The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on Angola,

-  having regard to the resolutions of the UN Security Council,

-  having regard to the peace process launched by the UN,

-  having regard to the Bicesse peace accords and the Lusaka Protocol,

-  having regard to the joint position of the European Council adopted on 19 July 2000 in Santa Maria da Feira,

-  having regard to the declaration by the Swedish Presidency of 29 May 2001, and the statement by the General Affairs Council of 11 June 2001,

A.  appalled at the continuing civil war in Angola, which has now been going for over 20 years and has claimed thousands of victims,

B.  whereas, in spite of the country's significant natural resources, some of which have been used to finance the conflict, the population in Angola continues to live in conditions of abject poverty,

C.   concerned for international peace and security in the region,

D.  aware of the dreadful impact of this war on the country's civil society, human progress and economic development,

E.  whereas the humanitarian situation in Angola is steadily deteriorating,

F.  whereas peace and national reconciliation can only be guaranteed by peaceful means and never by seeking a military solution,

G.  whereas bodies representing civil society and the religious institutions operating in Angola in particular the Roman Catholic Church, have been working for peace for many years,

H.  whereas the international community has a duty to highlight and encourage all the independent civic efforts which Angolan civil society may make in a spirit of goodwill,

I.  having regard to the conclusions of the two experts" reports requested by the UN on the illegal exploitation of natural resources,

J.  whereas the European Union upholds the fundamental values of peace, respect for human rights and the dignity of the human person,

1.  Welcomes all initiatives, independently of their origin, which seek to bring peace throughout Angolan national territory;

2.  Endorses the basic approach of the Swedish Presidency's declaration on Angola of 29 May 2001 and the statement by the General Affairs Council of 11 June 2001;

3.  Believes that lasting peace and national reconciliation in Angola can only be achieved through peaceful political dialogue, with all forces, including civil society, which are genuinely interested in peace and stability, on the basis of the application of the Lusaka Protocol and the UN Security Council resolutions;

4.  Supports the role the churches and civil society are playing in promoting a culture of openness and dialogue;

5.  Condemns the way in which the war is being prolonged, which results in the death of defenceless citizens, violates basic human rights and damages economic and social conditions in Angola;

6.  Voices its concern that the fact there are currently some four million displaced people;

7.  Calls on the Council to improve the targeting of EU aid intended for those in most need in order to avoid a situation whereby EU funds end up encouraging corruption and abuse;

8.  Calls on the Commission to mobilise the necessary resources in order to provide humanitarian aid, and on the parties concerned to cooperate fully with the humanitarian organisations and to ensure the protection of their personnel;

9.  Urges both parties to respect international humanitarian law and to guarantee access to humanitarian aid to the civilians;

10.  Calls on both sides involved in the conflict to commit themselves to seeking a solution which will bring peace and hope for the people of Angola;

11.  Welcomes the recent statements by the President of Angola and the leader of UNITA, stating their readiness to commit themselves to a process leading to peace;

12.  Welcomes the Angolan Government's undertaking to hold free legislative elections in the second half of 2002;

13.  Considers that these elections should be preceded by a period of intense preparation aimed at developing the democratic culture necessary for the conduct of successful elections;

14.  Calls on the Commission and Council to take into consideration the conclusions of the expert reports called for by the UN on the illegal exploitation of natural resources;

15.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Angolan Government and National Assembly, the Organisation of African Unity, the Co-Presidents of the ACP/EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the United Nations Security Council.