Tag Archives: Aid

Towards a renewed Africa-EU partnership

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Towards a renewed Africa-EU partnership

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Towards a renewed Africa-EU partnership

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Development > African Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP)

Towards a renewed Africa-EU partnership

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 10 November 2010 on the consolidation of EU Africa relations 1.5 billion people, 80 countries, two continents, one future [COM(2010) 634 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The priorities of the Africa-EU partnership must be adapted to the new challenges of the next ten years. Enhanced relations between Africa and the European Union (EU) should in particular be beneficial for the sustainable and inclusive growth of the African continent.

Addressing common challenges together

The partners share common interests and objectives as regards:

  • achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – to do this they must build on the initiatives taken by African countries and pay particular attention to the more fragile countries and the most vulnerable population groups;
  • the peace and security process, monitoring of which must take place within the framework of the African Union and the UN, supported by regional mechanisms for conflict prevention;
  • promoting governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights, involving, in particular, civil society and the private sector;
  • defending common interests at international level and strengthening Africa’s position within international organisations;
  • combating climate change and environmental degradation, the sustainable management of natural resources, and disaster risk reduction.

A forward-looking vision

During the next ten years, cooperation and investment should contribute to instituting inclusive growth, promoting cooperation in terms of:

  • social cohesion, by extending social protection systems and good governance of the labour market;
  • developing accessible and reliable basic services and infrastructures, particularly in the energy, information and communication technologies, water and transport sectors;
  • skills, innovation and entrepreneurship, including education and training;
  • migration and mobility, to ensure legal migration related to the labour market, whilst monitoring the situation of vulnerable groups (such as refugees, asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors).

Cooperation should also enable the conditions for sustainable growth to be created, through:

  • regional integration, driving stability, growth and development, but also through increased trade and improved economic governance;
  • sustainable development and supply of raw materials, by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and respecting the environment;
  • increased agricultural production, particularly in favour of small-scale farmers, sustainable and ecologically efficient production;
  • energy efficiency and sustainable energies, identifying joint action timetables, investments and tax reforms.

Renewed partnership with Latin America

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Renewed partnership with Latin America

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Renewed partnership with Latin America

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External relations > Relations with third countries > Latin america

Renewed partnership with Latin America

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 30 September 2009 – The European Union and Latin America: Global Players in Partnership [COM(2009) 495 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The Commission presents a new strategy for deepening cooperation between the European Union and the countries of Latin America. The priorities of the previous stronger partnership must be renewed in view of the regional and global issues facing the continent.

These issues include the effects of the international economic crisis, fluctuations in food prices, climate change and the fight against crime. This new commitment also aims to increase the partners’ membership of international organisations.

The Commission presents a series of recommendations to be considered during the 2010 EU-Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Summit.

Bi-regional dialogue

Dialogue with LAC countries must be further strengthened, at strategic, political and sectoral levels. To this end, the Commission’s recommendations are to:

  • adopt policy action priorities during the LAC Summits, ensuring they are consistent with those defined during the Ministerial Meetings;
  • step up political dialogue on global issues, such as economic questions, security, human rights, the environment, climate change, energy, research and innovation;
  • develop cooperation and dialogue on combating drugs and managing migration;
  • open up the dialogue to all stakeholders involved in the fields of knowledge and innovation.

Regional integration and interconnectivity

The strategy supports the regional integration of the countries of Latin America, as a factor for sustainable development and growth. This can be achieved through:

  • sub-regional integration processes, as in the case of the countries of Central America and the Andean Community;
  • institutional initiatives at continent level such as the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR (ES)).

In addition, the creation of the Latin America Investment Facility (LAIF) shall enable interconnections and infrastructures to be developed. This financing should also support the development of businesses and the social and environmental sectors.

Bilateral dialogue and cooperation

The strategy also provides for a deepening of relations between the EU and each country in Latin America, particularly in areas of common interest. The Commission’s recommendations are to:

  • harness the potential of existing cooperation agreements;
  • conclude free trade agreements, specifically as part of trade negotiations with Chile and Mexico;
  • support regional groupings between countries in Latin America.

Cooperation programmes

Cooperation actions are partly carried out under European development policies. Tackling poverty and sustainable development remain priority objectives. The strategy also encourages different types of cooperation.

In this regard, the Commission’s recommendations are to:

  • carry out actions which promote low-carbon, sustainable growth, employment and better income distribution and to mitigate the effects of the crisis;
  • assess the potential of cooperation instruments, such as the Financing Instrument for Development Cooperation (DCI) or the financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries and territories (ICI);
  • encourage cooperation in the field of social cohesion, particularly through the EUROsociAL Programme, and in the fields of justice, freedom and security.

Related Acts

Madrid Declaration , Sixth EU-LAC Summit, Madrid, Spain, 18 May 2010.

DG ECHO: Annual Report 2005

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DG ECHO: Annual Report 2005

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about DG ECHO: Annual Report 2005

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Humanitarian aid

DG ECHO: Annual Report 2005

Document or Iniciative

Report from the Commission of 4 August 2006 – Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO): Annual Report 2005 [COM(2006) 441 final – Not yet published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Main interventions

In 2005, DG ECHO allocated a total of 652.5 million,. of which, 629.33 million was financed from the Commission’s budget and the rest was drawn from the European Development Fund (EDF). African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States were the biggest recipients of aid, followed closely by Asia.

The most important actions in the ACP countries took place in Sudan (Darfur crisis), the Democratic Republic of Congo, Coastal West Africa (Guinea, Liberia and Ivory Coast), Niger and Mali. In Latin America, ECHO’s activity focused on the populations affected by the violence in Colombia. In the Mediterranean and the Middle East, ECHO continued to provide financial assistance to the Palestinian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, and to Sahrawi refugees in Algeria. In Asia, most aid went to the countries hit by the tsunami in December 2004 (Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives and Thailand) and to Pakistan and India, which were struck by a devastating earthquake in October 2005.

