COMMON POSITION (EC) No 12/96 adopted by the Council on 29 January 1996 with a view to adopting Council Regulation (EC) No .../96 concerning humanitarian aid
Date: 1996-01-29
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU aid, aid policy, aid system, fourth Lomé Convention, humanitarian aid













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51996AG0325(05)

COMMON POSITION (EC) No 12/96 adopted by the Council on 29 January 1996 with a view to adopting Council Regulation (EC) No .../96 concerning humanitarian aid  


Official Journal C 087 , 25/03/1996 P. 0046 





COMMON POSITION (EC) No 12/96adopted by the Council on 29 January 1996with a view to  adopting Council Regulation (EC) No . . ./96 concerning humanitarian aid(96/C 87/05) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130w  thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189c of the Treaty (2), Whereas people in distress, victims of natural disasters, wars and outbreaks of fighting, or other  comparable exceptional circumstances have a right to international humanitarian assistance where  their own authorities prove unable to provide effective relief; Whereas civilian operations to protect the victims of fighting or of comparable exceptional  circumstances are governed by international humanitarian law and should accordingly be considered  part of humanitarian action; Whereas humanitarian assistance encompasses not only relief operations to save and preserve life in  emergencies or their immediate aftermath, but also action aimed at facilitating or obtaining  freedom of access to victims and the free flow of such assistance; Whereas humanitarian assistance may be a prerequisite for development or reconstruction work and  must therefore cover the full duration of a crisis and its aftermath; whereas, in this context, it  may include an element of short-term rehabilitation aimed at facilitating the arrival of relief,  preventing any worsening in the impact of the crisis and starting to help those affected regain a  minimum level of self-sufficiency; Whereas there is a particular need for preventive action to ensure preparedness for disaster risks  and, in consequence, for the establishment of an appropriate early-warning and intervention  system; Whereas the effectiveness and consistency of the Community, national and international prevention  and intervention systems set up to meet the needs generated by natural or man-made disasters or  comparable exceptional circumstances should therefore be ensured and strengthened; Whereas humanitarian aid, the sole aim of which is to prevent or relieve human suffering, is  accorded to victims without discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic group, religion, sex,  age, nationality or political affinities and must not be guided by, or subject to, political  considerations; Whereas humanitarian aid decisions must be taken impartially and solely according to the victims'  needs and interests; Whereas close coordination between the Member States and the Commission both at decision-making  level and on the ground constitutes the foundation for effective humanitarian action by the  European Community; Whereas the Community, as part of its contribution to the effectiveness of international  humanitarian aid, must endeavour to cooperate and coordinate its action with that of third  countries; Whereas, in pursuit of that same objective, criteria should be established for cooperation with  non-governmental organizations and the international agencies and organizations specializing in the  field of humanitarian aid; Whereas the independence and impartiality of non-governmental organizations and other humanitarian  institutions in the implementation of humanitarian aid must be preserved, respected and  encouraged; Whereas cooperation in the humanitarian sphere should be encouraged between non-governmental  organizations in the Member States and other developed countries and their equivalents in the third  countries concerned; Whereas the very nature of humanitarian aid calls for the establishment of efficient, flexible,  transparent and, where necessary, rapid decision-making procedures for the financing of  humanitarian operations and projects; Whereas procedures should be established for the implementation and administration of humanitarian  aid financed by the European Community from the general budget, with emergency aid under the Fourth  ACP-EC Convention signed at Lomé on 15 December 1989, amended by the Agreement amending the said  Convention, signed at Mauritius on 4 November 1995 remaining subject to the procedures and  arrangements laid down in that Convention, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: CHAPTER I Objectives and general principles of humanitarian aid Article  1The Community's humanitarian aid shall comprise assistance, relief and protection operations on  a non-discriminatory basis to help people in third countries, particularly the most vulnerable  among them, and as a priority those in developing countries, victims of natural disasters, man-made  crises, such as wars and outbreaks of fighting, or exceptional situations or circumstances  comparable to natural or man-made disasters. It shall do so for the time needed to meet the  humanitarian requirements resulting from these different situations. Such aid shall also comprise operations to prepare for risks or prevent disasters or comparable  exceptional circumstances. Article 2The principal objectives of the humanitarian aid operations referred to in Article 1  shall be: (a) to save and preserve life during emergencies and their immediate aftermath and natural  disasters that have entailed major loss