HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF FIJI:
Mr J.D. V. CAVALEVU, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of Fiji to the European Communities;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE GABONESE REPUBLIC:
Mr Pascal NZE, Minister for Planning and Regional Development;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA:
The Honourable Sheriff Saikouba SISAY, Minister of Finance and Trade;
THE HEAD OF STATE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL NATIONAL DEFENCE COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA:
Dr Kwesi BOTCHWEY, Secretary for Finance and Economic Planning;
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF GRENADA:
Mr Oswald Moxley GIBBS, CMG, High Commissioner of Grenada to the United Kingdom;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUTNEA:
Captain Fode Momo CAMARA, Minister for International Co-operation;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE OF GUINEA-BISSAU:
Mr Bartolomeu Simoes PEREIRA, Minister for Economic Co-ordination, Planning and International Co-operation;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA:
Mr Fortunato NZAMBI MACHINDE, Minister for Industry, Trade and Industrial Promotion;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE COOPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA:
Mr Harold SAHADEO, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary,
Head of the Mission of Guyana to the European Communities;
THE HEAD OF STATE OF JAMAICA:
Mr E. Frank FRANCIS, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Foreign Affairs;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA:
The Honourable E. MWAN GALE, Minister for Foreign Affairs;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI:
The Rt Honourable Timothy RAISON, M.P., Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Minister for Overseas Development, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO:
The Honourable Dr K. T. MAPHATHE, Minister of Transport and Communications;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA:
The Honourable Emmanuel O. GARDINER, Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR:
Mr Georges Yvan SOLOFOSON, Minister for Trade;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI:
Mr E. C. Katola PHIRI, Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALI:
Maitre Alioune Bondin BEYE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation;
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MILITARY COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL SAFETY, HEAD OF STATE OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA:
Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed OULD MINNIH, Member of the Military Committee for National Safety, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation;
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF MAURITIUS:
The Honourable Nunkeswarsingh DEERPALSINGH, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE:
Rei Baltazar dos SANTOS ALYES, Minister for Financial Affaris;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL, HEAD OF STATE OF NIGER:
Mr Almoustapha SOUMAILA, Minister responsible to the Prime Minister for Planning;
THE HEAD OF THE FEDERAL MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA:
Mr Job IROHA, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA:
The Honourable Henry Milton MAKMOT, Deputy Minister of Finance;
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA:
The Honourable Rabbie L. NAMALIU, CMG, M.P., Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE RWANDESE REPUBLIC:
Mr Ambroise MULINDANGABO, Minister for Planning;
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF ST CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS:
Dr Claudius C. THOMAS, CMG, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of Saint Lucia to the European Communities;
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF SAINT LUCIA:
Dr Claudius C. THOMAS, CMG, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of Saint Lucia to the European Communities;
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES:
Dr Claudius C. THOMAS, CMG, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of Saint Lucia to the European Communities;
THE HEAD OF STATE OF WESTERN SAMOA:
The Honourable Tuilaepa SAILELE, Minister for Financial Affairs;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE:
Dr Carlos Alberto TINY, Minister for Co-operation;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL:
Mr Abdourahmane TOURE, Minister for Trade;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES:
Mr Calyxte D'OFFAY, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Director for External Relations;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE:
The Honourable Salia JUSU-SHERIFF, M.P., Minister of Development and Economic Planning;
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS:
The Rt Honourable Timothy RAISON, M.P., Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Minister for Overseas Development, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOMALI DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC:
Mr Mohamed Omar GIAMA, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Representative of the Somali Democratic Republic to the European Communities;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN:
Mr MOHAMED EL HASSAN AHMED EL HAG, Minister of the Presidency for Secretariat General Affairs;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME:
Mr Imro E. FONG POEN, Minister of Transport, Trade and Industry;
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN REGENT OF THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND:
The Honourable Mr Mhambi M. MNISI, Minister of Foreign Affairs;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA:
The Honourable Professor Kighoma A. MALIMA, Minister for Planning and Economic Affairs;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHAD:
Mr Amos REOULENGAR, State Secretary, Economic Affairs and Trade;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE TOGOLESE REPUBLIC:
Mr Yaovi ADODO, Minister for Planning and Industry;
HIS MAJESTY KING TAUFA'AHAU TUPOU IV OF TONGA:
His Royal Highness Crown Prince TUPOUTO' A, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO:
The Honourable Desmond CARTEY, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs;
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF TUVALU:
Mr J.D. V. CAVALEVU, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of Fiji to the European Communities;
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU:
The Honourable Sela MOLISA, M.P., Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAIRE:
Mr TSHIBW ABW A ASHILA PASHI, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Member of the Central Committee;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA:
The Honourable Leonard S. SUBUL W A, M.P., Minister of Commerce and Industry;
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE:
The Honourable R. C. HOVE, Minister of Trade and Commerce;
WHO, having exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form,
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
Body
Part One. General Provisions of ACP-EEC Co-operation
Chapter 1. Objectives and Principles of Co-operation
Article 1.
The Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the ACP States, of the other part (hereinafter referred to as the Contracting Parties), hereby conclude this co-operation Convention in order to promote and expedite the economic, cultural and social development of the ACP States and to consolidate and diversify their relations in a spirit of solidarity and mutual interest.
The Contracting Parties thereby affirm their undertaking to continue, strengthen and render more effective the system of co-operation established under the first and second ACP-EEC Conventions and confirm the special character of their relations, based on their reciprocal interest, and the specific nature of their co-operation.
The Contracting Parties hereby express their resolve to intensify their effort to create, with a view to a more just and balanced international economic order, a model for relations between developed and developing states and to work together to affirm in the international context the principles underlying their co-operation.