ECHO continued to pay particular attention to forgotten crises *, notably in Algeria (Western Sahara), Indonesia, Myanmar/Thailand, Nepal, the Northern Caucasus (Chechnya), Tajikistan, Somalia and Uganda. It also strove, wherever possible, for an exit from humanitarian aid and a transition towards development activities, notably in Angola, Tajikistan and Cambodia.

With regard to disaster preparedness activities, action plans were adopted in the context of the DIPECHO programme for the Andean Community, Central Asia, South Asia and the Caribbean, regions chosen because of their high risk of natural disasters, the high vulnerability of their populations, and their lack of local resources and coping capacities.

To implement its operations, ECHO relied on some 200 partners in the field, most of them NGOs (54 %), UN agencies (32 %) and other international organisations (11 %).

Relations with other actors

During 2005 ECHO provided input to the discussions on reforming the international humanitarian aid system that were launched in the wake of the experience of crises like the tsunami and the earthquake in Pakistan. In this context, the United Nations endorsed a reform programme aimed at improving the predictability, timeliness and effectiveness of the humanitarian response, strengthening coordination and ensuring predictable funding.

DG ECHO continued to follow the work of the Good Humanitarian Donorship Initiative – GDH, among other things by participating in the meeting held to take stock of the progress made in the two years since the adoption of the initiative in 2003.

ECHO also continued to support the institutional capacities of the main international humanitarian agencies through thematic funding programmes, e.g. WHO’s capacity to respond to health emergencies.

Other activities

In order to boost its disaster response capacity, ECHO increased the number of experts in the field in 2005 and reinforced its Regional Support Offices. It also helped shape EC communications in this sector.

During the course of the year ECHO continued to develop policy guidelines on children affected by humanitarian crises and on water and sanitation in emergency situations. It also looked into ways to help NGOs ensure the safety of their field staff, through a follow-up security review to that completed in 2004.

Regarding its communication strategy, ECHO continued to use the mass media to inform wide audiences about its mission and activities, and also launched a pilot awareness-raising campaign in the Czech Republic.

Finally, ECHO conducted 142 financial audits at the headquarters of humanitarian organisations and 24 operational audits in the field or in their offices. It also conducted evaluations of its own operations, in the framework of its partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Key terms used in the act
  • Forgotten crises: Crises that receive little or no media attention and whose victims receive relatively little or no international assistance.
Key figures given in the act
  • Total aid allocated in 2005: 652.5 million.
  • Main aid recipients: ACP countries (244.2 million / 37 %), Asia (239.25 million / 37 %) and Russia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East (84 million / 13 %).
  • Aid to areas with the greatest needs (according to the GNA classification): 312 million (48 %).
  • Aid to medium-need areas: 136.8 million (21 %).
  • Aid to low-need areas (“pockets of need”): 6.9 million (1 %).
  • Balance (196.6 million / 30 %): allocated to tsunami response activities, disaster preparedness activities (the DIPECHO programme), thematic funding, and technical assistance and support expenditure.

DG ECHO: Annual Report 2006

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DG ECHO: Annual Report 2006

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about DG ECHO: Annual Report 2006

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Humanitarian aid

DG ECHO: Annual Report 2006

Document or Iniciative

Report from the Commission of 29 September 2006 – Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid (DG ECHO): Annual Report 2006 [COM(2006) 555 final – Not yet published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Main interventions

In 2006 DG ECHO allocated a total budget of 671 million, the main recipients being African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, followed by Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the New Independent States.

The most important actions in the ACP countries took place in Sudan (worsening of the Darfur crisis), Northern Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia. In the Mediterranean and the Middle East, DG ECHO provided assistance to victims of the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and continued to help Palestinian refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon as well as the most vulnerable populations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In Asia, DG ECHO’s activity focused primarily on the Thai-Burma border (Burmese refugees) and on providing assistance to Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran. In Latin America, DG ECHO again provided assistance to populations affected by the violence in Colombia.

As always, DG ECHO continued to pay particular attention to forgotten crises *, using a method of analysis based on both quantitative and qualitative factors. The forgotten crises identified in 2006 were Algeria (Western Sahara), Myanmar, Nepal, Chechnya and India (Kashmir).

With regard to disaster preparedness activities, DG ECHO reinforced its institutional resources to facilitate mainstreaming disaster preparedness in humanitarian relief and rehabilitation programmes. It also allocated 10 million for pastoralist populations in the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda), to help them prepare for drought.

DG ECHO also continued to support programmes to reinforce the institutional capacities of the main international humanitarian agencies, e.g. the refugee registration programme operated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

To implement its operations, DG ECHO relied on some 200 partners in the field, most of them NGOs (54%), UN agencies (32%) and other international organisations (11%).

Financial Perspectives 2000-2006 – Financial Perspectives for 2007-2013

The report found that over the period 2000-2006:

  • the humanitarian aid budget was kept a quite stable and minimal amount, which meant that DG ECHO had to seek reinforcement every year, mainly through use of the Emergency Aid Reserve;
  • the funds allocated to the different regions varied sharply from year to year, reflecting the short-term orientation of DG ECHO’s interventions;
  • the relative share of funds allocated to the ACP States increased over the period, and by 2006 accounted for nearly half the DG’s total budget, the sole exception being in 2005, when Asia received the lion’s share of funding, on account of the tsunami and the earthquake in Kashmir.

For the period 2007-2013, the integration of food aid and aid to uprooted people will enable DG ECHO to manage all humanitarian activities through a single instrument. In the context of linkage between relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD), this will facilitate the transition from food aid to food security.

Other activities

The report underlines the significant change in the international humanitarian situation. On the one hand, the extent and number of natural disasters have increased, and conflicts last longer and are more destructive. On the other hand, there are new actors on the humanitarian aid stage, including non-traditional donors (companies and States) and the civil protection services and armed forces of the Member States. In this context, the EC launched a consultation between its partners and the Member States to strengthen the effectiveness and coordination of EU policies in the field of humanitarian aid. The results of this process fed into a Communication defining a European Consensus on the principles and best practice of humanitarian action.

In 2006 DG ECHO refined its methodology for assessing global humanitarian needs, splitting the GNA into vulnerability and crisis indicators for the 140 developing countries considered, on the basis of factors such as human development, malnutrition and natural disaster risk.