of life, physical, psychological or social suffering or  material damage; (b) to provide the necessary assistance and relief to people affected by longer-lasting crises  arising, in particular, from outbreaks of fighting or wars, producing the same effects as those  described in subparagraph (a), especially where their own governments prove unable to help or there  is a vacuum of power; (c) to help finance the transport of aid and efforts to ensure that it is accessible to those for  whom it is intended, by all logistical means available, and by protecting humanitarian goods and  personnel, but excluding operations with defence implications; (d) to carry out short-term rehabilitation and reconstruction work, especially on infrastructure  and equipment, in close association with local structures, with a view to facilitating the arrival  of relief, preventing the impact of the crisis from worsening and starting to help those affected  regain a minimum level of self-sufficiency, taking long-term development objectives into account  where possible; (e) to cope with the consequences of population movements (refugees, displaced people and  returnees) caused by natural and man-made disasters and carry out schemes to assist repatriation to  the country of origin and resettlement there when the conditions laid down in current international  agreements are in place; (f) to ensure preparedness for risks of disasters or comparable exceptional circumstances and use a  suitable rapid early-warning and intervention system; (g) to support civil operations to protect the victims of fighting or comparable emergencies, in  accordance with current international agreements. Article 3Community aid referred to in Articles 1, 2 and 4 may be used to finance the purchase  and delivery of any product or equipment needed for the implementation of humanitarian operations,  including the construction of housing or shelter for the victims, the costs associated with the  outside staff, expatriate or local, employed for those operations, the storage, international or  national transport, logistics and distribution of relief and any other action aimed at facilitating  or obtaining freedom of access for aid recipients. It may also be used to finance any other expenditure directly related to the implementation of  humanitarian operations. Article 4Such Community aid referred to in Articles 1 and 2 may also be used to finance: - preparatory and feasibility studies for humanitarian operations and the assessment of  humanitarian projects and plans, - operations to monitor humanitarian projects and plans, - small-scale training schemes and general studies in the field of humanitarian operations, to be  phased out gradually where funding is over several years, - the cost of highlighting the Community nature of the aid, - public awareness and information campaigns aimed at increasing understanding of humanitarian  issues, especially in Europe and in third countries where the Community is funding major  humanitarian operations, - measures to strengthen the Community's coordination with the Member States, other donor  countries, international humanitarian organizations and institutions, non-governmental  organizations and organizations representing them, - the technical assistance necessary for the implementation of humanitarian projects, including the  exchange of technical know-how and experience by European humanitarian organizations and agencies  or between such bodies and those of third countries, - humanitarian mine-clearance operations, including campaigns to increase awareness of  anti-personnel mines on the part of the local population. Article 5Community financing under this Regulation shall take the form of grants. CHAPTER II Procedures for the implementation of humanitarian aid Article 6Humanitarian aid  operations financed by the Community may be implemented either at the request of international or  non-governmental agencies and organizations from a Member State or a recipient third country or on  the initiative of the Commission. Article 71. Non-governmental organizations eligible for Community financing for the  implementation of operations under this Regulation must meet the following criteria: (a) be non-profit-making autonomous organizations in a Member State of the Community under the laws  in force in that Member State; (b) have their main headquarters in a Member State of the Community or in the third countries in  receipt of Community aid. This headquarters must be the effective decision-making centre for all  operations financed under this Regulation. Exceptionally, the headquarters may be in a third donor  country. 2. When determining a non-governmental organization's suitability for Community funding, account  shall be taken of the following factors: (a) its administrative and financial management capacities; (b) its technical and logistical capacity in relation to the planned operation; (c) its experience in the field of humanitarian aid; (d) the results of previous operations carried out by the organization concerned, and in particular  those financed by the Community; (e) its readiness to take part, if need be, in the coordination system set up for a humanitarian  operation; (f) its ability and readiness to work with humanitarian agencies and the basic communities in the  third countries concerned; (g) its impartiality in the implementation of humanitarian aid; (h) where appropriate, its previous experience in the third country involved in the humanitarian  operation concerned. Article 8The Community may also finance humanitarian operations by international agencies and  organizations. Article 9Where necessary, the Community may also finance humanitarian operations by the  Commission or the Member States' specialized agencies. Article 101. In order to guarantee and enhance the effectiveness and consistency of Community  and national humanitarian aid systems, the Commission shall take all necessary measures to promote  close coordination between its own activities and those of the Member States, both at  decision-making level and on the ground. To that end, the Member States and the Commission shall  operate a system for exchange of information. 