity/African Union, the European Investment Bank, the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on stagnation in the production sectors for bananas, rice and other products

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

A. whereas ACP countries will benefit for some years from preferential access to the EU market, notably for bananas, rice and other products, with a view to supporting the ACP countries' export revenue and further development,

B. whereas the Cotonou Agreement envisages that ACP countries are to be the beneficiaries of the preferential import arrangements for bananas,

C. whereas EU banana imports from the ACP are governed by import licensing arrangements which disproportionately penalise ACP suppliers, particularly the most vulnerable, and the concerns expressed to the Commission by the JPA and the ACP were not given due consideration, with the result that ACP interests have not been satisfactorily accommodated in the reform of the EU banana regime,

D. whereas for many ACP countries the cooperation relationship with regard to the banana protocol is not compatible with cooperation objectives as the ACP countries do not in fact benefit from the advantages due to them,

E. whereas a request for financing for a marketing study that would include rice was able to obtain approval and confirmation in writing only after seven years, in the second half of 2001,

F. whereas the EU representative rejected this, leaving Suriname to achieve its objectives through a regional study although this is totally different in character, and whereas the national rice survey has been pending for seven years and its implementation has been confirmed in writing but this is now dependent on circumstances, and whereas the contribution of local experts has been neglected because of the unnecessary involvement of foreign consultants,

G. emphasising that Declaration XXIV - Joint Declaration on Rice - of the Partnership Agreement recognises the importance of the rice sector for the economic and social development of the ACP rice-producing countries in terms of employment, foreign exchange and social and political stability,

H. recalling the EU's commitments, in the Declaration, to finance during the preparatory period, in consultation with the ACP sector concerned, an integrated sector-specific programme for the development of ACP exporters of rice through unallocated EDF resources,

1. Considers that the table-banana sector, which is now going through serious problems and is at risk of an unacceptable slump, must be saved;

2. Considers that this also applies to the rice sector, which is struggling with similar problems;

3. Considers that the EU bureaucracy's take-it-or-leave-it attitude should be abandoned and efforts should be made to establish a relationship on a rational, commercial and equal basis;

4. Considers that the EU's policy of cutting staff and closing offices in the countries concerned should be reviewed and a greater contribution from qualified local personnel should be envisaged;

5. Considers that EU promises committed to writing should be honoured;

6. Considers that an inventory of complaints of this kind should be drawn up and proposals for necessary adjustments should be taken into consideration;

7. Considers that the setting up of an independent appeals body for issues of critical importance to the ACP countries should be envisaged;

8. Considers that, for the remaining period of preferential treatment of products such as table bananas, rice, etc., this support should still be given so that as regards quantity and quality these products are capable of facing up to competition on the international market;

9. Expresses concern that there has been undue delay by the European Commission in the process of preparing for the completion and submission of the required strategy documents and project proposals;

10. Urges the European Commission to expedite this preparatory process and to approve the financing proposals, as a matter of urgency, when they are submitted;

11. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council and the Commission.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on sugar

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to the resolution on sugar adopted at its third session in Brussels on 1 November 2001,

- having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001 of 19 June 2001 on the common organisation of the market in the sugar sector, in particular the renewal of the EU sugar regime for a further period of five years,

- having regard to the fact that the ACP Sugar Protocol is an integral part of the EU sugar regime and that the Protocol quantities are bound in the EU's WTO commitments, thereby providing legal security of access to ACP Protocol Sugar into the EU,

A. stressing that the parties to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) recognised that their relations in the field of trade and economic endeavour should be conducted with a view to, inter alia, ensuring full employment and sustainable development while seeking to protect and preserve the environment and recognising the need for positive efforts to ensure that developing countries secure a fair share in the growth of international trade,

B. welcoming the Development Work Programme adopted at the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference held in Doha, Qatar in November 2001, in particular the need to address concerns regarding, inter alia, special and differential treatment, non-trade concerns in Agriculture and the special situation of small economies,

C. further stressing that the Cotonou Agreement is centred on the objective of reducing and eventually eradicating poverty in accordance with the objectives of sustainable development and the gradual integration of ACP countries into the world economy,

D. noting that the ACP sugar-supplying states, which are either least-developed, developing, net-food importing, vulnerable, landlocked or island states and single-commodity exporters with specific economic and social difficulties, depend on predictable and stable earnings from sugar exports to the EU for their sustainable socio-economic development,

E. recognising that inherent natural, physical and structural constraints and topography do not generally allow for horizontal diversification of the agriculture of most ACP sugar-supplying states and that these factors adversely affect the competitiveness of ACP sugar industries, though the guarantees enshrined in the Sugar Protocol and the Special Preferential Sugar Agreement (SPS) help to mitigate the adverse effect of these constraints,

F. emphasising that the ACP sugar-supplying states have been judiciously using the vital foreign exchange earnings from exports to the EU in their rationalisation programmes to improve efficiency, increase productivity and enhance competitiveness,

G. further emphasising that ACP sugar-supplying states have made optimal use of the earnings from sugar exports to the EU to promote the use of by-products including in the production of electricity in an environmentally-friendly manner, and to promote meaningful diversification in other sectors wherever possible,

H. noting the ongoing agriculture negotiations in the WTO, which have to take into account, inter alia, non-trade concerns, special and preferential treatment of developing countries, maintenance of preferential arrangements and the specificities of SIDS,

I. recognising the multifunctional role that the sugar industry plays in ACP supplying states as a major employer, and its contribution to environmental protection and rural development, as well as ensuring food security,

J. noting the implementation by the EU since 2001 of the "Everything But Arms" Initiative (EBA) and recalling the support of the ACP Ministers of Trade for the initiative, as contained in their declaration of 12 December 2000, while calling for the EU to respect existing agreements and take into consideration the special situation of vulnerable, small island and landlocked states,

