[pic] | KUMMISSJONI TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ |

Brussel 7.7.2005

KUMM(2005)307 finali

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KOMUNIKAZZJONI MILL-KUMMISSJONI LILL-KUNSILL, IL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW U L-QORTI EWROPEA TA’ L-AWDITURI

Rapport dwar l-Immaniġġjar Finanzjarju dwar is-6, is-7, it-8, u d-9 Fond Ewropew għall-Iżvilupp għas-sena 2004

INTRODUZZJONI

Il-Fond Ewropew għall-Iżvilupp (l-EDF) ikopri l-programmi ta' żvilupp tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea fl-Afrika sotto-Saħarjana, il-Karibew u l-Paċifiku (AKP) finanzjati taħt il-Partenarjat AKP-KE (Il-Ftehim ta’ Cotonou) u f’20 Pajjiż u Territorju fl-Esteru (PTE)[1] li huma marbuta kostituzzjonalment mad-Danimarka (1), Franza (6), l-Olanda (2) u r-Renju Unit (11). L-għan ta’ dawn il-programmi fil-pajjiżi ta’ l-AKP u PTE hu li jipprovdi appoġġ finanzjarju u tekniku biex jitnaqqas il-faqar u jkun promoss l-iżvilupp ekonomiku u soċjali fuq medda twila ta’ żmien. L-Istati Membri ta’ l-UE b’mod konġunt ikkontribwew għall-EDFs, li huma distinti mill-baġit ġenerali ta’ l-UE u għandhom ir-regolamenti finanzjarji tagħhom.

Uħud mill-programmi tal-Kummissjoni ta' kooperazzjoni għall-iżvilupp fir-Reġjun AKP huma ffinanzjati mill-baġit ġenerali ta’ l-UE, barra mill-Ftehim ta’ Cotonou. Dawn il-programmi m’humiex koperti mir-rapport preżenti. Jinkludu l-attivitajiet tal-Kummissjoni fl-Afrika t’Isfel, linji tematiċi tal-baġit li jkopru s-sigurtà ta’ l-ikel, id-demokrazija u d-drittijiet tal-bniedem, l-ambjent, u l-appoġġ tagħha għall-produtturi tal-banana taħt it-tieni Protokoll AKP-KE dwar il-Banana. Il-Bank Ewropew għall-Investiment (BEI) ukoll jiffinanzja xi attivitajiet fl-Istati ta’ l-AKP bir-riżorsi tiegħu stess.

L-EDF kurrenti, id-9, li jiffinanzja l-ewwel ħames snin tal-Ftehim ta’ Cotonou, daħal fis-seħħ fl-1 ta’ April 2003 wara r-ratifika tiegħu u, ssupplimentat mill-bilanċi ttrasferiti mill-EDFs preċedenti, jkopri l-perjodu sat-tmiem ta’ l-2007. Il-partenarjat kurrenti UE-PTE hu rregolat minn Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill dwar Assoċjazzjoni Estera tas-27 November 2001.[2]

TWETTIQ TA' L-GħANIJIET GħAS-SENA FINANZJARJA 2004

Għanijiet Finanzjarji [3]

Fl-2004 il-Kummissjoni ħadet impenji globali mill-EDF ta’ €2 648m – ħarira taħt kemm immirat (€2 850m) – u ħallset ammont rekord ta’ €2 464m, u kompliet iżżid sena wara sena fl-iżburżjar. Impenji ġodda individwali (kuntratti) għal ammont ta’ €3 038m kienu konklużi mill-Kummissjoni dwar istrumenti ta’ l-EDF. Dan ir-rendiment kuntrattwali bejn l-2003-2004 (€6 100m) hu mingħajr preċedent u għandu jikkontribwixxi għal tkomplija ta' żieda fl-iżburżjar fis-snin li ġejjin.

Figuri EDF ewlenin ta’ rendiment, 2000-2004 (€m, gross)

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |

Impenji globali | 4 007 | 1 927 | 2 125 | 3 769 | 2 648 |

Impenji individwali | 2 509 | 2 488 | 2 436 | 3 062 | 3 038 |

Ħlasijiet | 1 640 | 1 779 | 1 922 | 2 345 | 2 464 |

Nindirizzaw il-faqar – punti ewlenin ta’ operar għall-2004

Kif turi t-tabella t’hawn taħt, il-Kummissjoni fl-2004 iddedikat l-akbar sehem ta’ l-impenji ta’ l-EDF għall-integrazzjoni reġjonali u appoġġ istituzzjonali. Dan ikopri programmi biex jippromwovu r-rispett għad-drittijiet tal-bniedem, il-prinċipji tad-demokrazija, l-istat tad-dritt u iggvernar responsabbli u li jagħti kont ta’ għemilu, u jsaħħu l-istituzzjonijiet li minnhom jiddependu dawn il-kundizzjonijiet. Programmi oħra jfittxu li jipprevjenu l-kunflitt billi jappoġġaw proċessi ta’ paċi li għadhom fil-bidu tagħhom, riformi demokratiċi, u sforzi biex tinħoloq stabilità politika u soċjali. Per eżempju, fuq livell reġjonali l-Kummissjoni fl-2004 illanċjat il-Faċilità Afrikana tal-Paċi ta’ €250m, li biha l-KE tiffinanzja aspetti non-militari ta’ operazzjonijiet għaż-żamma tal-paċi mill-Unjoni Afrikana (UA) u entitajiet sotto-reġjonali.

Il-Kummissjoni kompliet ukoll tiddedika għadd ta’ riżorsi għall-infrastruttura, li fiha għandha bosta snin ta' esperjenza, notevolment billi llanċjat il-Faċilità ta' l-Ilma AKP-UE li għaliha saret allokazzjoni ewlenija immedjata ta' €250m mill-fondi li ma kinux ġew irrilaxxjati ta’ €1 000m tad-9 EDF. Din il-Faċilità se tiffinanzja proposti minn gruppi tal-komunità, kumpaniji privati u atturi oħra non-statali, kif ukoll minn gvernijiet ċentrali, storikament is-sieħba prinċipali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea fl-Iżvilupp.

Programmi ta’ appoġġ ġenerali għall-baġit u appoġġ għall-politika settorali komplew ikunu l-istateġiji ta’ kooperazzjoni għall-iżvilupp preferuti tal-Kummissjoni – fejn il-kundizzjonijiet jippermettu – jinkoraġġixxu inizjattivi mmexxija mill-gvern sieħeb, jaffrontaw il-faqar. Il-programmi ta' appoġġ ġeneriku għall-bagit ikkostitwew 18% tal-programmi ġodda approvati għall-2004, li appoġġaw 10 pajjiżi[4]. Il-Kummissjoni ħadmet ukoll mal-Bank Dinji u ma’ donaturi oħra biex tfassal sett uniku ta’ indikaturi ta’ ħidma ta' immaniġġjar tal-finanzi pubbliċi (PFM). Se tuża lil dawn biex tkejjel il-progress matul iż-żmien u bejn il-pajjiżi, u torbot ħlasijiet għall-appoġġ tal-baġit, li huma marbuta mal-ħidma, aktar mill-qrib mar-riżultati. B’żieda ma’ dan, tmien programmi ta’ appoġġ għall-politika settorali kienu illanċjati għal impenji globali totali b’valur ta’ €242m[5].

Impenji globali ta’ l-EDF - ħidma vs miri, 2004 (€m, gross)

Settur: | Mira | Attwalment |

Valur | % tal-mira |

Kooperazzjoni ekonomika | 600 | 554 | 92% |

Integrazzjoni reġjonali u appoġġ istituzzjonali | 605 | 711 | 117% |

Żvilupp soċjali u uman | 421 | 284 | 68% |

Żvilupp rurali u ambjent | 274 | 219 | 80% |

Trasport u infrastruttura | 790 | 635 | 80% |

Oħrajn - Kummissjoni | 160 | 245 | 112% |

Oħrajn - BEI kapital ta’ riskju u sussidji għall-interessi (6-8 EDFs) | - | 0 | 0 |

Total | 2 850 | 2 648 | 93% |

Titjib tal-ħidma operazzjonali

Il-Kummissjoni temmet proġetti u rrispondiet għal bżonnijiet emerġenti u emerġenzi aktar malajr milli fil-passat. Per eżempju, irrispondiet immedjatament permezz tal-Faċilità Afrikana tal-Paċi għat-talba ta' l-Unjoni Afrikana għal għajnuna fil-missjoni għall-monitoraġġ tal-waqfien tal-ġlied fid-Darfur fil-punent tas-Sudan.

Biex iżżid il-kwalità tal-programmi, il-personell tal-kwartieri ġenerali għamel analiżi fil-fond – għall-ewwel sena sħiħa fl-2004 – dwar il-proposti kollha ta’ proġetti ġodda fil-bidu tal-proċess ta’ tfassil. Wieħed minn erba’ proposti kienu magħżula wkoll għal aktar analiżi fi stadju aktar 'il quddiem. Il-Kummissjoni użat ukoll il-ħiliet u l-perizja tal-personell tagħha biex tirreplika eżempji ta’ l-aqwa prattiki f’setturi differenti, b’40% ta’ l-Uffiċjali tal-EuropeAid (non-segretarjali) jipparteċipaw f’netwerks ta’ l-aqwa prattiki. Biex ittejjeb it-tfassil tal-programm, il-Kummissjoni kkonsolidat il-monitoraġġ indipendenti orjentat madwar ir-riżultati tal-programmi ffinanzjati mill-EDF imnedija fl-2002,[6] u żiedet il-baġit ta' l-AKP bi 30% (għal €4.6m).

