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Kosovo – Towards European integration

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Kosovo – Towards European integration

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Enlargement > The stabilisation and association process: the western balkans

Kosovo – Towards European integration

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 17 December 2009 – Kosovo – Fulfilling its European Perspective [COM(2009) 534 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

According to the status defined by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, Kosovo has made progress towards accession to the European Union (EU). Kosovo participates in the EU’s stabilisation and association process for the Western Balkans.

The progress made relates in the first instance to the adaptation of legislation to European standards and the establishment of a viable fiscal framework. However, Kosovo still faces major challenges on political, economic and social levels.

The EU provides technical and financial assistance to support the reforms. Among other things, Kosovo benefits from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, the CARDS programme and the Instrument for Stability.

Accelerating reforms

In 2008 and 2009, Kosovo adopted plans for measures corresponding to the objectives of the European Partnership. In particular, the reforms are intended to improve the following:

the functioning of the State, the judiciary and public administration;
fiscal policy and economic stability;
public procurement and the business environment;
the fight against corruption, money laundering and organised crime;
social cohesion;
the protection of minorities, in particular Serbs, and reconciliation between the communities.

Free movement of persons

Kosovo citizens now benefit from simplified procedures for obtaining short-stay visas in EU countries. Visa requirements are to be relaxed further if Kosovo makes progress concerning:

readmission arrangements for Kosovo citizens,
the fight against organised crime,
the security of identity documents,
the monitoring of migration and border security.

Kosovo is also to participate in the judicial cooperation work of Europol, Eurojust and Frontex.

Kosovo’s socio-economic development

Kosovo has been relatively little affected by the international economic crisis due to its limited integration into global trade. However, remittances and inflows of foreign investment decreased in 2009. In addition, Kosovo’s budget and trade deficits are considerable.

The EU supports Kosovo in several sectors:

trade – the Commission proposes a regime of exceptional trade measures which may be replaced in due time by another preferential regime for products from Kosovo (Pan-Euro-Mediterranean cumulation of origin);
macro-economic and fiscal stability – in the context of the EU-Kosovo economic dialogue and Kosovo’s membership of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF);
the private sector – to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and to promote privatisation and innovation;
social policies and employment – to strengthen job centres, work incentive and social inclusion schemes. In particular, Kosovo is associated with the European PROGRESS programme;
education, training and research – in particular through European student exchange programmes and the 7^th Framework Programme for Research;
culture and civic life – for the benefit of civil society organisations in particular.

Kosovo’s efforts should be extended to new sectors:

energy – in order to privatise the sector, to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies;
transport – to improve the rail and road infrastructure, and with regard to Kosovo’s participation in the European Common Aviation Area;
environment – measures should be taken to protect public health (drinking water, air quality, etc.), and to implement European legislation effectively.

Regional cooperation

Kosovo’s cooperation with the other countries of Southern Europe is essential for its commercial development, economic growth and political stability. However, its participation in regional forums remains a sensitive political issue. Similarly, a blockade has been maintained on Kosovo’s exports to Serbia and on transit trade with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kosovo’s external representation is carried out by UNMIK (United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo).

EU-Kosovo dialogue

Kosovo conducts a regular dialogue with the EU on the themes of innovation, the internal market, good governance, agriculture, the economy and infrastructures.

EU financial assistance

Aid allocated by the EU is targeted to a limited number of priorities. The funding allocated under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) amounts to EUR 359 million for the period 2007-2009 and EUR 206 million for 2010-2012. These funds are to be used to finance cross-border activities.

Context

Kosovo’s independence has been recognised by 22 out of 27 EU countries. This lack of a shared position does not prevent the EU from adopting measures to support its economic and political development.

In addition, the EU supports Kosovo’s stability through:

the presence of a civilian mission in the context of European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP),
the appointment of a Special Representative for political reform,
the establishment of the European EULEX mission for the rule of law (police, the judiciary and customs).

Guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks

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Guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks

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Regional policy > Management of regional policy > Trans-european networks

Guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks

Document or Iniciative

Decision No 1336/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 1997 on a series of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks [Official Journal L 183 of 11.07.1997]. [See amending acts].

Summary

In this Decision, the European Parliament and the Council establish guidelines covering the objectives, priorities and broad lines of action proposed for trans-European networks. These guidelines set out the areas selected for projects of common interest and establish a procedure for the identification of specific projects of common interest in these areas.

The following priorities are established for the achievement of the objectives set out in point 1 above:

study and validation of technical and commercial feasibility, followed by the deployment of applications supporting the development of a European information society, in particular applications of collective interest;
study and validation of feasibility, followed by the deployment of applications contributing to economic and social cohesion, by improving access to information across the whole Union, building on European cultural diversity;
stimulation of trans-boundary interregional initiatives and of initiatives involving regions, in particular the less favoured ones, for the launch of trans-European telecommunications services and applications;
study and validation of feasibility, followed by the deployment of applications and services contributing to the strengthening of the internal market and job creation, in particular those offering to SMEs means to improve their competitiveness in the Community and at world level;
identification, study and validation of technical and commercial feasibility, followed by the deployment of trans-European generic services providing seamless access to all kinds of information, including in rural and peripheral areas, and interoperable with equivalent services at world level;
study and validation of the feasibility of new integrated broadband communication (IBC) networks, where required for such applications and services, and the promotion of such networks;
identification and removal of gaps and missing links for effective interconnection and interoperability of all components of telecommunications networks in Europe and at world level, with particular emphasis on IBC networks.

