A4-0122/96

Proposal for a Council Regulation on aid for population policies and programmes in the developing countries (COM(95)0295 - C4-0421/95 - 95/0166(SYN))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 40)

Citation 2a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to the action platform adopted in Cairo in 1994 at the World Conference on Population and Development,

(Amendment 35)

Recital 1

>Original text>

Whereas high rates of population growth seriously limit the capacity of most developing countries to achieve social and economic development; whereas these countries have adopted national birth-spacing programmes;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas a number of factors impede the capacity of most developing countries to achieve social and economic development; whereas one of many reasons is the high rate of population growth; whereas these countries have adopted national birth- spacing programmes;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 2a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to the conclusions of the European Parliament hearing of 25 November 1993, which highlighted the complex relations between demography and development, particularly the fact that, while population growth may up to a certain threshold be a factor of economic progress, the very high levels of growth observed in a number of developing countries make it impossible to meet the resulting needs and to provide the population with the prospect of balanced development, particularly from an environmental point of view;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 2b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas population issues are factors of global interdependence in the current context of globalization of trade;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 2c (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to trends recently observed in some developing countries, in particular the changing patterns of reproductive behaviour which have led in many cases to a reduction in birth rates;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 2d (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas individual freedom of choice in reproductive matters for men and women is an important factor in progress and development;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 3a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community encourages the right of an individual to choose the number and spacing of their children, and condemns any country or organization which abuses human rights by the promotion of coerced abortion, forced sterilization, infanticide and the rejection, neglect and abuse of unwanted children as a means to control population growth;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 4

>Original text>

Whereas the Community has undertaken to follow up the Cairo conference, notably by increasing its financial support for population programmes in the developing countries;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community has undertaken to follow up the Cairo conference, notably by increasing its financial support for population programmes in the developing countries to ECU 300 million by the year 2000;

(Amendment 8)

Recital 5

>Original text>

Whereas the recipient countries must be helped to introduce balanced population programmes that are compatible with sustainable development, and to develop strategies for the emancipation of women, which is a determining factor in birth control, through measures in a variety of social, economic and cultural sectors, and in particular the key sectors of education and health;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the recipient countries must be helped to introduce balanced population programmes that are compatible with sustainable development, and to develop strategies for the empowerment of women and gender equity, which are determining factors in the uptake of family planning, through measures in a variety of social, economic and cultural sectors, and in particular the key sectors of education and health;

(Amendment 41)

Recital 5a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, to be really effective, population policies of this kind must form part of a larger set of measures to deal with poverty and the threat to the environment,

(Amendment 39)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas new operations of this kind are conducive to the sustainable economic and social development of the developing countries and their harmonious and progressive integration into the world economy;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas operations of this kind will be effective only if they are backed up by a form of sustainable economic and social development that will permit the harmonious and progressive integration of the developing countries into the world economy;

(Amendment 42)

Recital 6a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the objectives of any form of Community financing are family planning, reproductive health, the fight against sexually transmissible diseases and the development of research in these areas;

(Amendment 43)

Recital 6b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas non-governmental organizations play a fundamental role in the success of health, education and planning policies, particularly with women and girls;

(Amendment 9)

Article 1

>Original text>

The Community shall conduct cooperation in support of population policies in the developing countries.

>Text following EP vote>

The Community shall conduct cooperation in support of population programmes and policies in the developing countries.

(Amendment 10)

Article 1a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 1a

This cooperation in the area of population policy shall gradually take account of all the aspects of demography (birth rates, mortality rates, migration, etc.) and the population dimension shall be incorporated over time into the various aspects of development policy.