Il-Kummissjoni għamlet ukoll żidiet sostanzjali ta' effiċjenza, billi pereżempju, formalment ittrasferiet ir-responsabbiltà għall-programmi mill-kwartieri ġenerali tagħha għall-uffiċċji tagħha f'24 pajjiż ieħor ta' l-AKP. Sa l-aħħar tas-sena, 79% tal-programmi li huma ffinanzjati mill-EDF kienu mmaniġġjati minn uffiċjali fil-pajjiż.

SITWAZZJONI FINANZJARJA FL-AħħAR TA’ L-2004

FL-AħħAR TA' L-2004, IL-KUMMISSJONI ALLOKAT TOTAL NETT TA’ €43 802M LIL PAJJIżI TA’ L- AKP taħt is-6-9 EDFs. Dan inkluda €29 898m mis-6-8th EDFs (kollha impenjati, minħabba li €2 990m f’bilanċji mhux impenjati li kienu ttrasferiti fid-9 EDF) u €13904m mid-9 EDF.[7] Mit-total allokat (€43 802m), il-Kummissjoni impenjat €35 692m u ħallset €25 914m. Dak li ma ntnefaqx €17 888m jinkludi fondi mhux impenjati ta’ €8 110m u impenji li ma ntnefqux (Restes à Liquider) ta’ €9 779m.

Is-6 sad-9 EDFs – fondi allokati, impenjati, minfuqa u mhux minfuqa, tmiem ta’ l-2004 (€m, nett)

Fondi allokati lil stati AKP (mill- EDF)[8] | Fondi impenjati | Fondi minfuqa | Fondi/impenji pendenti |

6-8 | 9 | Total6- 9 | Fondi mhux impenjati | Impenji mhux minfuqa (RAL) | Total tal-fondi li baqa' li ma ntnefqux |

a | b | c (a+b) | D | E | f (c-d) | g (d-e) | h (f+g) |

29 898 | 13 904 | 43 802 | 35 692 | 25 914 | 8 110 | 9 779 | 17 888 |

AVVENIMENTI LI KELLHOM INFLUWENZA SINIFIKATTIVA FUQ ATTIVITAJIET LI SARU FL-2004

Dewmien fil-ħlas minħabba nuqqasijiet fit-teżor

Il-Kummissjoni kellha diffikultà f’li tagħmel ħlasijiet fil-ħin f’Mejju-Ġunju u, b’anqas diffiklutà, fl-aħħar ta’ l-2004. Dan kien prinċipalment minħabba li kienet ħallset ammont bla preċedent fis-sena sa Ġunju, u s-sistema tat-teżor ta' l-EDF tiddependi fuq sistema ta' kontribuzzjoni mill-Istati Membri kemmxejn inflessibbli, li tasal ‘kemm kemm qabel ma jkun tard wisq'. L-immaniġġjar prudenti tal-flus (inkluż li nġiebet ‘il quddiem it-tieni sejħa għall-kontribuzzjonijiet) fisser li l-ħlasijiet ta’ prijorità saru fil-ħin, imma l-ħlasijiet ġenerali damu b’mod konsiderevoli. B’żieda ma’ dan, ħlas ta’ l-ordni ta’ €41m għall-programm biex jiġi miġġieled il-poljo ma setax isir fl-aħħar ta’ l-2004 minħabba nuqqas ta’ fondi fit-teżor, minħabba l-fatt li Stat Membru ta’ l-UE ittrasferixxa parti mill-kontribuzzjoni ta’ l-aħħar tas-sena aktar tard mill-iskeda. Li kieku r-riżorsi tat-teżor kienu disponibbli b'mod kostanti, ir-rendiment kemm tal-ħlasijiet totali ta’ l-EDF tal-Kummissjoni kif ukoll tal-perjodi ta' ħlas ta' l-EDF kien jiġi mtejjeb, b'mod sinifikanti, b'mod li jaqbeż il-miri tal-ħlasijiet għall-2004.

Instabilità politika u kriżijiet oħra

Il-Kummissjoni qed tikkalkula li madwar 20% tal-pajjiżi ta' l-AKP huma fi kriżi jew post-kriżi f'xi ħin jew ieħor, u fl-2004 l-inċertezza politika kompliet taffettwa l-kooperazzjoni f'għadd ta' stati, u żiedet b'mod sinifikanti l-kumplessità tat-treġija tal-programmi reġjonali. Per eżempju, fil-Kosta ta’ l-Avorju (li ma taqax taħt l-Artikolu 96) l-implimentazzjoni fl-2004 waqfet kompletament wara instabilità politika. Għadd ta’ delegazzjonijiet sabu d-djalogu diffiċli ma’ l-awtoritajiet lokali, speċjalment fejn Dokumenti tal-Pajjiż għall-Istrateġija ma kinux f'posthom (is-Somalja, t-Togo, il-Haiti, il-Liberja, is-Sudan, iż-Żimbabwe, il-Ginea, il-Ginea Ekwatorjali u l-Kosta ta’ l-Avorju) jew ġew iffirmati imma kienu implimentati biss parzjalment (Ir-Repubblika Afrikana Ċentrali).

TECHNICAL ANNEX

Financial Management Report on the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th European Development Funds for the year 2004

FOREWORD

This report fulfils the Commission’s obligations under Articles 96, 102 and 135 of the Financial Regulation applicable to the 9th European Development Fund[9]. Article 96 paragraph 2 states that:

‘The EDF accounts shall be accompanied by a report on financial management during the preceding year containing an accurate description of:

1. the achievement of the objectives for the financial year, in accordance with the principle of sound financial management;

2. the financial situation and the events that had a significant influence on the activities carried out during the financial year.’

THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EDF OBJECTIVES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2004

The Commission set itself specific, quantified targets for the European Development Funds both in terms of financial indicators related to its broad policy goals, and in terms of ambitious measures for continuous improvements in the efficiency, quality and timeliness of its activities. The performance against these targets for the year 2004 is detailed below[10]. All financial statistics are based on the historically corrected figures which take into account the reclassification of Stabex[11] transactions for the period 2001 – 2004 (see Annex 1). The following table summarises the relationship between the 2001-2004 consolidated accounting figures and the historically corrected figures (following the 2004 Stabex regularisation) used in this report.

EDF 2001-2004 consolidated accounting and corrected figures following the 2004 Stabex regularisation (€m)

Net | Global commitments | Individual commitments | Payments |

Consolidated accounting figures | Corrected figures | Consolidated accounting figures | Corrected figures | Consolidated accounting figures | Corrected figures |

2001 | 1554.16 | 1560.92 | 2263.36 | 2270.12 | 2067.86 | 1722.83 |

2002 | 1768.39 | 1779.03 | 2142.92 | 2153.56 | 1852.72 | 1872.33 |

2003 | 3395.83 | 3403.53 | 2742.71 | 2750.42 | 2179.47 | 2288.80 |

2004 | 2375.15 | 2350.05 | 2746.25 | 2721.15 | 2197.84 | 2413.93 |

Gross | Global commitments | Individual commitments | Payments |

Initial figures | Corrected figures | Initial figures | Corrected figures | Initial figures | Corrected figures |

2001 | 1920.57 | 1927.32 | 2481.70 | 2488.45 | 2124.49 | 1779.45 |

2002 | 2114.50 | 2125.14 | 2425.00 | 2435.64 | 1902.49 | 1922.10 |

2003 | 3760.80 | 3768.50 | 3054.23 | 3061.94 | 2235.71 | 2345.04 |

2004 | 2672.93 | 2647.83 | 3063.42 | 3038.32 | 2248.15 | 2464.25 |

Policy goals

The Commission’s 2004 Annual Management Plan for its work in the ACP countries set out three broad development policy goals:

- promoting sustainable development

- fostering peace and stability

- promoting democracy and human rights.

Global commitments[12]

To achieve these goals, the Commission had set a 2004 target for new global commitments of €2 850m. By end December 2004, €2 648m gross had been committed. The breakdown of targets and corresponding performance by sector is set out in the table below. This performance represents 93% of the 2004 target. The shortfall was the result of delays to a planned €100m road project in Uganda, where the government had not met conditions set, and to a €52m rehabilitation programme in Sudan, following continued political uncertainty. In addition, legal clarifications continued in 2004 on procedures (under the 2003 9th EDF Financial Regulation) for common pool funding, delaying projects amounting to approximately €130m[13] (see also 7.3 below).

EDF global commitments - performance against targets, 2004 (€m, gross)

Sector | Target | Actual |

Value | % of target |

Economic co-operation | 600 | 554 | 92% |

Regional integration & institutional support | 605 | 711 | 117% |

Social & human development | 421 | 284 | 68% |

Rural development & environment | 274 | 219 | 80% |

Transport & infrastructure | 790 | 635 | 80% |

Other – Commission | 160 | 245 | 112% |

Other – EIB risk capital & interest subsidies (6-8 EDFs) | 0 | 0 |

Total | 2 850 | 2 648 | 93% |

Decommitments for 2004 amounted to €298m[14] bringing net global commitments to €2 350m.

