6.9.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 2241 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 1567/2003 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 July 2003 on aid for policies and actions on reproductive and sexual health and rights in developing countries THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 179 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: 1 The Community is deeply concerned by the reproductive and sexual health conditions of women and men, in particular those aged 15 to 49, in developing countries. High maternal mortality and morbidity rates, the lack of a full range of safe and reliable reproductive and sexual health care and services, supplies and information, and the spread of HIV/AIDS undermine all efforts to eradi- cate poverty, enhance sustainable development, expand opportunities and safeguard livelihoods in developing countries. Individual freedom of choice for women, men and adolescents through adequate access to information, education and services in matters concerning their repro- ductive and sexual health and rights is a significant element of progress and development and requires action by governments as well as individual responsi- bility. The right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is a fundamental human right which is in line with the provisions of Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This right is being denied to over a fifth of the world's population. Article 35 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union calls for a high level of human health protection in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities. () O] C 151 E, 25.6.2002, p. 260. (%) Opinion of the European Parliament of 13 February 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the Council of 16 June 2003. () (10) The Community and its Member States uphold the right of individuals to decide freely on the number and spacing of their children; they condemn any violation of human rights in the form of compulsory abortion, compulsory sterilisation, infanticide, or the rejection, abandonment or abuse of unwanted children as a means of curbing population growth. Both the European Parliament and the Council have called for greater efforts by the Community in the area of reproductive and sexual health and rights in devel- oping countries. Article 25(1)(c) and (d) and Article 31(b)(iii) of the ACP- EU Partnership Agreement (*) signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 clearly aim to integrate strategies to improve access to basic social services. The Community and its Member States will continue to contribute greatly to the wider effort to support policies and programmes on reproductive and sexual health and rights in developing countries, and undertake to continue to play a leading role in this area, giving priority to health as part of a global strategy to fight poverty. The Community and its Member States are determined to make a full contribution towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals of reducing by three- quarters the rate of maternal mortality, achieving gender equality, and attaining access to sexual and reproductive health care and services worldwide. The Monterrey Conference stipulates that increased offi- cial development assistance (ODA) and debt relief schemes should be used for the benefit of better health and education outcomes and the EU has an important role to play in exploring how increased ODA could be used more effectively for improved sustainable develop- ment. () OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.