The broad lines of measures to be implemented for achieving the objectives defined in point 1 will cover:

identification of projects of common interest by the establishment of a work programme;
action aiming at increasing the awareness of citizens, economic operators and administrations about the benefits they can draw from the new advanced trans-European telecommunications services and applications;
action aiming at the stimulation of combined initiatives from users and providers for the launch of projects in the field of trans-European telecommunications networks, in particular IBC networks;
support, within the framework of the methods laid down by the Treaty, for action to study and validate the feasibility, followed by the deployment, of applications, in particular applications of collective interest, and encouragement of the establishment of public/private collaboration, in particular through partnerships;
stimulation of the supply and use of services and applications for SMEs and professional users;
promotion of the interconnectivity of networks, the interoperability of broadband services and applications and the infrastructure they require, in particular for multimedia applications, and interoperability between existing services and applications and their broadband counterparts.

The projects designated are eligible for Community support in accordance with the provisions of the Council Regulation laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks.

Member States shall take all measures required at national, regional or local level to facilitate and accelerate the implementation of the projects of common interest in accordance with Community rules.

The Commission shall report every three years on the application of this Decision to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

Annex 1 to the Decision defines the three-layer model which is the most appropriate way of describing trans-European telecommunications networks:

The “applications” level caters for user needs, taking into account cultural and linguistic differences and, in particular, the accessibility requirements of disabled people. These applications also seek to cater for the specific needs of less developed or less populated regions.
The areas concerned are the following: a) e-government and e-administration: (e.g. e-procurement activities, personal security, environment and tourism, business support for SMEs and participation in the democratic decision-making process); b) improved access to health services and improvements in the quality of care (e.g. networking of health care institutions, actions on disease prevention and health promotion); c) education and culture (e.g. new ways of presenting educational and cultural information, life-long learning and participation of older people and people with disabilities in the information society).
The “generic services” level provides common tools for the development and implementation of new applications based on interoperable standards.
The areas concerned are the following: a) the mobile services (e.g. for the 2.5-3G mobile networks: guidance and navigation, security, invoicing, emergency services, health, teleworking, learning and culture); b) services in the public interest aimed at all aspects of security (e.g. networking of the national CERT systems).
The “interconnection and interoperability of networks” level promotes the interconnection, interoperability and security of networks underpinning the operation of specific public interest applications and services.

The Community is taking additional back-up and coordinating measures with a view to creating the appropriate environment for the realisation of these projects. The actions will contribute to programme awareness, and to consensus development centred on European, national, regional and local activities designed to stimulate and promote the new services and applications. They will necessitate consultation with European standardisation and planning bodies, involving essentially:

strategic studies on the formulation of target specifications and the transition towards their application, in order to help players in the sector to make sound economic investment decisions;
definition of means of accessing broadband networks;
establishment of common specifications based on European and world standards;
intensification of public and private partnerships (PPP);
coordination of these activities with related Community and national programmes.

References

Act	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Decision 1336/97/EC	31.7.1997	–	OJ L of 11.7.1997

Amending act(s)	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Decision No 1375/2002/EC	19.8.2002	–	OJ L 200 of 30.7.2002

Land policy in developing countries

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Land policy in developing countries

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Land policy in developing countries

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Development > Sectoral development policies

Land policy in developing countries

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament of 19 October 2004 – EU Guidelines to support land policy design and reform processes in developing countries [COM(2004) 686 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The European Union (EU) supports land policy reforms in developing countries. To this end, the Commission provides guidelines to target the action of the Commission and EU Member States in this area.

Land reforms give rise to public policies on the distribution and use of agricultural land. Such reforms have implications in several areas, such as the fight against poverty, environmental management, market regulation, good governance, and democracy. They should be based on national consensus, and supported by rural organisations.

Land policy support

The EU focuses on certain aspects of land reform, in order to:

guarantee the security of land rights, through effective institutions and by taking into account both traditional and informal land access schemes;
analyse existing rules and practices, as well as land conflicts and modes of transfer;
establish innovative land access schemes, beyond the allocation of land rights, and by taking into account village, family or individual rights;
support the reform of land administrations, in particular to implement simple and transparent procedures, opportunities for appeal in the event of dispute, and actions to increase public awareness;
promote land rental markets, which are more accessible to the poor and less susceptible to the risks associated with farming. Such measures are subject to the existence of appropriate contractual rights.

Development assistance

Official Development Assistance allocated by the European Union and its Member States can be used to support public debate, and the preparation and implementation of reforms. It should also facilitate the implementation of thematic projects (research, environment, social development, etc), and reform evaluation actions.