Individual Commitments [15] (Contracting)

New individual commitments (contracts) for an amount of €3 038m were concluded on the EDF instruments managed by the Commission. This contracts performance over 2003-2004 (€6 100m) is unprecedented and should contribute to a continued upward trend in disbursements over the coming years.

Individual commitments for an amount of €317m have been decommitted/cancelled in 2004, bringing the net individual commitments to €2 721m[16].

Payments

The 2004 payments target was €2 475m. The actual year end figure was €2 464m – 99% of the target - which also represents the highest volume of payments ever achieved for the EDF in a single year The reason for the shortfall was that a payment of €41m for a programme to fight polio could not be made before the year end because of a treasury shortage, as one Member State did not fully pay its 2004 financial contributions before year end. If these resources had been made available, payments would have reached €2 505m. The Commission has consolidated its positive payments’ trend, which has been rising steadily since 1999, as shown in the tables below.

€50.31m was received in recoveries and corrections in 2004, bringing the EDF net payments figure for 2004 to €2 414m[17].

Overall figures and trends in global commitments, contracts and payments

Trends since 1990

The graph below represents the performance of the combined EDFs in terms of new global commitments, and new payments (nominal gross values, before decommitments and recoveries) over the period 1990 to 2004.

EDF Commitments and Payments 1990 – 2004

[pic]

Key figures (gross) since 2000

EDF key performance figures, 2000-2004 (€m, gross)[18]

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |

Global commitments | 4 007 | 1 927 | 2 125 | 3 769 | 2 648 |

Individual commitments | 2 509 | 2 488 | 2 436 | 3 062 | 3 038 |

Payments | 1 640 | 1 779 | 1 922 | 2 345 | 2 464 |

Management objectives and priorities for 2004

To speed up EDF implementation

To optimise HQ resources

Working with delegations to even out the commitment pipeline

To even out the global commitment pipeline and avoid an end of year bottleneck, a target was set that 50% or more of commitments should be formally approved in the accounting system by the end of September. 2004 figures show that this target was achieved, with 55% of projects having formal approvals by the end of September. This shows a positive trend in the management of the annual proposals (second highest performance since 1999).

EDF financing decisions - proportion made by end September, 1999-2004

1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |

% of global commitments decided by end Sept. | 49% | 71% | 38% | 50% | 22% | 55% |

Establishing and consolidating policy of limiting small projects

The Commission continued to try to reduce the number of very small projects and set a target of an average EDF project size of €10m or more. This target was surpassed with average project size increasing to €11m in 2004 from €8.5m in 2003 despite the high number of small Technical Cooperation Facilities[19] (TCFs) decided in 2004 which lowered the average value of EDF decisions on projects/programmes.

EDF financing decisions - average value, 1998-2004 (€m)

1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |

Average value of global commitments | 3.1 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 2.9 | 4.7 | 8.5 | 11.0 |

To facilitate the timely implementation of projects

Monitoring and supporting National/Regional Indicative Programme implementation

With devolution, delegations took on new responsibilities for reporting, involving the submission of progress reports (in the form of External Assistance Management Reports every four months) on the implementation of their annual management plans. In this context, the ACP Directorate of EuropeAid set itself a challenging target of responding to the delegations’ External Assistance Management Reports within 2 weeks of receipt (with a formal deadline set at the level of EuropeAid of4 weeks). However this new target proved to be unrealistic given the necessary coordination of different services’ responses on the wide range of issues raised in the reports. 21% of HQ responses for the ACP countries were sent within the target of2 weeks of receipt, and 57% sent within the 4 week deadline. Average response time was 4.5 weeks. Conclusions drawn from the data now available on the performance in this first full year of operation of the new reporting system will be used for improved planning and target setting in 2005.

Delegation reports (EAMRs) - HQ response times, 2004

Average time taken to send responses to reports | 4.5 weeks |

% of responses sent | within 2 weeks of receiving EAMR (target) | 21% |

within 4 weeks of receiving EAMR (deadline) | 57% |

within 6 weeks of receiving EAMR | 84% |

Making timely payments

The legal framework of the EDF requires invoices to be paid by the Commission within 90 days of the date by which payment becomes due. For decentralised projects[20] invoices are received first by the National Authorising Officer (NAO) in the ACP partner country. This implies a target of 45 days for the Commission to pay invoices received from the NAO. The Commission also aims to pay all invoices - for centralised projects - arriving directly at Commission HQ within 45 days. For 2004 72% of such invoices were paid within this time limit against an EDF target set at 85%. The performance since 2000[21] is shown in the table below. The shortfall relates to treasury shortages in May-June 2004 (and to a lesser extent end 2004) by when the Commission had paid out an unprecedented amount in the first part of the year and all payments were delayed (see also 7.1 below). The completion of the devolution process, allowing most payments to be treated locally, should improve this performance further over time.

EDF payment periods, 2000-2004 [22]

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |

% of invoices paid within 45 days of receipt by Commission | 70% | 72% | 68% | 72% | 72% |

To redeploy unspent funds in underperforming areas

Due to the relatively large volume of new global commitments in 2004 i.e. the year after the entry into force of the new EDF - and in spite of the record performance on payments in 2004[23]- the Commission’s unpaid global commitments (Restes à Liquider - RAL) decreased only slightly from €9 842m (at end 2003) to €9 779m at the end of 2004. A table showing the unpaid global commitments (RAL) per sector and per year of global commitment can be found in Annex 2.

EDF unspent commitments (RAL) - totals, 2000-2004 (€m)

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |

Total EDF unspent commitments[24] | 8 983 | 8 821 | 8 728 | 9 842 | 9 779 |

Systematically reviewing old and dormant unspent commitments

The 2004 target for unpaid commitments for which the financing decision was taken more than 5 years ago (‘old’ RAL) was targeted to remain at or below the level of old RAL at the close of the previous year – in 2003 a figure of €726m. However at the beginning of 2004 the Commission added all the open commitments from 1998 to the old RAL total taking the new balance to €1 170m - as this was the period of coming into force of the 8th EDF - substantially increasing the stock of old RAL in a single year. This figure was then cut quite substantially to €829m by year end. Although the reduction did not reach the Commission’s target (to get down below the end of 2003 figure) the reduction was the highest (- €341m) since the start of the ‘abnormal RAL’ reduction action plan in 2000.

Similarly, the target was to stabilise the amount of dormant projects (projects on which there have been no individual commitments or payments for at least24 months). However, dormant RAL increased from €255m at the start of 2004 to €513m at the end of 2004. Of this total, €137m originated from the European Investment Bank instruments (on the 6th to 8th EDFs), most of which (€99m) appeared in 2004 and accounted for 38% of the total reported increase in 2004 in the Commission’s commitments that were unspent and inactive for at least two years.

Trends in unspent commitments over five years old (old RAL) and/or inactive for 2 years (dormant RAL), 2000-2004[25] (€m) |

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |

Country | Sector | Financing mechanism | Global commitment (€m, gross) |

New Caledonia | Vocational training | Sectoral budget support | 21.5 |

Zambia | Road maintenance | Sectoral budget support | 70.0 |

Barbados | Health policy and administration | Sectoral budget support | 10.5 |

Namibia | Rural poverty reduction | Project | 53.0 |

Uganda | Agricultural modernisation | Sectoral budget support | 17.5 |

Kenya | Rural poverty reduction & local government support | Project | 21.0 |

Nigeria | Institutional reform | Project | 27.6 |

Fiji | Education | Project | 21.0 |

Total | 242.1 |

To further develop budgetary support

The Commission continued in 2004 using general budget support[31] as an increasingly preferred aid disbursement mechanism[32].

General budget support is typically disbursed through annual fixed and variable instalments. Fixed payments consist of a predetermined amount which is disbursed when the country continues implementing its macroeconomic reform programme agreed by the main international donors. In the vast majority of cases this means the International Monetary Fund (IMF)[33]. The size of the annual variable disbursements is partly determined by the country’s performance in poverty reduction as measured by jointly agreed performance indicators, usually relating to the social sectors (health and education) and public finance management.

Throughout 2004 the Commission has been working, both internally and in collaboration with partner donors, to review and improve general budget support methodology. This collaboration has taken place under the aegis of the Strategic Partnership with Africa (bringing together all budget support donors and representatives from African beneficiary countries), in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee, and bilaterally with the World Bank (known as the ‘Limelette’ process). Significant progress has been made in agreeing on improving: predictability and conditionality regarding budget support; harmonisation between donors and alignment of disbursements with national budget cycles; and on the development of new tools for assessing the quality of public finance management (PFM).

In 2004 the Commission and its Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability[34] partners also agreed on and started to test a set of 28 common PFM performance indicators. Once adopted by the donor community – expected in 2005 - this new framework of PFM monitoring could mean a breakthrough in harmonising PFM measurement tools and potentially lead to a significant reduction in transaction costs for both donors and budget support recipient countries.

In 2004 the Commission committed a total amount of €469.4m for new general budget support programmes in ACP countries, all funded using resources from the National Indicative Programmes of the 9th EDF and €624.4m was disbursed to countries with ongoing general budget support programmes (see table below). This represents an increase of over 50% in general budget support payments to ACP countries, when compared to the year 2003 (€406m). For a complete breakdown, by country, of EDF general budget support global commitments 2000-2004, please see Annex 4.

