A3-0050/94

Resolution on the political situation in Mongolia

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Melandri on the political situation in Mongolia (B3-0120/93),

-having regard to its opinion of 22 January 1993 on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of a trade and economic cooperation agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Mongolia,

-having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

-having delegated the power of decision pursuant to Rule 52 of its Rules of Procedure to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security,

-having regard to the report by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security (A3-0050/94),

A.whereas, from the early 1990s, when the Communist system was disintegrating in the Soviet Union, Mongolia embarked on reforms designed to ease the transition to democratic forms of government and a market economy,

B.recalling the result of the June 1993 presidential election, in which the defeat of the Communist Party (MPRP) candidate brought about the end of over 60 years of anti-democratic Communist rule and which was accompanied by terrible atrocities, notably the mass murder of Buddhists during the Stalinist period,

C.having regard to the severe economic hardship in Mongolia, where unemployment is high, inflation is running in three figures, income per caput is among the lowest in the world, and the infrastructure is rudimentary,

D.mindful of the emerging risks of famine and of the shortage of foodstuffs, medicines, and other basic necessities,

E.convinced that Mongolia has an important part to play in the Central Asia, both because of the large size of its territory and because of its inevitably close involvement with both China and Russia,

F.whereas the Mongolian Government has stated its determination to cultivate peaceful relations with its neighbours and take an active part in the work of the United Nations, its specialized bodies, and the Non-Aligned Movement,

G.recalling the criticisms it levelled at the substance of the trade and economic cooperation agreement between the Community and Mongolia, more especially where the modest trade opportunities were concerned,

1.Supports the reform process now under way, the difficulties of which are being exacerbated still further by the current dire state of the Mongolian economy;

2.Hopes that the last obstacles will be removed as soon as possible with the aim of protecting human rights and fostering a truly democratic society;

3.Considers that the international community should step up its aid to Mongolia both by increasing supplies of foodstuffs and medicines and by promoting a higher volume of direct investment;

4.Believes that Mongolia must establish closer cooperation with international financial institutions, for example the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank, and should also consider applying for membership of GATT;

5.Approves the steps being taken by the Commission to enable Mongolia likewise to benefit from the programmes already adopted to aid the former Soviet Union (for instance the Tacis programme) but feels that cultural relations should also be intensified so as to inject more vitality into relations between Mongolia and the Community;

6.Believes, further, that the Community should open up its markets more widely to Mongolian products, in particular by raising the quotas for textiles (for example cashmere), since an increase in exports is a key factor in Mongolia's economic development;

7.Is convinced that the Community should negotiate a partnership agreement with the Ulaanbaatar authorities, along the lines of the agreements now being concluded with the Central Asian republics of the former Soviet Union, since the attendant political dialogue could help to consolidate democratic institutions in Mongolia and strengthen stability in the region;

8.Believes that the process of forging closer institutional relations with the Mongolian People's Great Hural should be stepped up with a view to fostering contacts and exchanges of opinions on subjects of common interest; to this end, decides to include Mongolia among the countries with which the European Parliament delegations maintain normal relations based on dialogue and mutual visits, and is in favour of setting up a delegation for relations with Mongolia;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, and the Chairman of the Mongolian People's Great Hural.