National reform processes should include civil society and minority groups in a participatory process. Furthermore, reforms should focus primarily on areas where inequality persists.

The EU should also participate in the creation of partnerships, in order to prioritise common approaches, the sharing of experience, as well as facilitating coordination with international donors.

Finally, to be effective, European assistance should comply with certain principles:

providing solutions that are specific to the local social and institutional context;
establishing partnerships with the competent public authorities and stakeholders from civil society;
conducting regular political dialogue and encouraging coordination with the competent authorities;
supporting long-term processes;
supporting equality between men and women concerning the control over and use of land resources;
conducting public information and awareness-raising campaigns;
supporting research;
protecting the most deprived members of the population, and in particular indigenous peoples.

Relations with the northern part of Cyprus

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Relations with the northern part of Cyprus

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Relations with the northern part of Cyprus

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Enlargement > Ongoing enlargement

Relations with the northern part of Cyprus

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 3 June 2003, “Ways of promoting economic development in the northern part of Cyprus and bringing it closer to the Union” [COM (2003) 325 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

In the absence of an overall settlement to the de facto partition of Cyprus, this communication proposes measures to promote the economy of the northern section of the island and bring it closer to the Union. Two types of measure are identified: financial assistance and trade.

Financial aid

In 2003, EUR 9 million in financial aid to promote economic development is to go to the following projects:

infrastructure projects in large towns of the northern part of the island;
grant aid to SMEs;
preparatory studies for integration of the northern section into the Union once a political solution to the partition of the island has been found;

In 2003 the Commission will step up its information work to bring Northern Cyprus closer to the Union; EUR 3 million will be allocated to the following activities:

organising seminars on the Community acquis for citizens of Northern Cyprus;
organising visits by Turkish Cypriot citizens to EU institutions;
consulting Cypriot authorities to find out how to encourage participation by citizens of the northern section in Community programmes;
cooperation with Member States;
support for civil society and social partners of the northern section;
continuation of the translation of the Community acquis into Turkish.

Trade

The communication proposes adoption of a system enabling products from Northern Cyprus to be exported under a preferential tariff system pursuant to the Association Agreement signed between Cyprus and the Union. Since 1994, non-acceptance of certificates issued by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has prevented exports from this part of the island from benefiting from the preferential customs treatment granted to the rest of Cyprus under the Association Agreement. Under the new system, the Cypriot Chamber of Commerce will be responsible for issuing certificates for the movement of goods produced or obtained in the northern part of the island.

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – Annual Report 2006-2007 on the implementation of Community assistance under Council Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 of 27 February 2006 establishing an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community [COM(2007) 0536 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
This report follows the first year of the implementation of the economic assistance programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. The report is positive, in particular due to the strengthening of the administrative capacity. However, the programme duration was reduced from five years (2005-2009) to three years (2007-2009). The overall reduction in planning also means a reduction in the deadlines for awarding contracts.

Council Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 of 27 February 2006 establishing an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2667/2000 on the European Agency for Reconstruction [Official Journal L 65 of 07.03.2006].

FREE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE, SERVICES AND GOODS

Communication from the Commission of 27 August 2008 – Annual Report on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) 866/2004 of 29 April 2004 and the situation resulting from its application [COM(2008) 529 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
The Commission considers that Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 constitutes an adapted legal framework. The number of people crossing the line doubled between 1 May 2007 and 30 April 2008, reaching the highest level since the green line was established. However, illegal immigration is still increasing. The flow of goods has increased by a third during the reporting period, despite the continuing obstacles to trade, particularly for goods originating in the northern part of the island, which is not under effective government control. The Regulation was amended on 16 June 2008, in order to facilitate trade between the two areas. The Commission shall continue to monitor the implementation of the Regulation.

Commission Decision 2007/330/ECof 4 May 2007 lifting prohibitions on the movement of certain animal products on the island of Cyprus under Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 and laying down conditions for the movement of those products (notified under document number C(2007) 1911) (Text with EEA relevance)[Official Journal L 123 of 12.5.2007].

Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 of 29 April 2004 on a regime under Article 2 of Protocol No 10 of the 2003 Act of Accession[Official Journal L 161 of 30.4.2004].
The areas where the Government of the Republic of Cyprus exercises effective control and those where they do not have effective control are separated by a line.

This line does not constitute an external border of the EU. This Regulation establishes the conditions under which checks on persons, goods and services crossing the line will be carried out.

Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance

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Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance

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Agriculture > Agriculture: enlargement

Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)

Document or Iniciative

Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 of 17 July 2006 establishing an Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) [See amending act(s)].

Summary

The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) is the financial instrument for the European Union (EU) pre-accession process for the period 2007-2013. Assistance is provided on the basis of the European Partnerships of the potential candidates and the Accession Partnerships of the candidate countries, which means the Western Balkan countries, Turkey and Iceland. The IPA is intended as a flexible instrument and therefore provides assistance which depends on the progress made by the beneficiary countries and their needs as shown in the Commission’s evaluations and strategy papers.