K. welcoming the successful conclusion between the EU and the ACP sugar-supplying states of a new Special Preferential Sugar Agreement (SPS) for the period 2001- 2006, which will contribute partially but on a diminishing scale towards alleviating the negative effects resulting from the EU's restrictive pricing policy since 1986 and enhancing investments in the respective countries,

L. recalling the special status of the four ACP traditional sugar suppliers (Côte d'Ivoire, Malawi, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, i.e. the G4) on the Portuguese market prior to the adoption of the EU Common agricultural policy by Portugal, as recognised in the Joint Declaration annexed to the new SPS Agreement,

M. having regard to Article 38 of the Cotonou Agreement, wherein both parties have agreed to pay special attention to current multilateral trade negotiations, and to examine the impact of the EU's wider liberalisation initiatives on ACP-EC Trade and on the development of ACP economies, and to make necessary recommendations with a view to preserving the benefits of ACP-EU trading arrangements, as well as the terms of reference of the ACP-EU Joint Ministerial Trade Committee which was set up in May 2001 under Article 38 of the Cotonou Agreement,

N. recalling also the Joint Declaration (Declaration XXIII) on market access of the Cotonou Agreement by which the parties agree to examine all measures in order to maintain the competitive positions of the ACP States on the Community market, and wherein the Council of the European Union emphasises its obligation to take into account the effect of any agreement or other measures to be taken by the EC on ACP-EC trade,

1. Calls on the European Union to:

(a) defend, maintain and honour the legal obligation and political commitment enshrined in the Cotonou Agreement, particularly the Sugar Protocol appended to it and the Special Preferential Sugar Agreement (SPS), so nothing is done or proposed in the context of ACP-EU negotiations scheduled to be launched in September 2002 to undermine these obligation and commitment;

(b) recognises the review referred to in Article 36(4) of the Cotonou Agreement of the sugar protocol and that the provision in this article is to ensure the WTO-compatibility of the sugar protocol, bearing in mind the special legal status of that Protocol;

(c) ensure that such a review does not entail any further shifting of the burden of internal EU Common agricultural policy reforms and wider trade liberalisation initiatives on the small and vulnerable economies of the ACP sugar-supplying states;

(d) consider the significant and vital contribution that predictable and stable earnings derived from sugar exports have made to economic development and poverty alleviation and the fight against social exclusion resulting from globalisation in ACP supplying states, as well as the promotion and sustenance of democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;

(e) acknowledge the multifunctional nature of sugar, particularly its role in environmental protection and rural development in ACP sugar-supplying states, as well in ensuring food security;

(f) honour its obligations, in accordance with the provisions of Article 38 and Joint Declaration XXIII of the Cotonou Agreement, and accordingly examine urgently measures to address the adverse effects of the implementation of the "Everything But Arms" initiative on several non-LDC ACP sugar exporting countries, and urgently examine ways and means to share more equitably the burden arising from the implementation of the EBA initiative in the sugar sector;

(g) acknowledge also the contribution of ACP sugar industries to the EU refining industry and the mutual benefit they derive from the Sugar Protocol and the Special Preferential Sugar Agreement (SPS);

(h) open a dialogue with the ACP in line with the ACP sugar-supplying states' Georgetown Plan of Action to examine how the entitlements of the G4 can be preserved in the context of the SPS Agreement;

2. Calls on the Commission and the ACP General Secretariat to review, in accordance with Declaration XVIII of the Cotonou Agreement, the situation created by the EBA initiative and accordingly make recommendations to the next meeting of the ACP-EU JMTC and ACP-EU Council to remedy the situation;

3. Further calls on the Commission and the ACP General Secretariat to take necessary steps to help ACP States to evaluate projects and programmes that will improve the competitiveness of the sugar industries of the ACP sugar-producing states;

4. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission and the ACP General Secretariat.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on gender issues

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 18 December 1979,

- having regard to the Programme of Action for the Mainstreaming of Gender Equality in Community Development Cooperation adopted by the Council on 8 November 2001,

- having regard to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted on 15 September 1995 in Beijing at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women on the topic of equality, development and peace,

A. having regard to the indivisible and universal character of human rights, and in particular to the Treaty of Amsterdam, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation,

B. whereas equal access to education (including higher education) and training is a fundamental right and as such constitutes an essential precondition for women to be able to participate unhindered in the development process and whereas 900 million people in developing countries are illiterate, two thirds of them women, and whereas 130 million children have no access to basic education - of whom, again, almost two thirds are girls - and a further 150 million children - once again most of them girls - stop attending school before they have acquired basic numeracy and literacy skills,

C. noting that over 80 % of women in developing countries work in agriculture and carry out about 70 % of informal sector work but are subject to institutionalised discrimination as regards access to land and property ownership, credit, training, education, etc.,

D. whereas the poorest people in developing countries, particularly women and children, are the most affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and whereas infection rates for adolescent girls and young women in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa are five times higher than those for boys and whereas, therefore, priority should be given to women and girls in access to primary and reproductive health care,

E. whereas the specific crimes of which many women are the victims during armed conflict (rape, forced pregnancy, sexual exploitation, women trafficking, genital mutilation) require specific responses and international recognition and whereas women's and children's rights are an integral, inalienable and indivisible part of universal rights,

F. whereas structural adjustment programmes, imposed by the World Bank, the IMF and others to restore major macroeconomic and financial alliances, contribute, if social conditions are not accepted, to increased marginalisation of women and have resulted in a rise in unemployment, loss of purchasing power, rural exodus, child prostitution, etc.,

G. whereas women suffer in being doubly subordinate to those who take national and international economic decisions, as they are not involved in devising national development strategies and these are, in any case, dictated to national authorities by organisations such as external financial institutions,

H. highlighting the need to promote gender equality and to integrate this objective into those policies which have a direct and indirect impact on the lives of both sexes in ACP and EU Member States,

