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			SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 44TH MEETING OF THE  COUNCIL OF ACP MINISTERS  (MAURITIUS FROM 5TH TO 9TH MAY, 1988) Ref: ACP/25/018/88  Brussels, 2 February 1989 Retyped by : bae

                                                                         SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 44^TH SESSION OF THE ACP COUNCIL

A. OPENING CEREMONY

The 44^th Session of the ordinary session of the ACP Council of Ministers was presided over by its President in Office, H.E. Almoustapha SOUMAILA, Minister of Planning of Niger.

At the opening ceremony, the following personalities addressed the meeting :

1. The Hon. M. DULLO, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources of Mauritius,

2. H. E. Mr Almoustapha Soumaila, Minister of Planning of Niger and President of the ACP Council of Ministers,

3. H. .E Sir s. Boolell, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs and Emigration of Mauritius.

Address by the Hon. M. Dullo, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources of Mauritius :

Hon. Murlidass Dullo, Minister of Agriculture, fisheries and Natural Resources of Mauritius welcomed his colleagues and distinguished delegates from ACP countries and expressed his pleasure at receiving so many distinguished delegates from ACP countries, immediately after hosting the 15^th FAO Regional Conference for Africa at the same venue. He hoped that the ACP countries would be able to follow up on some of the measures already identified at the FAO meetings as being priority areas for Africa in the Agricultural sector, and which also have relevance to Caribbean and Pacific Economies.

He invited the distinguished delegates to visit an Agricultural Exhibition specially mounted for that occasion to get better acquainted with Mauritian endeavours for agricultural diversification.

Finally, he expressed the earnest wish that the Council meeting would result in fruitful conclusions.

Addressed by the President of the ACP Council of Ministers, H. E. Almoustapha Soumaila, Minister of Planning of Niger

Speaking next, the President of the ACP Council thanked the Government and the people of Mauritius for hosting the 44^th ACP Council of Ministers' meeting immediately following the FAO meeting and preceding the 13^th ACP/EEC Council of Ministers meeting, and congratulated the Government for the excellent arrangements made.

He drew the attention of Council to the timing of the meeting, which was being held mid-way through the present ACP/EEC Convention and on the eve of the negotiations for the successor convention.

He congratulated the Committee of Ambassadors for the excellent preparatory work for the current meetings.

He pointed out that the ACP/EEC Convention was unique by the political will expressed therein and by the way it promoted North-South dialogue, in a spirit of cooperation and solidarity.

He recalled that the meeting was being held at a time when the world economic situation was characterised by aggravation of the economic situation in developing countries, particularly ACP countries, declining terms of trade between North and South, the acute debt crisis, food shortages and famine, natural calamities such as drought, desertification and desert locusts.

He expressed his deep appreciation for the spontaneous help extended by all national to countries affected by food shortages. However, in the long term, assistance should be directed towards elimination of the causes of food shortages and hunger.

He also highlighted the importance of primary commodities in ACP economies and how declining prices adversely affected national earnings. Mauritius was cited as an example. The President stressed the importance of STABEX as a mechanism for price intervention. However, STABEX, to be able to respond to needs as they arose, had to have adequate funds. These and other matters needed to be taken up with the EEC partners.

On the debt question, he invited the international community to consider the possibility of rescheduling or writing off debts of developing countries.

He expressed the hope that the Council would, in the context of future ACP/EEC negotiations, prepare a proper strategy giving due emphasis to intra-ACP and to regional cooperation.

On the question of apartheid in South Africa, the President invited the International community, particularly the members of the EEC, to adopt mandatory global sanctions against the South African regime. He also called for the freeing of all political prisoners including Nelson Mandela, and for the end to the illegal occupation of Namibia and for its independence in accordance with UN Resolution 435.

In this respect he recalled the Luxembourg meeting at ministerial level in April between 12 ACP Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Traoîka and was impressed by the openness of the Traoîka to views expressed by the ACP side, that apartheid could not be reformed but had to be abolished.

Inaugural address by Hon. Sir. Satcam Boolell, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs and Emigration of Mauritius :

Hon. Sir Satcam Boolell, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of External Affairs and Emigration, in his inaugural address recalled his long standing association with the ACP, as far back as the negotiations for the first two Lomé Conventions and for the Sugar Protocol. He paid tribute to the Founding Father of Mauritius, the late Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, who chose to link the fate of Mauritius to that of the African continent, and negotiated the accession of Mauritius to Yaounde II Convention in anticipation of the enlargement of the European Economic Community. The latter had also taken the initiative in convincing initial EEC member states to accommodate Commonwealth sugar producing countries through the Sugar Protocol.