Nature of the IPA

The beneficiary countries are divided into two categories, depending on their status as either candidate countries under the accession process or potential candidates under the stabilisation and association process, namely:

candidate countries (Annex I to the Regulation): the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Croatia, Turkey;
potential candidate countries as defined at the Santa Maria da Feira European Council of 20 June 2000 (Annex II to the Regulation): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia including Kosovo as defined by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/1999.

The annexes will be amended as and when changes in the status of the countries occur, pursuant to a Council decision adopted by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission.

Exceptionally, and in the interests of coherence and efficiency, other countries may benefit from measures financed by the IPA. Provided these measures form part of a regional, cross-border, trans-national or worldwide framework and do not duplicate other programmes under Community external aid instruments.

The IPA was designed so as to address the needs of the beneficiary countries within the context of pre-accession policy in the most appropriate way. Its main aim is to support institution-building and the rule of law, human rights, including the fundamental freedoms, minority rights, gender equality and non-discrimination, both administrative and economic reforms, economic and social development, reconciliation and reconstruction, and regional and cross-border cooperation.

To ensure targeted, effective and coherent action, the IPA is made up of five components, each covering priorities defined according to the needs of the beneficiary countries. Two components concern all beneficiary countries:

the “support for transition and institution-building” component, aimed at financing capacity-building and institution-building;
the “cross-border cooperation” component, aimed at supporting the beneficiary countries in the area of cross-border cooperation between themselves, with the EU Member States or within the framework of cross-border or inter-regional actions.

The other three components are aimed at candidate countries only:

the “regional development” component, aimed at supporting the countries’ preparations for the implementation of the Community’s cohesion policy, and in particular for the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund;
the “human resources development” component, which concerns preparation for participation in cohesion policy and the European Social Fund;
the “rural development” component, which concerns preparation for the common agricultural policy and related policies and for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

Candidate countries are therefore prepared for full implementation of the Community acquis at the time of accession. While potential candidates shall benefit from support to progressively align themselves to the Community acquis. Potential candidates may however benefit from similar measures as those provided under the last three components under the framework of the first component. The difference is essentially in the way these measures are implemented, since for the three components preparing for implementation of the structural and agricultural funds the beneficiary country is required to manage Community funds in a decentralised manner.

Management and implementation of the IPA

The IPA is based on strategic multi-annual planning established in accordance with the broad political guidelines set out in the Commission’s enlargement package, which now includes a Multi-annual Indicative Financial Framework (MIFF). The MIFF takes the form of a table presenting the Commission’s intentions for the allocation of funds for the three forthcoming years, broken down by beneficiary and by component, on the basis of the needs and the administrative and management capacity of the country concerned and compliance with the Copenhagen accession criteria.

The strategic planning is made up of multi-annual indicative planning documents, with the MIFF constituting the reference framework. They are established for each beneficiary country and cover the main intervention areas envisaged for that country.

As regards action on the ground, annual or multi-annual programmes (depending on the component) based on the indicative planning documents, are adopted by the Commission. They are implemented following three management methods: by centralised, decentralised or shared management.

Assistance under the IPA can take, inter alia, the following forms:

investment, procurement contracts or subsidies;
administrative cooperation, involving experts sent from the Member States;
participation in Community programmes or agencies;
measures to support the implementation process and management of the programmes;
budget support (granted exceptionally and subject to supervision).

The rules of participation for implementing the different programmes launched under the IPA are flexible enough to ensure that the instrument is effective. Participation in the award of procurement or grant contracts is open to all natural and legal persons and international organisations. As such, natural persons must be nationals of, or legal persons established in:

a Member State of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA);
a country that is a beneficiary of the IPA or a country that is a beneficiary of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI).

Moreover participation is also open to natural and legal persons from countries other than those mentioned above where these countries enjoy reciprocal access to Community external assistance. Reciprocal access is based on a country’s or regional group of countries’ status as a donor and is subject to a Commission decision adopted after consulting the IPA Committee.

All supplies and materials needed to implement such contracts must comply with the rules of origin, in other words they must originate in the EU or a country eligible under the previous paragraph. Experts are not subject to the nationality condition.

However, in exceptional cases, the Commission may depart from these rules. Moreover, operations may be co-financed by the EU and a regional organisation, a Member State or a third country (subject to reciprocity), or financed by the EU and implemented via an international organisation. In this case the natural or legal persons eligible for co-financing are also entitled to IAP financing.

The management of funds granted under this Regulation complies with the general management conditions for Community funds set out in Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002, which the Commission is responsible for implementing (management, monitoring, evaluation, reporting). Such management must also comply strictly with the rules on the protection of the Community’s financial interests. In this context the Commission and the Court of Auditors have the power of audit over all contractors and subcontractors, on the basis of documents and on the spot, ex ante and ex post.

The Commission is also assisted by committees. The purpose of the IPA Committee set up by the Regulation is to ensure coordination and coherence between assistance granted under the different components. However, for implementing the “regional development”, “human resources development” and “rural development” components, the Commission is assisted by committees established within the framework of each structural fund.