(Amendment 11)

Article 2(1), 1st indent

>Original text>

- enabling women and men to make a free and informed choice about the number and spacing of their children,

>Text following EP vote>

- enabling women and men to make a free and informed choice about the number and spacing of their children, and preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS,

(Amendments 12 and 45)

Article 2(1), 2nd indent

>Original text>

- contributing to the creation of a sociocultural, economic and educational environment conducive to the full exercise of that choice, especially for women,

>Text following EP vote>

- contributing to the creation of a sociocultural, economic and educational environment conducive to the full exercise of that choice, especially for women and girls, notably by condemning and eliminating any form of violence and sexual cruelty detrimental to their human dignity and health,

(Amendment 46)

Article 2(1), 3rd indent

>Original text>

- helping develop or reform health systems in order to improve the accessibility and quality of reproductive health care, thereby appreciably reducing the risks to the health of women and children.

>Text following EP vote>

- helping develop or reform health systems in order to improve the accessibility and quality of reproductive health care, taking account of vital needs such as risk-free pregnancy and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, thereby appreciably reducing the risks to the health of women and children.

(Amendment 47)

Article 2(1), 3rd indent a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

- encouraging development programmes which take account of the need for equality between women and men, in the family and in economic, social, cultural and political activities,

(Amendment 36)

Article 2(1), 3rd indent b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

- complying strictly, when implementing the programme, with the decision taken at the Cairo Conference that abortion should under no circumstances be encouraged as a family planning method; for this reason, abortions shall not be financed from this item of the budget,

(Amendment 14)

Article 2(2), 1st indent

>Original text>

- support for the establishment and development of family-planning services as part of policies implemented by governments, international bodies and NGOs, particularly targeting marginal groups for whom the issue is especially important,

>Text following EP vote>

- support for the establishment and development of reproductive health and family-planning services as part of policies implemented by governments, international bodies and NGOs, particularly targeting marginal groups for whom the issue is especially important, e.g. adolescents,

(Amendment 15)

Article 2(2), 3rd indent

>Original text>

- the improvement of reproductive health care infrastructure, equipment, supplies or training,

>Text following EP vote>

- the improvement of reproductive health care infrastructure, equipment, supplies or training (including safe motherhood, antenatal and postnatal care, family planning and the prevention and management of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS),

(Amendment 16)

Article 2(2), 4th indent

>Original text>

- support for information, education and awareness campaigns aimed, in particular, at promoting understanding of the wider social benefits of speeding up the demographic transition,

>Text following EP vote>

- support for information, education and awareness campaigns and advocacy aimed, in particular, at promoting understanding of the wider social benefits of reproductive health care and low population growth rates,

(Amendment 17)

Article 2(2), 5th indent a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

- family policy, including education and literacy programmes incorporating information on reliable, legal methods of contraception.

(Amendment 18)

Article 3

>Original text>

The recipients of aid and cooperation partners shall include not only states and regions, but local services, regional organizations, government agencies, traditional or local communities, private operators and industries, including cooperatives, NGOs and grassroots associations.

>Text following EP vote>

The recipients of aid and cooperation partners shall include not only states and regions, but also local services, regional organizations, government agencies, traditional or local communities, private operators and industries, including cooperatives, Member State and local NGOs and grassroots associations.

(Amendment 49)

Article 3a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 3a

>Text following EP vote>

Since women are at the heart of sustainable human development, they shall be called upon to participate in the design, planning, implementation and assessment of all population projects and programmes.

(Amendment 33)

Article 3b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 3b

Programmes shall be conducted on the basis of dialogue with the national, regional and local authorities concerned, in such a way as to avoid imposing policies without consultation and, as far as possible, to take account of the cultural, social and economic situation of the population groups involved.

(Amendment 21)

Article 4(1)

>Original text>

1. Community assistance in the implementation of the operations referred to in Article 2 shall include studies, technical assistance, training or other services, supplies and works, and evaluation and monitoring missions and audits.

>Text following EP vote>

1. Community assistance in the implementation of the operations referred to in Article 2 shall include studies, service delivery, technical assistance, advocacy, training or other services, information, education and communication, supplies and works, and evaluation and monitoring missions and audits.