He highlighted the importance of the Sugar Protocol to the ACP cane sugar producing countries, which because of climatic hazards, would for a long time be unable to diversify away from sugar. He recalled that Ministers of ACP sugar supplying states would be discussing the implementation of the Sugar protocol which has been impeded by unchecked beet sugar production. The new EEC policy of restricting beet sugar production.

through restrictive pricing could not be applied to ACP countries. He hoped that the special measures being asked for since long by ACP countries, and to the examination of which the Community had agreed in principle, would be implemented soon.

He referred to the Luxembourg meeting in April on the situation of South and Southern Africa where he represented the East Africa Region and to the Joint Assembly meeting in Lomé.

In this context, he hoped that the Community would give serous consideration to the Kingston Declaration of Human Dignity and the programme of Action which was presented to the Traoïka. The Deputy Prime Minister then stressed the importance of intra-ACP and regional cooperation. In this connection, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned the established of the Indian Ocean Commission which groups the Islands of Madagascar, Seychelles, Comores, Mauritius and the French Overseas Department of Reunion, and those main objectives is the promotion of economic, social and cultural cooperation.

The Deputy Prime Minister then drew attention of Council to the implications of the Eu countries. The need for vigilance on the part of ACP States was highlighted, particularly as regards their own ethics and concepts of development, taking into account their specificities.

He invited Council while studying the provisions of the Successor Convention, to look at ways and means of simplifying procedures to accelerate disbursement of funds and improve aid absorption capacity of ACP States. He also stressed the need for an appropriate machinery to monitor and to stimulate the evolution of trade.

Finally, the Minister expressed the hope that Council would adopt common positions for more forceful presentations to the Community.

The Council met shortly after the inaugural ceremony and proceeded with the agenda as listed in document ACP/25/003/88 Rev. 2.

The ful texts of the speeches are annexed in the language of their delivery.

Council's proceedings :

1. Adoption of the agenda - [ACP/25/003/88 Rev. 2]

the Council adopted the draft agenda without amendment. (See Annex 1).

2. Communication from the President :

2.1 the President thanked the ACP countries for the confidence placed in his country on electing him President of the Council.

2.2 In a short report on his activities prior to Mauritius as ACP President, Minister SOULAILA indicated that he had represented Council at the ACP:EEC Joint Assembly meeting held in Lomé in March 1988. While there, he held discussions with his EEC counterpart on preparations for the Mauritius Joint Council. He also paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of Togo, H. E. Mr Gnassingbe EYADEMA.

2.3 the President also referred to his participation, on 25^th April 1988 in brussels, in the Special ACP council, in preparing for the Luxembourg ACP/EEC meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers on the situation in South and Souther Africa. He reported participating in the Luxembourg meeting but indicated that he would give an in-depth report on the discussions in Luxembourg under item 6 of the agenda.

2.4 He also referred to subjects discussed by the Ministerial Bureau held in Moka, Mauritius on the 3^rd and 4^th May for the preparation for the 44^th Council of Ministers of meeting. At the meeting were discussed,

I inter alia, the industrial action by the ACP Secretariat, the work programme and the agenda for the ACP and ACP/EEC meetings. The bureau also discussed its stand to be adopted in connection with negotiations for the next ACP/EEC Convention, due to start in October 1988.

3. Approval of report of the 43^rd session of the ACP Council of Minister[Doc. ACP/25/005/88/ Rev. 1]

3.1 the distinguished Deputy Minister of Finance of Uganda, Hon. Abbey K. MUKASA, the Rapporteur for the 43^rd Session, then submitted his report. The Rapporteur congratulated the President for his presentation of the ACP case at Luxembourg and thanked Mauritius for its hospitality and welcome. He then introduced his report - [Doc. ACP/25/055/88 Rev. 1] to Council and thanked the Friends of the Rapporteurs as well as the Secretariat for their valuable assistance in his assignment. Council approved the report.

4. Appointment of a Rapporteur :

4.1 In accordance with the procedure for appointment of a Rapporteur when meetings are held outside Brussels, Mauritius as host country was appoint Rapporteur.

4.2 The Hon. Minister Dullo, Minister of Agriculture, fisheries and Natural Resources and leader of the Mauritian delegation, thanked Council for the confidence and trust placed in his country and accepted to act as Rapporteur.