The application of the IPA is also subject to a suspension clause, which applies to all beneficiary countries that fail to comply with the principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and minority rights, and the commitments contained in the partnership (accession partnership or European partnership). It also applies to countries that fail to make sufficient progress towards fulfilment of accession criteria or, for the Western Balkan countries, towards the reform process. The Council may then take appropriate measures, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, after informing the European Parliament.

Background

This Regulation forms part of the revised external aid framework for the 2007-2013 financial perspective, in particular in terms of efficiency and coherence, while taking into account the specific features of pre-accession aid. The IPA must be consistent with development aid, but its primary aim is to prepare the beneficiary countries for accession in the not too distant future. One of the main characteristics of pre-accession aid is its bridging function, since it is designed to prepare countries for the period after accession.

The IPA therefore provides a unique and rationalised framework. As such it will replace, from 1 January 2007, the programmes for the period 2000-2006, namely:

the programmes for candidate countries, namely Phare, SAPARD and ISPA, Phare Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) and Coordination, pre-accession financial assistance for Turkey;
the programmes for potential candidate countries, namely CARDS.

References

Act	Entry into force – Date of expiry	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006	1.8.2006 – 31.12.2013	–	OJ L 210, 31.7.2006

Amending act(s)	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EU) No 540/2010	14.7.2010	–	OJ L 158 of 24.6.2010

Related Acts

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IAP

Commission Regulation (EU) No 80/2010 of 28 January 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 718/2007 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 establishing an instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA)
This Regulation clarifies the rules on granting and evaluating pre-accession assistance. Furthermore, it establishes Community rules for the five thematic IPA components. It also includes the potential for funding granted under cross-border cooperation.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 718/2007 of 12 June 2007 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 establishing an instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) [Official Journal L 170 of 29.6.2007].

Decision 2007/766/EC of 14 November 2007 drawing up the list of regions and areas eligible for financing under the Cross-border Cooperation Component of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for the purpose of cross-border cooperation between Member States and beneficiary countries for the period 2007 to 2013 [Official Journal L 310 of 28.11.2007].

PLANNING

Communication from the Communication to the European Parliament and the Council of 12 October 2011 – Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA). Revised multi-annual indicative financial framework for 2012-2013 [COM(2011) 641 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament of 14 October 2009 – Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) – Multi-annual indicative financial framework for 2011-2013 [COM(2009) 543 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament of 5 November 2008 – Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) multi-annual indicative financial framework for 2010-2012 [COM(2008) 705 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament – Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) – Multi-annual indicative financial framework for 2009-2011 [COM(2007) 689 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Communication from the Commission of 8 November 2006 to the Council and the European Parliament – Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA). Multi-annual indicative financial framework for 2008-2010 [COM(2006) 672 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

REPORT

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee of 23 December 2009 – 2008 ANNUAL Report on the implementation of the instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) [COM(2009) 699 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee of 15 December 2008 – 2007 Annual IPA Report [COM(2008) 850 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Community participation in the initiative to ease the debt burden of highly-indebted poor countries

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Community participation in the initiative to ease the debt burden of highly-indebted poor countries

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Community participation in the initiative to ease the debt burden of highly-indebted poor countries

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

Development > Least developed countries (LDC)

Community participation in the initiative to ease the debt burden of highly-indebted poor countries (HIPC)

Document or Iniciative

Commission Communication of 26 October 1999 on Community participation in the debt relief initiative for highly indebted poor countries (HIPC) [COM(99)518 final. Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Background

This initiative comes under the framework of the global initiative to help highly indebted poor countries (HIPC) launched by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in September 1996. It represents a coordinated effort by all the donors, in particular multilateral creditors, and it aims to relieve the debt of the poorest countries. For the first time, a close link has been stressed between poverty alleviation strategies, structural adjustment programs and the debt relief initiative.

At the Cologne G7 summit in July 1999, ministers agreed to an expanded initiative that would provide faster, more comprehensive and broader debt relief. The total cost of the initiative was estimated at around US$ 61 billion at net present value in 2004. This initiative, which was initially to be for a two-year period, has been extended four times (in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004).

Eligible countries

The initiative covers the poorest countries that are making concerted efforts to adjust and are committed to fighting poverty. It covers, in particular, those poorest countries which are already receiving supplementary assistance from the World Bank and the IMF, and whose debt burdens are deemed to be unsustainable after all other debt relief measures have been applied. Certain ACP countries are among the countries concerned.

Role of the European Community

As a major partner of developing countries, the Community has a key role to play, especially given the new high total cost of the initiative. The resources granted from the interest accrued on EDF funds, as provided for by Decision 98/453/EC of July 1998 concerning exceptional assistance for the heavily indebted ACP countries, will not be sufficient to cover the financing of the new enhanced initiative.

The Commission has indicated that it is prepared to use funds in the framework of existing European Development Fund (EDF) instruments for the purpose of making a substantial contribution towards alleviating the debt burden of ACP States which are eligible for the HIPC initiative. So far the Community has allocated over EUR 1.6 billion to the initiative, to which it is contributing both as a creditor and as a donor, particularly for the ACP countries. EDF resources are used only for eligible ACP countries. A contribution of EUR 54 million from the budget has been made for the Asian and Latin American countries.

