Industrial cooperation with other regions and third countries
The Council of EU Ministers has published the text of its resolution of 25 June 1996 on industrial cooperation with other regions and third countries, inter alia in the Mediterranean. The resolution welcomes the progress made in industrial cooperation with other regions and third countries as a means of strengthening the industrial competitiveness of the EU and the socio-economic development of those countries. In particular it welcomes progress in relations with the following countries and regions: - Central and Eastern Europe; - Former Yugoslavia; - Asia; - Latin America; - ACP states and southern Africa; - United States of America; - Japan. As regards the Mediterranean, the resolution expresses satisfaction at the progress made in recent discussions and stresses that the development of Euro-Mediterranean industrial policy should create an area of shared prosperity. The resolution calls on the Commission to step up its proceedings with a view to submitting communications and proposals on industrial cooperation with third countries and to submit a report every six months to the Council on action taken. The Council itself undertakes to organize a discussion, on the basis of the Commission's report, to evaluate the contribution of industrial cooperation to strengthening the competitiveness of European industry and to the socio-economic development of third countries.