4.3 The team of the Friends of the Rapporteur comprised the following countries, chosen by their respective regions :

Central Africa - Gabon

Southern Africa - Mozambique

Western Africa - Mali

Caribbean - Jamaica

Pacific - Western Samoa.

4A. Applications from Haiti and the Dominican Republic

4A.1 Prior to the detailed examination of the Report of the Committee of Ambassadors under Agenda Item 5, the President announced Bureau's recommendation on the application of Haiti and the Dominican republic for observer status at the 44^th ACP Council of Ministers and the 13^th ACP/EEC Council of Ministers' Meetings.

4A.2 this recommendation was commented upon at length and Council's decision was as follows :

     # to admit Haiti as observer at the 44^th session of ACP Council and the EEC would, on the same principle, accept Haiti as observer within      the ACP group for the 13^th ACP/EEC Council of Ministers meeting in Mauritius. By June 1988, the ACP countries could make up their minds on permanent observer status of Haiti, which would enable Haiti to participate in negotiations for the 4^th ACP/EEC Convention if it so desired;
and not to take any decision on the application of the Dominican republic for observer status until such time as its application was submitted in accordance with ACP procedures and in an unequivocal manner.

4A.3 The President had earlier pointed out that the granting of observer status to the two countries did not imply automatic acceptability of their accession.

4A.4 Later during Council's proceedings, the Haitian Minister for Foreign Affairs, International cooperation and Religious Affairs, H. E. Mr Gerald LATORTUE took the floor and, in a brief statement on behalf of his government, thanked Council for granting Haiti observer status for the Mauritius meetings. He regretted that his country had been kept for too long outside ACP/EEC relations and informed Council of the new Haitian government's main objectives, namely :

- accelerate the pace of economic development of his country; and

- institute in Haiti a democratic regime respectful of Human rights.

To attain this double objective, the Minister continued, Haiti counted on the cooperation of its neighbours and of the ACP Group. Concluding his remarks, the Minister repeated his country's gratitude to Council for allowing Haiti to join the large ACP family.

5. Report of the committee of Ambassadors on its activities since the 43^rd Ministerial Session - [ACP/26/027/88 Rev.1] :

The Chairman of the Committee of Ambassadors, H. E. Mr Charles SAVARIN, Ambassador of Dominica, then presented to Council the report of the Committee's activities since the 43^rd ACP Council Session held in Brussels.

5.2 He highlighted the various chapters in his report and Council decided to examine the report chapter by chapter.

5.3 The Chairman's presentation was supplemented by interventions of the sub-committee Chairmen on their various areas of activities, giving additional background information on the matters raised in the report being considered.

5.4 Having heard the various interventions to above, Council proceeded to have an exchange of views on the issues reflected in the report and arrived at the conclusions as reflected in the following paragraphs :

5.A Part. A : ACP/EEC Matters :

5.A.1 Agricultural and Rural Cooperation :

5.A.1.1. Council expressed concern that at a time when negotiations for a successor Convention were about to start, there was a situation where commitment of funds under the present Convention were low and disbursement negligible. There was also difficulty in making use of funds allocated for regional cooperation. One major concern was the urgent need for improving the implementation of projects, notably the disbursement aspect. Procedural obstacles need to be eliminated.

5.A.1.2. While it was urgent to study why there were difficulties in the use of funds

earmarked for projects, it would also be wise to take into consideration what was being done by other organizations like the FAO.

Utilisation of regional funds was difficult, because the ACP countries were not in a position to comply with those procedures or criteria that had been set up, e.g., 50% of the funds required be provided by the countries submitting the project. However,, it was felt that if Heads of States could commit themselves to certain regional projects, then that would speed up matters.

The absence of regional programmes and the low absorption capacity were other reasons why regional funds remained unutilized. The Committee of Ambassadors was mandated to examine the situation and make appropriate recommendations regarding ways and means of accelerating the implementation of regional programmes and to regularly report to Council on this question.

Council recognized however that it was up to the ACP countries themselves to make the necessary efforts to attain their objectives on this question.

5.A.2 Agricultural Commodities :

5.A.2.1. Council decided that this matter would be considered along with the report of the Committee for Commodities under Agenda item 9(b) (Special Ministerial Reports).

5.A.3. Trade Cooperation :

5.A.3.1. Council considered the problems identified in the area of trade cooperation, in particular the marketing of ACP commodities in EEC markets and liberalization of trade as proposed in the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. Council noted the heavy dependence of ACP countries on the EEC and the dangers for the ACP of the opening up of the EEC markets to non ACP countries. Council urged that the question of market diversification be borne in mind in the framework of the next Convention. Council further recognised the need for ACP products to be competitive. There was also need to revitalise national to the services sector that had been neglected so far. The recommendations of UNCTAD VII required careful consideration.