Role of the Community as a creditor

The Community mainly supports development through non-refundable grants. It is therefore only a small multilateral creditor. According to the most recent estimates, it accounts for only about 2% of the total cost of the HIPC initiative. As a creditor, the cost of the Community contribution so far has been estimated as EUR 680 million. The resources granted are allocated mainly out of EDF interest and intra-ACP reserves.

Role of the Community as a donor

Over and above the Community’s contribution as a creditor, it is participating in the initiative as a donor. Unallocated resources from the 8th EDF and previous EDFs have been the main source of funds for the EU’s contribution as a donor. As a donor, the Community has so far allocated EUR 934 million to the HIPP Trust Fund managed by the World Bank.

Additional participation

As a key partner of the developing countries, the Commission considers that the Community should make an additional contribution. In 2001 the Council approved an additional contribution of EUR 60 million, which will enable early repayment in full of the special loans to the least developed ACP countries eligible for the HIPP initiative.

Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry

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Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry

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Internal market > Motor vehicles > Interactions between the automobile industry and specific policies

Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission of 25 February 2009 – Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry [COM(2009) 104 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

This Communication has the aim of getting the European automotive sector, which has suffered badly since the crisis of October 2008, moving again.

The position of the automotive sector in Europe

The European Union is the world’s largest producer of motor vehicles, producing over 18 million vehicles a year – a third of the world’s passenger cars. More than two million people work directly for this sector and twelve million indirectly.

The automotive sector therefore plays a strategic role in the Union. It makes a major contribution to GDP with an annual turnover of 780 billion EUR and a value added of more than 140 billion EUR.

However, since the beginning of the crisis during the last quarter of 2008, industrial production has dropped by 8.4%. The automotive sector is encountering many difficulties for the following reasons:

demand for passenger and commercial vehicles has dropped significantly, in particular due to the reduction in credit availability and declining purchasing power;
some companies in the automotive industry are having financial difficulties, in particular due to the reduction in credit;
long-term structural problems of overcapacity (currently 20% in Europe) are a handicap for automotive producers.

In addition, the forecast is for a reduction in demand for vehicles of between 12% and 18% in 2009, which will probably lead to a fall in production and threaten the jobs of 15 to 20% of the workers in the sector.

Planned strategy

The automotive sector must react quickly to the crisis by concentrating on three main challenges:

technology;
environment;
safety.

Europe must invest in research and development in “green vehicles” so as to implement a low-carbon economy. European regulations will enter into force in 2012 to this effect.

Industry and the public sector have an essential role to play in an approach which has four main aims:

to support demand in order to assist with remedying the effects of the credit squeeze;
to facilitate the adjustment by cushioning the costs associated with restructuring;
to encourage the modernisation of industry;
to adapt industry to the challenges of climate change.

The CARS 21 process is a strategic framework and may be modified according to future road transport and sustainable mobility requirements.

It appears to be essential to reinstate easy access to credit, by re-establishing financing at reasonable conditions and by restoring liquidity, so that consumers may once again purchase new vehicles.

Aid must be given to the financial sector and to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A temporary State aid framework was adopted in December 2008 (pdf ). This provides for subsidised loans for the manufacture of “green products” such as “green cars”.

The Commission and the European Investment Bank have planned to support industry that decides to invest in future technologies, in particular green technologies, through the 7^th Research Framework Programme and the research partnership planned therein. This is a partnership between the public and the private sector covering:

the design of “green” vehicles (passenger cars, buses, trucks, urban vehicles, etc.);
infrastructure (for electric cars and hydrogen vehicles);
logistics.

The Commission has also studied the possibility of adopting a scrapping scheme.

The question of employment must also remain at the heart of the strategy for the automotive sector. The Commission proposes to implement the following measures via the European Social Fund (ESF):

support for short-time workers;
supporting company restructuring in this sector;
financing retraining;
anticipating change requirements;
matching skills.

Fair competition must become the basic principle in force on the market and a return to protectionism must be avoided.

EU global election assistance and observation strategy

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EU global election assistance and observation strategy

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about EU global election assistance and observation strategy

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

Human rights > Human rights in non-EU countries

EU global election assistance and observation strategy

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission of 11 April 2000 on EU election assistance and observation [COM(2000) 191 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Everyone’s right to take part in the government of their country is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the case of elections, good governance requires an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework and a transparent and accountable election administration, in particular independent supervision and monitoring, that ensures respect for the rule of law. It is also essential for citizens to be informed and to participate throughout the electoral process.

The criteria set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the validation of observed elections are internationally accepted. Elections must be free, fair, genuine, held periodically and by secret ballot.

International election assistance consists of technical and material support for electoral processes, including assistance in establishing the elections’ legal framework, in registering political parties or voters and in providing civic education and training for local observers and journalists. Election assistance is complementary to election observation.

International election observation is intended to consolidate democracy, legitimise electoral processes, enhance public confidence, deter fraud, strengthen respect for human rights and contribute to the resolution of conflict. It is based on the principles of full coverage, impartiality, transparency and professionalism.