EDF general budget support, 2004 (€m, gross)

Recipient country | Global commitments | Payments |

Benin | - | 18.2 |

Burkina Faso | - | 37.6 |

Burundi | 43.6 | 26.5 |

Cape Verde | 5.8 | 5.5 |

Central African Republic | - | 11.9 |

Democratic Republic of Congo | - | 105.7 |

Ethiopia | 95.0 | 45.0 |

Ghana | 62.0 | 27.9 |

Guyana | 23.3 | 6.0 |

Jamaica | 25.0 | 36.1 |

Kenya | 125.0 | - |

Lesotho | - | 5.5 |

Madagascar | 35.0 | 20.7 |

Mali | - | 29.6 |

Mauritania | - | 6.0 |

Mozambique | - | 51.1 |

Niger | - | 27.3 |

Rwanda | - | 12.5 |

Senegal | 53.0 | 25.3 |

Sierra Leone | - | 18.4 |

Tanzania | - | 31.5 |

Uganda | - | 24.5 |

Vanuatu | 1.7 | 0.8 |

Zambia | - | 51.0 |

Total | 469.4 | 624.4 |

Other programmes were in an advanced stage of preparation at the end of 2004 and will be presented for commitment in the course of 2005, when the commitment level in terms of general budget support is expected to rise significantly, due to the availability of more dedicated resources following the 9th EDF Mid Term Review.

Improve the design and preparation of development cooperation projects

Quality reviewing of project proposals

The Commission continued to make progress on the quality reviewing of project proposals and achieved an on target 100% review of all formulation proposals, and - surpassing its 20% target for the quality review of financing proposals - achieved a 24% quality review rate of financing proposals by value (€688m). The Commission is committed to launching 100% quality review coverage at all proposal stages in 2005.

Provide feedback to project managers to improve implementation

Monitoring projects in the ACP region

The Commission had set a target of completing Results Orientated Monitoring reports by independent monitors on 70% of eligible projects in 2004. In fact reports were prepared on around 50%, or 300, of all 600 such projects. As a result of this analysis and in the context of a 2004 review, the Commission has increased the annual budget by 30% to €4.6m and changed the terms of reference of the new monitoring contract (subsequently awarded to PricewaterhouseCoopers).

To achieve a successful devolution

To complete and consolidate the devolution of ACP delegations

Coordinating devolution planning of remaining non-devolved delegations

24 ACP delegations - of the 30 delegations of the third wave (see Annex 5) - received their formal devolution decisions (sub-delegations) in 2004 (in relation to a 2004 target of 22) bring the cumulative total (starting in 2001) to 40 devolved ACP delegations. The remaining 4 ACP delegations (Papua New Guinea, Burundi, Haiti, Lesotho) will be devolved in 2005 bringing the total to 44 devolved ACP delegations. These 44 delegations (43 ACP delegations plus South Africa) cover all the 78 ACP States and South Africa since some delegations are regional delegations, which cover more than one state. A full breakdown of the progress of the devolution process in ACP countries can be found in Annex 5.

21 verification missions were carried out by the Commission in 2004 (in relation to a target of 22). All remaining verification missions will be concluded in 2005.

In relation to the 2004 target of devolving at least 80% of the management of ongoing projects (measured by outstanding commitments) to delegations by year end, 79% of outstanding commitments had been devolved by year-end i.e. €7 686m of €9 778m.

The staffing and logistics implications of the devolution of the 30 delegations of the third wave (begun at the end of 2003) can be summarised as follows:

- 91 officials and 329 non statutory staff (local agents, Individual Experts and Assistants Locales d’Assistance Technique (expatriates)) had to be selected, recruited and trained before their posting to the 30 Delegations (the total staff figures have slightly increased following the 2003 organigramme revision exercise during which some delegations have been strengthened);

- All 30 Delegations had either to move offices or to rent additional office space (implying selection procedure, partitioning and cabling works, security works, purchase of furniture, etc…);

- The Commission also provided secure voice and data links, through which to access its accounting and management information systems, to 17 which had previously lacked such connections.

In connection with the annual revision exercise, organigrammes of delegations were also reviewed to reflect their increased aid management responsibilities. For aid management tasks alone, this resulted in the inclusion of the above-mentioned91 additional official posts and 329 non-statutory posts for the EDF as well as some 200 non-statutory posts for the thematic budget lines.

Working to ensure the long-term financing of the devolution process

The financing of the devolution of management responsibilities for programmes to the Commission’s ACP delegations is covered by funds provided by the Internal Agreement between EU Member States. This agreement set aside €120m to cover the Commission’s costs of implementation of the devolution process under the 9th EDF. The Council Decision of 29 October 2001 allowed the use of the interest accumulated under the 6th, 7th and 8th EDF to partially finance the cost of devolution in ACP countries until the ratification of the Cotonou Agreement on 1 April 2003.

Following this Decision, a Financing Proposal for €23m received a positive opinion from EU Member States on 20 September 2001. This amount covered the cost of devolving 13 delegations (including the regionalised delegations[35] of Liberia, The Gambia, Cape Verde and Djibouti) from 2002 until mid-2004. Following the entry into force of the Cotonou Agreement on 1 April 2003, EU Member States gave a favourable opinion on 7 May 2003 to the Commission’s €120m financing proposal for the funding of the devolution of 30 ACP delegations from 2003 to 2006 and the completion of the devolution of the previous 13 delegations[36].

There remained at the end of 2004 an unspent balance of approximately €83m (of which €38m had been committed by end 2004) available for financing of the implementation of devolution in 2005 and 2006. Less funds were spent by the end of 2004 than initially planned due to a longer implementation period for the devolution within each of the three waves between 2002 and 2005. It is expected that expenditure covering the 43 ACP-EDF delegations of all three waves will reach its peak from 2005 onwards with annual expenses of approximately €45m. During the negotiations on the revision of the Cotonou Agreement[37], the ACP countries agreed that an amount of up to €90m might be transferred from the operational credits under the 9th EDF to complement the financing of the devolution process in the ACP region for the period 2006-2007.

Financial state of play

At the close of 2004, the Commission had allocated in total €43 802m net to ACP countries under the 6-9th EDFs. This comprised €29 898m from the 6-8th EDFs (all committed, since €2 990m in uncommitted balances had been transferred into the9th EDF) and €13 904m from the 9th EDF[38].

Of the total allocated (€43 802m), the Commission has committed €35 692m and paid €25 914m. The unspent €17 888m comprises uncommitted funds of €8 110m and unspent commitments (Restes à Liquider) of €9 779m.

6-9th EDFs – funds allocated, committed, spent and unspent, end 2004 (€m, net)

Funds allocated To ACP states (by EDF)[39] | Funds committed | Funds spent | Funds/commitments outstanding |

6-8th | 9th | Total, 6-9th | Funds uncommitted | Commitments unspent (RAL) | Total remaining funds unspent |

a | b | c (a+b) | d | e | f (c-d) | g (d-e) | h (f+g) |

29 898 | 13 904 | 43 802 | 35 692 | 25 914 | 8 110 | 9 779 | 17 888 |

EVENTS THAT HAD A SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR

Delays in payments due to treasury shortages

The Commission had difficulty in making timely payments in May-June and, to a lesser degree, at the end of 2004. This was largely because it had paid an unprecedented amount in the year to June, and the EDF treasury system relies on a rather inflexible ‘just in time’ contribution system from Member States. Prudent cash management (including the bringing forward of the second call for contributions) meant that priority payments were made in time, but overall payments were delayed considerably. In addition, a payment of the order of €41m for a programme to fight polio could not be made at the end of 2004 because of a treasury shortage, due to the fact that one Member State transferred part of its year end contribution behind schedule. If the treasury resources had been consistently available, performance on both the Commission’s total EDF payments and EDF payment periods would have been significantly improved, surpassing the 2004 payments target.

Political instability and other crises

The Commission estimates that around 20% of ACP countries are in crisis or post-crisis at any one time, and in 2004 political uncertainty continued to affect cooperation in several states, as well as adding significant complexity to the running of regional programmes. For example, in Côte d’Ivoire (which does not fall under Article 96) implementation came to a standstill in 2004 following political instability. Several delegations found dialogue difficult with local authorities, especially where Country Strategy Papers were not yet in place (Somalia, Togo, Haiti, Liberia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire) or had been signed but were only partially implemented (Central African Republic). Annex 8 contains a full listing to end 2004 of the state of play on all consultations held under articles 96/97 of the Cotonou Agreement (and Article 366a of the Lomé Agreement).

Blocked decisions on basket funded projects

The Commission strove in 2004 to help resolve issues surrounding ‘basket’ or common pool funds, where donors pool resources and entrust their management to a ministry or a national body in an ACP state. Legal clarifications continued in 2004 on procedures (under the 2003 9th EDF Financial Regulation) for common pool funding under the 9th EDF Financial Regulation, delaying planned basket-funded projects amounting to approximately €130m[40].

Limitations of sectoral and/or budget support approach

A number of delegations face the challenges of trying to develop sectoral programmes in countries which have no clear medium term sector policies or expenditure programmes, and whose administrations may lack the human or technical resources to devise and/or implement such a strategy. Equally the Commission has been unable to launch budgetary support programmes or make full budget support payments where governments have failed to meet the pre-requisites or conditions specified.

