[asia-apec 1005] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT URGES AND SUPPORTS GRP-NDFP PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

[BAYAN]

NOTE: DOWNLOADED FROM THE NDF WEBSITE
 
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
Information Office

Press Release
14 January 1999

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT URGES AND SUPPORTS
GRP-NDFP PEACE NEGOTIATIONS


The European Parliament unanimously passed today (14 January, 1999 17:30H
CET) in Strasbourg a resolution in support of the peace negotiations
between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National
Democratic Front of the Philippines.

The resolution reads as follows:

The European Parliament,

A. reaffirming its resolution of 18 July 1997  on the Philippines
supporting peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the
Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines
(NDFP) within the framework of their Joint Declaration in  The Hague,

B. congratulating the aforesaid parties for their success in forging the
Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law, approved by the Philippine Government on 7 August 1998
and by the NDFP on 10 April 1998,

C. further congratulating the aforesaid parties for their success in
forging the Joint Agreement in Support of Socioeconomic Projects of Private
Development Organizations and Institutes and the Additional Rules
Implementing the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees
Pertinent to the Security of Personnel and Consultations in the Furtherance
of the Peace Negotiations,

D. welcoming all the expressions and acts of good intention of the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines and National Democratic Front
of the Philippines within their respective spheres of responsibility and in
accordance with international law and their common determination to
implement all their bilateral agreements and accelerate the progress of the
peace negotiations, 

E. encouraging and supporting all the common and separate efforts of the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic
Front of the Philippines to apply the International Bill of Rights and
International Humanitarian Law and pave the way for a just and lasting peace,

1. Urges the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National
Democratic Front of the Philippines to realize their mutual commitment to
accelerating the progress of their peace negotiations in Europe, forging
the comprehensive agreements on social and economic reforms and political
and constitutional reforms and achieving a just and lasting peace,

2. Continues to support all the bilateral agreements and
confidence-building measures that they have reached and undertaken in order
to create a favourable atmosphere for peace negotiations and to lay the
ground for a just and lasting peace,

3. Recognizes and appreciates all the acts of good intention of the Parties
and their common and separate efforts to adhere to and apply the principles
and instruments of respect for human rights and international humanitarian
law and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and
International Humanitarian Law,

4. Requests the Commission and Council to provide and facilitate support
and assistance to the Parties in carrying out their formal peace
negotiations, in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on
Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and in
undertaking development, relief and rehabilitation programmes,

5. Instructs the President to forward this Resolution to the Council, the
Commission, the governments of the Member States and the Government of the
Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the
Philippines.#