5.A.3.2. Council noted that the stringency of the rules of origin constituted a major obstacle to the development of the manufacturing sector and that the Community had so far rejected the ACP's request for their relaxation. Council deplored the unfavourable evolution of trade with the EEC and expressed concern for the future, in particular with respect to the consequences of the Single Europe Act.

5.A.3.3. Council called for the setting up, in accordance with article 270 of Lomé III, of a Ministerial Working Party to consider mainly implementation problems relating to trade matters and also ways and means of enhancing ACP trade in the future in order to make it more competitive and efficient. The proposed Ministerial Working Group was to study, inter alia, problems relating to :

- the forthcoming negotiations ;

- the Uruguay Round ;

- Single Europe Act.

5.A3.4. the composition and the mandate of the proposed Ministerial Working Group needed to be studied more in-depth.

5.A.3.5. Council, while commending the work of the Committee of Ambassadors, request the latter to study further aspects of trade promotion, namely :

I) to conduct a series of market surveys in the EEC for existing products of an expert interest to the ACP States;

ii) to undertake market research for products for which there was production potential in the ACP States at competitive prices on the basis of existing comparative advantages; and

iii) to carry out test marketing in respect of products developed by ACP States.

5.A.3.6. With respect to the Multilateral Trade Negotiations, Council took note of the valuable contribution of the Committee of Ambassadors and further stressed the need for better coordination between ACP Ambassadors both in Brussels and in Geneva.

5.A.3.7. Cadmium : Council called for consultations between the ACP and EEC and for the setting up of a joint scientific group on cadmium so that there was a scientific basis for the decisions the EEC might take.

5.A.3.8. Molasses : Council decided to ask for the immediate removal of levies on Molasses, the amendment of EEC corresponding regulations on this matter and for payment of appropriate compensation for loss of revenue incurred so far, pending the resolution of the problem in accordance with article 130 (2c).

5.A.3.9. Vegetable and Marine Oils : the problems were similar to those of cadmium, and Council proposed to ask the EEC for consultations so that a joint decision be taken. In the meantime, Council requested ACP members concerned to come forward and formulate coordinated views on this issue.

5.A.3.10. Fresh Beans : Council noted that consultations had been held between Kenya and the member states concerned but only a partial solution had been arrived at the market had not been totally opened up.

5.A.3.11. Tropical Woods : Council noted with concern that certain Member States imposed taxes on tropical woods originating from ACP countries. A position on this issue was deferred as the relevant dossier was incomplete.

5.A.4. Customs Cooperation :

5.A.4.1. Council took note that the adoption of the harmonised system involved modifications of Protocol 1 of the Lomé Convention, and that extreme caution and vigilance were needed as most ACP countries did not have Customs experts or experts on rules of origin in Brussels to advise properly. Council also recommended that the question of origin of fisheries products be included in the list of items to be considered by the Ministerial sub-committee.

5.A. 5. STABEX :

5.A. 5.1. Council took note of the recommendations on the various STABEX issues. On the question of "all destinations" derogation Council decided to pursue the matter in accordance with the provisions of Article 269(6) as a first step, leaving recourse to Article 270 as a last resort.

5.A. 5.2. On the question of "1980 and 1981 transfers", Council took note of developments regarding the proposal submitted by the ACP to the Community in April 1988 regarding the link to be established between the inadequacy of resources and the replacement of transfers.

5.A. 5.3 With respect to the problem regarding the inadequacy of resources for the 1987 transfers, Council shared the concerns expressed by all ACP delegations and agreed to ask the EEC for adequate compensation for the shortfalls incurred by the ACP . At the joint Council in Mauritius, the ACP would aks the Community what solutions it intended to propose to the ACP on this issue. Council also took note of the proposal that this problem should be included in the terms of reference of the Ministerial Working Group whose setting up had been proposed earlier.

5.A. 6 Commodity Protocols and Special Arrangements :

5.A. 6.1 Bananas : Council took note of the work done in the area by the ACP producing countries, in particular their efforts at formulating a position with respect to the Protocol on Bananas in the negotiations for a Successor Agreement to the Third Convention.

5.A. 6.2 Rum : Council also noted that there was still a difference on the definition of rum and directed that this question be attended to urgently.