Human resources management

Many delegations continued to have some problems in the recruitment of staff with the necessary expertise e.g. qualified local IT staff on local salaries, civil engineers etc. The Commission is endeavouring to find flexible solutions to the recruitment and retention of specialist local and European staff in the field.

Information Technology systems for management information and accounting

The Commission continues its programme of work towards the consolidation of harmonised management information systems (Common Relex Information System) and the development of modernised accounting systems[41] (Accruals Based Accounting) across the EC Budget and European Development Fund for both headquarters and delegations, but substantial work remains to achieve the desired level of data storage, analysis and reporting.

FOLLOW-UP TO COMMENTS OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS

The Court of Auditors published its Statement of Assurance (DAS) 2003 in the Official Journal on 30 November 2004. It judged that the reports on the financial implementation of the 2003 financial year and the financial statements at 31 December 2003 accurately reflected the income and expenditure of the 6-9th EDFs for that year and their financial situation at the end of it, subject to a number of remarks concerning the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions. The key recommendations of the Court (falling within the responsibility of the Commission) and the follow-up action taken during 2004 are detailed below.

Reliability of accounts

Recovery orders

The Court noted that amounts payable to the EDF (recovery orders) had not been included as assets in the Commission’s balance sheet at 31.12.2003 (€27.5m of recovery orders issued) and that in the absence of effective internal control procedures the Court could not give the assurance that these amounts were complete.

In response, the Commission sought to raise project managers’ awareness on the subject of recoveries during 2004, through, for example, training courses and reviews at regional seminars. An official has been appointed for the monitoring and follow-up of recovery orders, since when the number of recovery orders issued has significantly increased as have the amounts repaid to the EDF treasury account[42].

Advances

The Court found that the proportion of the €400m in advances that would give rise to recovery orders could not be ascertained, as the Commission had not identified the full amounts to be recovered.

Within the framework of the Commission’s plan to modernise EDF accounting, the Commission set up a working party in 2004 to plan for the changes to the accounting system taking into account the recommendations of the Court. As a result, as from 1 January 2005, the Commission will record advances and potential recoveries in the EDF balance sheet assets according to International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

Stabex funds

Use of Stabex funds

The Court judged that - contrary to the provisions of the Lomé Convention - the use to which Stabex funds had been put by the ACP countries could not be fully established by the Commission as information was still incomplete at the end of 2003.

Following the comments of the Court, the Commission undertook the compilation of a Stabex inventory with consultants in 2003 and 2004[43] on the use made of funds transferred to (double signature) Stabex bank accounts in Europe. The final report at 31 December 2002 and 31 December 2003 was made available on 30 September 2004. Annex 6 contains the financial situation at the close of 2003. In 2005 the Commission plans to develop a new computer tool to consolidate the delegations’ reports.

Classification of Stabex transfers

The Court of Auditors also stated in its annual reports 2001 to 2003 that Stabex transfers to double signature European Stabex accounts should not be recorded as payments, since the Commission became the sole owner of these bank accounts with the coming into force of new Stabex Transfer Agreements in 2001.

To comply with the Court of Auditors’ opinion on the classification of Stabex transfers on the double signature European Stabex account, the Commission reclassified these operations in 2004, undertaking a full regularisation of the accounts and correction of the presentation of the EDF’s financial performance 2001-2004 under the new definitions. Full details can be found in Annex 1.

Transfers to international institutions

The Court remarked that transfers to the European Investment Bank (EIB) of €209m in 2003 and previously (token entries) to other international institutions and not yet completely used by them had not been recorded as assets in the balance sheet.

This problem will be resolved by the modernisation of the EDF accounts into an accruals based system (see 8.1.1.2 above). From 1 January 2005 the Commission will record any part of a payment not yet fully justified as an advance in the EDF balance sheet (in line with the International Public Sector Accounting Standard). As regards this particular entry, the amount paid to the EIB in 2003 (€209m) had been almost completely utilised by close 2004.

Legality and regularity of the underlying transactions - audits

Concerning the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions the Court of Auditors noted deficiencies regarding the auditing of EDF projects and the insufficiency of key controls on compliance with contracts and the reality of the works, supplies and services invoiced.

To improve the quality of audit reports, in 2004 the Commission significantly strengthened the Headquarters audit unit responsible for assistance to delegations from 2 to 4 officials. This has enabled the unit to:

3. improve support to delegations by carrying out six missions to support external audits - Burundi, Congo, Jamaica, Guinea, Malawi and Senegal;

4. consolidate and follow up delegations’ audit plans;

5. carry out Headquarters’ 2004 audit plan;

6. make good the delay in Headquarters’ 2003 audit plan;

7. improve reporting on the follow-up of audits.

All headquarters’ financial audit reports meet the Court’s recommendation, and headquarters’ increased support for delegations - e.g. in training - should improve the quality of their reports. In this respect the devolution process will help raise the general quality of the audits and their follow-up.

Annex 1: 2004 Stabex regularisation and corrected EDF financial performance figures, 2001-2004

Accounting figures and corrected figures 2001-2004

This annex presents an overview of the changes to the EDF accounting and financial performance figures resulting from changes to an accounting policy in realtion to STABEX transactions introduced in 2004.

The Court of Auditors stated in its annual reports from 2001 to 2003 that Stabex transfers to secured bank accounts should not be recorded as payments in the EDF accounts, since the Commission remained the sole owner of these bank accounts. Previously such “transfers” had been accounted for as payments. In order to comply with the Court’s wishes, the Commission, in 2004, implemented a change in accounting policy in relation to such transactions.

The impact of the 2004 Stabex Regularisation on the 2004 accounts

As a result of this change in accounting policy, certain operations undertaken during the period 2001-2003 on the Stabex instrument, were re-stated. A total of €352m in payments were reclassified as simple bank transfers and debited to the 2004 accounts. A further €143 m in effective payments to final beneficiaries which took place over the same period were credited to the 2004 accounts. As a result, the 2004 accounts show a net reduction of €209 m (i.e. - €352 m + € 143 m) in total cumulative payments due to the Stabex reclassification process.

Global commitments were also affected. As part of the regularisation, the interest accrued (€34.7m) on the secured Stabex account over the period 2001 – 2004 has now been credited as global commitments on the 2004 accounts.

Corrections to the 2001-2004 financial performance figures to take into account the 2004 Stabex regularisation

Despite the specific effects on the 2004 accounts, these additional ‘Stabex regularisation’ operations were not in fact the result of any financial activity. Given that this process may therefore give a false picture of the pattern of financial performance for the period affected (2001-2004) the Commission has decided to present, in all its EDF reporting, financial performance figures that are historically corrected following the 2004 Stabex regularisation. These figures attribute the correct payments (and global commitments deriving from accrued interest) to the correct years 2001-2004 i.e. they show the accounts as they would have been presented had the Stabex operations been ‘correctly’ classified throughout the 2001-2004 period and not just in 2004. These corrections also have an effect on calculations relating to unspent commitments (RAL) over the period 2001-2003.

Were the Commission not to present historically corrected figures and simply use the accounting data, the reporting on the EDF financial performance for 2004 would be particularly badly affected, inflating gross global commitments from the ‘real’ €2 648 m to an ‘accounting’ €2 673 m. Gross payments performance would go down from a ‘real’ € 2 464 m to an ‘accounting’ €2 248 m.

Annex 2: unspent global commitments (RAL) by OECD DAC sector code at end 2004 (€m)

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Annex 3: EDF resources for ACP and OCTs at end 2004 (€m, net)

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Annex 4: EDF macro-economic budgetary aid global commitments, 2000-2004 (€m, gross)

