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COM (83) 534 
 
 
Vol. 1983/0204 
  
 
Disclaimer  
Conformém ent au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983 
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique 
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, 
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003 
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents 
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit 
règlem ent. 
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Econom ic 
Communit y and the European Atom ic Energy Communit y (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as 
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 
27.9.2003, p. 1), t his file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this 
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.  
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom  1. 
Februa r 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen  
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgem einschaft (ABI. L 43 vom  15.2.1983,  
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. Septem ber 2003  
(ABI. L 243 v om 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit  
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5  
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.  
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
C O M ( 8 3 ) 5 3 4  final 
Brussels, 1 5  S ep tem b er 1 9 8 3
Proposal f or a  
C O U N C I L  D E C I S I O N
determ ining the general guidelines for 1 9 8 4  concerning financial 
a n d  technical aid to non-associated developing countries
(subm itted to the C ouncil b y  the C o m m issio n )
COM(83) 534 final

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1 . B ack g ro u n d
T h e  Regulation governing the C o m m u n ity 's financial 
a n d  technical assistance for non-associated developing countries '  
provides that "acting o n  a  proposal fro m  the C o m m is s io n  a n d  after 
consulting the E u ro p ean  Parliament, the C o u n cil shall determ ine, 
in  g o o d  tim e before the en d  of the year, the general guidelines 
to b e  applied to a n d  for the follow ing year" (Article 9.2).
\
T h ese annual guidelines provide the opportunity to am plify the general 
objectives laid d o w n  in  the Regulation, a n d  to specify the proportions 
of fu n d in g  w h ic h  should b e  devoted to particular geographical areas 
or set aside for certain general provisions.
T h e  guidelines proposed b y  the C o m m issio n  for 1 9 8 4  are given in  
annex, a n d  the follow ing rem ark s are intended to clarify certain 
general points w h ic h  should b e  borne in  m in d  w h e n  considering these 
guidelines.
2. S u m m a r y  of objectives
T h e  central objectives of this financial an d  technical assistance 
are laid d o w n  in  the above-m entioned Regulation, w h ic h  
notes, inter alia, that:
- the aid shall b e  directed to the poorest developing countries a n d  
to the poorest groups of their populations, a n d  shall b e  a im e d  
essentially at the rural sector, w ith  particular em p h asis o n  
im p ro v in g  fo o d  supplies;
- a  subsidiary part of the funds shall b e  directed tow ards regional 
actions, a n d  a  further proportion shall b e  set aside for exceptional 
m easures, particularly for post-catastrophe reconstruction projects;
- the aid shall b e  in  grant form , a n d  m a y  b e  u sed  to co v er b o th  
foreign or local costs; projects m a y  b e  financed autonom ously, or 
in  cofinancem ent w ith M e m b e r  States or international organisations;
- the allocation of funds shall help to m aintain a  C o m m u n ity  presence 
in the m ajor regions of the developing w o rld .
3. Experience gained to date
T h e  experience gained since 1 9 7 6  in  im p lem en tin g  this assistance h as 
b een  described in  s o m e  detail in  the various annual im plem entation 
reports (the m o st recent of w h ic h  covered the year ending 3 1  D e c e m b e r 
1982).
Briefly, it is clear that this is n o w  a  well-established 
c o m p o n e n t of the C o m m u n ity 's overall dev elo p m en t policy, a n d  o n e  w h ic h  
is very w ell received b y  the recipient countries to w h o m  it is 
addressed. T h e  assistance provided h a s alw ay s b e e n  concentrated o n  
rural developm ent (an d  particularly o n  problem s related to fo o d  
production), a n d  directed tow ards the poorest developing countries.
Council Regulation 442/81

