RESOLUTION of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Communities, meeting within the Council of 3 October 1984, on new forms of cooperation in the sphere of water (84/C 272/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

Whereas, in the resolution of 7 February 1983 (1) on an action programme of the European Communities on the environment (1982 to 1986), one of the priorities for action is cooperation with developing countries;

Whereas problems connected with the environment, and in particular those relating to drinking water resources, provide a focus for increased collaboration and practical solidarity with the developing countries,

Considering the efforts made in the framework of the Lomé Conventions and other cooperation agreements,

Referring to the objectives of the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1980 to 1990),

Note with satisfaction the appearance in certain Member States of new forms of cooperation with the developing countries which depend on voluntary local or regional initiatives, both public and private, for the implementation of specific projects on a limited scale, particularly concerning water,

Consider that, according to the procedures appropriate to the administrative structures and the internal provisions of each Member State, such initiatives should be encouraged,

Note the importance for their success of the availability of satisfactory information on experience gained from operations already carried out and on action planned,

Request the Commission to examine, taking into account national and international structures already established, how, as far as the Communities are concerned, existing capacity could be judiciously utilized to this end, e.g. in the form of arrangements for exchange of views and talks capable of improving the provision of information on experiments carried out and the listing and evaluation of projects,

Wish to receive a Commission report on this matter by the end of 1984. (1) OJ No C 46, 17.2.1983, p. 1.