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(b) set up a mechanism to coordinate the national focal points for the following purposes: (i) exchanges of information and experience; (ii) coordination of activities at the subregional and regional levels; (iii) promotion of technical, scientific, technological and financial cooperation; (iv) identification of external cooperation requirements; and (v) follow-up and evaluation of the implementation of action programmes.

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2.Affected country Parties of the region shall hold periodic coordination meetings and the Permanent Secretariat may, at their request, pursuant to Article 23 of the Convention, facilitate the convocation of such coordination meetings, by: (a) providing advice on the organisation of effective coordination arrangements, drawing on experience from other such arrangements; (b) providing information to relevant bilateral and multilateral agencies concerning coordination meetings, and encouraging their active involvement; and (c) providing other information that may be relevant in establishing or improving coordination processes.
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ANNEX IV REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE NORTHERN MEDITERRANEAN

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Article 1Purpose

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The purpose of this Annex is to provide guidelines and arrangements necessary for the effective implementation of the Convention in affected country Parties of the northern Mediterranean region in the light of its particular conditions.

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Article 2Particular conditions of the northern Mediterranean region

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The particular conditions of the northern Mediterranean region referred to in Article 1 include: (a) semi-arid climatic conditions affecting large areas, seasonal droughts, very high rainfall variability and sudden and high-intensity rainfall; (b) poor and highly erodible soils, prone to develop surface crusts; (c) uneven relief with steep slopes and very diversified landscapes; (d) extensive forest coverage losses due to frequent wildfires; (e) crisis conditions in traditional agriculture with associated land abandonment and deterioration of soil and water conservation structures; (f) unsustainable exploitation of water resources leading to serious environmental damage, including chemical pollution, salinisation and exhaustion of aquifers; and (g) concentration of economic activity in coastal areas as a result of urban growth, industrial activities, tourism and irrigated agriculture.

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Article 3Strategic planning framework for sustainable development

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1.National action programmes shall be a central and integral part of the strategic planning framework for sustainable development of the affected country Parties of the northern Mediterranean.
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2.A consultative and participatory process, involving appropriate levels of government, local communities and non-governmental organisations, shall be undertaken to provide guidance on a strategy with flexible planning to allow maximum local participation, pursuant to Article 10(2)(f) of the Convention.
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Article 4Obligation to prepare national action programmes and

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timetable Affected country Parties of the northern Mediterranean region shall prepare national action programmes and, as appropriate, subregional, regional or joint action programmes. The preparation of such programmes shall be finalised as soon as practicable.

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Article 5Preparation and implementation of national action

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programmes In preparing and implementing national action programmes pursuant to Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention, each affected country Party of the region shall, as appropriate: (a) designate appropriate bodies responsible for the preparation, coordination and implementation of its programme; (b) involve affected populations, including local communities, in the elaboration, coordination and implementation of the programme through a locally driven consultative process, with the cooperation of local authorities and relevant non-governmental organisations; (c) survey the state of the environment in affected areas to assess the causes and consequences of desertification and to determine priority areas for action; (d) evaluate, with the participation of affected populations, past and current programmes in order to design a strategy and elaborate activities in the action programme; (e) prepare technical and financial programmes based on the information gained through the activities in subparagraphs (a) to (d); and (f) develop and utilise procedures and benchmarks for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the programme.

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Article 6Content of national action programmes

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Affected country Parties of the region may include, in their national action programmes, measures relating to: (a) legislative, institutional and administrative areas; (b) land use patterns, management of water resources, soil conservation, forestry, agricultural activities and pasture and range management; (c) management and conservation of wildlife and other forms of biological diversity; (d) protection against forest fires; (e) promotion of alternative livelihoods; and (f) research, training and public awareness.

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Article 7Subregional, regional and joint action programmes

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1.Affected country Parties of the region may, in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention, prepare and implement subregional and/or regional action programmes in order to complement and increase the efficiency of national action programmes. Two or more affected country Parties of the region, may similarly agree to prepare a joint action programme between or among them.
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2.The provisions of Articles 5 and 6 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the preparation and implementation of subregional, regional and joint action programmes. In addition, such programmes may include the conduct of research and development activities concerning selected ecosystems in affected areas.
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3.In preparing and implementing subregional, regional or joint action programmes, affected country Parties of the region shall, as appropriate: (a) identify, in cooperation with national institutions, national objectives relating to desertification which can better be met by such programmes and relevant activities which could be effectively carried out through them; (b) evaluate the operational capacities and activities of relevant regional, subregional and national institutions; and (c) assess existing programmes relating to desertification among Parties of the region and their relationship with national action programmes.
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Article 8Coordination of subregional, regional and joint action

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programmes Affected country Parties preparing a subregional, regional or joint action programme may establish a coordination committee composed of representatives of each affected country Party concerned to review progress in combating desertification, harmonise national action programmes, make recommendations at the various stages of preparation and implementation of the subregional, regional or joint action programme, and act as a focal point for the promotion and coordination of technical cooperation pursuant to Articles 16 to 19 of the Convention.