I. whereas 2 million more women than men are HIV-positive in Sub-Saharan Africa, some 2 million girls between 5 and 15 enter the sex industry every year, one in three women world-wide is subject to abuse and two-thirds of the 130 million illiterate children are girls,

J. highlighting the Commission's key role in implementing the EU's global strategy for equality of treatment and opportunity for women and men, which covers all policies aimed at promoting such equality, either by adapting policies (proactive intervention/gender mainstreaming) and/or by implementing concrete actions aimed at improving women's position in society (reactive intervention/specific actions),

1. Calls on the ACP and EU governments to repeal discriminatory laws and replace them by legislation that guarantees women's rights as regards access to education, property, employment and equal pay for equal work including parents' education on women's rights;

2. Notes the need to incorporate equality of opportunity between men and women, in accordance with the principle of gender mainstreaming enshrined in the Platform for Action of the 1995 United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing, into all policies and measures in the field of development cooperation, and calls for greater efforts to promote women's participation in all decision-making processes and in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and to work towards a balanced relationship between the sexes;

3. Welcomes the ratification by ACP Member State Mauritania and universal ratification by the Caribbean of the UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;

4. Call for measures to combat violence against women including physical violence, genital mutilation and the rape of girls, and to ensure that other traditional practices which reveal a contempt for human dignity, such as forced and arranged marriages of under-age children, and "crimes of honour", are fully prohibited by means of appropriate laws, measures and educational programmes; recalls once again the need to make available high-quality services in the field of information, reproductive health rights, health care for mothers and the prevention of transmissible diseases including HIV/AIDS, (especially for pregnant women and their young children) while preserving unrestricted self-determination in sexual and reproductive matters;

5. Calls for appropriate participation of women in all decision-making processes;

6. Urges the Commission to work alongside other international agencies, such as Unifem and the World Bank, to ensure that gender issues become part of mainstream development decision-making;

7. Notes that the decline in allocated resources and in social development has continued, and the fall in levels of public aid to development is a major concern for developing countries;

8. Warns that the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, as inequality grows in terms of income, employment, access to social services and participation in public and civil organisations;

9. Notes that economic reforms such as the structural adjustment programme and commercial free trade without social market policies can lead to the impoverishment of the population in general and of women in particular, and considers that only sustainable development devised and implemented by the people concerned, in the light of their requirements and their social and economic situation, can pull the ACP countries out of crisis;

10. Stresses that women have a crucial role to play, and represent an important resource, on the way towards sustainable development, and calls on the Commission to involve women at all stages of planning, implementation and assessment of development cooperation, and to take appropriate account of women's interests and gender-specific issues; call on the Commission to test all development cooperation measures and their associated political and social processes in each country for their possible beneficial influence on both sexes;

11. Calls upon ACP and EU States to provide training on the gender aspects of conflict resolution and peace-building to personnel engaged in policies concerning conflict;

12. Calls for universal access to reproductive health care and reforms of the health sector, leading to unlimited access to health services for the poor and especially women and girls;

13. Calls upon ACP and EU States to promote an amendment to Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Protocol to define rape as a grave war crime;

14. Asks for the Commission, ACP governments and civil societies to conduct and forward to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Bureau gender impact assessments of ACP Member States, so that future allocations of EU development aid can be targeted on helping women, given the key role women play in sustainable development and long-term environmental protection;

15. Calls for a structure similar to that for human rights, which would be responsible for women and development issues within the new structure of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Bureau, with a view to encouraging women's involvement in parliamentary dialogue;

16. Calls on the European Parliament and the ACP parliaments to include women parliamentarians in their delegations, based as far as possible on the principle of parity;

17. Urges that an extraordinary meeting of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly consisting solely of women members be held in the next five years;

18. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, Member States, the Commission and the General Secretary of the United Nations.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on health issues, young people, the elderly and people living with disabilities

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to the 1995 World Summit on Social Development in Copenhagen,

- having regard to the 1995 UN Beijing Conference on Women and Beijing + 5,

- having regard to the United Nations 1991 Principles on Older People and 1993 Standard Rules for the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities,

- having regard to the strategic objectives approved at the 1994 UN International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Cairo, and ICPD + 5,

- having regard to Articles 25(c) and (d), and 31(b)(iii) of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement signed in Cotonou in June 2000,

A. whereas poverty and health are inextricably linked and poverty is one of the main causes of chronic disease throughout the world,

B. whereas the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is a basic human right, as is equal access to health care for all,

C. whereas in developing countries elderly and disabled people, particularly women, are often discriminated against in the access to and allocation of essential health care and whereas a large proportion of the hospitals, clinics and services are totally inaccessible to disabled people, particularly in rural areas,

D. whereas all couples and individuals have the basic right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information, education and means to do so, in accordance with Principle 8 of the ICPD Programme of Action,

E. whereas pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of death and disability for women in developing countries, and whereas about one third of all pregnancies are unwanted or unplanned, which may lead women to seek abortions in unsafe conditions, which in turn account for the deaths of 78000 women each year and cause hundreds of thousands of disabilities,

F. whereas at the end of 2000 around 36.1 million people in the world were living with AIDS or HIV (1 % of the world' s adult population) and in the same year three million people died from HIV/AIDS, 80 % of whom were Africans, and there are some ten million AIDS orphans,

G. whereas donors and NGOs have recognised that there is an international crisis in the availability of reproductive health supplies which will mean that, unless action is taken, individuals may not be able to gain access to basic reproductive health services,

H. whereas young people, especially young women, are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections: half of all new HIV infections in the world are in young people aged between 15 and 24, highlighting the need for adequate sex education,

I. whereas strong public services in the health, education and water distribution sectors are essential,

J. whereas HIV/AIDS, with high rates of infection and death, is transforming the age profile of parts of the world, putting huge pressures on older survivors: having far-reaching social, economic and psychological effects and imposing new burdens on breadwinners and carers,

1. Calls on the Commission and Council to invest in the eradication of poverty and the development of fully accessible community-based health services and facilities;