As regards its strategy for reinforcing the EU’s response capacity in the event of disasters and crises in third countries, DG ECHO increased the number of experts in the field and further improved its operational and contractual procedures.

DG ECHO also continued to pursue its communication and information strategy and to develop its security and safety policy for staff engaged in the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Key terms used in the act
  • Forgotten crises: Crises that receive little or no media attention and whose victims receive relatively little or no international assistance.
Key figures given in the act
  • Total aid allocated in 2006: 671 million.
  • Main aid recipients: ACP countries (322 million / 48%), Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the New Independent States (177.9 million / 27%), Latin America and Asia (105.5 million / 16%).

Financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries and territories

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Financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries and territories

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries and territories

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

External relations > Relations with third countries > Asia

Financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries and territories (2007-2013)

Document or Iniciative

Council Regulation (EC) No 1934/2006 of 21 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries and territories

Summary

For the past decade, the European Union (EU) has been strengthening its bilateral relations with industrialised and other high-income countries and territories, especially in North America, East Asia, South-East Asia and the Gulf region.

This Regulation aims to further strengthen the EU’s relations with these countries, thereby consolidating multilateral institutions, contributing to balance and development of the world economy and the international system, and strengthening the EU’s role and place in the world.

Furthermore, these relations have developed to embrace a widening array of subjects. Nevertheless, they could be further deepened in areas in which the EU and the industrialised and other high-income countries and territories have mutual interests. This necessity was recognised by the EU and these countries. In this context, the financing instrument for cooperation for the period 2007-2013 aims to consolidate cooperation between the EU and the partner countries.

Nature of the financing instrument for cooperation

This instrument supports all forms of cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries and territories for which the EU is competent, whether bilateral, regional or multilateral. It focuses in particular on economic, financial and technical cooperation. The objective of the instrument is primarily:

  • the promotion of cooperation, partnerships and joint undertakings between economic, academic and scientific actors of both parties;
  • the stimulation of bilateral trade, investment flows and economic partnerships;
  • the promotion of dialogues between political, economic and social actors of both parties;
  • the promotion of people-to-people links, education and training programmes;
  • the promotion of cooperative projects in areas such as research, science and technology, energy, transport and environmental matters and any other matter of mutual interest between the Community and the partner countries;
  • the enhancement of awareness about and understanding of the EU and of its visibility in partner countries.

This instrument also seeks to promote, through dialogue and cooperation, commitment in partner countries to the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, on which the EU is founded.

It should in this way foster a more favourable environment for the development of the relations between the EU and the countries concerned and promote dialogue.

The instrument covers industrialised and other high-income countries and territories which share similar political, economic and institutional structures and values to the EU. The relations between these countries and the EU are already important. In addition, these countries are often key players in multilateral bodies.

The countries concerned are Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Macao, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. The list of these countries, which is set out in the Annex to the Regulation, may be amended, in particular on the basis of the changes made by the OECD Development Assistance Committee to its own list.

Nevertheless, in order to foster regional cooperation, countries not listed in the Annex may also benefit from financing under this Regulation where the operation concerned is of a regional or cross-border nature.

The implementation of the instrument must also be coherent with the external action of the EU.

Management and implementation

The financing instrument for cooperation is based on multiannual cooperation programmes, which set out the Community’s strategic interests and priorities, the general objectives and the expected results. They also set out the areas to receive financing by the Community and the indicative financial allocation of funds for the priority areas and partner countries. These programmes may not exceed the period of validity of this Regulation and are reviewed at mid-term or ad hoc, if necessary.

Annual action programmes are adopted by the Commission based on multiannual cooperation programmes. The annual action programmes define the objectives pursued, the fields of intervention, the expected results, the management procedures and the total amount of financing planned. They also describe the operations to be financed and indicate the amounts allocated.

The entities eligible for funding include the following:

  • partner countries and their regions, institutions and decentralised bodies;
  • international and regional organisations, if they contribute to the objectives of this Regulation;
  • joint bodies set up by the partner countries and regions and the Community;
  • EU agencies.

The aid granted under the instrument may take the following forms:

  • grant agreements, including scholarships;
  • procurement contracts;
  • employment contracts;
  • financing agreements.

The cooperation programmes will be financed by the general budget of the EU, either in totality or in the form of co-financing. This co-financing can be undertaken in particular with the following entities:

  • Member States, their regional and local authorities and their public and parastatal agencies;
  • partner countries and their public and parastatal agencies;
  • international and regional organisations, including international and regional financial institutions;
  • companies, firms, other private organisations and businesses;
  • partner countries in receipt of funding and other bodies eligible for funding.

The management of this instrument must meet the requirements of the protection of the Community’s financial interests. For this purpose, the Commission and the Court of Auditors may perform ex-ante and ex-post document audits or on-the-spot audits of any contractor or subcontractor who has received Community funds.

The Commission performs regular evaluations of the programmes financed and formulates recommendations with a view to improving future operations. It also presents an annual report, describing the results of the implementation of the budget and the actions and programmes financed and their outcomes, to the European Parliament and the Council.

The Commission will submit a report covering the first three years of the implementation not later than 31 December 2010. Amendments are to be proposed to this Regulation, if necessary.

The Commission is assisted in its work by a committee.

The instrument is allocated a budget of EUR 172 million for the period 2007-2013.

This Regulation repeals Regulation (EC) No 382/2001 concerning the implementation of projects promoting cooperation and commercial relations between the EU and the industrialised countries of North America, the Far East and Australasia.

References

Act Entry into force – Date of expiry Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 1934/2006 [adoption : CNS/2006/0807] 31.12.2006 – 31.12.2013 – JO L 405, 30.12.2006

European initiative for democracy and human rights

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European initiative for democracy and human rights

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about European initiative for democracy and human rights

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Human rights > Human rights in non-EU countries

European initiative for democracy and human rights (EIDHR) (2000-2006)

Following the expiry of Council Regulations Nos 975/1999 (developing countries) and 976/1999 (other third countries), which served as the legal basis for the activities carried out under the initiative, this initiative was replaced by the financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide from 1 January 2007.

