The European Parliament,

A. concerned at the process of desertification in the Sahara which, over the last twenty years, has been advancing at a rate of 10 kilometres per year and is now burying Mauritania, one of the poorest countries in the world,

B. whereas the process of desertification has spread almost up to the river Senegal, buried the town of Chiguitti, a cultural centre of Islam, is threatening the capital, Nouakchott, has made the population flee from the bases exerting demographic pressures on the country's two cities, reduced annual rainfall from 150 mm to 50-60 mm, made it much more difficult to find waterholes, and made it necessary for the country to import 58% of its cereals and depend on international aid,

C. whereas, on the other hand, the Oasis project financed by the International Fund for Social and Economic Development is producing excellent results,

1. Calls on the Commission to provide technical and economic assistance with a view to participating in the operation that has an immediate effect on 5 000 hectares of oasis and 230 000 people and an indirect effect on many more;

2. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Governments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the Director-General of FAO and the President of the Republic of Mauritania.