Table of Contents:
Partnerships with countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Partnerships with countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Topics
These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.
External relations > Relations with third countries > Asia
Partnerships with countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
Document or Iniciative
Council Decisions 94/578/EC, 95/129/EC, 96/354/EC, 2001/332/EC and 2004/870/EC concerning the conclusion of the cooperation agreements between the European Community, of the one part, and of the other part, the Republic of India, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Kingdom of Nepal, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, respectively.
Summary
Between 1994 and 2004, the European Union (EU) concluded five similar cooperation agreements with five countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
These agreements aim to develop the cooperation ties between the partners, while ensuring a respect for human rights and promoting democratic principles.
The main cooperation objectives concern:
- trade, with the aim of increasing, diversifying and liberalising trade. Therefore, the parties must improve the opening up of their respective markets, and enhance their cooperation in customs matters in accordance with the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO);
- economy, in order to improve the business environment, dialogue between economic operators, information exchange, and entrepreneur training;
- sustainable development, specifically for social progress and combating poverty. The EU must support the progress of partners in the fields of health, education, improving the standard of living, and promoting the role of women in society;
- the development of human resources, vocational qualifications and the promotion of international standards on decent work;
- rural development, increasing trade in agricultural, fisheries and farmed products, including the improvement of sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
The Agreements also provide specific objectives depending on the different needs of the country for:
- scientific and technological cooperation, which should lead to improvements in the technical assistance with Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh’s quality and control standards, and the launching of joint research projects, the mobility of researchers, and exchanges of scientific information (particularly in the fields of bio-technology, new materials and geosciences) with India;
- environmental protection, particularly to support Pakistan and Nepal in natural resource management, erosion and deforestation; Bangladesh for reducing the risks of natural disasters; Sri Lanka for preventing industrial pollution, and India for drafting and implementing environmental legislation, research and training;
- improving the environment for private investment with India, Nepal and Sri Lanka;
- developing industry and services with India and Pakistan;
- protecting intellectual property rights with India and Sri Lanka;
- cooperation in the fields of information, culture and communications with Pakistan and Bangladesh;
- promoting the energy sector with India, Pakistan and Nepal, recognising the importance of the energy sector for their economic and social development;
- combating drug trafficking and money laundering, particularly with Pakistan and Bangladesh using special measures against the production and trafficking of drugs, and also the prevention of drug abuse;
- tourism with India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, particularly through studies and information exchange.
Context
SAARC is a regional cooperation organisation, established in 1985 in order to accelerate the economic and social development of its Member States. These Member States are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The EU has observer member status in the organisation, as does Burma/Myanmar, China, South Korea, the United States, Iran, Japan and Mauritius.
References
| Act | Entry into force | Deadline for transposition in the Member States | Official Journal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decision 94/578/EC Republic of India |
1.8.1994 |
– |
OJ L 223 of 27.8.1994 |
| Decision 95/129/EC the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
1.4.1995 |
– |
OJ L 85 of 19.4.1995 |
| Decision 2004/870/EC, Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
1.9.2004 |
– |
OJ L 378 of 23.12.2004 |
| Decision 2001/332/EC People’s Republic of Bangladesh |
1.3.2001 |
– |
OJ L 118 of 27.4.2001 |
| Decision 96/354/EC Kingdom of Nepal |
1.6.1996 |
– |
OJ L 137 of 8.6.1996 |
Related Acts
Communication concerning the entry into force, in trade between the European Community and the countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), of the provisions laid down in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1602/2000, concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ for the purpose of applying tariff preferences granted by the Community to certain products from developing countries (regional cumulation of origin)) [OJ C 265 of 15.9.2000].