Background

Created by an initiative of the European Parliament in 1994, the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) grouped together the budget headings for the promotion of human rights, democratisation and conflict prevention, which generally had to be implemented in partnership with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international organisations.

Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) reaffirms that the European Union (EU) “is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to the Member States”. Article 49 of the TEU stresses that respect for these principles is also required of those countries wishing to join the European Union. In addition, Article 7 introduces a mechanism designed to punish serious and persistent violations of human rights by EU Member States. This mechanism was further strengthened by the Treaty of Nice, concluded in December 2000. It also extended the objective of promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms to development cooperation and to all other forms of cooperation with third countries in accordance with Articles 177 to 181 of the Treaty establishing the European Communities (EC Treaty).

Articles 179 and 308 of this Treaty made it possible to create a legal basis for all the EU’s human rights and democratisation activities, which were further strengthened in 2000 by the solemn declaration of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which now guides the EU’s external relations.

The EIDHR provided added value in relation to the other Community instruments in that it complemented the Community programmes carried out with governments such as the EDF, TACIS, ALA, MEDA, CARDS, PHARE and the rapid reaction mechanism (RRM), and because it could be implemented with different partners, particularly NGOs and international organisations. It could also be used without host government consent or where leading Community programmes were not available for other reasons, such as their suspension. In addition, it complemented the objectives of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

Thematic priorities

In May 2001, the Commission adopted a communication on the EU’s role in promoting human rights and democratisation in third countries, in which it provides for the development of a coherent strategy and one more oriented towards a certain number of thematic priorities and “target countries” for human rights measures. The new approach has been developed in collaboration with several Directorates-General. The Member States, the European Parliament and NGOs are also involved in its implementation.

In 2005-2006, four thematic campaigns were launched each covering a limited number of specific priorities, as follows:

  • promoting justice and the rule of law
    The measures financed concerned the effective functioning of the International Criminal Court and other international criminal tribunals, abolition of the death penalty and reinforcement of the international mechanisms for the defence of human rights;
  • fostering a culture of human rights
    The funds distributed were used, among other purposes, for the enhancement of civil society organisations in the field of defence of the rights of vulnerable groups, the promotion of international instruments in this field and the fight against torture;
  • promoting the democratic process
    The funds were used to promote democratic electoral processes and to enhance a basis for democratic dialogue in civil society;
  • advancing equality, tolerance and peace
    The measures financed concerned equal rights and equal treatment of individuals, including people belonging to minorities, respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and the commitment of civil society to conflict prevention and resolution.

There were two cross-cutting issues in addition to the thematic priorities: promoting gender equality and the rights of the child.

Delivery

Each region and the eligible countries in that region were the target for two of the four thematic campaigns, except in exceptional cases.

In each campaign, a series of coherent projects were selected. Global projects covered one or more priorities in two or more eligible regions, regional projects covered one or more priorities in one eligible region and national projects covered one or more priorities in one eligible country.

The programming was based on two types of project:

  • macro-projects, i.e. global and regional projects for which minimum aid of 300 000 was granted for the candidates installed in EU territory and a minimum of 150 000 for candidates in the target region or country covered by the project;
  • micro-projects supporting small-scale activities at national level with an aid volume of between 10 000 and 100 000. They could be submitted only by civil society organisations in eligible countries, although these organisations could work in association with EU NGOs.

The budget for the period 2005-2006 was 106 million per year, broken down as follows: 93 % for campaigns (48 % for macro-projects, 32 % for micro-projects and 13 % for election observation activities) and 7 % for unforeseen events.

These campaigns were implemented through calls for proposals for the macro- and micro-projects. Cooperation was encouraged between the EU civil society organisations and those of the eligible countries.

Unlike in previous years, implementation through targeted projects had become the exception. These projects could be submitted by national or international agencies such as the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) or the African Union (AU).

Keeping Europe's promises on Financing for Development

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Keeping Europe’s promises on Financing for Development

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Keeping Europe’s promises on Financing for Development

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Development > General development framework

Keeping Europe’s promises on Financing for Development

Document or Iniciative

Annual report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 4 April 2007, Keeping Europe’s promises on Financing for Development [COM(2007) 164 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

This is the fifth annual report from the European Commission on EU progress towards implementing the commitments agreed in 2002 and renewed in 2005 regarding financing for development. These aim to contribute to achieving the millennium development goals (MDG).

The EU is the biggest aid donor in the world and its participation in official development assistance (ODA) is constantly growing. The EU ODA results exceeded expectations in 2006, amounting to EUR 48 billion, which represents an ODA/GNI (gross national income) ratio of 0.42 % and exceeds the target of 0.39 % set for 2006. Despite these very positive results overall, the Commission calls on the Member States which did not meet their individual ODA targets to step up their efforts and asks all the EU countries to mobilise more programmable funds. Some Member States achieved high levels of OPA, notably through debt cancellation for poor countries, but the Commission stresses that such operations are undertaken only once and must be replaced by more stable and predictable development assistance.

As regards the beneficiaries of the assistance, the Member States of the EU-15 already allocate at least 0.15 % of their GNI to the least-developed countries (LDC) or intend to reach this level of assistance by 2010. Almost half the EU aid is intended for Africa. In addition, the EU has decided to allocate over half the aid promised on top of the ODA volumes each year to the continent of Africa.

Despite this overall progress, constant efforts have to be made in order:

  • to guarantee the long-term predictability of aid flows by establishing national timetables by the end of 2007 so as to ensure gradually rising aid levels year-on-year;
  • to ensure the participation of all Member Stats in the effort needed to achieve the 2010 objective;
  • to ensure that the increase in the volumes of ODA are permanent and the results of budgetary efforts real on the part of the Member States;
  • to strengthen the ODA reporting capacities and methodology of Member States to guarantee the comparability of volumes of aid;
  • to facilitate the effective and efficient use of aid volumes. To this end, EU donors should examine their structures and their operative and aid modalities. This process needs to include in particular national plans to strengthen capacity to scale up ODA and the speedy application of the forthcoming Code of Conduct on Division of Labour amongst EU donors.

