Expo 98

 

Doc. 7550

9 May 1996

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

presented by Mr NIZA and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.         Expo 98 - the last major world exhibition of the 20th century - will be held in Lisbon (Portugal), opening on 22 May 1998 and lasting for 6 months.  Some 20 million visitors are expected.

2.         It was decided to hold Expo 98 in Lisbon 3 years ago by the International Exhibitions Bureau.

3.         Expo 98 will take place at the time of the 500th anniversary of a meeting of civilisations, with the discovery of the Indian sea route by the Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama, in 1498.

4.         The main theme of Expo 98, and a focus for world debate, will be "The oceans - a heritage for the future". This debate will not only seek to evaluate existing knowledge of the subject but will above all contribute to the creation of new systems for managing the world's oceans and sustained efforts to preserve the ecological balance, by laying down criteria for the rational use of marine resources.

5.         Expo 98 will be held in Lisbon, stretching for 5 km along the banks of the Tage, the Iberian Peninsula's biggest river, and occupying a surface area of 310 hectares, formerly the site of polluting and dilapidated industrial estates and now entirely renovated.

6.         The theme of "the oceans - a heritage for the future" will be analysed and debated from every angle: educational, cultural, scientific, ecological, economic, artistic etc.

7.         Many countries and several international organisations and NGOs have already confirmed that they will participate: Europe (33); Africa (16); America (8); Middle East (4); Asia (8); Oceania (2).

8.         The European Union, the United Nations Organisation and the International Olympic Committee, together with other countries, are envisaging confirming their participation, and over 110 countries are ultimately expected to take part.

9.         It is in this context of cultural, scientific and economic aims and large-scale participation from all over the world that the Portuguese authorities would be pleased and honoured to be able to count on the presence of the Council of Europe, and all the more so because 1998, in accordance with a decision taken at the 49th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, will be International Year for Oceans.

10.        In the light of all these reasons and the fact that the essential organisational and logistical support could be provided by the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity, located in Lisbon, the Assembly Parliamentary considers that the Council of Europe should participate on a stand in Expo 98.

Signed[1]:

Niza, Portugal, SOC

Aguiar, Portugal, LDR

Arnold, Denmark, LDR

Benvenuti, Italy, SOC

Berg, Norway, EDG

Carvalho, Portugal, UEL

de Puig, Spain, SOC

Assis Miranda, Portugal, SOC

Guirado, Spain, SOC

Iwinski, Poland, SOC

Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Lopez Henares, Spain, EPP

Luis, Portugal, SOC

Mackie of Benshie, United Kingdom, LDR

Martinez, Spain, SOC

Mota Amaral, Portugal, LDR

Pereira Marques, Portugal, SOC

Ragnarsdottir, Iceland, EDG

Ramirez Pery, Spain, EPP

Roseta, Portugal, LDR

Ruffy, Switzerland, SOC

Sol� Tura, Spain, SOC

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[1]        SOC : Socialist Group

            EPP : Group of the European People's Party

            EDG : European Democratic Group

            LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

            UEL : Group of the Unified European Left