2. Emphasises that the agreement to earmark a minimum of 35 % of European cooperation assistance within the 2002 budget and from the European Development Fund for social infrastructure, is a crucial mechanism for ensuring improvements in health care in ACP countries, and calls for this figure to be consistently expanded in future years;

3. Calls on the EU and the ACP countries to develop and implement measures which identify and reduce discrimination against disabled and older people in the health sector and ensure health opportunities for young people;

4. Calls in particular for measures to be taken to implement free health care for all children with disabilities, including access to free medical devices and rehabilitation services; calls for service delivery and communication to be made accessible to all persons with disabilities without exception;

5. Calls for disability awareness training programmes to give health-care staff a better understanding of disabled people's particular needs and to combat discriminatory attitudes;

6. Emphasises that high-quality reproductive health services must be easily accessible and affordable to all women and men throughout the reproductive health life cycle;

7. Calls on the ACP countries and the European Community to increase their funding for reproductive health supplies and to improve donor coordination;

8. Welcomes the move by some ACP countries to ban harmful traditions and practices, including female genital mutilation, and calls on all ACP countries where these practices are still followed to follow suit;

9. Recognises that 2002 marks the year of the Second World Assembly on Ageing and calls on the Council of the European Union and the European Commission to adopt the International Strategy for Action on Ageing;

10. Calls on the Council of the European Union and the Commission to include the specific issues of disabled and older people in development cooperation strategies to improve overall health status, giving older and disabled women's health needs special attention as they often forego treatment in favour of younger or able-bodied family members;

11. Calls on the Council of the European Union and the Commission to ensure that the impacts of HIV/AIDS on older people and their role as carers and educators is acknowledged and supported through the provision of health information, training and access to medicines;

12. Welcomes the adoption in November 2001 of the Doha Declaration, which gives health needs priority over trade rules in the developing countries and could mean easier access to treatment for these countries, and urges that these provisions should be put into effect as soon as possible;

13. Calls on the European Union to work with ACP countries in working towards and resourcing affordable health care for the over-60s, detection of chronic diseases of age, and the prevention of such diseases;

14. Calls for a sustained effort to eradicate childhood diseases and disorders through vaccination and to ensure the provision of clean water and safe food;

15. Calls on all ACP countries to respect the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and take measures to prevent child soldiers, slavery and street children;

16. Calls on the European Union to include in its strategies a provision for children with special education needs;

17. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission and the United Nations Secretary-General.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

RESOLUTION(1)

on the impact of communicable diseases on health, young people, the elderly and people living with disabilities

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 4 October 2001(2) on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on accelerated action targeted at major communicable diseases within the context of poverty reduction and on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on a Programme for Action: accelerated action on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in the context of poverty reduction(3),

- having regard to the resolution adopted by the General Affairs Council of the European Union on 14 May 2001,

A. having regard to the Global Health Fund, to which the European Union contributed EUR 60 m in 2001,

B. whereas the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), clarified by the Doha Declaration, includes safeguard clauses on public health authorising compulsory licences for the manufacture of generic medicines and extends the transition period for implementation of the TRIPS agreements by the LDCs until 2016,

C. whereas infectious diseases such as the Ebola virus are increasing, as are filariasis, trypanosomiasis, bilharzia, etc., especially in tropical and marshy areas because of the construction of dams and new irrigation techniques that lead to stagnation of water,

D. whereas the health services in most ACP countries are generally insufficient to meet local needs and research shows that 75 % of all maternal health problems could be prevented through reproductive health care (health care during pregnancy, during delivery, and after birth, and post-partum family planning),

E. whereas poor health is a result both of problems of access to health care (because of lack of infrastructure and health-care personnel and of public health-care systems) and problems of access to treatment,

F. whereas strong public services in the health, education and water distribution sectors are essential,

G. whereas the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported links between outbreaks of Ebola in Gabon and the slaughter and consumption of bush meat, and alarmed that bush meat could also be a vector for other diseases such as hepatitis,

1. Considers that health is a major problem in the ACP countries and it should become one of the priorities of European cooperation with the ACP countries;

2. Stresses that it is the responsibility of the democratically elected governments of ACP States to restore public services and health systems on their territories and that European aid must above all provide support for this process by means of emergency aid and a strengthening of human and institutional capacity and infrastructure;

3. Stresses that access to drinking water and food are essential conditions for good public health; stresses therefore the transversal dimension of health and the fact that the improved living conditions help increase life expectancy;

4. Regrets that the European Union's development policy, which gives economic development and the private sector more than their due to the detriment of social and human development, does not give health priority among its objectives;

5. Mindful that the ACP countries' health services suffered substantially in the 1990s, particularly because of the stress on macro-economic reform, which led to drastic budget cuts in the social welfare sectors;

6. Calls on the ACP countries and the European Union, given the current crisis in the security of reproductive health supplies, to increase their funding for reproductive health and to improve donor coordination;

7. Calls for the adoption or strengthening of legislation, where appropriate, and its enforcement to control the unsustainable hunting and commercial trade in bush meat, and to take all necessary steps to stop the illegal consumption of great-ape bush meat and to inform the public in all the ACP and EU countries of the high public health and conservation risks;

8. Recommends that the European Commission work with EU Member States with due diligence on the public health threat posed by bush meat, and in particular assist Central and West African states affected by Ebola to contain and prevent outbreaks and support those affected;

9. Draws attention also to the fact that debt repayment and its servicing absorbs almost 40 % of the least developed countries' GDP every year, while education and health budgets remain derisory;

10. Asks that the Global Health Fund's mission should comprise preventive action and aim to give developing countries access to medicines; calls on the European Union to contribute substantially to this fund and asks for specific resources to be introduced for this purpose and made subject to appropriate European legislation;

11. Calls on the Commission to create incentives and to finance part of the research (through the Sixth Framework Research Programme) into neglected diseases and unprofitable treatment in the developing countries;