Some Member States have implemented innovative sources of financing (such as the airline ticket tax for an International Drug Purchasing Facility – UNITAID, and the International Finance Facility for Immunisation – IFFIm) in favour of developing countries. These are stable and predictable sources of finance and lock in long-term budgetary commitments. Nevertheless, they cannot be a substitute for ODA.

As far as the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) are concerned, the Commission encourages Member States, in the appropriate international forums, to promote responsible lending and borrowing. This should encompass improved debt management of the developing countries and the promotion of dialogue with the new lenders. In fact, the multilateral debt relief initiative cancels the debt to the International Development Association (IDA), the African Development Fund and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but does not cover the outstanding loans from other regional development banks.

As far as the aid effectiveness is concerned, most of the objectives set out in the action plan ” Deliver more, better, faster ” are under way:

  • the joint multi-annual strategic planning has already been implemented in all the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, where the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) has enabled joint programming with other donors in the field;
  • following the success of the first edition in November 2006, European Development Days will be held every year.

The following actions have been taken:

  • the adoption of a Code of Conduct on the divison of labour among EU debtors
  • a revised EU Donor Atlas, including the first regional (West Africa) and country (Mozambique) editions;
  • EU Roadmap on the harmonisation of aid;
  • the removal of all the obstacles to co-financing.

In 2006 initiatives designed to increase the resilience of developing countries to external economic shocks (price vulnerability) and natural events (disasters, climate change and pandemics) have been drawn up and implemented. However, Member States paid little attention to them and progress is limited. To improve this situation, the Commission suggests certain measures to Member States, such as:

  • a common EU approach to disaster prevention and preparedness;
  • strengthening support for developing new instruments and methods to reduce adverse effects of external shocks on developing countries;
  • active participation in the International Task Force on Commodity Risk Management.

As regards untying aid, the EU has made more progress than other international donors. However, the Commission encourages Member States to untie all their aid. In 2006 the Community untying regulations were translated into the new financial cooperation instruments under the EC budget.

The Commission stresses the need to improve EU coordination within the international financial institutions (IFI) through increased dialogue and information sharing, whilst recognising the progress made in this field. It also proposes to reinforce the European voice within the IFI, while at the same time enhancing the voice of developing countries.

The EU confirms support for global public goods (GPG) and has made notable progress towards enhancing the supply of priority GPG, for example in health and environmental matters. Nevertheless, its actions will not be linked to the recommendations of the International Task Force, although it continues to take on the “responsible leadership” role.

Background

In 2005 the Commission gave fresh impetus to the EU development policy with the adoption of a Development Policy Framework 2006-2010. It takes stock of whether the commitments entered into are being met by adopting a package of measures comprising this Communication and two others (please see ‘Related Acts’).

Key figures in the act
  • EU ODA in 2006: EUR 48 billion.
  • EU ODA/GNI ratio in 2006: 0.42 % (target: 0.39 %).
  • The most generous donor Member States: Sweden (which allocates 1 % of its GNI to aid), Luxembourg (0.89 %), the Netherlands (0.81 %) and Denmark (0.80 %).
  • The EU-15 Member States allocating the least: Greece (0.16 %), Italy (0.20 %) and Portugal (0.21 %).
  • The new Member States (EU-10) have doubled their ODA since their accession.

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions From Monterrey to the European Consensus on Development: honouring our commitments [COMM(2007) 158 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

This political Communication introduces the two Specific Communications “Keeping Europe’s promises on Financing for Development” and “Towards an EU Aid for Trade strategy – the Commission’s contribution”.

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled ” Towards an EU Aid for Trade strategy – The Commission’s contribution ” [COM(2007) 163 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Code of Conduct on Complementarity and the Division of Labour in Development Policy

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Code of Conduct on Complementarity and the Division of Labour in Development Policy

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Code of Conduct on Complementarity and the Division of Labour in Development Policy

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Development > General development framework

Code of Conduct on Complementarity and the Division of Labour in Development Policy

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament of 28 February 2007 entitled “EU Code of Conduct on Division of Labour in Development Policy” [COM(2007) 72 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The present Communication proposes a Code of Conduct to enhance complementarity and the division of labour amongst EU donors (Union and Member States) in developing countries. The Code of Conduct was adopted on 15 May 2007 by the General Affairs and External Relations Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States meeting within the Council. On that occasion, the Council amended certain points of the Commission proposal, in particular adding an eleventh principle to the ten principles proposed.

Donors frequently concentrate on the same countries and the same sectors. This leads to a significant administrative burden and high transaction costs in the beneficiary countries, diffuses policy dialogue, reduces transparency and increases the risk of corruption. Some countries, on the other hand, are almost ignored by donors.

The Code of Conduct defines the operational principles of complementarity in the field of development cooperation. In the absence of an internationally recognised definition of complementarity, the Commission defines it as the optimal division of labour between various actors in order to achieve optimum use of human and financial resources. This implies that each actor focuses its assistance on areas where it can add most value, given what others are doing.

The Code is based on good practices from the field and was drafted in collaboration with Member States’ experts. It builds on the principles contained in the Paris Declaration on the effectiveness of development aid (ownership, alignment, harmonisation, management by results and mutual responsibility ) and on the complementary objectives and values stressed in the European Consensus.

