COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0NC89) 664 final 
Brussels, 19 December 1989 
Proposal tor a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the conclusion of the Convention between the 
European Economic Community and the United Nations 
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) 
concerning aid to refugees In the countries of the Near East 
(presented by the Commission) 
MB*.;, „'i .*& • 
Explanatory Memorandum 
The Commission made proposals to the Council in May 1989 (1) for a 
mandate to open negotiations for the renewal of the Convention between 
the EEC and UNRWA, which Is due to expire on 31 December 1989. 
In accordance with the decision of the General Affairs Council of 
3 October 1989, the Commission negotiated on 13 October 1989 with UNWRA 
the text of the proposed new EEC/UNRWA Convention for the period 
1990/1992. 
As compared with the current Convention the main changes in the 
proposed text, in conformity with the directives for negotiation, are 
as fol low : 
The cash contribution towards the cost of UNRWA's education and health 
programmes (Including the supplementary feeding programme) shall be ecu 
25.4 million for 1990, ecu 26.7 million for 1991 and ecu 28 million for 
1992 (Article 2, para 1). The inclusion of a specific yearly amount for 
the supplementary feeding programme is also new, as are its explicit 
inclusion in the health programme and the Inclusion of a separate 
quantity for the health programme. This is also reflected In articles 
1, 2, 3, 2.4, 3.2 and 3.3. 
UNRWA are happy with the form and the content of the proposed text and 
they are ready to sign the Convention as soon as possible. 
The financial Implications of the action proposed are set out in the 
financial annex. 
Action proposed 
The Commission therefore proposes that the Council adopt : 
1) the Convention between the European Economic Community and the 
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, 
attached, and 
2) the decision concluding that Convention, also attached. 
(1) SEC (89) 724/3 
COUNCIL DECISION 
Of 
on the conclusion of the Convention between the 
European Economic Community and the United Nations 
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) 
concerning aid to refugees In the countries of the Near East 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
- 2 -
Article 2 
Questions relating to the execution of the Community programme of food 
aid to UNRWA shall be governed by the procedure defined In Regulation 
(EEC) N° 3972/86 or, If appropriate, by any regulation on food aid 
repealing and replacing it. 
Article 3 
The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the 
persons empowered to sign the Convention In order to bind the 
Community. 
Done at Brussels, For the CounclI, 
The President 
CONVENTION 
BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND 
THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY 
FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES (UNRWA) 
CONCERNING AID TO REFUGEES 
IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE NEAR EAST 
ARTICLE 1 
Desirous of continuing its aid to Palestine Refugees, the European 
Economic Community (hereinafter referred to as "the Community") hereby 
concludes this Convention with the United Nations Relief and Works 
Agency for Palestine Refugees (hereinafter referred to as "UNRWA") in 
order to confirm its commitment to a programme of aid to UNRWA. This 
aid shall take the form of contributions In kind or In cash extending 
over a three-year period for use under the UNRWA education, health and 
feeding programmes. 
ARTICLE 2 
1. The Community shall pay to UNRWA annually a cash contribution 
towards the cost of the education and health programmes, including 
the supplementary feeding programme. The size of this contribution 
shall be: ecu 21 million In 1990, ecu 22 million in 1991 and ecu 23 
million in 1992 for the education programme-, ecu 1 million In 1990, 
ecu 2 million in 1991 and ecu 3 million in 1992 for the health 
programme; and ecu 3.4 million in 1990, ecu 2.7 million in 1991 and 
ecu 2.0 million in 1992 for the supplementary feeding programme 
(which is a part of the health programme). The distribution of 
these amounts within the health programme (including the 
supplementary -feeding programme) will be amenable to adjustment 
each year depending on evidence of real needs. 
2. UNRWA shall send the Community each year a report on the use made 
of the Community contribution. UNRWA shall also provide the 
Community with all the documentation relating to the execution of 
the education and health programmes, Including the supplementary 
feeding programme; the detailed accounts of expenditure; and 
budgetary estimates of future expenditure and the yearly statistics 
of the UNRWA Departments of Education and Health. 
3. UNRWA shall inform the Community of any significant changes planned 
for the education or health services provided by the Agency. 