5.A. 6.3 Rice : Council noted that rice exporters were concerned with the speculation at the import licencing system. The situation need to be monitored and corrected should the need arise.

5.A. 6.4 Sugar : Council decided to consider this item under item 9(c).

5.A. 7 Industrial Cooperation, Mining, Sysmin and Energy :

5.A .7.1 Council took note of the activities of the Centre for the Development of Industry (CDI).

5.A. 7.2 SYSMIN : Council took note of the on-going preparation for the meeting of the Joint Working Group set up to discuss matters relating to Annex XXIII of Lomé III, the Joint declaration on the Management of Sysmin; Council urged that the procedures for Sysmin be simplified and that more countries should benefit from it.

5.A. 7.3 Finally, on the entire chapter of Industrial Cooperation, Mining, sysmin and Energy, Council called for the urgent need for revitalizing this area of ACP/EEC Cooperation.

5.A. 8 Financial and Technical Cooperation :

5.A. 8.1 Council decided to take up matters relating to the Article 193 Committee under agenda item 9(a).

5.A 8.2 Council then dealt mainly with the debt and structural adjustment and in this regard expressed concern over their negative impact on the long-term development of ACP States.

5.A. 8.3 Having recalled the provisions of Article 198 of Lome III relating to EEC technical assistance to ACP States, at the latter's request, in studying and finding practical solutions to ACP countries's problems of indebtedness, debt-servicing and balance of payments, Council's exchange of views centered primarily on the cause, nature and size of ACP debts. Council also discussed the decision taken by the Community in November 1987, to assist with 100 million ECU, the poorest ACP countries faced with severe debt crisis.

5.A. 8.4 Council commended the Community for this action but urged the EEC and its Member States to make more meaningful efforts in this direction if ACP debts and the social costs of structural adjustment were to be substantially alleviated. Council also questioned the unilateral conditions and criteria set by the Community for benefiting from this assistance.

5.A. 8.5 Finally, Council asked the Committee of Ambassadors to expedite its work on the issue of indebtedness and structural adjustment and expressed the hope that the Dakar Seminar would produce some useful recommendations for the ACP in its preparation for the negotiations. In this respect, Council agreed that debt and structural adjustment matter should feature in the next ACP/EEC Convention.

5.A. 9 Least Developed, Landlocked and Island countries :

5.A. 9.1 Council took note of progress in this area of ACP/EEC cooperation.

Subsequently, during the examination of the draft ACP¨declaration

(Annex II) to be made at the Joint Council, Council called for regular special measures in favour of this category of countries. Council urged its President to dwell on this issue in his opening speech at the 13^th Joint Council. Finally, Council asked the Committee of Ambassadors to study, in view of the negotiations, special measures for the ACP least developed, landlocked and island countries.

5.A. 10 Cultural and Social Cooperation :

5.A 10.1 Council noted that although an amount of 10m ECU was set aside for cultural and social cooperation with a ceiling of 300.000 ECU per scheme, this did not represent additional resources but only an improved procedure for cultural projects to be approved without reference to the EDF Committee.

5.A. 10.2 However, Council expressed concern on the difficulties and delays in securing such funds and of the fact that this chapter of the Convention did not include projects such a enhancing the status of women.

5.A. 10. 3 The situation of students and migrant workers was still under consideration. Council noted that a final submission on this issue would be made at the earliest opportunity.

5.A. 10.4 Finally, council was informed of the Pan-African Cultural Festival to be held in Senegal as from December 1989. ACP States were asked to support this important event.

5.A. 11 Trade and Communications :

5.A. 11.1 Noise certification Standards : Council urged those countries whose airlines were affected by the EEC directives as regards noise levels, to provide the ACP Secretariat with details of concrete problems encountered.

5.A. 11.2 Maritime Transport : Council mandated the group of experts set up for this purpose and the Committee of Ambassadors to continue negotiating towards an agreement on this issue.

5.A. 12 ACP/EEC Joint £Assembly :

Council took note of the section of the report dealing with the outcome of the ACP/EEC Joint Assembly meeting held in Lomé, Togo, in March 1988.

5.A. 13 Situation in South and Southern Africa :

Council decided to consider this item under agenda item 6.

5.B Part B - Intra-ACP cooperation :

5.B. 1 Council decided to take up this matter under agenda item Number 10.

5.C Part C - Internal Matters :

5.C. 1 Council decided to take up this matter under agenda item Number 11.