12. Fears that the explicit reference to General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) in the Cotonou Agreement, which advocates liberalisation of supply of services at world level, presents a significant threat to health-service access in the ACP countries; mindful that liberalisation of water distribution has not led to a reduction in costs, better quality or greater equity in access to services;

13. Recommends that the ACP countries' governments apply the health safeguard clauses in the TRIPS agreements, as clarified by the Doha Declaration, which authorise them to manufacture generic medicines at a lower cost with a view to protecting public health;

14. Asks that the Doha political declaration on access to medicines be given legal status in the TRIPS agreements and be given unconditional force of law before the Disputes Settlement Body;

15. Calls for a solution to be found within the framework of the TRIPS agreements so the ACP countries that do not have pharmaceutical production capacity can obtain parallel imports of generic medicines from third countries;

16. Calls for a moratorium on the entry into force of the Bangui agreements signed between the 16 member countries of the African Intellectual Property Organisation (AIPO), which go beyond the strict obligations arising from the TRIPS agreements: they thus reduce these countries' opportunities for access to the compulsory licences for production of essential medicines and automatically exclude parallel imports from third countries outside the AIPO region;

17. Fears the TRIPS agreement on the patenting of life-forms limits access by people in developing countries to traditional plant-based treatments and is damaging to biodiversity; calls for the TRIPS agreement to be revised to make a clear distinction between "discovery" and "invention" and to exclude any living organism from the field of patentability;

18. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council and the Commission.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

(2) OJ C 87 E, 11.4.2002, p. 244.

(3) COM(2000) 585, COM(2001) 96.

RESOLUTION(1)

on sustainable development and Rio + 10

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly,

- meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from 18 to 21 March 2002,

- having regard to the September 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg (South Africa),

- having regard to the UN Conference on the Financing of Development Aid in Monterrey (Mexico) between 18 and 22 March 2002,

- having regard to the NEPAD, the New Partnership for Africa Development,

A. whereas progress so far in implementing the major decisions of the Rio Conference, notably the Conventions on Climate and Biodiversity as well as Agenda 21, is limited, and most important ecological indicators show negative trends,

B. whereas humanity faces increasing poverty, conflict, economic instability, the negative effects of globalisation, the degradation of environmental resources and emerging pandemics such HIV/AIDS,

C. whereas numerous scientific reports have underlined the fact that, as presently structured, the world economic system - notably its production and consumption systems - will destroy the life-supporting systems of the planet,

D. whereas the European Union - as the biggest donor of aid, a major shareholder in international financial institutions, and the most important trading partner for developing countries - confirmed in the Development Council Declaration of 8 November 2001 "the great importance" the EU attaches to both the Monterrey and Johannesburg Summits,

E. whereas the Göteborg European Council pledged to reach the UN target of official development assistance (ODA) of 0.7 % of GDP,

F. whereas after the events of 11 September 2001, the UN Secretary-General, the Presidents of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and several Heads of State are demanding an enhanced effort for increased and improved development aid,

G. whereas growing levels of poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy, environmental destruction, population growth, disease and conflicts in the world's poorest nations are of concern to all the world's population - with 1.2 billion people living on less than USD 1 per day,

H. whereas World Bank estimates suggest that if current trends continue, the number of absolute poor will more than double in the next thirty years, and unless more efforts are made to address problems such as poverty, marginalisation, environmental degradation, conflicts, epidemics and migration, the destabilising effects at both local and international level will be severe,

I. whereas the Cotonou Agreement of 23 June 2000 requires that the principles of sustainable management of natural resources shall be applied and integrated at every level of the partnership and expressing alarm at reports by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that link outbreaks of Ebola in Gabon to the slaughter and consumption of bush meat, and concerned that bush meat could also be a vector for other diseases such as hepatitis, etc.,

J. whereas since 1992 the 21 richest countries have cut their aid to the developing world by 24 % and public development aid from industrialised countries has fallen to an all-time low of 0.22 % of their GDP - far below the 0.7 % target set over twenty-five years ago,

K. whereas crippling external debt, continuing unfair terms of trade for developing countries, speculation and unregulated financial liberalisation, etc. continue not only to be obstacles to the implementation of sustainable development but also contribute to the impoverishment of the majority of the population of the world,

L. whereas the World Bank estimates that at least a doubling of resources is required if the Millennium Development Goals are to be met,

1. Emphasises the need for the developed world to recognise and underscore the important relationship between the International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey and the World Summit for Sustainable Development in order to establish sustainable development objectives;

2. Calls for new partnerships between the EU and ACP countries to address urgently, at national as well as regional levels, the problems of biodiversity loss, desertification, deforestation, water security and overfishing;

3. Urges the European Union to establish sustainable developmental benchmarks against which to assess the conduct and outcome of the ACP-EU trade negotiations due to start in September within the framework of the Cotonou Agreement;

4. Considers that structural adjustment measures which result in cuts in resources for social policy (health and education) and promote the unregulated market economy are incompatible with the aim of sustainable development;

5. Wishes to see a re-balancing of the international agenda to reflect the priority which must be given to poverty alleviation and to equitable use of natural resources and to recognition of the urgent need for restructuring economic and trade policies so that they serve social and environmental objectives, and not the other way round;

6. Calls for an end to export subsidies from industrialised countries which undermine developing countries' local food production, impoverish local farmers and their livelihoods;

7. Calls on the Commission to encourage ACP participation in debates on how future EU trade relations can best support sustainable forms of poverty reduction and development;

8. Supports the need for the open and transparent conduct of the new round of world trade negotiations successfully launched at Doha (Qatar) to reflect development concerns;

9. Calls for the recognition of food sovereignty as a fundamental human right which should not be considered like any other commodity and should be outside WTO Rules and other international trade agreements;