Country | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |

Benin | 18.80 | 55.00 |

Burkina Faso | 23.50 | 125.00 |

Burundi | 22.60 | 43.62 |

Cameroon | 19.51 |

Cape Verde | 15.00 | 12.10 | 5.81 |

Central African Republic | 22.00 | 4.40 |

Chad | 27.10 | 10.00 | 50.00 |

Côte d'Ivoire | 12.77 | 40.00 |

DR Congo | 5.50 | 106.00 |

Djibouti | 10.00 |

Ethiopia | 25.65 | 44.05 | 95.00 |

Gabon | 4.90 |

The Gambia | 9.20 | 4.26 |

Ghana | 76.22 | 5.00 | 62.00 |

Guinea | 11.04 |

Guinea Bissau | 17.20 |

Guyana | 0.80 | 23.30 |

Jamaica | 21.70 | 30.00 | 25.00 |

Kenya | 35.00 | 125.00 |

Lesotho | 18.50 |

Madagascar | 6.80 | 70.00 | 35.00 |

Mali | 31.76 | 132.92 |

Mauritania | 18.29 |

Mozambique | 79.20 | 168.00 | 16.40 |

Niger | 37.94 | 3.16 | 20.00 | 90.00 |

Papua New Guinea | 10.40 |

Rwanda | 60.82 | 55.10 |

São Tomé & Príncipe | 2.80 |

Senegal | 53.00 |

Sierra Leone | 34.75 |

Tanzania | 76.13 | 114.00 |

Uganda | 74.71 |

Vanuatu | 1.60 | 1.70 |

Zambia | 117.00 |

Annual totals | 524.33 | 328.06 | 529.55 | 741.42 | 469.43 |

% of EDF annual global commitments | 13% | 17% | 25% | 20% | 18% |

Annex 5: ACP devolution - progress by country, 2001-2004

Sub-delegation signed by Head of Delegation | Verification Mission |

a | b | c = a + b | d | e = c - d |

Benin | 2.28 | 0.00 | 2.28 | 0.00 | 2.07 |

Burkina Faso | 20.06 | 2.73 | 22.79 | 9.16 | 13.63 |

Burundi | 68.39 | 2.24 | 70.63 | 32.65 | 37.98 |

Cameroon | 260.82 | 51.89 | 312.71 | 28.86 | 283.85 |

Cape Verde | 1.86 | 0.00 | 1.86 | 1.18 | 1.07 |

Central African Republic | 24.62 | 5.34 | 29.96 | 4.77 | 25.19 |

Chad | 11.31 | 0.00 | 11.31 | 1.94 | 9.69 |

Comoros | 9.22 | 0.00 | 9.22 | 4.88 | 5.31 |

Côte d’Ivoire | 345.18 | 19.22 | 364.40 | 43.04 | 321.51 |

Dominica | 43.38 | 4.04 | 47.42 | 9.38 | 38.04 |

Equatorial Guinea | 8.40 | 8.40 | 0.00 | 0.00 |

Ethiopia | 184.37 | 50.01 | 234.38 | 0.00 | 233.52 |

Gambia | 4.61 | 0.00 | 4.61 | 1.66 | 3.36 |

Ghana | 50.58 | 8.83 | 59.41 | 14.93 | 44.49 |

Grenada | 13.41 | 1.78 | 15.19 | 4.06 | 11.13 |

Guinea-Bissau | 1.57 | 0.00 | 1.57 | 0.00 | 0.00 |

Haiti | 35.39 | 11.13 | 46.52 | 11.51 | 35.01 |

Jamaica | 8.81 | 0.00 | 8.81 | 5.93 | 3.72 |

Kenya | 132.64 | 62.13 | 194.78 | 51.44 | 143.34 |

Kiribati | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |

Lesotho | 4.93 | 1.40 | 6.33 | 0.00 | 6.02 |

Madagascar | 74.24 | 16.33 | 90.58 | 27.16 | 63.42 |

Malawi | 20.03 | 2.93 | 22.96 | 7.72 | 15.23 |

Mali | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1.01 |

Mauritania | 32.01 | 1.85 | 33.86 | 17.92 | 15.94 |

Mozambique | 3.64 | 0.00 | 3.64 | 4.33 | 0.00 |

Papua New Guinea | 85.16 | 14.15 | 99.32 | 7.73 | 91.58 |

Rwanda | 66.31 | 13.00 | 79.31 | 20.47 | 58.84 |

Samoa | 5.81 | 1.37 | 7.19 | 1.88 | 5.97 |

São Tomé & Príncipe | 2.89 | 0.00 | 2.89 | 0.00 | 0.00 |

Senegal | 69.82 | 6.11 | 75.93 | 45.68 | 30.25 |

Sierra Leone | 14.83 | 0.00 | 14.84 | 3.27 | 12.25 |

Solomon Islands | 80.39 | 7.90 | 88.28 | 73.23 | 15.06 |

St Lucia | 73.34 | 9.79 | 83.13 | 30.10 | 53.03 |

St Vincent | 63.38 | 11.21 | 74.59 | 31.34 | 43.25 |

Sudan | 190.98 | 1.76 | 192.74 | 192.74 | 0.00 |

Tanzania | 88.23 | 12.30 | 100.53 | 42.25 | 58.28 |

Togo | 23.74 | 8.85 | 32.59 | 15.84 | 16.76 |

Tonga | 2.47 | 0.00 | 2.47 | 0.00 | 0.00 |

Tuvalu | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |

Uganda | 175.95 | 40.67 | 216.61 | 62.16 | 154.45 |

Vanuatu | 3.50 | 1.53 | 5.03 | 0.00 | 4.95 |

Zimbabwe | 41.64 | 9.35 | 50.99 | 21.04 | 29.95 |

Total | 2352.88 | 384.29 | 2737.17 | 832.70 | 1889.77 |

Annex 7 – Global commitments from 6-9th European Development Funds, by programming and financing instrument (€m, gross)

EDF | Programmable aid[44] | Non-programmable aid | Total |

Non-budget support (projects) | Budget support | Sub-total programmable aid | Financial contributions | Export support | Sub-total non programmable aid |

Niger | EU declaration on unilateral suspension of cooperation on 29.1.96 Council decision to conclude on 20.6. 96 | Coup d’état | Financial co-operation, except projects in support of the poorest population, was suspended for 6 months. A gradual approach was followed after the constitutional referendum: support to electoral process & to social sectors resumed. |

Togo | Council decision to open - letter to GoT sent on 13.7.98 Council decision to conclude - letter to GoT sent on 14.12.98 | Flawed electoral process | Union letter to GoT on 1.10.98 asking for additional info following consultations, replies of GoT by letter on 7.10.98 & 23.11.98 considered insufficient. Non resumption of co-operation, but without penalising civil society. |

Niger | Council decision to open on 29.4.99 Council decision to conclude - letter sent to GoN on 29.7.99 | Coup d’état | Continuation of ongoing programmes, conditional & gradual approach for new programmes: in the first phase support to elections & direct support to population, in particular in social sectors |

Guinea-Bissau | Council decision to open- letter to GoGB sent on 19.7.99 Council decision to conclude on 6.12.99- letter to GoGB sent on 8.12.99 | Coup d’état | No appropriate measures adopted given the return to democracy during the course of consultations |

Comoros | Council decision to open on 12.7.99 Council decision to conclude on 14.2. 2000-letter sent to GoC on 15.2.00 Council decision to amend on 17.7.02 | Coup d’état | No duration specified, to review at regular intervals. Continuation of ongoing projects, for future actions gradual & conditional approach: in the first phase support to democratic process, direct support to population, decentralised co-operation, & humanitarian aid. Once a democratically elected government is in place other development projects can be adopted. Council decision of 17.7.02 to resume cooperation & allow for continuation of EDF 7+8 projects. |

Ivory Coast | Council decision to open - letter to GoIC sent on 14.1.00 Council decision to conclude on 16.6.00 | Coup d’état | Measures valid until 31.12.00. Continuation of programmes already decided, regional co-operation & humanitarian aid not affected, for new projects gradual & conditional approach focusing on support to the restoration of the constitutional democracy, the rule of law, good governance, & support to civil society. Two Union declarations on 7 & 9.12.00 – in second Union announce sits intention to open art 96 consultations. |

Haiti | Council decision to open on 2.8.00 Council decision to conclude on 29.1.01-letter to GoH sent on 2.2.01 Council decision to amend on 14.7.04 only at COREPER level due to linguistic reasons; Council decision on 24.9.04 | Flawed electoral process | Council decision of 29.1.01 taken for 1+1 years, to review it by December 2002. Decision not to make available the second 8th EDF tranche, suspension of direct budget aid, redirection of the remaining funds to projects that are of direct benefit to the Haitian people & no notification of 9th EDF allocation. On 10 January 2003 the appropriate measures were reviewed by Council to expire on 31 December 2003. They foresaw redirection of remaining funds of first 8th EDF tranche & provision of second tranche for programmes of direct benefit to the people, civil society, private sector, democratisation, rule of law, electoral process; no notification of EDF 9 resources, no signature of NIP. Council decision of 18 December 2003 (letter to GoH sent on 22.12.03) extended measures until 31 December 2004 with a review within six months. Following transition in Haiti (Interim Gvt sworn in on 17 March 2004) the amended appropriate measures adopted on 24 September 2004 foresee continuing the redirection of EDF 8 funds to direct benefit of people, strengthening civil society, supporting democratisation, rule of law & the electoral process; EDF 9 resources will be notified following publication of the decision; discussions on CSP will start immediately; B-envelope could be used prior to signature of EDF 9 CSP/NIP; signature of NIP after national elections; operations of humanitarian nature, trade & regional co-operation not affected. Measures expire 31 December 2005 & shall be reviewed regularly & at least within six months. |

Fiji | Council decision to open - letter to GoF sent on 4.8.00 Council decision to conclude on 9.4.01-letter to GoF sent on 12.4.01 | Coup d’état | No notification of the 9th EDF allocation & suspension of financing & implementation of new programmes & projects until free & fair elections have taken place & a legitimate Government has assumed office. Ongoing projects will be implemented as planned, contributions to regional projects, operations of a humanitarian nature, trade co-operation & trade related preferences will not be affected; situation to be monitored closely. Letter of 27 November 2001 recorded progress & willingness to resume cooperation under certain conditions; letter of 13 February 2002 allows for continuation of EDF 7+8 projects & notification of EDF 9; signature of NIP only after implementation of Court’s decision on formation of Gvt (delivered on 18.7.03). Letter of 19 November 2003 conveys decision of EU to sign EDF 9 NIP & to closely monitor the situation. |

Côte d’Ivoire | Council decision to open-letter to GoIC sent on 22.1.01 Council decision to conclude on 25.6.01-letter to GoIC sent on 28.6.01 | Lack of openness in elections & other developments during the transition period Violation of human rights | Gradual resumption of coop. depending on progress on national reconciliation, incl. Political dialogue, neutrality & independence of courts, actions being taken following events of October & December 2000, condemnation of xenophobia. Council decision to resume full cooperation on 18 February 2002- letter to GoIC sent on 19 February 2002. |