5.D Part D - Press-Information-Public Relations-Protocol :

5.D. 1 Council took note of the press conferences and the visits in 1987 to date and of the programme for 1988. Council thanked the Committee of Ambassadors for their conscientious work and encouraged them to continue with the same zeal.

6. South and Southern Africa :

6.1 The President reported to Council the outcome of the ACP/EEC meeting at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs held in Luxembourg on 26^th April 1988.

6.2 The President recalled that the ACP side was represented by Angola, Belize, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Fiji, Jamaica, Mauritius, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sudan, Zaire and Zambia and the EEC side by a Traoîka composed of Mr Genscher of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Tygesen of Denmark and Mr Pangalos of Greece.

6.3 He recalled that the EEC was initially not in favour of such a meeting. However, the ACP side based itself on paragraph 3 of Annex I of the Convention to ask for such a meeting. For the EEC, the meeting with the Troîka was outside normal provisions of the Convention and should not be considered as a precedent. The President considered that meeting as a positive step for it marked the beginning of the process of consultations on the question.

6.4 At the meeting, the ACP position, while maintaining the need for compulsory and mandatory sanctions against South Africa, was to pres the Community and its member states :

(I) to scrupulously implement and reinforce restrictive measures already taken;

(ii) to take required legal and other appropriate measures;

to ban import of South African Coal, Gold, and Uranium and such measures to be extended to Namibia;

to urge South Africa to free Nelson MANDELA and all political prisoners;

to serve diplomatic relations with South Africa;

to guarantee the security of the Frontline States;

to condemn the destabilisation policy of South Africa against Southern African States;

to call all banned anti-apartheid organizations to be allowed to operate;

to insist on the implementation of the U.N. Resolution N° 435 of the U.N. Security Council on the independence of Namibia;

to adopt the Kingdom Declaration on Human Dignity and the ACP/EEC Programme of Action.

The Danish Minister made a statement to the effect that this country had taken a bold position in respect of sanctions, while the Greek Minister indicated that his country was willing to take more advanced positions if the Community moved in that direction.

6.6 EEC recognised the usefulness of the Luxembourg meeting and the need for the holding of another such meeting in the near future.

6.7 Both sides therefore agreed :

I) on the usefulness of the meeting despite the reduced number of EEC delegations and the lack of an agenda or the issue of a joint Communiqué;

ii) on the need to continue discussions on this issue;

iii) that apartheid could not be reformed but had to be eradicated;

iv) to condemn the policy of destabilisation by South Africa against its neighbours; and

v) to encourage efforts to settle the Namibia question in question in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 435/78.

6.8 the President felt the need to call for a plenary meeting by ACP/EEC Ministers of Foreign Affairs. He suggested that the Committee of Ambassadors should make necessary arrangements accordingly.

6.9 Council took note of the President's Report and considered that the Luxembourg meeting was a positive step towards future meetings.

This dialogue with EEC partners should be pursued.

PART A - ACP/EEC MATTERS :

7.A Consideration of the items on the draft agenda for the 13^th ACP/EEC Council of Ministers - /ACP/21/003/88 + annotations [ACP/21/004/88] :

7.A. 1 After discussions, council approved the agenda and the annotated agenda, subject to the inclusion of points raised earlier in deliberations.

8.A Preparations for negotiations of a 4^th ACP/EEC Convention.

Consideration of the preliminary draft memorandum for the

negotiations - [ACP/00/012/88 NEG.] :

8.A. 1 Council agreed that there was need to give the Committee of Ambassadors guidelines to enable them to make substantial improvement towards the finalisations of an ACP position in the context of the 4^th ACP/EEC Convention, discussions on which are scheduled for October 1988.

8.A. 2 Council requested the Committee of Ambassadors to make substantial improvements in the ACP/EEC convention taking into consideration the frustrations, shortcomings and obstacles in the various fields such as trade, services, industry, energy, etc.... Political considerations such the Community's attitudes the situation in South Africa should form part of any future Convention.

8.A. 3 Council insisted not only on safeguarding the "acquis" but also on the need to open new areas of Cooperation.

8.A. 4 Council hoped that the establishment of a Single Europe would not be to the detriment of the existing "acquis" of the ACP States.

8.A. 5 Council reiterated the need for enhanced ACP/EEC Cooperation aimed at the promotion of effective development at regional and Intra-ACP level, generally, which should significantly improve the living conditions of ACP peoples.

8.A. 6 Council agreed that the provisions relating to the least Developed, Landlocked and Island countries be reinforced in the future.

