Doc. 8237

12 October 1998

Closer scrutiny of the social processes in rural areas
and promotion of endogenous means to improve the
current situation

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Telgmaa and others

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

1.       The liberalisation of the economy during the fast transition processes has dramatically affected in many ways the standard of living of large categories of the rural population who are mainly engaged in agricultural production. In some areas the threat to rural society has reached the level of social exclusion. One can observe similar divisions inside certain countries which so far have been identified in a global context with the notions « the South » and « the North ».

2.       The reason for this situation is the decline of agriculture, which is the economic basis of rural society, not only due to its essential incapacity to function under the new conditions but also due to the loss of traditional markets. International markets have been lost because of the disintegration of the existing framework of economic relations between countries; a great share of national markets have been lost by the invasion of imported products. This invasion is supported by the governments of the exporting countries. The unfair competition is too strong to be fought by the agrarians of those countries whose governments are unable or unwilling to sufficiently protect their own people.

3.       The growth in average indicators of macroeconomic development often disguises enormous contrasts and negative tendancies in domains which threaten society with undersirable imbalances. Admiration of the seeming success of the reforms brings undeserved popularity to certain politicians and governments whose term of office is often shorter than the period necessary for the appearance of the actual results of their activities. People feel growing scepticism not only about the idea of a democratic Europe but also scepticism towards democracy in general because it is not capable of guaranteeing them equal access to the benefits of modern society.

4.       The Assembly therefore :

i.       realises the urgent need to put these processes under closer scrutiny ;

ii.       promotes in every possible way endogenous means to fight these processes ;

iii.       invites the European Union and governments to pay the greatest possible attention to the contrasts in human development which take us farther away from the Europe that recognises the ideals and common values of the Council of Europe.

Signed¹ :

Telgmaa, Estonia, EDG

Akçali, Turkey, EDG

Gül, Turkey, EDG

Janowski, Poland, EPP/CD

Jónsson, Iceland, EDG

Martelli, Italy, EDG

Newall, United Kingdom, EDG

Olrich, Iceland, EDG

Pesek, Czech Republic, EDG

Radic, Croatia, EPP/CD

Rastauskiene, Lithuania, EDG

Sinka, Latvia, EDG

Stepovà, Czech Republic, SOC

Sungur, Turkey, EDG

Tiuri, Finland, EDG

Turini, Italy, EDG

¹ SOC: Socialist Group

EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

EDG: European Democratic Group

LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

NR: not registered in a group