Declare significant the trade and cooperation agreement between

the EEC and Albania

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the report by the Committee on External

Economic Relations (A3-0073/92),

A. whereas on 23 September 1991 the Council adopted

guidelines for the negotiation of a trade and

cooperation agreement with Albania; whereas this

agreement was initialled in Brussels on 17 February

1992,

B. whereas there is an urgent need for the Community to

contribute with all means at its disposal to the

economic stability of Albania which is absolutely

essential for the harmonious political development of

the country,

C. having regard to the information supplied by the Council

and the Commission,

1. Recalls its resolution of 13 February 1992 on the

political rights of minorities in Albania, in particular

paragraphs 1 and 2;

2. Welcomes the negotiation of a trade and cooperation

agreement between the Community and Albania;

3. Stresses that, at the present time, direct aid to

Albania is absolutely essential to guarantee a minimum

standard of living for the population; however, in the

medium term, the development of economic relations

between the Community and Albania, particularly by means

of a considerable increase in trade and investment,

constitutes the most appropriate instrument for

supporting Albania's economic development;

4. Notes that, given the relatively small scale of the

Albanian economy, the Community can easily eliminate

quantitative restrictions on Albanian exports and grant

Albania most-favoured nation status, with a view, in

particular, to Albania's future membership of the GATT;

5. Identifies some potential for the development of the

Albanian economy, particularly in the tourism and mining

industries;

6. Notes that assistance from the Community and other

international bodies, above and beyond immediate

humanitarian aid, is urgently required in the following

sectors:

- introduction of new technologies

- training in all sectors of the economy (commerce,

banking, business) and public administration

- environmental protection, with particular reference to

afforestation

- funding of feasibility studies covering tourism

- infrastructure (transport, ports, etc.)

- sectoral schemes under the PHARE programme with

particular reference to agriculture and small and

medium-sized undertakings; this clearly implies an

increase in the budget for the PHARE programme

- cultural exchanges designed to bring an end to Albania's

long isolation and bring home to them their close links

with European culture;

7. Welcomes the proposals for economic and trade

cooperation that lay down a cooperation framework

similar to that established with the non-associated

countries of Central Europe;

8. Encourages and supports the efforts which the

neighbouring Community countries are making in this

respect;

9. Notes that the agreement should make reference to the

fact that the parties must uphold the principles of

democracy and protect human rights as laid down within

the framework of the CSCE;

10. Notes that, at such time as developments in Albania

allow, the conclusion of an association agreement

between the Community and Albania will provide

considerable aid for this country's economic development

and political stability;

11. Decides therefore to declare the agreement in question

significant within the meaning of the Stuttgart

Declaration on European Union of 19 June 1983 and Rule

34(1) of its Rules of Procedure;

12. Instructs its President to forward this decision to the

Commission, the Council, the Governments of the Member

States and the Albanian Government.