2. The Commission shall ensure that humanitarian operations financed by the Community are  coordinated and consistent with those of international organizations and agencies, in particular  those which form part of the United Nations system. 3. The Commission shall endeavour to develop collaboration and cooperation between the Community  and third-country donors in the field of humanitarian aid. Article 111. The Commission shall lay down the conditions for allocating, mobilizing and  implementing aid under this Regulation. 2. Aid shall not be implemented unless the recipient complies with these conditions. Article 12All financing contracts concluded under this Regulation shall provide that the  Commission and the Court of Auditors may conduct checks on the spot and at the headquarters of  humanitarian partners according to the usual procedures established by the Commission under the  rules in force, and in particular those of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general  budget of the European Communities. CHAPTER III Procedures for the implementation of humanitarian operations Article 13The  Commission shall decide on emergency action for an amount not in excess of ECU 10 million. The following operations shall be deemed to necessitate emergency action: - operations to meet immediate and unforeseeable humanitarian requirements generated by sudden  natural or man-made disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and outbreaks of fighting or comparable  situations, - operations limited to the duration of the unforseeable emergency response: the corresponding  funds shall cover the response to the humanitarian needs referred to in the first for a period of  not more than six months laid down in the decision on financing. Where operations fulfil these conditions and are in excess of ECU 2 million: - the Commission shall adopt its decision, - it shall inform the Member States in writing within 48 hours, - it shall account for its decision at the committee's next meeting, in particular giving the  reasons for its use of the emergency procedure. Decisions to continue operations adopted by the emergency procedures shall be taken by the  Commission, acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 17 (3) and within the  limits set in the second indent of Article 15 (2). Article 14The Commission shall appraise, decide upon and administer, monitor and assess  operations under this Regulation according to the budgetary and other procedures in force, and in  particular those laid down in the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the  European Community. Article 151. Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 17 (2), the Commission  shall: - decide on Community financing for the humanitarian-aid protection operations referred to in  Article 2 (c), - adopt implementing Regulations for this Regulation, - decide to take direct Commission action or finance action by Member States' specialized  agencies. 2. Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 17 (3), the Commission shall: - approve global plans intended to provide a coherent framework for action in a given country or  region where the scale and complexity of the humanitarian crisis is such that it seems likely to  continue, and the budgets for those plans. In this context, the Commission and the Member States  shall examine the priorities to be established in the implementation of these global plans, - decide on projects in excess of ECU 2 million, without prejudice to Article 13. Article 161. Once a year the Committee referred to in Article 17 shall discuss general  guidelines presented by a representative of the Commission for humanitarian operations to be  undertaken in the year ahead and examine the whole question of the coordination of Community and  national humanitarian aid and any general or specific issues concerning Community aid in that  field. 2. The Commission shall also submit to the Committee referred to in Article 17 information on  changes in the instruments for administering humanitarian aid, including the framework partnership  agreement. 3. The Committee referred to in Article 17 shall also be notified of the Commission's intentions  regarding the assessment of humanitarian operations, and, possibly, its timetable of work. Article 171. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee made up of representatives of the  Member State and chaired by a representative of the Commission. 2. Where the procedure laid down in this paragraph is to be followed the representative of the  Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall  deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to  the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148  (2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal  from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the committee  shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance with the opinion of the  committee. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, or if no opinion  is delivered, the Commission shall, without delay, submit to the Council a proposal relating to the  measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. If, on the expiry of a period of one month from the date of referral to the Council, the Council  has not acted, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. 