Liberia | Council decision to open on 23.7.01-letter to GoL sent on 3.9.01 Council decision to conclude on 25.3.02 - letter to GoL sent on 27.3.02 Council decision to amend on 25.8.03 -letter to GoL sent on 27.8.03 Council decision to extend on 22.12.04 - letter sent on 23.12.04 | Violations of human rights, democratic principles, rule of law & serious cases of corruption | Council letter of 3.9.01 suggested consultations on 25.9.01. Amb Brandy replied on 21.9.01 that date was not tenable due to scheduling difficulties plus that art 96 consultations were acceptable but that the GoL did not consider that consultations under art 97 were justified & that a mutually agreed agenda had to be agreed beforehand. EU suggested then by letter on 5.10.01 date of 12.10.01 which was refused by Amb.Brandy orally on 9.10.01 & in written on 15.10.01 due to “accusatory content of art 97”, confirming consultations under art 96 & asking for a new date last week in October or first week in November 2001. First review on 6 December 2002. Decision duration for 2 years expiring on 25 March 2004, situation to be followed closely. Appropriate measures: Implementation of current projects funded under Article 72 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement will be continued; Chapter 1 of Annex 4 to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement is suspended. The balances remaining for Liberia from the 8th EDF shall be available to cover support to the peace process in Liberia; Notification of the 9th EDF allocation will be made once the comprehensive peace agreement is in force & the signatory parties to the agreement have shown the commitment to implement the agreement as foreseen. The suspension of Chapter 1 of Annex 4 to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement will not apply to the implementation of the 9th EDF allocation; the Commission retains the function of NAO for 8th EDF; contributions to regional projects, operations of a humanitarian nature, trade co-operation & trade related preferences are not affected; institution support can be provided. Revision of measures decided on 25 August 2003 allowed for a €8 m EDF 8 support to ECOWAS peacekeeping force, measures expiring on 31 December 2004. Extension of appropriate measures decided for 18 months. Measures not revoked until installation of a democratically elected & accountable President & Government. Intensive political dialogue to continue as well as support to the peace process & to the Results Focused Transitional Framework. |

Zimbabwe | Council decision to open on 29.10.01-letter to GoZ sent on 15.11.01 Council decision to conclude on 15.2.02-letter to GoZ sent on 18.2.02 | Violations of human rights, democratic principles, rule of law | Having initially agreed to the date of 19.12.01 suggested by the Union, GoZ declined the date by letter of 12.12.01 due to logistical difficulties. GoZ proposed date of 28.12.01 or thereabouts by letter of 13.12.01, an option not feasible for the Union. COREPER agreed on 17.12.01 on letter to GoZ sent on 21.12.01 insisting on respecting procedural deadlines of Cotonou & proposing consultations between 3 & 11.1.02. GoZ confirmed date of 11.1.02 by letter of 31.12.01. Decision to impose measures was accompanied by imposition of CFSP sanctions-visa ban & freezing of assets valid for 1 year, to review by August 2002, expiring 18 February 2003. Suspension of 7+8 EDF budget support, & of all projects except in direct support to population; reorientation of financing in direct support of population in social sectors, democratisation, respect for human rights, rule of law; EDF9 NIP signature suspended; art 12 of Annex 2 of Cotonou Agreement suspended in so far as required for application of restrictive measures adopted on basis of Treaty establishing the European Community; regional projects to be evaluated case by case; humanitarian operations continue. Decision on 18 February 2003 to extend these measures for another 12 months with a review within 6 months. Decision on 19 February 2004 to extend these measures for another 12 months with a review within 6 months. Review to be discussed in September 2004. Decision on 17 February 2005 to extend measures for another 12 months with a review after parliamentary elections/6 months. |

Central African Republic | Council decision to open on 20 May 2003 - letter to GoCAR sent on 22.5.03 Council decision to conclude on 19.11.03 - letter to GoCAR sent on 22.11.03 | Coup d’Etat | Measures expire on 30 June 2005 - partial suspension of cooperation concerning the Bouar-Garoua Boulia roads, the upgrading of Bangui’s roads & macroeconomic support.. Resumption of suspended cooperation regarding macroeconomic support based on adoption of electoral plan & respect for human rights. Full resumption when democracy & rule of law re-established following elections latest in 2005: first round on 13 April, second round on 8 May. Electoral process to date fair & transparent. Pres. Bozizé & PM Ziguelé both run for the Presidency on 8 May. |

Guinea-Conakry | Council decision to open on 30.3.04 –letter sent to GoG on 31.3.04 Council decision to conclude on 13.4.05 | Flawed electoral process | Initial date 15 April turned down later by Guinea on grounds of recent elections. EU reminded Guinea by letter of 13 May 2004 of legal deadline for consultations up to 15 June 2004. Guinea replied on 3 June proposing consultations on 14 June 2004. EU replied on 11 June 2004 that the proposed date could not be retained & it was up to the incoming NL Presidency to propose a new date. GoGuinea to provide by end September 2004 a table reporting on progress in various commitments undertaken during the consultations, especially regarding the transparency & the democratic character of the local & legislative elections foreseen in 2005 & 2007 respectively. EDF projects will continue. Cooperation under EDF 6,7, & 8 continues for activities in the context of consultations; Cooperation financed out of EDF 9 B-envelope continues for programmes directly aimed at assisting most disadvantaged sections of population; programmes for civil society & reinforcement of democracy, human rights, good governance & media; regional cooperation considered on a case-by-case basis; humanitarian operations & trade cooperation continue; support for elections preparations possible out of either EDF 6,7, 8 or EDF 9 B-envelope once adequate electoral arrangements established; EDF 9 CSP/NIP to be signed & implemented once progress in the undertakings noted, in particular preparation & holding of free & transparent local & parliamentary elections. EU assessment to be based on two criteria: a) holding of free & transparent local elections & duly elected local authority executives take office, & b) establishment of electoral arrangements & operational requirements for parliamentary elections, including date, based on Durban Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, in the framework of political dialogue with opposition. Six-monthly reviews foreseen. Monitoring period of 36 months from date of Council decision & enhanced political dialogue. |

Togo | Council decision to open on 30.3.04- letter to GoT sent on 31.3.04 Council decision to conclude on 15.11.04 | Flawed electoral process Violation of human rights | Second report by Togolese authorities received at Commission on 6 July 2004 on basis of which conclusion of consultations was proposed by Commission in September 2004. Measures comprise the continuation of EDF 6+7 projects meeting needs of the population & promoting compliance with essential elements, including the national programme of decentralised environmental management & the 1990-1994 Framework of Mutual Obligations for Stabex Funds; institutional aid to implement undertakings to be provide out of EDF 6+7 balances, including a 4th general population & housing census; EDF 9 allocation to be notified once electoral arrangements acceptable to all parties are established & date for parliamentary elections set- that will trigger programming of resources; once EDF 9 is notified electoral aid to be given if above arrangements adhered to; following free & fair parliamentary elections full resumption of cooperation will follow & implementation of the 1995-1999 Framework pf Mutual Obligations for Stabex Funds; regional projects to be considered on a case-by-case basis; humanitarian operations, trade cooperation & trade-linked preferences not affected. Intensive political dialogue over three months, followed by an assessment. |

Guinea-Bissau | Council decision to open on 19.12.03-letter sent to GoGB on 7.1.04 Council decision to conclude on 14.7.04 only at COREPER level due to linguistic reasons; Council decision on 24.9.04 | Coup d’état | Monitoring of progress in areas of great concern- return to independent judiciary, restoration of civilian control over armed forces, consolidation of public finances, & pursuit of timetable of elections including presidential elections. Decision to be valid for 12 months as from day of publication, i.e. until 8 October 2005. |

[1] L-Annex II għat-Trattat tal-KE jelenka 21 Pajjiż u Territorju Esteru (OCTs). Il-Kummissjoni għandha relazzjonijiet diretti ma’ 20 minnhom, minħabba li d-Deċiżjoni ta' Assoċjazzjoni Estera ma tapplikax għall-Bermuda (fuq talba tagħha).

[2] ĠU L 314, 30 ta’ Novembru 2001.

[3] L-istatistiki finanzjarji kollha huma bbażati fuq figuri li huma korretti strorikament li jieħdu kont tal-klassifikazzjoni mill-ġdid tat-tranżazzjonijiet Stabex għall-perjodu 2001-2004 (ara l-Annessi). Is-sussidji dwar ir-riskju tal-kapital u r-rati ta' l-interess relatati tal-Bank Ewropew ghall-Investiment (l-EIB) taħt is-6-8 EDFs (li għalihom il-Kummissjoni għandha r-responsabbiltà tal-kontabilità) huma inklużi fi ħdan l-istatistiki finanzjarji. Figuri għall-ħidma tal-Faċilità ta’ l-Investiment ta’ l-EIB – taħt id-9 EDF – m’humiex inklużi bħala responsabbiltà tal-kontabilità issa jaqgħu taħt l-EIB għal dan l-istrument. Għall-iskop tal-komparabilità l-figuri tal-Faċilità ta’ l-Investiment ta’ l-EIB għall-2003-2004 jinsabu fin-nota tal-qiegħ tal-paġna fejn adatt.

