30. 7. 97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 202/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1484/97 of 22 July 1997 on aid for population policies and programmes in the developing countries THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130w thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189c of the Treaty (%), (1) Whereas the capacity of most developing countries to achieve sustainable human development is hampered by many obstacles, one of them being the high rate of population growth; whereas these coun- tries have adopted national population programmes; (2) Whereas the International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in 1994 adopted a programme of action; (3) Whereas the Council, in its resolution of 11 November 1986 concerning population and de- velopment and that of 18 November 1992 concern- ing family planning and cooperation with the developing countries, recognized the urgent need to satisfy unmet demand for family-planning services, at the same time stressing the need to help the devel- oping countries implement broad-based population programmes encompassing all the different factors determining control over fertility; (4) Whereas the European Parliament hearing of 25 November 1993 highlighted the complex rela- () OJ No C 310, 22. 11. 1995, p. 13, and OJ No C 323, 29. 10. 1996, p. 7. ) %) Opinion of the European Parliament of 24 May 1996 (O] No C 166, 10. 6. 1996, p. 252), Council Common Position of 22 November 1996 (O] No C 6, 9. 1. 1997, p. 8) and Decision of the European Parliament of 13 March 1997 (O] No C 115, 14. 4. 1997, p. 133). ) (6) ) tionship between population and development; whereas, up to a point, population growth may promote economic development; whereas, however, the very high rates of growth observed in a number of developing countries make it impossible to satisfy the needs thus generated and to open up prospects for sustainable development, notably as far as the en- vironment is concerned; Whereas a more moderate demographic develop- ment would be promoted through the following: — a faijrer distribution of income among different groups in a society, — an economic policy which makes it possible for poor women and men to develop a diversified livelihood, — investments in infrastructure with importance to people’s health, such as clean water, improved sewerage systems and acceptable housing, — a health policy which improves the access to health services for the poor, and — improved access and quality for general educa- tion and training for women and girls; Whereas a number of developing countries have entered a phase of demographic transition character- ized by a significant reduction in the fertility rate, which points at a change in attitude conducive to a reduction in family size; whereas other developing countries have not entered this phase and should therefore receive special assistance; Whereas individual freedom of choice for women, men and, in particular, adolescents through adequate access to information and services in matters con- cerning their reproductive rights is a significant element of progress and development;