WRITTEN QUESTION E-0317/03

by Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (PSE) to the Council

(10 February 2003)

Subject: Cooperation with Brazil

Bearing in mind that 50 million Brazilians live in poverty and given that President Da Silva is to make social development the top priority of his term in office with a view to eradicating the hunger which afflicts a large proportion of the population, do relations with Brazil number among the Council's priorities?

If so, can President Da Silva count on the EU Member States for assistance?

To what extent do the Member States contribute to food aid for Brazil?

Reply

(13 May 2003)

1. The EU has reaffirmed at several occasions its intention to strengthen its political, economic, trade and co-operation relations with Brazil both bilaterally and in the bi-regional EU-Mercosur framework. At present, EC co-operation with Brazil amounts to some EUR 210 million in terms of projects under implementation. The sector where most financial resources are allocated to ongoing projects is the environment (EUR 80 million) mainly in the framework of the Pilot Programme for the Protection of Brazilian Tropical Forests (PPG7). In the social field, the fight against poverty is the key priority and two significant projects are under way, for a total amount of EUR 12,6 million. Many European NGOs pursue active development projects in Brazil with the support of EC funding, generally aimed at improving the living condition of underprivileged communities. In 1999 and 2000 EC funding for NGO activities in Brazil amounted to EUR 43 million.

2. Particular reference should also be made to the Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation (MoU) signed by the European Commission and Brazil on 19 November 2002. The MoU, which foresees an indicative budget of EUR 64 million, establishes the priorities for bilateral EC-Brazilian co-operation until the end of 2006. The MoU concentrates on five priority areas: public administration, economic co-operation, social development, R & D and environment. Three projects adopted in the framework of the above Memorandum are already being implemented: modernisation of public administration, support to taxation reform and human rights training for the policy. A fourth project is being prepared with a view to establishing a network of technology centres.

It is recalled that the MoU expressly foresees the possibility of adjustment when the parties consider it necessary. The competent EU authorities will, if necessary, carefully examine any request of the Brazilian authorities to adjust the above mentioned agreed co-operation priorities.

3. In the framework of EU-Mercosur co-operation, the European Commission adopted the Regional Indicative Program (RIP) worth of EUR 48 million for the period of 2002-2006. The RIP covers support for the completion of Mercosur internal market, strengthening of Mercosur institutional building and sectoral policies and improving possibilities for civil society actors to actively contribute to further integration and to EU-Mercosur relations.

4. Concerning food aid to Brazil there seems to be a consensus on the fact that hunger in Brazil is not due to lack of food or lack of distribution channels, but rather to the low purchasing power of large groups of the Brazilian population. Therefore, the efforts of international donors have been concentrated on improving the social and economic conditions of these groups.