8.A. 7 Other comments made by ACP representatives notably underlined the need to :

- build on lessons from past Lomé Conventions;

- reaffirm ACP political attachment to ACP/EEC Cooperation;

- envisage including services in trade arrangements;

- insist on the competitiveness of ACP products. To achieve this, there is need for the modernization of ACP industries and for training of qualified personnel;

- reinforce institutions;

- insist on a significant volume of aid;

- avoid complicated legal provisions and concessions whose practical implementation may prove difficult (experience drawn from Article 193 Committee);

- study the long-term effect of debt, i.e. indebtedness;

- consider in-depth the problem of commodities and of structural adjustment;

- examine the question relating to the geographical coverage of the Convention : the ACP, it was felt, could not be indefinitely extended.

8.A. 8 On duration and human Rights : Council was of the view that the ACP should not hurry to examine the first issue. With regard to Human Rights, the ACP could emphasize the notion of rights to dignity, i.e. the need to ensure for all a minimum revenue necessary for human dignity.

8.A. 9 Council recognised the need for the ACP to enter into negotiations with clearly defined ACP positions rather than with predispositions to react to EEC proposals.

8.A. 10 Finally, council accepted the invitation of Senegal for a Seminary in Dakar from 11^th to 14^th July 1988, on debt, commodities and structural adjustment problems.

8.A. 11 Council also agreed to hold a Special ACP Session a few days before the formal opening of the negotiations.

9.A Special Ministerial Reports :

9.A. (a) Article 193 Committee - [ACP/81/020/88 Rev. 2]

9.A. (a)1 Council took note of the report of the ACP Article 193

Ministerial Committee and the conclusions and recommendations contained therein, and mandated the Committee to work out measures to implement the said recommendations.

9.A. (a)2 Council also decided that the meetings of the National Authorising Officers should be held at regional level every two years and at the ACP Level as determined by the Ministerial Committee.

9.A. (a)3 General Conditions for EDF Financial Contracts :

Council renewed the mandate of the Committee to continue to work on the general conditions for EDF financial contracts.

9.A. (a)4 Ten Year Report : Council extended the mandate of the Chairman of Article 193 committee to continue with the negotiations on the draft resolutions on the Ten years of Financial and Technical Cooperation with the EEC.

9.A. (a)5 Evaluation : Council adopted the draft resolution at Annex 1 of Report of the ACP Article 193 Ministerial committee - [ACP/81/020/88 Rev.2]. Council also took note of the work achieved and the future Work Programme, as well as the progress report on the implementation of the past resolutions on the evaluation of the ACP/EEC Council of Ministers.

9.A. (a)6 Work Programme for 87/88 and 88/89 : Council took note of the revised 88/89 Work Programme and adopted the work programme as recommended by the Article 193 Committee.

9.A. (b) Agricultural Commodities Committee - [ACP/67/040/88 Rev.1]

9.A. (b) 1 Council took note of the report of the ACP Article 47 Ministerial committee, reiterated its concern on falling commodity prices and the special problems of small island states and agreed to the recommendations contained therein, in particular the following two proposals :

In view of the considerable obstacles facing the ACP States with regard to the processing, marketing and distribution of their commodities, the Ministerial Committee requests the Subcommittee and the Committee of Ambassadors to devise an appropriate ACP strategy;

The Ministerial Committee further recommends that the composition of Article 47 Committee be maintained.

9.A. (c)1 Council took note of the report of the ACP Ministerial Spokesman on Sugar matters, Hon. M. DULLOO, Minister for Agriculture, fisheries and Natural Resources of Mauritius - [Doc. ACP/63/025/88].

9.A. (c)2 1987/88 Price negotiations Council took note that ACP/EEC 87/88 Price Negotiations were concluded in March 1988.

9.A. (c)3 Special Measures : Council shared concerns of the ACP Sugar exporting countries and mandated the Ministerial Group on Sugar to have an in-depth discussion on the issue of special measures so that these could be included in the resolution for submission to the 13^th ACP/EEC council of Ministers meeting.

PART B : INTRA-ACP COOPERATION :

10.B consideration of the progress in Intra-ACP Cooperation :

10.B. 1 Council expressed concern at slow progress in Intra-ACP Cooperation. In order to reinforce and accelerate such cooperation Council :

AGREED now that the Harare Programme of action should be implemented with immediate effect;

MANDATED the Committee of Ambassadors in conjunction with the ACP Secretariat to negotiate with the EEC allocation from the unused balance of the EDF Regional fund to ensure the commencement of the implementation of the programme during the period 1988 to 1990.