4. In the event of any significant changes in the education or health 
services provided by UNRWA during the period of validity of this 
Convention, the Community reserves the right to give its approval 
to the use made of the funds it is making available to UNRWA. 
ARTICLE 3 
Aid for the feeding programmes 
1. The Community shall contribute in kind or in cash to the various 
UNRWA feeding programmes (the programme for distribution of rations to 
special hardship cases, the feeding In training centres programme and 
the supplementary feeding programme). 
2. The size and form of the Community contribution to these programmes 
and the conditions on which aid is granted shall be determined by the 
Community each year in the framework of its food aid programmes, on the 
basis of the requests submitted by UNRWA, with the exception of the 
supplementary feeding programme (included within the health programme) 
which will amount to ecu 3.4 million In 1990, ecu 2.7 million In 1991, 
and ecu 2.0 million in 1992, subject to yearly adjustments as specified 
in art icle 2.1. 
3. The Community shall pay the following contributions in cash to 
UNRWA for the feeding programmes : 
a sum as a contribution to the operating costs of the supplementary 
feeding programme, as indicated, 
a sum for the purchase of products on the Community market. 
However, in the event of an emergency or non-availability on the 
Community market or in other exceptional cases after agreement by 
the Community, the products concerned may be purchased In the 
developing countries or on the local market, 
a specific sum per tonne of each product received or purchased by 
UNRWA under the programme for distribution of rations to special 
hardship cases and the feeding in training centres programme, as a 
contribution to transport and distribution costs. 
4. UNRWA shall send the Community in April of each year a report on 
the operation of the feeding programmes, indicating in particular the 
number, category and location of recipients and the services provided, 
the cost of the programmes and the use made of Community contributions 
in kind and in cash. 
ARTICLE 4 
Informat Ion 
UNRWA shall take all reasonable steps to inform the Palestine refugees 
and the authorities of the host countries of the aid received from the 
Community and from Its Member States. 
ARTICLE 5 
UNRWA shall give every facility to any persons nominated by the 
Community for the purpose of following the Agency's use of the 
Community's aid<1). UNRWA shall also provide such supplementary 
Information as may reasonably be requested by the persons so nominated. 
ARTICLE 6 
Any questions arising out of this Convention shall be settled by 
consultation between the two parties at the request of either party. 
ARTICLE 7 
Duration of the Convention 
This Convention shall cover a period of three calendar years (1990, 
1991 and 1992). 
(1) The checks will be carried out principally by the Commission 
Delegates in the various countries concerned. 
ARTICLE 8 
This Convention Is drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English, 
French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish languages, each 
version being equally authentic. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the United Nations Relief an On behalf of the Council 
Works Agency for Palestine of the European Communities 
Refugees (UNRWA) 
FINANCIAL ANNEX 
Relevant budgetary lines 
Food aid programme : Budgetary lines within Chapter 92 
Cash contribution : Article 926 - Expenses resulting from the 
EEC/UNRWA Convention 
Article 959 - Supplementary aid to UNRWA 
(Education and health programmes). 
Description of action 
Establishment of a new Convention between the EEC and UNRWA for the 
allocation of food aid in kind and in cash for the Agency's feeding 
programmes and a cash contribution for the UNRWA education and 
health programmes (including the supplementary feeding programme). 
3. Legal base 
Article 235 
Community. of the Treaty establishing the European Economic 
Financial implications 
Cash contribution for the Education and Health 
(Including the supplementary feeding programme). Programmes 
The contribution to the UNRWA education and health programmes 
(including the supplementary feeding programme) shall be ecu 
25.4 million for 1990, ecu 26.7 million for 1991 and ecu 28 
million for 1992, in accordance with the decision of the 
General Affairs Council of 3 October 1989. 
Contribution to Feeding Programmes 
The size and content of the aid to UNRWA for the feeding programmes 
(with the exception of the supplementary feeding programme, already 
quantified in the text of the Convention), will be decided, as in 
the past, following the procedure defined In Council Regulation 
(EEC) 3972/86.<1) 
(1) O.J. L370 Of 30.12.1986 p.1 

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COM(89) 664 fina^ 
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