10. Calls on the EU and ACP governments to act within the international fora to ensure that it is clearly recognised that WTO rules on trade cannot prevail over international law on environment, which is essential for development and human well-being;

11. Urges the July G8 Summit in Canada, which will focus on Africa, to prepare the ground for the Johannesburg Summit and ensure that future development aid be both properly funded to at least 0.7 % of GNP and sustainable;

12. Calls on the industrialised countries to explore new and innovative ways to promote technology cooperation and technology transfer to bridge the digital divide and facilitate "technological leapfrogging" in areas such as energy, transportation, waste and water management, trade, agriculture and sanitary standards;

13. Wishes to see a new impetus given to creating a legal framework for global environmental governance and corporate accountability and to international initiatives on such issues as food and water security, protection of public services, renewable sources of energy and sustainable patterns of consumption and production;

14. Reiterates its commitment to the UN Millennium Declaration to reduce poverty by half, to provide full coverage of basic education for all children and to reduce the infant mortality rate by two-thirds by 2015;

15. Requests that the ACP Council, the European Council and Commission submit to the next session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in autumn 2002 an initial analysis and report outlining the achievements of the Monterrey and Johannesburg meetings;

16. Calls on the Commission and Council to work with ACP partners in evaluating and seeking out alternative sources of development financing and for recommendations to be published ahead of the Johannesburg Summit - with particular attention to be paid to: the volume of official development aid, global public goods and innovative sources of financing;

17. Stresses the need to work on new international mechanisms to finance sustainable development, while at the same time moving towards ODA of 0.7 % of GDP by each developed country, accelerating debt reduction for social, sustainable development and supporting the IDA soft-loan window of the World Bank;

18. Urges ACP partners to underpin sustainable development policies and secure increased aid funding by implementing good governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights, strong democratic structures based on regular transparent elections, and a free media;

19. Urges ACP country governments to strengthen their efforts to develop and implement national sustainable development strategies, and EU Member States to increase cooperation and support for such efforts;

20. Notes that the political dialogue with partner countries should be used to establish a higher priority for conservation issues in the National Indicative Programmes and to use the financial means of the EDF for the survival of great apes and other protected species;

21. Warns that millions across the world want immediate action to prevent the extinction of great apes and other threatened species, and urges the Commission to continue and extend the Ecofac Programme, which is key to safeguarding important African ecosystems and biodiversity - including the survival of threatened species - for the next ten years;

22. Encourages all partners to recognise the role of public/private sector partnerships in raising sustainable capital, simplifying regulatory and legal procedures, plus promoting efficient management structures to combat corruption;

23. Reaffirms that development policy is an essential part of the EU's external action, alongside trade policy and the political dimension, and warns the Council and Commission not to ignore the key role played by the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement;

24. Calls on the EU to support approaches to debt relief which take into account each country's capacity to raise the finance needed to achieve the millennium development goals;

25. Calls for an increase in the budget lines providing funding for tropical forests and environment in the developing countries and the allocation of sufficient staff to manage these budget lines properly in developing nations;

26. Considers that EU policies, notably on trade liberalisation, agriculture, fisheries, environment and public health, should be re-examined taking into account their impact on poverty and sustainable development and their inter-relationship;

27. Recommends that the Commission and EU Member States evaluate the public health threat posed by the illegal consumption of bush meat and take measures to restrict it; calls on the EU to assist African states to contain and prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases like Ebola whilst informing people in all 92 ACP and EU nations of the high public health and conservation risks of eating great-ape bush meat;

28. Considers that in 2002 a debate should be promoted around the activities of the Bretton Woods institutions in order to promote a new model of economic growth for LDCs and small island states based on securing sustainable livelihoods, including through investment in health and education and providing protection against unrestricted external competition;

29. Instructs the Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, the Secretaries-General of the Organisation of African Unity/African Union and the United Nations and to the Presidents of the European Investment Bank, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

CAPE TOWN DECLARATION(1) ON THE FORTHCOMING ACP-EU NEGOTIATIONS WITH A VIEW TO NEW TRADING ARRANGEMENTS

I. Preamble

A. The purpose of this Declaration is to establish developmental benchmarks against which to assess the conduct and outcome of the forthcoming ACP-EU trade negotiations mandated under the Cotonou Agreement to begin in September 2002.

B. This initiative is undertaken in recognition of the importance of engaging all those bodies in the ACP and EU concerned with the promotion of sustainable development which focuses on poverty reduction, in the debates and discussions around future ACP-EU trade relations.

C. The Declaration gives consideration to: the main objectives which should determine the conduct and outcome of the negotiations; the principles which should inform the negotiations; the major issues which will need to be addressed within the process of negotiations; and the approach which should be adopted to the forthcoming process of ACP-EU negotiations.

D. The Declaration seeks to stimulate debate and discussion on the wider development concerns which will need to be addressed if any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements are to promote poverty-focussed forms of sustainable development, in the diverse realities facing ACP countries.

E. The Declaration seeks to support the open and transparent conduct of trade negotiations in ways which are coherent with the objectives of the Cotonou Agreement and the development policies of ACP States, taking into account the regional integration processes and programmes under way within the ACP.

II. Objectives

1. The principal objective of any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should be to promote sustainable forms of development which assist in reducing poverty in ACP economies.

2. The aim of any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should be to contribute to the structural transformation of the economies of ACP States, as well as the basis of the integration of ACP countries into the world economy.

3. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should support and promote the structural transformation of ACP economies, so that their production structures shift away from goods with low demand growth and stagnant or declining price trends towards the production of goods and services with higher demand growth and favourable price trends.

4. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should support and promote increased levels of local value added processing in ACP countries of products for domestic, regional and international markets.

5. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should be structured in such a way as to reduce gender gaps in access to economic resources, opportunities and outcomes.

III. Principles

1. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should ensure that no ACP country is left worse off in terms of conditions of access to the EU market than under the current trade arrangements. This should apply both to the tariffs and the taking into account of rules of origin.

2. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should ensure full respect for the rights of least developed countries to non-reciprocal trade preferences.

3. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should seek to comprehensively address the needs of small island and single-commodity-dependent economies and should seek to ensure that they are not disadvantaged by the introduction of any WTO-compatible trade arrangements.

Market Access

4. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should endeavour to substantively improve the real market access opportunities enjoyed by ACP exporters.

5. Where no major disruption to the functioning of EU markets can be demonstrated, the EU should remove all remaining residual tariff and market access restrictions currently placed on ACP exports in those areas where ACP countries have an immediate or potential production and export interest.

6. While respecting underlying EU concerns with regard to third-country abuse of preferential trading arrangements, the application of the arrangements for rules of origin should be examined so as to encourage new investment in ACP countries.

7. While respecting EU concerns over food safety and animal disease control, regulatory measures should be established and implemented in ways which minimise the extra economic costs placed on small-scale ACP producers and exporters.

8. Upon the request of ACP governments, the EU should initiate consultations on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary standards and other regulations, which act as an impediment to ACP exports, with a view to facilitating exports from ACP countries, whilst respecting underlying EU concerns.

Addressing Supply-Side Constraints

9. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should seek to comprehensively address the various supply side constraints which diverse ACP countries face on the competitive production of internationally traded goods and service.

10. If future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements are to facilitate the structural transformation of ACP economies, then they must be accompanied by coordinated and integrated programmes to address the major supply-side constraints which inhibit the competitive production of internationally traded goods and services in ACP countries.

11. This calls for the establishment of coordinated and integrated country specific programmes of assistance to address supply-side constraints, which reach beyond the current instruments and approaches applied under existing ACP-EU cooperation arrangements.

12. This calls for a systematic review of the successes and failures of existing programmes intended to address supply-side constraints, with a view to ascertaining the effectiveness of various types of interventions under different circumstances.

13. This calls for a review of existing institutional arrangements for extending assistance to addressing supply-side constraints, so as to determine which institutional delivery mechanisms have proved most effective.

14. In many ACP countries women face particular problems in accessing the economic resources essential for their effective participation in a liberalised trading environment.

15. This calls for the establishment of programmes designed to address supply-side constraints which are gender-sensitive and seek to systematically improve access of women to economic resources.

16. While addressing supply-side constraints, account will have to be taken of the effects of the introduction of any reciprocity in trade relations with the EU on infant industries in ACP countries, so as to avoid the closing-off of areas of potential growth and structural development.

17. Consideration must be given to extending assistance with the structural adjustments which will be necessary in ACP countries to meet the increased competitive challenge from the EU under any moves towards free trade.

18. Additional assistance will also be required to enhance the human and institutional capacities of ACP countries to deal with trade-related issues, through the provision of secure and predictable financial and technical assistance.

The Fiscal Dimension

19. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements which involve the introduction of reciprocal preferential trade arrangements will have implications for ACP government revenues.

20. These fiscal effects will vary greatly from ACP country to ACP country depending on the importance of the EU as a source of imports; the structure of imports and current tariff levels; and the importance of customs duties within overall government revenues. In certain ACP countries the fiscal implications of the introduction of free trade with the EU will have a significant impact on total government revenues.

21. It needs to be recognised that the government revenue implications of programme of tariff reductions and programmes for the elimination of tariffs are quite different, with the latter inevitably leading to a decline in customs revenue.

22. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements involving the introduction of reciprocal preferential trade arrangements should make provision for the extension of assistance with fiscal adjustments in ACP countries.

23. Such assistance should include, as appropriate:

(a) identifying expenditures of greatest importance to the poor and women with a view to insulating these areas of expenditure from budget cuts;

(b) support for revenue incidence analysis to identify the impact of new revenue measures on the poor and women;

(c) the extension of budgetary support where necessary and appropriate;

(d) support for training of ACP States personnel in cost-effective forms of alternative revenue collection;

(e) support for institutional reform of government revenue collection.

External Effects of the Common Agricultural Policy

24. Any future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should recognise that current programmes of reform of the common agricultural policy designed to enhance the price competitiveness of EU agricultural production have diverse implications for ACP countries. This calls for comprehensive assessments of the likely implications of the on-going process of reform of the common agricultural policy for diverse ACP countries.

25. Where the external effects of reform of the common agricultural policy impinge upon the essential trading interests of ACP countries, consultative mechanisms should be established so as to minimise the negative effects of reform on ACP economies.

26. Future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements should be designed in ways which fully take into account the impact of the internal process of reform of the common agricultural policy on ACP countries and seek to minimise adverse effects on the development of agro-based value added processing activities in ACP countries.

IV. Approach to be adopted

1. Any process of ACP-EU negotiations on future development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements needs to recognise the discrepancies in the human and institutional capacity for negotiations which exist between the partners.

2. Smaller ACP countries face particular problems in dealing in parallel with trade negotiations at the regional, multilateral and inter-regional levels. This calls for a careful structuring of the negotiating process, so as to clearly identify and systematically address the issues of major concern to ACP countries within realistic and clearly defined time frames.

3. Wherever possible, the process of negotiations should be structured in ways which allow the collective expertise of the ACP Group to be brought to bear on the major issues of concern.

4. In the context of the human and institutional constraints facing many ACP countries it is necessary to bring all concerned stakeholders into trade policy debates, so as to ensure that a clear assessment can be made of the likely impact of specific trade measures on economic operators in ACP countries.

5. The process of negotiations should be open and transparent with concerned stakeholders throughout the ACP having access to all relevant information and data. This calls for both parties to the negotiations to make a commitment to open, transparent and inclusive processes of trade negotiations.

6. The Joint Parliamentary Assembly will seek to establish appropriate mechanisms for ongoing monitoring of ACP-EU trade negotiations with a view to promoting an open, transparent and inclusive process of trade negotiations, geared towards ensuring that future ACP-EU development, economic cooperation and trade arrangements lay the basis for sustainable development which focuses on reducing poverty, involving the structural transformation of the basis for the integration of ACP economies into the world economy.