COUNCIL ALSO DECIDED

That in implementing the Programme, the Trade Sector should now be fully implemented and in this connection the project to establish an ACP Information Exchange System (Data Bank) should be implemented as a matter of priority.

The Maritime and Air transport Programme should commence with those aspects most feasible for early implementation.

The committee of Ambassadors and the Secretary General should now actively pursue other sources of funding.

A report on the progress of implementation should be submitted to Council in one year's time.

PART C - INTERNAL MATTERS :

11.C Recommendations of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors for the

review of the conditions of service of the staff of the ACP General

Secretariat - [ACP/41/032/88 Rev.1 (def),

ACP/41/023/88 Rev.2 and ACP/41/031/88 Rev.1]

11.C. 1 Council decided to adopt at this stage the staff classification, the salary and allowances and the termination benefits recommended by the Committee of Ambassadors. [Doc. ACP/41/032/88 Rev. 1 and ACP/41/023/88 Rev.2].

11.C. 2 Council also agreed that the same percentage of increase granted to Heads of Division be applied to the post of Secretary General, for which no reference was made in the recommendation.

11.C. 3 Council also mandated the Committee of Ambassadors in consultations with the Secretary General and the staff to appoint a Consultant of International repute for an in-depth study into the structure and functioning of the ACP Secretariat for submission to the Committee of Ambassadors by end December 1988.

12.D Ministerial Bureau's recommendations for the review of the Georgetown Agreement and of the rotation of the presidency of the ACP Council :

12.D. 1 Council after a brief exchange of views, reiterated the 43^rd ACP council's approach on the question, viz :

that the review exercise be undertaken in the wider context of the review of the functioning of ACP institutions;

that this general exercise could be usually conducted in the framework of the successor arrangements to Lomé III.

13.D Composition of the new Bureau of the Council of ACP Ministers -

[ACP/549/79 Rev. 14] :

13.D. 1 Council agreed that the new Bureau be composed as follows with effect from 1^st August 1988 :

Region Country

Caribbean Guyana (President)

East Africa Comores

Central Africa Zaire

West Africa Nigeria

Southern Africa Malawi

Pacific Vanuatu

14.D Date and venue of next meetings :

14.D. (a) Ministers will meet from 11^th to 14^th July in Dakar, Senegal for the ACP Seminar on commodities, debt and structural adjustment.

14.D. (b) 45^th Council of ACP Ministers : the 45^th ACP Council of Ministers meeting will be held in October 1988 in Brussels.

14.D. © 14^th Council of ACP/EEC Ministers : ACP/EEC Ministers will be meeting

in Spring 1989, in Brussels. The date will be communicated later.

15.D Outcome of the 44^th Ministerial Session :

15.D. 1 Council approved the decisions and resolutions after amendment. The amended versions are at Annex ....... These are :

Decision N° 1 : Conditions of Service

Resolution N° 1 : Sugar

Resolution N° 2 : The promotion of cultural identities

Resolution N° 3 : Aircraft noise certification standards

Resolution N° 4 : Least Developed, Landlocked and Island Countries

Resolution N° 5 : Application of EDF Funds to Agriculture and Rural Development Programme

Resolution N° 6 : Intra-ACP Cooperation and implementation of the Harare programme of Action in the sectors of Air Transport, Maritime Transport and Trade

Resolution N° 7 : Implementation of the Programme for the Press/Information/Public relations and protocol Service

Resolution N° 8 : On South and Southern Africa

Resolution N° 9 : Levy on molasses.

16. Any Other Business : No matters were raised under this agenda item.

17. Conclusion of ACP Council Meeting :

In his concluding remarks, the ACP President thanked members for their wise and valuable contribution for the successful conclusion of Council proceedings.

The President also congratulated the members of the new Bureau. He thanked Honourable Dulloo, Minister of Agriculture, fisheries and Natural resources of Mauritius, and the Mauritius Authorities, for the warm welcome and hospitality as well as for the excellent arrangements made which had helped Council in its work.

He had a special word of thanks for the members of the ACP Bureau, the Committee of Ambassadors, the Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Secretary General of ACP, the delegation of Haiti, members of the ACP Secretariat and all Mauritian staff for their help and support as well as their valuable contribution.

Finally, the President said that it had been a great honour for him and his country to have presided over the deliberations of the 44^th Session of the ACP Council which had just closed.

Ambassadors Chasle of Mauritius, on behalf of his country, thanked the President of the ACP Council for his kind words.