Activities of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly in 2001

The committee unanimously adopted the own-initiative report by Marie-Arlette CARLOTTI (PES, F) on the work of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in 2001. The committee wanted the Assembly to be given new powers so that it could exercise financial and political control over the funding of cooperation policy, as well as the negotiations for and ratification of new agreements. It therefore welcomed the Assembly's intention to be more actively involved in scrutiny of the management of EDF funds, so as to ensure that payments were made swiftly and efficiently. It called on the Commission to provide the Assembly with all necessary assistance to this end. The committee pointed out that the Cotonou Agreement had made profound changes to the cooperation objectives between the EU and the ACP states, by laying the foundations for a renewed partnership that was fairer and more effective. In this connection it stressed the need for representatives from European states and from the ACP countries to be on an equal footing within the Assembly. The committee regretted that the year 2001 did not live up to the hopes raised in 2000 (only three European countries having so far ratified the Cotonou Agreement) and reiterated its conviction that the Cotonou Agreement was 'still a unique symbol of interdependence and a balanced partnership' between northern countries and developing countries. �