The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the consensus reached by the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 19 and 20 November 2007 on a 'Joint Statement by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission - the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid',

–   having regard to the draft Treaty of Lisbon, agreed at the European Council on 18-19 October 2007, which recognised humanitarian aid as an EU policy area in its own right,

–   having regard to its resolution of 14 November 2007 on a European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid(1),

–   having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

1.  Welcomes the fact that for the first time the Council, the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission have agreed to define a common vision, policy objectives and shared principles for the delivery of more effective EU humanitarian aid in third countries;

2.  Approves, therefore, the Joint Statement by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on European Union Humanitarian Aid - the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid;

3.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States.

(1) Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2007)0508.