The Code proposes broad guidelines which establish the principles of complementarity in development aid. In particular, the Code consists of eleven guiding principles:

  • concentrate the activities on a limited number of national sectors (focal sectors). EU donors should confine their assistance in a partner country to two sectors in which they offer the best comparative advantage, as recognised by the government of the partner country and the other donors. Apart from these two sectors, donors can provide budget support and finance programmes relating to civil society, research and education;
  • redeploy into other activities in-country (non-focal sectors). As regards the non-focal sectors, donors should either remain committed through a delegated cooperation/partnership agreement * redeploy the resources becoming available in general budget support or exit from the sector in a responsible manner;
  • encourage the establishment, in each priority sector, of a lead donorship arrangement responsible for coordination between all the donors in the sector, with a view to reducing the transaction costs;
  • encourage the establishment of delegated cooperation/partnership arrangements through which a donor has the power to act on behalf of other donors concerning the administration of funds and dialogue with the partner government on the policy to be implemented in the sector concerned;
  • ensure appropriate support in the strategic sectors. At least one donor should be actively involved in each sector considered relevant for poverty reduction. In addition, there should be a maximum of three to five active donors for each sector;
  • replicate this division of labour at regional level through the application of the principles of the in-country division of labour in cooperation with the partner regional bodies;
  • designate a limited number of priority countries for each donor through dialogue within the EU;
  • grant adequate funding to the countries which are overlooked as far as aid is concerned and which are often fragile countries whose stabilisation would have positive repercussions for the region as a whole;
  • analyse and expand areas of strength: the EU donors should deepen the evaluations of their comparative advantages with a view to greater specialisation;
  • pursue progress on other aspects of complementarity, such as its vertical * and cross-modality/instruments dimensions;
  • deepen the reforms of the aid systems: the changes suggested by the Code require reforms of a structural nature and in terms of human resources.

The Commission believes that this Code of Conduct will enable the Union to play a driving role on matters of complementarity and the division of labour as part of the international harmonisation and alignment process (Paris Declaration).

Successful implementation will largely depend on the role of the Commission delegations and Member States’ field offices. In addition, its implementation is to be the subject of annual monitoring based on sampling of relevant country cases, a revised EU Donor Atlas and the Development Report.

The Code of Conduct is an ongoing document; it is to be reviewed regularly on the basis of the lessons learned from its implementation and the monitoring of the results.

Background

The objective of promoting the division of labour in EU development policy is not new. In 1995 and 1999, the Council had already adopted Resolutions on complementarity between the Community development cooperation policy and the policies of Member States. Then the Statement on Development Policy of November 2000 was an attempt to achieve operational complementarity between the Commission and the Member States on the basis of areas of added value for Community assistance. However, this approach gave rise to political and operational difficulties. In 2004 the EU decided to draw up an operational strategy towards complementarity the result of which is the present Communication. In addition, this commitment to enhanced complementarity has become a central element of the European Consensus and the Aid Effectiveness Action Plan.

Key terms used in the act
  • In-country complementarity: ensure balanced funding between all the sectors, transcending their political interest.
  • Cross-country complementarity: ensure that the EU has an overall, more regular presence in all the developing countries, by correcting the current imbalance arising from the fact that too many donors concentrate their efforts on certain efficient countries, often disregarding fragile countries.
  • Delegated cooperation: a practical arrangement where one donor (a “lead” donor) acts with authority on behalf of one or more other donors (the “delegating” donors or “silent partners”). The practical implementation modalities are defined between leading and delegating donors.
  • Vertical complementarity: ensuring synergies between similar activities in several areas undertaken at national, regional or international level.

Towards an EU Aid for Trade strategy

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Towards an EU Aid for Trade strategy

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Towards an EU Aid for Trade strategy

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

External trade

Towards an EU Aid for Trade strategy

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled “Towards an EU Aid for Trade strategy – the Commission’s contribution” [COM(2007) 163 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Trade is an important catalyst for growth and poverty reduction in developing countries. But successful integration of developing countries into world trade requires more than better market access and strengthened international trade rules. In order to fully exploit the benefits from trade, developing countries also need to remove supply-side constraints and address structural weaknesses. This includes domestic reforms in trade-related policies, trade facilitation, enhancement of customs capacities, upgrading of infrastructure, enhancement of productive capacities and building of domestic and regional markets. Complementary efforts are required in areas such as macroeconomic stability, fiscal reforms, promotion of investment, labour policy, capital and product market regulations and institutions, and human capital development.

Aid for Trade is a very important factor in this context. It is geared to generating growth, employment and income, thereby contributing to the first and eighth Millennium Development Goals, i.e. to reduce the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day and to establish an open trading and financial system that is rule-based and non-discriminatory.

The objectives of Aid for Trade are:

  • to enable developing countries, particularly the least?developed countries (LDCs), to use trade more effectively to promote growth, employment, development and poverty reduction and to achieve their development objectives;
  • to facilitate the access of these countries to international markets by improving their supply-side capacity and trade-related infrastructure;
  • to help these countries to implement and adjust to trade reform, including via labour market and social adjustments;
  • to assist regional integration;
  • to assist good integration into the world trading system.

An EU Aid for Trade strategy can contribute to these objectives through the following measures:

  • increasing the volumes of EU Aid for Trade, in particular by taking trade?related assistance up to EUR 2 billion a year by 2010, but also by promoting an effective response to wider Aid for Trade needs;
  • enhancing the quality of EU Aid for Trade;
  • implementing effective monitoring and reporting.

Increasing the volumes of Aid for Trade

The Commission recalls that five categories of Aid for Trade were identified by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Task Force on Aid for Trade, i.e.:

  • trade policy and trade regulation;
  • trade development;
  • trade-related infrastructure;
  • productive capacities;
  • trade-related adjustment.

The first two categories are grouped under “trade?related assistance”. They include:

  • trade policy and trade regulation, which are aimed at ensuring effective participation of developing countries in multilateral trade negotiations and assisting these countries in the implementation of trade-related legislation;
  • development of trade and the business climate, and improvement of business support services and institutions.

In 2005 the EU undertook to increase its trade?related assistance to EUR 2 billion per year by 2010, with half coming from the Commission and the other half from the Member States. The Commission currently provides EUR 840 million per year, whereas Member States contribute only EUR 300 million.

To increase the volume of aid, the Commission recommends that:

  • the Member States reach a level of EUR 600 million per year by 2008, in order to attain the 1 billion target set for 2010;
  • a significant share of the increased aid should be allocated to the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in support of regional integration and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). In particular, the ACP countries must be given guidance on the actual amounts involved.

In addition, in all the developing countries, it is necessary to develop effective approaches to trade needs assessments at regional level and to ensure that these needs will be taken into account in the national development strategies of the partner countries. In particular, the EU should endeavour to apply effectively the instrument of the Integrated Framework * used with the LDCs and to extend the same type of approach to non-LDCs.