(Amendment 22)

Article 4(1a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

1a. Community assistance shall not be granted to any country or organization which permits or encourages coerced abortion, forced sterilization or infanticide as a means of controlling population growth.

(Amendment 23)

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 24)

Article 4(5)

>Original text>

5. The Commission shall take all coordination measures necessary to maximise overall efficiency by enhancing the consistency and complementarity of operations financed by the Community and the Member States, and in particular:

>Text following EP vote>

5. The Commission shall take all coordination measures necessary to maximise overall efficiency by enhancing the consistency and complementarity of operations financed by the Community, the Member States, the EIB and other bilateral and international donors and in particular:

>Original text>

(a) the setting-up of a standard system for exchanges of information on the operations financed or considered for financing by the Community and the Member States;

>Text following EP vote>

(a) the setting-up of a standard system for exchanges of information on the operations financed or considered for financing by the Community, the Member States, the EIB and other bilateral and international donors;

>Original text>

(b) on-the-spot coordination of operations through regular meetings and exchanges of information between the representatives of the Commission and the Member States in the recipient country.

>Text following EP vote>

(b) on-the-spot coordination of operations through regular meetings and exchanges of information between the representatives of the donors in the recipient country.

(Amendments 25 and 37)

Article 6(5)

>Original text>

5. Participation in invitations to tender and the award of contracts shall be open on equal terms to natural and legal persons of the Member States and of the recipient country. It may be extended to other developing countries.

>Text following EP vote>

5. Participation in invitations to tender and the award of contracts shall be open on equal terms to natural and legal persons of the Member States and of the recipient country and other developing countries (including non-governmental organizations as well as private consultancies). It may be extended to other third countries in exceptional, duly justified cases.

(Amendment 38)

Article 6(6)

>Original text>

6. Supplies shall originate in the Member States, the recipient country or other developing countries. In exceptional cases, where circumstances warrant, supplies may originate elsewhere.

>Text following EP vote>

6. Supplies shall originate in the Member States, the recipient country or other developing countries. Exceptions shall be permitted on agreement with the responsible authority, particularly where those concerned would otherwise incur higher costs or disproportionately high expenditure.

(Amendment 34)

Article 7(3)

>Original text>

3. The committee shall meet once a year, during a joint meeting of the three committees mentioned in the first paragraph, to discuss the general guidelines presented by the Commission representative for operations in the year ahead.

>Text following EP vote>

3. The committee shall meet once a year, during a joint meeting of the three committees mentioned in the first paragraph, to discuss the general guidelines presented by the Commission representative for operations in the year ahead. The Commission shall establish the general guidelines, taking into account UN and other specific studies, to be presented on the basis of consultations held with the authorities, partner organisations and beneficiaries in the countries receiving assistance.

(Amendment 28)

Article 7(3a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

3a. Meetings held under the terms of this Article shall take place in public and the full minutes forwarded to Parliament and the Council for information within ten working days of each meeting.

(Amendment 29)

Article 8, 1st paragraph

>Original text>

At the end of each budget year, the Commission shall present a report to Parliament and the Council summarizing the operations financed in the course of that year and evaluating the implementation of this Regulation over that period.

>Text following EP vote>

At the end of each budget year and at the latest when the preliminary draft budget for the following financial year is submitted, the Commission shall present a report to Parliament and the Council summarizing the operations financed in the course of that year and evaluating the implementation of this Regulation over that period.

(Amendment 30)

Article 8, 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 details of those with whom contracts have been concluded.

(Amendment 31)

Article 9, 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 aid for population policies and programmes in the developing countries (COM(95)0295 - C4-0421/95 - 95/0166(SYN))

(Cooperation procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(95)0295 - 95/0166(SYN) ((OJ C 310, 22.11.1995, p. 13.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Articles 189c and 130w of the EC Treaty (C4-0421/95),

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

- having regard to the report by the Committee on Development and Cooperation and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Budgetary Control (A4-0122/96),

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.