European Union (EU) support for human rights, democracy and the rule of law is established in the Treaties. Article 2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union clearly states that the Union is founded on principles such as liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, which are fundamental values shared by all EU countries. Election missions are accepted as part of the EU’s mandate.

Lessons learned from experience

The communication reviews the lessons learned from EU assistance and observation missions between 1993 and 2000:

the Union needs a coherent strategy in this field;
observation missions must be careful in not legitimising illegitimate electoral processes;
better cooperation with and training of domestic observer groups need to be established;
some regional and local elections also need assistance and observation;
exploratory missions are needed before deciding to send observation missions;
election observation missions need to remain in place long enough to cover all stages of the electoral process;
assessing elections is a delicate exercise and should lead to recommendations for future actions;
mission spokespersons should always make a preliminary statement after polling and final proclamations only at the end of the electoral process;
EU actors in the field should always speak with one voice;
setting up a Commission unit dealing with elections in non-EU countries is advisable;
the EU decision-making procedure needs to be clarified and rationalised;
a coherent and transparent financing policy is needed;
coordination between the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament needs strengthening;
coordination with other international actors should be based on partnerships;
EU missions need to be made more visible;
the human resources involved in election observation and assistance must match the political objectives;
an accelerated formula for EU decision-making would be advisable;
comparable methods for the recruitment of observers would improve missions;
EU observers should receive better training and field guidance.

Recommendations for the future

The communication stresses that the Union needs to adopt an election assistance and observation strategy that:

allows for case-by-case decisions;
promotes the development of sustainable national structures;
promotes pluralism at a political level and in local civil society;
encourages partnership between European and local NGOs and local observers.

The decision to launch an EU election observation mission should be based on an evaluation of the mission’s advisability, viability and usefulness. The Council has drawn up criteria in this respect, which are set out in Annex III to the communication. This annex also lists the conditions required for observers to be able to perform their work.

The following criteria could provide a basis for deciding on the provision of election assistance:

a request for assistance from the government of the host country;
the general agreement of the main political parties and other partners;
the existence of previous EU political monitoring or development programmes;
an adequate time-frame;
freedom of movement;
access to information;
the safety of the technical assistance team.

The Commission is currently studying the advisability of setting up an election unit responsible for horizontal coordination of election observation and assistance, including prior planning and evaluation, in order to assist the geographical units and Commission Delegations and to liaise with the other institutions and organisations involved. This new team should make it easier for the Council, the Parliament and the Commission to reach agreement on electoral missions.

As regards the financing of missions, various ways of accelerating and simplifying decisions to commit funds and implement expenditure are being studied.

The communication considers that the agreed criteria for selection (Annex IV) and the code of conduct for EU observers (Annex III) provide a good basis for observer recruitment.

Guidelines for success

For election assistance and observation missions to be successful, the communication recommends taking account of the following aspects:

drawing up a clear mandate for the mission;
always starting with an exploratory mission;
setting up an EU field elections unit with a core team responsible for coordination;
sending technical assistance into the field sufficiently early;
producing regular mission reports;
training all EU observers using a common training programme;
working with other organisations in order to train observers;
deploying long-term observers two months before election day and keeping them in place until any electoral disputes have been resolved;
ensuring that all observers abide by the code of conduct.

In order to assess the outcome of an election, the communication advocates the use of the criteria set out in Annex III.

To improve visibility of the EU’s electoral activities, the communication suggests publishing information on these activities on the Internet, establishing good relations with the media, using relevant publicity material and including visibility into agreements with other partners.

Related Acts

European Parliament resolution of 8 May 2008 on EU election observation missions: objectives, practices and future challenges [Not published in the Official Journal].

Council Conclusions on election assistance and observation. Development Council – 31 May 2001 [Not published in the Official Journal].

The Council welcomes the communication and cites the principles by which EU support for elections should be guided: dialogue with the authorities involved, improving the confidence of the electorate in elections, preventing conflict and eliminating fraud. It stresses that a line needs to be drawn between election assistance and election observation. The Council also considers that the appointment of a chief observer from the European Parliament is advisable for each election observation mission. The action to be taken includes:

building institutional capacity, including framework agreements on election finance and political parties;
training of local personnel;
making citizens more aware of their right to vote;
setting up election sites;
supporting local civil society;
supporting the media.

A review of support for election processes is expected every three years.

European Parliament resolution of 15 March 2001 on the Commission communication on EU Election Assistance and Observation [Not published in the Official Journal].

The European Parliament welcomes the communication. It suggests that a European Parliament election coordination group is established, as well as calls on the Commission to prepare country strategy papers on election assistance and guidelines for evaluating election assistance. It recommends that overlaps between European and international missions should be avoided and proposes that a conference is organised with other actors in order to establish common working and assessment criteria. The European Parliament also considers that it is important to commit election assistance aid under the budget lines for each geographical area.

