A4-0302/95

Proposal for a Council Regulation on rehabilitation and reconstruction operations in developing countries (COM(95)0291 - C4-0495/95 - 95/0165(SYN))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 3

>Original text>

Whereas the European Parliament, in its resolution of 16 November 1993(1), emphasized the scale of the developing countries' need for rehabilitation aid and proposed the establishment of a specific financial framework for that purpose in the Community budget;

(1) PE A3-0329/93, Doc. 176.642, 16.11.1993.

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the European Parliament, in its resolution of 16 November 1993(1), emphasized the scale of the developing countries' need for rehabilitation aid and proposed the establishment of a specific financial framework for that purpose in the Community budget, funded by substantial resources;

(1) OJ C 329, 6.12.1993, p. 77.

(Amendment 2)

Recital 3a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, furthermore, Parliament noted that high priority needed to be accorded to the speed and efficiency of aid and that food security and the restoration of basic social facilities needed to be treated as matters of the utmost importance; whereas, in addition, it pointed to the need for rehabilitation operations to be incorporated into a development strategy for the medium to long term;

(Amendment 3)

Article 1

>Original text>

The Community shall carry out rehabilitation and reconstruction operations in developing countries or regions which have suffered serious damage through war, civil disorder and destabilization. Operations of limited duration shall be designed to help re-establish a working economy and the institutional capacities needed to restore social and political stability to the countries concerned and meet the needs of the people affected. The operations must progressively take over from humanitarian action and pave the way for the resumption of long-term development aid.

>Text following EP vote>

The Community shall carry out rehabilitation and reconstruction operations in developing countries or regions which have suffered serious damage through war, civil disorder and destabilization. Operations of limited duration, which must commence at the earliest possible stage, shall be designed to help re-establish a working economy and the institutional capacities needed to restore social and political stability to the countries concerned and meet the needs of the people affected. The operations must progressively take over from humanitarian action and pave the way for the resumption of long-term development aid.

(Amendment 4)

Article 3

>Original text>

The agents of cooperation eligible for financial support under this Regulation include national, regional and local government departments and agencies, local authorities and other local bodies, international organizations and non- governmental organizations.

>Text following EP vote>

The agents of cooperation eligible for financial support under this Regulation include national, regional and local government departments, specialized international aid organizations and non-governmental organizations which, according to their varying expertise and capacities, can make a contribution to the operations referred to in Articles 1 and 2.

(Amendment 5)

Article 4(1)

>Original text>

1. The instruments to be employed in the course of the operations referred to in Article 1 include studies, technical assistance, training or other services, supplies and works, along with audits and evaluation and monitoring missions.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The instruments to be employed in the course of the operations referred to in Articles 1 and 2 include studies, technical assistance, training or other services, supplies and works, along with audits and evaluation and monitoring missions. In this connection priority should be given to reinforcing national capacities, particularly through the training of staff and the restoration of basic physical, social and economic infrastructure with a view to sustainability.

(Amendment 6)

Article 4(2)

>Original text>

2. Community financing may cover both investment, with the exception of the purchase of buildings, and operating costs in local or foreign currency, depending on the needs of the operation.

>Text following EP vote>

2. Community financing may cover both investment, with the exception of the purchase of buildings, and essential operating costs incurred in the start-up phase of a project in local or foreign currency, depending on the needs of the operation.

(Amendment 7)

Article 4(3a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

3a. A financial contribution from local partners, in particular to operating costs, shall be sought as a priority in cases where a project is designed as a start-up for an ongoing activity, in order to ensure the sustainability of such projects after Community funding has ceased.

(Amendment 8)

Article 4(5a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

5a. In order to reinforce coherence and complementarity between Member States and other international donor organizations, the Commission shall take the measures necessary to establish mechanisms for consultation.

(Amendment 9)

Article 6(4)

>Original text>

4. Where operations are the subject of financing agreements between the Community and the recipient country, such agreements shall stipulate that the payment of taxes, duties or any other charges is not to be covered by the Community.

>Text following EP vote>

4. Where operations are the subject of financing agreements between the Community and the recipient country, such agreements shall stipulate that the payment of taxes, duties or any other charges is not to be covered by the Community. Consignments delivered and services rendered by or on behalf of the Community shall correspondingly be exempt from taxes, duties, and other charges.

(Amendment 10)

Article 7(2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2a. Meetings held under the terms of this Article shall be in public and the full minutes transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council for information within ten working days of each meeting.

(Amendment 11)

Article 8

>Original text>

An exchange of views will take place once a year, on the basis of a presentation by the Commission's representative of general guidelines for the operations to be carried out in the year ahead, in the framework of a joint meeting of the three committees mentioned in Article 7(1).

>Text following EP vote>

An exchange of views will take place once a year, on the basis of a presentation by the Commission's representative of general guidelines for the operations to be carried out in the year ahead, in the framework of a joint meeting of the three committees mentioned in Article 7(1). The Commission shall establish the general guidelines to be presented on the basis of consultations held with the authorities, partner organizations and beneficiaries in the countries receiving assistance.

(Amendment 12)

Article 9, 2nd paragraph

>Original text>

The summary shall in particular contain information about those with whom contracts have been concluded.

>Text following EP vote>

The summary shall in particular give detailed information about those with whom contracts have been concluded.

(Amendment 13)

Article 9, 3rd paragraph a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Where, pursuant to this Regulation, projects are funded in countries or regions for which funding for rehabilitation and reconstruction measures is available under the EDF or under specific regulations, the annual report shall state the reasons why the decision has been made to opt for funding under this Regulation.

(Amendment 14)

Article 10, 1st paragraph a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

It shall be subject to review five years after it comes into force.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on rehabilitation and reconstruction operations in developing countries (COM(95)0291 - C4-0495/95 - 95/0165(SYN))

(Cooperation procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(95)0291 - 95/0165(SYN) ((OJ C 235, 9.9.1995, p. 11.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Articles 189c and 130w of the EC Treaty (C4-0495/95),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Development and Cooperation and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Budgetary Control (A4-0302/95),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189c(a) of the EC Treaty;

4. Calls for the conciliation procedure to be opened should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.