Doc. 8769
13 June 2000

Setting up of an ad hoc committee on development and security matters in the Adriatic region

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Goulet and others

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

1.       On 20 May in Ancona, the Foreign Ministers of the six countries bordering the Adriatic and the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, in the presence of representatives of Montenegro, adopted the Ancona declaration.

2.       The declaration is of prime importance in view of its signatories and the significance of the Adriatic for the ecosystem and economic relations.

3.       The coastal states, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania, also have a key role to play in the success of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe to which the Council of Europe is contributing, as underscored at the colloquy held by the Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Economic Affairs and Development in Dubrovnik from 22 to 24 May 2000.

4.       The Adriatic basin is also at the centre of uncontrolled population movements and migration comparable to trafficking in human beings, which the Council of Europe vigorously combats.

5.       Lastly, the Adriatic is at the heart of trafficking of all sorts and is one of the most sensitive transit and infiltration points for all other countries in Europe.

6.       In other words, protecting the Adriatic basin is of interest to all Assembly committees (agriculture, environment, refugees, economic affairs, etc).

7.       The Council of Europe is the most appropriate forum for discussing these matters as the main countries involved are members of the organisation. One option would be to set up in the Assembly an ad hoc committee comprising members of the various committees.

8.       The Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       as part of the follow-up to the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe implemented by Recommendation 1423 (1999) on the economic reconstruction of south-eastern Europe, support the action undertaken in accordance with the Ancona Declaration of 20 May 2000;

ii.       seek out ways and means of co-operating with the authorities already responsible for these matters;

iii.       invite the governments of member states to protect and promote this region which is particularly sensitive for the whole of Europe.

Signed : ¹

Goulet, France, EDG

Aguiar, Portugal, EPP/CD

Brancati, Italy, SOC

Diaz de Mera, Spain, EPP/CD

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Ivanov, Bulgaria, EPP/CD

Iwinski, Poland, SOC

Luis, Portugal, SOC

Ouzky, Czech Republic, EDG

Polenta, Italy, EPP/CD

Tkac, Slovakia, EDG

Wilkinson, United Kingdom, 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