EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/329

(2004/C 88 E/0337)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0614/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(3 March 2003)

Subject: EU/Angola 1999-2003: cooperation, development, human rights, assistance, etc.

For the years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and with regard to Angola, can the Commission provide information on the following: What programmes have been or are being undertaken by the EU with Angola? What are the funds allocated? What is the expected duration of the individual programmes? What results have been obtained by the programmes, and what assessment has been made of their success or otherwise? What particular developments have characterised each of the programmes?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-0610/03, E-0611/03, E-0612/03, E-0613/03 and E-0614/03

given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

The Honourable Member's questions are wide-ranging and detailed.

European Development Fund

The main source of financial co-operation with these countries is the European Development Fund (EDF). These funds were provided in the framework of the Lomé Conventions and since 1 April 2003 the Cotonou Agreement. The attached table which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat summarises commitments and payments in respect of each country for the period 1999-2002, in order to show the scale of each programme and its development over the period.

The Head of Delegation produces reports on the implementation of EDF-financed programmes in the country in question.

These cover inter alia:

(a) the amount of the Indicative Programme, commitments, disbursements, and the timetable for the implementation of the indicative programme and the regional programmes;

(b) a progress report on projects and programmes;

(c) an assessment of the operations of the Fund in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) State and regional programmes.

The reports on the situation up to the end of 2002 are currently being finalised, and will be sent to the Honourable Member as soon as they are available.

Other funding

Funding may also be provided to these countries from the general Community budget. Information concerning projects to support democracy and human rights is being sent direct to the Parliament and to Parliament's Secretariat. Information on other budget-financed projects will be sent as soon as possible.

Effectiveness

The Commission attaches the highest importance to maximising the effectiveness of the actions financed. The strategy for interventions in each country is decided after careful discussion with the Government, other donors and civil society. Summaries of the five strategies are being sent to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. The full text of each strategy is available on the website of Directorate General (D) Development, under (http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/csp_rsp/csp_en.cfm).

Various evaluations have been carried out in relation to the five countries; summaries of those completed since 1999 are being sent to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat. The full text of each report is available on the EuropeAid website under (http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/evaluation/program/acprep.htm).