§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for 579W Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Union Development Council meeting on 22 November. [7459]
§ Dr. Liam FoxInitial discussions were held on the future of EC trade and development relations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific states after the year 2000. The Council adopted a decision and a joint action on Zaire and the Great Lakes, underlining EU commitment to the objectives of the UN resolutions, and giving priority to the return of refugees to their country of origin.
The Council also adopted two regulations, setting a framework for EC rehabilitation and reconstruction operations and for EC development cooperation with South Africa. Common positions were agreed on two draft regulations governing assistance for programmes against drugs and drug addiction, and on population policies and programmes in developing countries. The Council adopted resolutions setting out policy guidelines for EC and member state programmes in the field of human and social development; and guidance for EC development programmes targeted at anti-personnel land mines. Conclusions were agreed on gender issues in crisis prevention and an evaluation of EC humanitarian aid from 1991–96.