1. In order to consolidate and accelerate Paraguay's economic and social development, the Community will implement assistance operations in the context of the Community programmes for developing countries.
2. Particular importance shall be attached to rural development, notably integrated rural development, joint training schemes, action aimed at improving the food and employment situations, urban and rural housing and promoting grass-root organizations.
Article 20. Resources for Cooperation
In order to facilitate the achievement of the aims set out in this Agreement, the Contracting Parties shall make available, within the limits of their abilities and through their own channels, the appropriate resources, including financial resources.
Article 21. Joint Cooperation Committee
1. A Joint Cooperation Committee shall be established, consisting of representatives of the Community and of Paraguay. It shall meet once a year, alternately in Brussels and Asuncion, on a date and with an agenda fixed by mutual agreement. Extraordinary meetings may be convened with the consent of both Parties.
2. The Joint Committee shall see to the proper functioning of the Agreement and shall examine all issues arising from its application. In fulfilling this role, its main functions shall be to:
(a) consider measures for developing and diversifying trade, in accordance with the objectives of this Agreement;
(b) exchange views on any points of common interest regarding trade and cooperation, including future programmes and the resources for them;
(c) make recommendations for promoting the expansion of trade and stepping up intensified cooperation, without neglecting the need to coordinate the measures planned;
(d) in general terms, recommend solutions aimed at helping to attain the objectives of this Agreement.
3. The Joint Committee may set up specialized subcommittees and working parties to assist it in the performance of its duties.
Article 22. Other Agreements
1. Without prejudice to the provisions of the Treaties establishing the European Communities, neither this Agreement nor any action taken under it shall in any way affect the powers of the Member States of the Communities to undertake bilateral activities with Paraguay in the field of economic cooperation with Paraguay or, where appropriate, to conclude new economic cooperation agreements with Paraguay.
2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1 concerning economic cooperation, the provisions of this Agreement shall replace the provisions of the agreements concluded between the Member States of the Communities and Paraguay where such provisions are either incompatible with or identical to the provisions of this Agreement.
Article 23. Territorial Application
This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community is applied and under the conditions laid down by that Treaty and, on the other, to the territory of the Republic of Paraguay.
Article 24. Clause for Future Developments
1. The Contracting Parties may by mutual consent expand this Agreement with a view to increasing the levels of cooperation and supplementing them, each in accordance with its laws, by means of agreements on specific sectors or activities.
2. With regard to the application of this Agreement, either of the Contracting Parties may put forward suggestions for widening the scope of mutual cooperation, taking into account the experience gained in its application.
Article 25. Entry Into Force and Duration
1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on which the Contracting Parties have notified each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for this purpose.
2. This Agreement is concluded for a period of five years. It shall be renewed on a yearly basis unless one of the Contracting Parties denounces it six months before the date of expiry.
Article 26. Annexes
The Annexes shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
Article 27. Authentic Languages
This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish languages, each text being equally authentic.
Conclusion
In witness whereof the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Agreement.
Done at Brussels on the third day of February in the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-two.
For the Council of the European Communities
For the Government of the Republic of Paraguay