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r ;o r o  s p  , J< , i  f  ical ly, thè experience gained to date h a s also s h o w n  
that o n e  o f thè k e y  problem s in  this area is that of absorptive 
capacity. T h ese problem s of preparing a n d  im p lem en tin g  effective 
d e v e lo p . n e n t projects are naturally m o s t serious in  thè very poorest 
countries, b u t rem ain  im portant e v e n  w ith  m o r e  developed recipients.
T h e  o nly w a y  of overco m in g  these constraints is to provide for substantial 
d o n o r involvem ent in  project preparation a n d  im plem entation, a n d  to p a y  
clore attention to project supervision a n d  control. T h e  special provision 
m a d e  fcr thè recruitment of ulisside experts is of great assistance here, 
but it m u st b e  stressed that chis is only a  partial solution, a n d  it 
rem ain s essential to provide adequate staff resources w ithin thè C o m m issio n , 
b o th  in  Brussels a n d  in  thè field.
4. T h e  v o lu m e  of aid
O v e r thè period 1976-83, total c o m m itm e n t credits of 1,011.5 M E C U  h a v e  
b e e n  m a d e  available for thisassistance (of w h ic h  235.0 M E C U  u n d er thè 
1 9 8 3  budget). T his funding h a s served s o m e  3 0  recipient countries in  
A sia, Latin A m e ric a  a n d  Africa, w ith  a  total population of s o m e  
1.350 million, a n d  average per capita in c o m e  of t 3 1 0  (1 9 8 0  I B R D  data).
W h ile  thè v o lu m e  of funding available h a s g ro w n
rapidly, it is clearly stili very sm all in  relation to thè n eeds of 
thè recipient countries to w h o m  thè p ro g ra m m e  is addressed. G iv e n  thè 
politicai will expressed o n  several occasions b y  Parliam ent a n d  C o uncil 
in  favour of a  significant C o m m u n ity  participation in  thè d ev elo p m en t 
of these im portant regions of thè w orld, thè C o m m issio n  considers it 
essential that thè 1 9 8 4  b u d g et should include c o m m itm e n t credits of 
3 0 0  M E C U  a n d  p a y m e n t credits of 1 8 0  M E C U .
5 . C o m m e n ts  o n  thè proposed guidelines for 1 9 8 4
In  m o s t respects, thè guidelines proposed for 1 9 8 4  are virtually 
identical to those follow ed in  previous years. T his is thè case 
for thè geographical allocation of funding ( 7 5 %  for A sia, 2 0 %  for 
Latin A m erica, a n d  5 %  for Africa), a n d  for thè eligible recipients 
A s  in previous years, certain countries h av e b een singled out for a  
particular effort in 1 9 8 4 , taking account of their specific 
circum stances or of oarticular C o m m u n ity  obligations.
T h e  generai provisions for thè recruitment of outside experts ( 3 %  of 
b u d g et credits) a n d  for internationa l  agricultural research ( 2 %  - 3 % )  
h a v e  also b e e n  set at levels similar to those of previous years, a s h a s 
thè special reserve for post-catastrophe projects (5 -7 % ).
Finally, it should b e  em phasised that thè overall objectives
a n d  thè choice of sectors a n d  types of action, rem ain  exactly as in  previous
years. laid d o w n  in  thè Regulation, priority w ill continue to b e  given
to rural developm ent actions, a n d  particularly to thè im p ro v e m e n t of fo o d
supplies.
A full list of past recipients, Up to and including 1982, is given
in Annex B

ANNEX A
Proposal for Council Decision
determining the general guidelines for 1984 
concerning financial and technical aid 
to non-associated developing countries
T H E  C O U N C IL  O F  T H E  E U R O P E A N  C O M M U N IT IE S
Having regard to thè Treaty establishing thè European Econom ie 
Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (E E C ) N o  442/81 of
17 February 1981 on financial and technical aid to
1)non-associated developing countries , and in particular 
Artide 9  (2) thereof,
Having regard to thè proposai from thè Commission,
Having regard to thè Opinion of thè European Parliament ^
H A S  D E C ID E D  A S  F O L L O W S :
1) OJ No L 48, 21.2.1981, p.8
2) Opinion delivered on (not yet published in thè OJ)

Art i ci e General P rovisions
a )  T h e  reserve for post-catastrophe actions shall b e  set at 
b etw een  5 %  a n d  7 %  of budget credits; fu n d s n o t u sed  for 
this purpose b y  O ctober 3 1  shall b e  m a d e  available for 
n o rm al developm ent projects in  line w ith  thè geographical 
allocation of funding set o u t b elo w .
b )  Assistance for international agricultural research (through 
thè C G I A R  institutes) shall account for 2 %  to 3 %  of b u d g et 
credits.
c ) T h e  special provision for thè recruitm ent of outside expertise 
shall b e  set at 3 %  of budget credits. W ith in  this, approx- 
im ately 2 %  will b e  earm arked for short-term expert assistance o r 
sm all studies, a n d  thè rest for thè establishment of dev elo p m en t 
officers in  k e y  recipient countries.
Artide 2  G eographical allocation of funding
A fter deducting thè a b o v e generai provisions, 7 5 %  of budget credits 
shall b e  allocated for projects in  A sia, 2 0 %  for L atin A m e ric a  a n d  
5 %  for Africa.
A rtie L e  3  Eligible recipients
Eligible recipients shall include all those recipient countries or 
organisations w h o  h a v e  received assistance in  years prior to 1984,plus 
C o lu m b ia  (considered for assistance in  1 9 8 2 ).
Artide 4  T h e  allocation of funding
A s  in  previous years, fundsshall b e  allocated o n  a  project basis, 
taking d u e  account of:
thè availability a n d  readiness of specific projects, their 
intrinsic developm ental value, a n d  their fit w ith  thè needs a n d  
priorities of recipient countries;
- thè in c o m e  levels a n d  developm ent neéds of particular recipient 
countries, thè v o lu m e  of funding provided in  previous years, 
a n d  thè experience gained in  im p lem en tin g  past aid.
H o w e v e r, a  particular effort shall b e  m a d e  for certain recipient 
countries, taking account of their specific circumstances:
in  A sia, a  particular effort shall b e  m a d e  for T h a i lan d  (taking 
account of C o m m u n ity  obligations to that country in  thè context o f 
thè agreem ent o n  cassava production a n d  diversification), a n d  for 
Indonesia (taking account of thè dram atic deterioration in  that 
country's balance-of-paym ents position), w hile India shall of