Humanitarian Food Assistance

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Humanitarian Food Assistance

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Humanitarian Food Assistance

Topics

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

Humanitarian aid

Humanitarian Food Assistance

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament of 31 March 2010 Humanitarian Food Assistance [COM(2010) 126 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The Commission defines the strategic framework in which the European Union (EU) provides food assistance in the event of humanitarian crises outside its territory. This new strategy should allow the effectiveness of assistance and the joint work of all actors involved to be improved.

Humanitarian food assistance has the main aim of saving and preserving lives, protecting livelihoods and increasing resilience for populations facing ongoing or future food crises. The EU’s action also aims at meeting a series of specific objectives:

ensuring the availability, access to and consumption of adequate, safe and nutritious food;
protecting food production and marketing systems;
strengthening the international system to improve the effectiveness of assistance.

However, operations must not:

make populations dependent upon the relief system;
disrupt the functioning of commercial markets;
expose beneficiaries to risk in receiving assistance;
have too much impact on the environment and natural resources.

Initiation of assistance operations

The Commission can trigger a humanitarian food assistance response where:

emergency rates of mortality or acute malnutrition have been reached, or will be reached according to forecasts, due to lack of food;
there are serious threats to the lives of the population or risks of extreme suffering, due to a lack of livelihood or bad strategies for coping with the crisis (i.e. in particular the sale of productive assets, migration, or insecure survival practices, etc.).

Nevertheless, the Commission can intervene as soon as a crisis begins, without waiting for extreme risks for the population to occur or for a disaster to be officially declared.

It can also deal with situations of chronic food insecurity by associating humanitarian intervention with development actions. This is only possible if:

the situation presents an imminent humanitarian risk of significant severity;
other actors cannot act;
the action may have a positive impact in a short time.

Operations are gradually halted when indicators are stable below emergency levels. They are also halted when other donors or non-humanitarian stakeholders are able to meet the needs of the population for a sustained period.

Food and nutritional needs

Operations aim first of all at the timely supply of food. However, humanitarian food assistance may also intervene in several food-related sectors, such as agriculture and health.

Furthermore, populations should have access to safe and well balanced food, of sufficient quantity and quality. The type of food proposed should, if possible, conform to local dietary preferences.

Finally, populations should be made aware of nutrition and appropriate feeding practices.

Additional strategies

The Commission wishes to develop links between humanitarian assistance, the strategy for relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD) and the strategy for disaster risk reduction (DRR). This approach necessitates long-term support and effective coordination among those involved in humanitarian assistance and development.

The EU also promotes better collaboration between international actors and a reinforcement of global governance.

Context

This strategic framework complies with the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid. It is presented in conjunction with the Communication on food security and development.

ECHO Annual Report 2009

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ECHO Annual Report 2009

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about ECHO Annual Report 2009

Topics

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

Humanitarian aid

ECHO Annual Report 2009

Document or Iniciative

Annual Report of 9 April 2010 on Humanitarian Aid Policy and its Implementation in 2009 [COM(2010) 138 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Humanitarian crises are increasingly frequent and complex, due to the growing number of:

refugees and displaced persons following conflicts;
natural disasters related to climate change;
persons made vulnerable by the economic crisis.

During 2009, 115 million persons benefited from European humanitarian aid. The budget initially planned had to be increased twice, using the ECHO emergency aid reserve. The EDF budget was also used to assist ACP countries.

Key operations

The number of natural disasters is rising. They are mainly weather-related. In response, ECHO leads emergency operations and also disaster preparedness actions in the most vulnerable areas.

In 2009, interventions concerned:

floods in Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan and West Africa;
cyclones, tropical storms and hurricanes in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Cuba, Fiji and Papua New Guinea;
droughts in the Greater Horn of Africa, the Sahel, Madagascar, the Palestinian territories and the Syrian Arab Republic;
earthquakes in Indonesia;
epidemics in West Africa, Southern Africa and Papua New Guinea;
crop failures in Uganda, Laos and Bangladesh.

“Man-made” crises led to:

population displacement following conflicts in Sri Lanka, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pakistan;
an increase in the need for basic essentials particularly in terms of health, food and water/sanitation in the Gaza Strip, following the attack by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF);
an increase in population vulnerability in Afghanistan and Somalia due to a deterioration in safety conditions, drought and soaring food prices.

Most funding was allocated to the Sudan due to the Darfur crisis which led to the displacement of more than 6.5 million persons; and to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where almost 3 million persons were displaced due to border conflicts.

The report highlights the bad working conditions of humanitarian workers who are increasingly restricted by the authorities of certain countries, violations of human rights, as well as attacks and hostage-taking in conflict zones.

However, the humanitarian situation has improved in certain countries. This is the case in North-Uganda where the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan was implemented in 2009. Zimbabwe also made progress in terms of health services, water supply, liberalisation of the economy, agriculture and employment. Finally, in Sri Lanka, many of the persons displaced following conflict have been able to return to their places of origin.

Political and institutional developments

A Working Group has been created within the Council, to deal with humanitarian aid and food aid (COHAFA). It should facilitate the implementation of the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid.

The Commission has also established close working relationships with the new Committee on Development (DEVE) which has been elected within the new European Parliament.