The EU must also continue to implement a wider Aid for Trade agenda in order to:

  • support economic infrastructure, productive capacities and trade-related adjustment (fiscal reforms);
  • develop coherent reporting practices for all categories of Aid for Trade.

Enhancing the quality of Aid for Trade

In order to improve the quality and effectiveness of Aid for Trade, the Commission recommends that the EU strategy focuses on the following aspects:

  • lay down the means to ensure that the Aid for Trade actions produce results in this field, e.g. by identifying the areas of Aid for Trade which bring about the widest and most sustainable reduction in poverty;
  • ensure better ownership and participation by integrating trade-related issues into poverty reduction strategies, with active participation by private?sector and civil?society stakeholders;
  • promote the institutional and financial sustainability of programmes by stakeholder capacity?building and ownership in all operations. It is also necessary to guarantee social and environmental sustainability by means of sustainability impact assessment of trade policies and agreements. In the specific case of environmental sustainability, the EU must help partners develop sustainable production methods. Other important aspects are the promotion of decent work and the development of effective labour market and social adjustment mechanisms;
  • ensure joint analysis, programming and delivery between EU partners. The joint analysis of trade-related needs must be undertaken by using the Integrated Framework instrument in the LDCs and by developing similar processes in other countries. The EU could then better coordinate its response strategies in countries and regions. The opportunities for joint delivery depend in particular on progress in working through sector-wide approaches (SWAPs) in the field of Aid for Trade. In particular, the SWAPs are to permit the development of joint delivery methods, such as budget support and co-financing between EU partners;
  • aim for aid effectiveness in regional Aid for Trade, and in particular supporting regional partners’ capacity to own and lead Aid for Trade efforts, coordinating the programme in support of regional and trade integration, streamlining the methods of delivery and enhancing cooperation with non-EU donors. In particular, the EU strategy must give priority to regional interventions in the EPA context.

Implementing effective monitoring and reporting of aid

To make progress in all these areas, monitoring and reporting are essential, both at international and EU levels. In particular, global monitoring and reporting must include the quantitative dimension of Aid for Trade and the qualitative dimension (associated with the effectiveness of the aid). At EU level, the Commission recommends that progress in implementing the EU Aid for Trade strategy should be assessed yearly by the Council.

Finally, the three groups of measures mentioned above must be accompanied by building human capacity in donor organisations. On this subject, the Commission recommends taking stock of the EU’s existing capacity and expertise and of joint European initiatives to develop and share expertise.

Background

This Communication is the Commission’s contribution to further expanding EU support for Aid for Trade with a view to adoption of a joint EU strategy by the Council (see Related Acts). It belongs to a package of measures adopted by the Commission to monitor the honouring of the development policy commitments entered into by the EU (see Related Acts).

Key terms of the act
  • Integrated Framework: multi-donor programme introduced to support LDCs in increasing their participation in the global economy. Its objective is to support LDCs in mainstreaming trade into their national development plans and to assist in a coordinated delivery of trade-related assistance in response to needs identified by the LDCs.

Related Acts

of 15 September 2008 “social provisions in free trade agreements”.
By introducing provisions on labour and sustainable development in its free trade agreements, the European Union (EU) contributes to the economic, political and social stability of its partner countries. This Report enumerates the different models and practices on the subject.

Since 1996 the World Trade Organization (WTO) has committed to respecting the fundamental principles of labour legislation. On the basis of these principles, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted an agenda for the promotion of decent work in 2000. This agenda was taken on by the UN and the EU. They committed to including it in their international trade agreements. The agenda is also an essential reference for companies drawing up social responsibility charters and codes.

Some international treaties concluded at the bilateral or regional levels include provisions on labour legislation. In particular, agreements concluded by Canada, the United States, Mercosur and the European Union. The main provisions relate to fundamental standards of labour legislation (freedom of association, collective bargaining, the abolition of child labour, the elimination of all forms of forced labour and discrimination in the workplace). The social provisions in the agreements could extend to other areas, in particular working conditions, minimum wage, working hours, health and safety in the workplace and sustainable development. Clauses related to labour are provided for in the agreements linked to the Generalised System of Preferences, as well as to the possibility for positive or negative sanctions. After their reciprocal opening up of trade, the EU and its partners should deepen their relationships by developing minimum standards and by adopting provisions in other areas, such as fair trade, the negative effects on employment and defending universal values.

The inclusion of such provisions aims at reducing the negative effects of trade liberalisation. However, the Report emphasises that objections to the principles of labour legislation would put the brakes on social development and economic growth.

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 4 April 2007 – From Monterrey to the European Consensus on Development: honouring our commitments [COM(2007) 158 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
This political Communication introduces the two Specific Communications “Keeping Europe’s promises on Financing for Development” and “Towards an EU Aid for Trade strategy – the Commission’s contribution”.

Annual Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 4 April 2007 – Keeping Europe’s promises on Financing for Development [COM(2007) 164 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Financing instrument for development cooperation – DCI

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Financing instrument for development cooperation – DCI

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Financing instrument for development cooperation – DCI

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

External relations > Relations with third countries > Asia

Financing instrument for development cooperation – DCI (2007-2013)

Document or Iniciative

Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation [See amending act(s)].

Summary

The Regulation sets up a financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI) which replaces the range of geographic and thematic instruments created over time and as needs arose. Its aim is to improve development cooperation.

Under this instrument, the European Communities finance measures aimed at supporting geographic cooperation with the developing countries included in the list of aid recipients of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD/DAC). These countries are listed in Annex 1 to the Regulation.

The Regulation emphasises that the Community’s development cooperation policy is guided by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and that the “European Consensus” provides the general framework for action by the Community on development matters. It also reaffirms that the objectives of this policy are poverty reduction, sustainable economic and social development and the smooth and gradual integration of developing countries into the world economy.

Nature of the instrument

The Regulation provides that Community aid is implemented through geographic and thematic programmes and through the programme of accompanying measures for the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Sugar Protocol countries.