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course continue to b e the largest recipient, (taking account 
of its size and level of incom e, of the substantial efforts 
and successes achieved, an d  of its serious balance-of- 
paym ents problems, particularly vis-a-vis the C om m unity);
in Latin America, a  particular effort shall b e m a d e  for 
Bolivia, taking account of the special needs of that country 
following its return to democratic governm ent;
in Africa, assistance to A ngola an d  M o za m b iq u e  shall b e 
continued, covering norm al rural developm ent actions or 
regional actions and w ith a n  em phasis o n  actions w hich can  
help pave the w a y  for the integration of these countries 
within the L o m e  Convention.
Artide 5  Sectoral em phases and type of action
A s  in previous years, priority shall be given to thè rural 
sector, and particularly to actions aim ed at increasing food 
production and im proving thè avai lability of food supplies.
W ithin thè rural sector, both production an d  support Services shall 
b e considered, a s w ell as actions in  thè field of social or 
production infrastructure.
F o r regional actions, em phasis shall continue to b e  given to thè 
direct or indirect developm ent of thè rural sector, while not 
excluding other sectors should this be appropriate an d  practical.
T h e  type of action to b e considered, as in previous years, shall 
include traditional single-sector projects, multi-sector 
integrated projects, or sectoral program m es. T h e  choice of 
approach shall be m a d e  taking account of recipient needs and 
priorities, of thè specific requirements of a  particular action, 
and of thè possibilities for accelerating com m itm ents an d  
disbursements and thus of m axim ising thè overall effectiveness 
of C o m m u n ity  assistance.
D o n e  at Brussels
F o r T h e  Council
T h e  President

ANNEX B
Financial a n d  technical cooperation w ith non-associated developing countries
(Article 930 of the B udget)
List of countries and organisations having received E E C  assistance o n  at 
least one occasion, indicatine thè latest annual program m e concerned in each 
case (up to and inr.ludinn 1982) ------------------------------------------- -----------------------
1.
 C O U N T R I E S
A S IA L A T I N  A M E R I C A
India 19 8 2 H onduras 1 9 82
Bangladésh 1 9 8 2 Nicaragua 1 9 8 2
Pakistan 1 9 8 1 Haiti 1 9 8 2
Afghanistan 1977 Costa Rica 1 9 82
Sri L an k a 1980 D om inican Republic 1 9 82
N epal 1982 Bolivia 1979
M a  Idi ves 1980 Ecuador 1 9 8 1
B hutan 19 8 2 Perù 1980
B u rm a 1 9 8 1
Thailand 1982 A F R I C A
Indonesia 1982 A ngola 1 9 8 2
Philippines 1 9 8 1 M o zam bique 1 9 8 2
V ietnam 1977 Z im b ab w e 1980
L aos 1979
Y e m e n  (A rab Republic) 1 9 8 1
Y e m e n  (Democratic Republic) 1 9 82
Palestine (occupied territories)1981

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II O R G A N I S A T I O N S
A S IA
A S E A N  Association of South East A sian Nations
A D B  Asian D evelopm ent B a n k
IC R IS A T  International C rop Research Institute for thè Sem i-A rid Tropics
IR R I International Rice Research Institute
Interim M e k o n g  C om m ittee
L A T I N  A M E R I C A  
A N D E A N  P A C T  J U N T A
(J U N A C ) (Junta del A cuerdo de Cartagena)
ID B  Interamerican D evelopm ent B a n k
C A B E I  Central A m erican B a n k  for E conom ie Integration
C F A D  Consejo de Fundaciones Am ericanas d e Desarollo (Solidarios)
C IP  International Potato Centre
C IA T  International Centre for Tropical Agriculture
C I M M Y T  Centro de Investigacion y  Mejoramiento de M a io  y  Trigo 
C A T I  Tropical Agricultural Research an d  Training Centre
I N C A P  Institute of Nutrition of Central A m erica and P an am a
O L A D E  Latin A m erican Energy Organisation
IIC A  Inter-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences of thè O A S
P A H O  Pan A m erican Health Organisation