3. Where the procedue laid down in this paragraph is to be followed, the representative of the  Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall  deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to  the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty in the  case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The  votes of the representatives of the Member States within the committee shall be weighted in the  manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt measures which apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in  accordance with the opinion of the committee, they shall be communicated by the Commission to the  Council forthwith. In that event the Commission may defer application of the measures which it has  decided for a period of one month from the date of such communication. The Council acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time limit  referred to in the previous paragraph. Article 181. The Commission shall regularly assess humanitarian aid operations financed by the  Community in order to establish whether they have achieved their objectives and to produce  guidelines for improving the effectiveness of subsequent operations. The Commission shall submit to  the Committee a summary, which shall also indicate the status of the experts employed, of the  assessment exercises carried out that it might, if necessary, examine. The assessment reports shall  be available to the Member States on request. 2. At the Member States' request, and with their participation, the Commission may also assess the  results of the Community's humanitarian operations and plans. Article 19At the close of each financial year, the Commission shall submit an annual report to  the European Parliament and to the Council with a summary of the operations financed in the course  of that year. The summary shall contain information concerning the agencies with which humanitarian operations  have been implemented. The report shall also include a review of any outside assessment exercises which may have been  conducted on specific operations. The Commission shall notify the Member States, within no more than one month of its decision and  without prejudice to Article 13 of this Regulation, of the operations approved, indicating the  amount granted, the nature of the operation, the people who have received aid and the partners  involved. Article 20Three years after entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall submit an  overall assessment of the operations financed by the Community under this Regulation to the  European Parliament and to the Council, together with suggestions for the future of the Regulation  and, as necessary, proposals for amendments to it. Article 21This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its  publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at . . . For the CouncilThe President(1) OJ No C 180, 14. 7. 1995, p. 6. (2) Opinion of the European Parliament of 30 November 1995 (not yet published in the Official  Journal), Council common position of 29 January 1996 (not yet published in the Official Journal)  and Decision of the European Parliament of . . . (not yet published in the Official Journal). STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S REASONS I. INTRODUCTION 1. The Commission forwarded a  proposal for a Regulation concerning humanitarian aid to the Council in a letter of 1 June 1995  (1). 2. The European Parliament delivered its opinion on 30 November 1995 (2). II. COMMON POSITION 1. Adoption of the common positionOn 29 January 1996 the Council adopted a  common position on the basis of Article 130w of the Treaty on European Union. 2. Purpose of the Commission proposalThe purpose of the Regulation is to give existing budget  headings on humanitarian aid a legal basis adapted to the needs of and recent developments in  Community action in the humanitarian field. 3. Amendments made by the Council to the Commission proposalAlthough some technical and drafting  changes and clarifications have been made, the common position, adopted by a qualified majority in  agreement with the Commission, retains the main points of the Commission proposal concerning the  measures laid down in the Regulation. As regards the procedures for the Committee required to assist the Commission in taking decisions,  the common position provides for a type III (a) procedure in certain cases (Article 15 (1) and a  type II (b) procedure in other cases (Article 15 (2)). It should be noted in this connection that,  taking account of the specific nature of the aid, the new Article 13 of the common position states  that the Commission may decide on emergency aid not exceeding ECU 10 million in accordance with  conditions laid down in that Article. 4. Amendments by ParliamentSubject to the comments above, the Council incorporated a significant  proportion of the amendments adopted by the European Parliament into its common position. However,  in certain cases the Council, while fully or partly approving the substance of an amendment,  altered its position in the text or amended the wording. The Council adopted amendments Nos 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 20. The Council took account of an amended Commission proposal drawn up following the opinion of the  European Parliament, but did not adopt Amendments Nos 1, 2, 3, 6, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23. (1) OJ No C 180, 14. 7. 1995, p. 6. (2) Not yet published in the Official Journal.