Article 2.
ACP-EEC co-operation, underpinned by a legally binding system and the existence of joint institutions, shall be exercised on the basis of the following fundamental principles:
- equality between partners, respect for their sovereignty, mutual interest and interdependence;
- the right of each State to determine its own political, social, cultural and economic policy options;
- security of their relations based on the "acquis" of their system of co-operation.
Article 3.
The ACP States shall determine the development principles, strategies and models for their economies and societies in all sovereignty.
Article 4.
Support shall be provided in ACP-EEC co-operation for the ACP States' own efforts to achieve more self-reliant and self-sustained development based on their cultural and social values, their human capacities, their natural resources and their economic potential in order to promote the ACP States' social and economic progress and the well-being of their population through the satisfaction of their basic needs, the recognition of the role of women and the enhancement of people's capacities, with respect for their dignity.
Article 5.
With a view to attaining more balanced and more self-reliant economic development in the ACP States, special efforts shall be made under this Convention to promote rural development, food security for the people and the revival and strengthening of agricultural production potential in the ACP States.
Article 6.
In order to strengthen the ACP States' collective self-reliance, this Convention shall constitute support for their efforts to organize themselves into regional groupings and to step up their co-operation at regional and inter-regional level.
In this context of co-operation, special attention shall be paid to the implementation of operations which are particularly suited to the regional dimension and require a long-term effort.
Article 7.
The Contracting Parties acknowledge the need to accord special treatment to the least-developed ACP States and to take account of the specific difficulties confronting the landlocked and island ACP States. They shall pay special attention to improving the living conditions of the poorest sections of the population.
Co-operation shall comprise, inter alia, special treatment when determining the volume of financial resources and the conditions attached thereto in order to enable the least-developed ACP States to overcome structural and other obstacles to their development.
For the landlocked and island ACP States, co-operation shall be aimed at devising and encouraging specific operations to deal with development problems caused by their geographical situations.
Article 8.
In order to step up the effectiveness of the instruments of this Convention, the Contracting Parties shall adopt, in the framework of their respective responsibilities, guidelines, priorities and measures conducive to attaining the objectives set out in this Convention and to the implementation of financial and technical assistance and the other co-operation instruments in a co-ordinated manner.
With this in mind, they agree to pursue the dialogue, notably within the joint institutions, to seek ways and means of rendering those instruments ever more effective.
Article 9.
Within the scope of their respective responsibilities, the institutions of this Convention shall examine periodically the results of the application thereof, provide any necessary impetus and take any relevant decision or measure for the attainment of its objectives.
Any question that might directly hamper the effective attainment of the objectives of this Convention may be raised in the context of the institutions.
Consultations shall take place within the Council of Ministers at the request of either Contracting Party in cases provided for in this Convention or where difficulties arise with the application or interpretation thereof.
Where the Community intends, in the exercise of its powers, to take a measure which might affect the interests of the ACP States as far as this Convention's objectives are concerned, it shall inform the said States of its intentions. Where necessary, the exchange of information may also take place on the initiative of the ACP States. At their request, consultations shall be held in good time so that account may be taken of their concerns before any final decision.
Chapter 2. Objectives and Guidelines of the Convention In the Main Areas of Co-operation
Article 10.
Co-operation shall be aimed at supporting development in the ACP States, a process centred on man himself and rooted in each people's culture. It shall back up the policies and measures adopted by those States to enhance their human resources, increase their own creative capacities and promote their cultural identities. Co-operation shall also encourage participation by the population in the design and execution of development operations.
Account shall be taken, in the various fields of co-operation, and at all the different stages of the operations executed, of the cultural dimension and social implications of such operations.
Article 11.
In the framework of efforts to protect the environment and restore natural balances, co-operation shall contribute in particular towards the control of drought and desertification and the implementation of other campaigns to that end.
Article 12.
Agricultural co-operation shall be aimed at the pursuit of food self-sufficiency and food security in the ACP States, developing and organizing their productive systems, improving the living standards and conditions and the life styles of the rural population and achieving the balanced development of rural areas.
Operations in this field shall be designed and executed to support the agricultural and food policies or strategies adopted by the ACP States.
Article 13.
Co-operation in the fields of mining and energy shall be directed at promoting and expediting, in the mutual interest, diversified economic development, deriving full benefit from the ACP States' human potential and natural resources, and at fostering better integration of these and other sectors and their complementarity with the rest of the economy.
Co-operation shall be aimed at creating and consolidating the cultural, social and economic environment and the infrastructure required to achieve that objective.
Support shall be provided for the ACP States' efforts to devise and implement energy policies suited to their situation, notably the gradual reduction of the dependence of the majority of them on imported petroleum products and the development of new and renewable sources of energy.
Co-operation shall be aimed at encouraging improved exploitation of energy and mining resources by taking account of the energy component in development of the different economic and social sectors and thus helping to improve living conditions and the environment, leading to the better conservation of biomass resources, particularly fuelwood.
Article 14.
The Contracting Parties, acknowledging the crucial role of industry as a driving force in economic and social development, are determined to ensure a balanced, self-reliant development in the ACP States based on those States' own priorities. They agree to foster industrial development in the ACP States with a view to strengthening those States' efforts to promote their collective self-reliance and increase their share of world trade.
Article 15.
The aim of co-operation in fisheries shall be to help the ACP States to develop their fishery resources in order to expand production for domestic consumption as part of their efforts to achieve increased food security and increase production for export. Such co-operation shall be designed to serve the mutual interests of the Parties, in accordance with their fishery policies.