Geographic programmes encompass cooperation with partner countries and regions determined on a geographical basis. They cover five regions, namely Latin America, Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and South Africa. Community assistance to these countries is aimed at supporting actions within the following areas of cooperation:

  • supporting the implementation of policies aimed at poverty eradication and at the achievement of the MDGs;
  • addressing the essential needs of the population, in particular primary education and health;
  • promoting social cohesion and employment;
  • promoting governance, democracy, human rights and support for institutional reforms;
  • assisting partner countries and regions in the areas of trade and regional integration;
  • promoting sustainable development through environmental protection and sustainable management of natural resources;
  • supporting sustainable integrated water resource management and fostering greater use of sustainable energy technologies;
  • assistance in post-crisis situations and fragile States.

The measures taken vary according to the specific needs of each country, taking into account the specific situation in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East or South Africa.

Thematic programmes complement geographic programmes. They cover a specific area of activity of interest to a group of partner countries not determined by geography, or cooperation activities focusing on various regions or groups of partner countries, or an international operation that is not geographically specific. In other words, their scope of application is wider than that of geographic cooperation programmes because they encompass not only the countries eligible for geographic cooperation under the DCI but also the countries and regions eligible under the European Development Fund (EDF) and under Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006.

The Regulation provides for five thematic programmes concerning:

  • investing in people;
  • the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources;
  • non-state actors and Local Authorities;
  • the improvement of food security;
  • cooperation in the area or migration and asylum.

The Regulation also sets up a programme of accompanying measures in favour of the 18 ACP Sugar Protocol countries (listed in Annex III to the Regulation). The aim of these measures is to support their adjustment process as they are faced with new market conditions due to the reform of the Community sugar regime.

Management and implementation

For the geographic programmes, the Commission draws up a strategy paper and a multiannual indicative programme and adopts an annual action programme for each partner country or region. In the case of thematic programmes, it draws up thematic strategy papers and adopts annual action programmes.

The Commission determines the multiannual indicative allocations within each geographic programme, bearing in mind the specificity of the different programmes and the particular difficulties faced by the countries or regions that are in crisis, in conflict or disaster-prone.

It may also include a specific financial allocation for the purposes of strengthening cooperation between the EU’s outermost regions and neighbouring partner countries and regions. In the case of natural disasters or crises which cannot be funded under Regulations (EC) No 1717/2006 and 1257/1996, the Commission may adopt special measures not provided for in the strategy papers or multiannual indicative programmes.

The entities which are eligible for funding are, inter alia, the following:

  • partner countries and regions, and their institutions;
  • decentralised bodies in the partner countries (municipalities, provinces, departments and regions);
  • joint bodies set up by the partner countries and regions with the Community;
  • international organisations;
  • EU agencies;
  • certain entities and bodies of the Member States, partner countries and regions and any other third country in so far as they help to achieve the objectives of this Regulation.

Under this Regulation, the Community may finance among other things, projects and programmes, contribute to national funds set up by partner countries and regions to attract joint financing from several donors, contribute to funds set up by one or more donors for the purpose of the joint implementation of measures, twinning programmes, interest-rate subsidies, especially for environment-related loans, and debt relief under internationally agreed debt relief programmes.

The measures are eligible for co-financing from Member States and their regional and local authorities, other donor countries, international organisations, companies, firms and other private organisations and businesses, other non-state actors and partner countries in receipt of funding.

The financial framework for the implementation of this Regulation over the period 2007-2013 is EUR 16.897 billion: EUR 10.057 billion for the geographic programmes, EUR 5.596 billion for the thematic programmes and EUR 1.244 billion for the ACP Sugar Protocol countries.

The Commission monitors and reviews the implementation of its programmes. It submits an annual report on the results of this Regulation to the European Parliament and the Council.

The Commission is assisted in its work by a committee.

Not later than 31 December 2010, the Commission must submit a report evaluating the implementation of this Regulation in the first three years with, if appropriate, a legislative proposal introducing the necessary modifications.

Article 39 of the Regulation repeals the regulations relating to:

  • access to Community external assistance;
  • promoting gender equality in development cooperation;
  • the AENEAS programme;
  • the fight against poverty diseases in developing countries;
  • reproductive and sexual health and rights in developing countries;
  • aid to uprooted people in Asian and Latin American developing countries;
  • the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries;
  • full integration of the environmental dimension in the development process;
  • development cooperation with South Africa;
  • decentralised cooperation;
  • co-financing operations with European non-governmental organisations;
  • food-aid policy and food-aid management;
  • financial and technical assistance to, and economic cooperation with, the developing countries in Asia and Latin America.

References

Act Entry into force – Date of expiry Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006

[adoption: codecision COD/2004/0220]

28.12.2006 – 31.12.2013

–

OJ L 378 of 27.12.2006
Amending act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 960/2009

18.10.2009

–

OJ L 270 of 15.10.20096

The successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Related Acts

Proposal for a Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 March 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation [COM(2010) 102 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
The European Union (EU) plans to help traditional banana producers in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States to adapt to the liberalisation of their system of exports to Europe. Accompanying measures are therefore required for the period covering the end of the preferential trade regime which the producers in these countries benefited from previously.
The accompanying measures provided for by the EU shall enable:

  • the promotion of economic diversification through the development of new sectors of activity;
  • all the effects of liberalisation, particularly relating to macroeconomic stability, employment, social services and land use to be addressed.
  • all the effects of liberalisation, particularly relating to macroeconomic stability, employment, social services and land use to be addressed.

These accompanying measures shall be implemented under the framework of the financing instrument for development cooperation.

Codecision procedure: (COD 2010/0059)

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation and Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 on establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide[COM(2009) 194 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Certain costs are currently excluded from the financing instrument for development cooperation. However, it may be necessary to take into account taxes, duties and other charges incurred by programme and project participants. In beneficiary countries exemption mechanisms are often absent and their fiscal laws are still evolving. Therefore, this Regulation must be sufficiently flexible to adapt to this reality.
Codecision procedure: (COD/2009/0060)