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Article 9Non-eligibility for financial assistance

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In implementing national, subregional, regional and joint action programmes, affected developed country Parties of the region are not eligible to receive financial assistance under this Convention.

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Article 10Coordination with other subregions and regions

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Subregional, regional and joint action programmes in the northern Mediterranean region may be prepared and implemented in collaboration with those of other subregions or regions, particularly with those of the subregion of Northern Africa.

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DECLARATION MADE BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 34(2) AND (3) OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION IN COUNTRIES SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY DROUGHT AND/OR DESERTIFICATION, PARTICULARLY IN AFRICA In accordance with the provisions of the Treaty establishing +the European Economic Community, as amended by the Single European Act and the Treaty on European Union, the Community is competent to adopt measures concerning the protection of the environment and in particular to combat desertification. The Community is also competent in the field of agriculture. It is competent to sign international agreements relating to such matters and to the field of development cooperation. It enjoys exclusive competence in the field of trade. The Community legislative acts and programmes listed below are illustrative of the Community's spheres of competence.

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The Community will in future be able to assume additional responsibilities by the adoption of legislative instruments or cooperation measures specifically designed to combat desertification.

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List of legislative acts and Community programmes contributing to combating desertification General instruments Resolution of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council of 1 February 1993 on a Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development (OJ C 138, 17.5.1993, p. 1).

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Communication from the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament concerning development cooperation policy in the run-up to 2000 (SEC(92) 915 final).

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Financial instruments Council Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88 of 19 December 1988 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards the European Regional Development Fund (OJ L 374, 31.12. 1988, p.

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15).
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Council Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88 of 19 December 1988 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), Guidance Section (OJ L 374, 31.12.1988, p. 25).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 443/92 of 25 February 1992 on financial and technical assistance to, and economic cooperation with, the developing countries in Asia and Latin America (OJ L 52, 27.2.1992, p. 1).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 1762/92 of 29 June 1992 on the implementation of the Protocols on financial and technical cooperation concluded by the Community with Mediterranean non-member countries (OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 1).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 1763/92 of 29 June 1992 concerning financial cooperation in respect of all Mediterranean non-member countries (OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 5).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 1973/92 of 21 May 1992 establishing a financial instrument for the environment (LIFE) (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 1).

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Council Regulation (EC) No 1164/94 of 16 May 1994 establishing a Cohesion Fund (OJ L 130, 25.5. 1994, p. 1).

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Council Regulation (EC) No 3062/95 of 20 December 1995 on operations to promote tropical forests (OJ L 327, 30.12.1995, p. 9).

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Decision of the Council and the Commission of 25 February 1991 on the conclusion of the fourth ACP-EEC Convention. Decision 91/400/ECSC, EEC (OJ L 229, 17.8.1991, p. 1).

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Commission communication in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 1973/92 of 21 May 1992 establishing a financial instrument for the environment (LIFE), relating to priority actions to be implemented in 1995 (OJ C 139, 21.5.1994, p. 3).

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Council Regulation (EC) No 722/97 of 22 April 1997 on environmental measures in developing countries in the context of sustainable development (OJ L 108, 25.4.1997, p. 1).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 1118/88 of 25 April 1988 concerning specific measures to encourage the development of agriculture in certain regions of Spain (OJ L 107, 28.4.1988, p. 3).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 1610/89 of 29 May 1989 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88 as regards the scheme to develop and optimally utilise woodlands in rural areas in the Community (OJ L 165, 15.6.1989, p. 3).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 of 18 December 1989 on economic aid to the Republic of Hungary and the Polish People's Republic (OJ L 375, 23.12.1989, p. 11).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 of 30 June 1992 on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside (OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 85).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 of 30 June 1992 instituting a Community aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture (OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 96).

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 of 23 July 1992 on protection of the Community's forests against fire (OJ L 217, 31.7.1992, p. 3).

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Research programmes Council Decision 89/625/EEC of 20 November 1989 adopting two specific research and development programmes in the field of the environment - STEP and Epoch (1989 to 1992) (OJ L 359, 8.12.1989, p.

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9).
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Council Decision 91/354/EEC of 7 June 1991 adopting a specific research and technological development programme in the field of the environment (1990 to 1994) (OJ L 192, 16.7.1991, p. 29).

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Council Decision 94/911/EC of 15 December 1994 adopting a specific programme of research and technological development, including demonstration, in the field of environment and climate (1994 to 1998) (OJ L 361, 31.12.1994, p. 1).

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