The European Parliament,

- having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Moorhouse

and others on Community representation in Member States and

third countries (B3-13O4/9O),

- having regard to the report of the Committee on External

Economic Relations and the opinion of the Committee on

Development and Cooperation

(A3-0090/92),

A. whereas the Community is represented by Commission

delegations in 106 third countries

(44 delegations responsible to DG I)

(63 delegations responsible to DG VIII)

(4 press and information offices responsible to DG X)

B. whereas the number of delegations has risen exponentially,

since the first delegation in a third country was

established in 1964 to the international organizations in

Geneva,

C. whereas a 'Secretariat General Inspection' was established

in 1982 with a brief to examine and make recommendations

on all aspects of a Delegation's performance,

D. whereas the delegations cooperate with the missions of

Member States in third countries in various fields,

E. whereas the experience and local knowledge which accrues

in the delegations is clearly a resource which the

European Parliament would do well to exploit,

F. whereas the standing delegations of the European

Parliament to third countries visit these countries on a

regular basis,

G. whereas, in addition to the Community delegations, EC

experts are deployed in developing countries to implement

projects financed by the Community and whereas a

satisfactory development policy requires that these

experts should be available in the longer term in order to

guarantee the quality and success of the projects,

1. Takes the view that MEPs, before visiting a third country,

or when writing a report on a third country, should

consider contacting the Commission both for a briefing

from the relevant department in Brussels, and in order, in

the case of a visit, to lay on further briefings from the

delegation on arrival;

2. Considers that the Inspection should have the possibility

of reporting on an informal basis on its activities to the

appropriate committee, i.e. REX, Development or Foreign

Affairs;

3. Considers that it should be consulted about the

establishment of new delegations so that it may deliver

its opinion on the appropriateness of such a decision;

4. Proposes that the European Parliament delegations seek a

close, but not yet too formal link with the Commission

delegations in the respective country for the benefit of

mutual understanding;

5. Encourages the rapporteurs, as a matter of course, to seek

the informed help and guidance available in the

delegations when preparing reports on EC relations with

third countries;

6. Recommends that young, professionally qualified persons

should be given the opportunity to participate in EC

projects in developing countries for a number of years as

assistants to the experts, as is the case in the bilateral

development policy of a number of Member States and in

other international organizations such as the WHO, ILO and

FAO;

7. Recommends that, where appropriate, Community delegations

designate one official to liaise with the respective

national Parliament;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the

Council and the Commission.