[4] Fil-Burundi, il-Kap Verde, l-Etjopja, il-Gana, il-Gujana, il-Ġamajka, il-Kenja, il-Madagaskar, is-Senegall u l-Vanwatu.

[5] Fil-Kaledonja l-Ġdida, iż-Żambja, il-Barbados, in-Namibja, l-Uganda, il-Kenja, in-Niġerja u l-Fiġi.

[6] Il-metodoloġija ROM hi bbażata fuq standards internazzjonali u hi applikata sistematikament u konsistentement fir-reġjuni kollha matul is-snin. Il-marki jingħataw fuq kriterji li huma aċċettati internazzjonalment li jkopru ħames attributi ta’ kwalità: relevanza, effiċjenza, effettività, impatt u sostenibbiltà, bbażati fuq fatturi kemm interni kif ukoll esterni.

[7] Dawn il-figuri jeskludu €2 057m mill-Faċilità ta’ Investiment u l-€188m ta’ sussidji relatati mar-rata ta’ l-interess iffinanzjati mid-9 EDF imma taħt ir-responsabbiltà tal-kontabbiltà tal-Bank Ewropew għall-Investiment.

[8] Li jieħu kont tat-trasferimenti mill-EDFs preċedenti għad-9 EDF.

[9] Financial Regulation of 27 March 2003 applicable to the 9th European D癥汥灯敭瑮䘠湵⁤佛⁊⁌㌸漠⁦‱灁楲⁬〲㌰⹝圠楨敬椠⁮牰湩楣汰⁥桴⁥敤摡楬敮映牯琠慲獮業獳潩⁮景琠evelopment Fund [OJ L 83 of 1 April 2003]. While in principle the deadline for transmission of the financial management report to the European Parliament, Council and Court of Auditors is 30 April, Article 135 of the Financial Regulation foresees a transitional measure allowing submission of the report covering 2004 by 31 May 2005.

[10] The European Investment Bank’s (EIB) risk capital and related interest rate subsidies under the 6-8th EDFs (for which the Commission has accounting responsibility) are included within all financial statistics. Figures for the performance of the EIB’s Investment Facility – under the 9th EDF – are not included as accounting responsibility now falls to the EIB for this instrument. For the purposes of comparability the EIB’s Investment Facility figures for 2003/2004 are contained within footnotes where appropriate.

[11] Stabex is a financial instrument foreseen by the Lomé Convention (Articles 186-212), which has now been replaced under the Cotonou Agreement by the new instrument FLEX (as part of the B envelope). The aim of Stabex was to remedy the harmful effects of the instability of export earnings of the ACP states.

[12] The global financial commitment is the operation reserving the funds necessary to cover subsequent payments for the execution of a financing agreement.

[13] In Uganda, Mozambique, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia.

[14] Of these decommitments, €66m originates from the risk capital and related interest rate subsidies implemented by the EIB under the 6-8th EDFs. No new commitments were made by the EIB on the 6-8th EDF instruments in 2004.

[15] The individual financial commitment is the operation reserving the funds necessary to cover subsequent payments for the execution of a contract or the direct labour component of a programme estimate.

[16] Of which no significant element originated from the 6-8th EDF EIB instruments in 2004.

[17] Of which €153m originates from the risk capital and related interest rate subsidies implemented by the EIB under the 6-8th EDFs

[18] 3 payments totalling €4.4m over 2002 and 2003 from the secured Stabex account to Ethiopia were not reclassified as payments in the accounting system in the context of the 2004 regularisation (see Annex 1) and will be booked on the 2005 accounts.

[19] Technical Cooperation Facilities (TCFs) are umbrella financing agreements from which feasibility studies and other technical assistance can be financed that may be required to identify projects and programmes and to prepare financing proposals. TCFs can also fund other activities such as training, conferences and seminars related to the implementation of EC cooperation with the ACP, or audits and evaluations of completed projects when their funding has not been foreseen or insufficient balances remain. In principle a TCF has been programmed within each National Indicative Programme and replaces the more cumbersome individual small-scale commitments used for these purposes under the previous EDFs (‘Décisions sur Autorisation Globale’ or ‘DAGs’).

[20] Where certain actions within the management of projects are entrusted to the partner ACP state. In the majority of cases the European Commission undertakes the financial implementation of 9th EDF resources by means of decentralised management with the ACP States in accordance with the conditions set out in the Cotonou Agreement, based in particular on the sharing of responsibilities provided for in Article 57 of that Agreement (concerning guidelines for development finance cooperation) and in Articles 34, 35 and 36 of Annex IV to the Agreement.

[21] These statistics exclude local payments made by Commission field offices (delegations) in local currency i.e. by non-devolved delegations, as no data is available in the accounting system for the date of receipt of local currency invoices. This element of EDF payment performance will disappear in 2006 with the completion of devolution.

[22] Payment periods were previously monitored for the EC Budget on a 60-day basis. Since 2003 and the coming into force of the new Financial Regulations, the deadline / performance indicator for both EC Budget and EDF payments is set at 45 days.

[23] As well as €298m in 2004 decommitments.

[24] The consolidated EDF accounting figures i.e. not historically corrected for the 2004 Stabex regularisation were: 2001 - €8 469m, 2002 - €8 385m and for 2003 - €9 601m. 3 payments totalling €4.4m over 2002 and 2003 from the secured Stabex account to Ethiopia were not reclassified as payments in the accounting system in the context of the 2004 regularisation (see Annex 1) and will be booked on the 2005 accounts.

[25] The impact of the regularisation in 2004 of certain Stabex payments has been redistributed over the period concerned (2001 - 2004) - see Annex 1.

[26] Of which €19m originated from the European Investment Bank instruments (risk capital and related interest rate subsidies) funded from the 6-8th EDFs.

[27] Until 1 January 2003: including old RAL (thus the sum of old + dormant contains double counting); from 31 December 2003 on: excluding old RAL.

[28] As a result of the change in methodology from 2004 (see previous footnote), from the end of 2003 on, the dormant RAL decreases at the start of a new year, compared to its level at the end of the preceding year, because a year is added to the old RAL. For example, dormant RAL at end 2003 was €261m. Old RAL relating to projects committed in 1998 (€427m) was added to the stock of old RAL at 1 January 2004, of which €6m was dormant. This means that the amount of dormant RAL (excluding old RAL) was €255m (i.e. €261m less €6m) at 1 January 2005.

[29] Of which €137m originated from the European Investment Bank instruments (risk capital and related interest rate subsidies) funded from the 6-8th EDFs.

[30] Of which €156m originated from the European Investment Bank instruments (risk capital and related interest rate subsidies) funded from the 6-8th EDFs.

[31] General budget support consists of resource transfers into a recipient country’s single treasury account in support of the implementation of a national development strategy (usually a PRSP in the poorest countries).

[32] Beneficiary countries are eligible for general budget support when they meet the criteria mentioned in Articles 61(2) and 67 of the Cotonou Agreement. The use of the transferred funds by the recipient country should be in accordance with the country’s own budget priorities and funds are not ring fenced for specific expenditures with the exception of a few cases in which the funds are to be used to pay off outstanding debt arrears or other specifically targeted categories of expenditure.

[33] If the country in question does not have an IMF supported macroeconomic reform programme, the Commission decides on a case-by-case basis whether support from the World Bank and/or any other multilateral institution can be considered a sufficient basis for EU budget support.

[34] PEFA: Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability, a joint initiative by the Commission, the World Bank, the IMF and some bilateral donor agencies to harmonise public finance management assessments and agree on one common diagnostic tool.

[35] Official representations of the Commission without a resident Head of Delegation (in which day to day management is overseen by a chargé d’affaires ) falling within the management of a regional delegation.

[36] SEC (2002) 85, ‘Reform of Community aid: Implementation and financing plan for devolution’, 29 January 2002.

[37] Annex 1 of the Revision of the Cotonou Agreement, COM (2005) 185.

[38] These figures exclude €2 057m from the Investment Facility and the €188m of related interest rate subsidies funded from the 9th EDF but under the accounting responsibility of the EIB.

[39] Taking into account transfers from former EDFs to the 9th EDF.

[40] In Uganda, Mozambique, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia.

[41] The Accruals Based Accounting (ABAC) EDF project has been progressing satisfactorily and is currently on schedule to meet its target start-up date of 1 January 2006.

[42] From January 2006, the accrual-based accounting will provide for the flagging up of potential recovery orders. Recovery orders will then be presented as assets on the Commission’s balance sheets.

[43] Stabex was a financial instrument established by the Lomé Convention (Articles 186-212) which has now been replaced under Cotonou by the FLEX instrument (as part of the B envelope). The aim of Stabex was to remedy the harmful effects of the instability of export earnings of the ACP states.

[44] Programmable aid comprises aid programmed within the framework of national and regional indicative programmes.

[45] The Commission holds accounting responsibility for venture capital (managed by the European Investment Bank) under the 6th-8th EDFs.

[46] HIPC: the World Bank-led Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative, which helps offset eligible ACP countries’ debts. Global Fund: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

[47] For the purposes of comparability across all EDFs, figures are also shown for the 9th EDF including the Investment Facility and related interest rate subsidies which fall under the accounting responsibility of the European Investment Bank.