7. For this purpose, the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly supports the initiatives of the European Parliament to establish a worldwide WTO Parliamentary Assembly.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on 21 March 2002 in Cape Town (South Africa).

Annex IV

AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

Amendment 1

Article 1

Joint Parliamentary Assembly

1. The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly is set up pursuant to Article 17 of the Partnership Agreement between the Members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part.

2. The Joint Parliamentary Assembly shall be composed of equal numbers of EU and ACP representatives. The members of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly shall be, on the one hand, members of the European Parliament and, on the other, members of parliament or, failing this, representatives designated by the parliament of each ACP State. In the absence of a parliament, the attendance without the right to vote of a representative from the ACP State concerned shall be subject to the prior approval of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

3. The credentials of the members of the Assembly shall be established by a letter of appointment from the appropriate authorities of the respective states in the case of ACP representatives and from the President of the European Parliament in the case of its representatives.

Amendment 2

Article 18

Assembly resolutions

1. The Bureau shall draw up a list of no more than five topics relating to development cooperation between the EU and ACP countries under the Partnership Agreement, which shall be included in the draft agenda in accordance with Article 8 of these Rules.

2. A representative of the ACP States, a political group or ten members may table a motion for a resolution on a subject covered by the Partnership Agreement. However, motions for resolutions shall be limited to the subjects that are included in the agenda for the session and shall be no more than 800 words long. Motions for resolutions shall be tabled four weeks before the opening of the session in which they are to be discussed and voted on.

3. Motions for resolutions shall be submitted to the Bureau. The Bureau shall verify that each motion for a resolution fulfils the requirements of the preceding paragraph, is included on the agenda and is available in English and French. The Bureau's proposals shall be submitted to the Assembly for its approval.

4. The Bureau shall refer to the respective rapporteurs motions for resolutions on matters related to the general report or the powers of the parliamentary committees.

5. The President shall invite the authors of resolutions on the same topic to draw up a compromise resolution. Following a debate, each compromise resolution and any amendments to it shall be put to the vote in the Assembly. If a compromise resolution has been approved, all the other resolutions on the same topic fall.

6. Motions for resolutions on fundamental freedoms and individual human rights cases shall be examined according to specific rules of procedure drawn up by the Bureau.

7. Resolutions adopted by the Assembly shall be forwarded to the Commission and the Council of Ministers and to any other interested parties. The Commission and the Council of Ministers will report on follow-up to adopted resolutions at the next session of the Assembly.

Amendment 3

ANNEX I: Powers, responsibilities, membership and procedures of standing committees

Article 1

There shall be three standing parliamentary committees with the following powers and responsibilities:

I. COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL AFFAIRS

This committee is responsible for matters relating to:

1. Political dialogue (Article 8 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement) and institutional development;

2. Respect for and promotion of human rights, democracy and good governance (Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

3. Peace-building policies, conflict prevention and resolution (Article 11 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

4. Issues concerning migration (Article 13 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

5. Assembly relations with relevant international organisations.

This committee will coordinate the work of fact-finding missions, including those sent to monitor elections, according to Article 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly.

II. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FINANCE AND TRADE

This committee is responsible for matters relating to:

1. Economic development and trade cooperation, as well as capacity-building for development and partnership;

2. Macroeconomic and structural reforms, economic sector development and tourism (Articles 22-24 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

3. New ACP-EC trading arrangements, market access and the gradual integration of ACP States into the world economy (Articles 34-37 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

4. Trade and labour standards (Article 50 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

5. Rural development, fisheries and food security (Article 53 and 54 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

6. All issues concerning development finance cooperation including follow-up of the implementation of the European Development Fund.

III. COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

This committee is responsible for matters relating to:

1. Social and human development;

2. Social infrastructure and services, including health and education issues (Article 25 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

3. Youth and cultural issues (Articles 26 and 27 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

4. Gender issues (Article 31 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

5. Environment and natural resources (Article 32 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement).

Article 2

1. Each member of the Assembly will have the right to be a member of one of the standing committees.

2. Two of the committees shall be composed of 52 members and one of 50 members and shall consist of equal numbers of, on the one hand, Members of the European Parliament and, on the other, members of Parliament representing the ACP countries. Should the number of ACP countries increase, the number of places on the standing committees will increase pro rata.

3. Members may also attend meetings of committees to which they do not belong in an advisory capacity or if the subject under discussion covers their country or region, if invited by the Committee Bureau.

4. The participation of representatives who are not members of a Parliament shall only be allowed if the subject under discussion covers their country, but they will not have the right to vote.

5. Unless a committee decides otherwise, all meetings are public.

Article 3

1. The composition of the committees shall, as far as possible, reflect the composition of the Assembly.

2. The committees shall elect a Committee Bureau among its members for a period of one year.

3. The Committee Bureau shall consist of two co-chairmen (one representative of the European Parliament and one representative of the ACP countries) and two co-vice-chairmen (one representative of the ACP countries and one representative of the European Parliament).

4. The committees shall be jointly chaired by a member of the European Parliament and by a member of a Parliament representing an ACP country.

5. The committees may appoint rapporteurs to examine specific questions within their competence and prepare reports and resolutions to be submitted to the Assembly.

6. The committees shall report to the Assembly on their activities.

Article 4

1. Committees shall meet when convened by their co-chairs and for a maximum of four sessions per year, two of them during the session of the Assembly.

2. Any member may table amendments for consideration in committee. As far as the procedure is concerned, Articles 3 (attendance of other institutions), 4 (observers), 9 (quorum), 10 (presidency of sittings), 16 (right to vote and methods of voting) and 29 (consultation with civil society) of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly shall apply mutatis mutandis to committee meetings.

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