WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2382/96 by Glenys KINNOCK to the Commission. European Union development cooperation with Ethiopia
Date: 1996-09-06
Institutions: European Parliament, KINNOCK
Subjects: EU aid, Ethiopia, European Development Fund, aid system, development aid, economic analysis, political cooperation, project evaluation













EUR-Lex - 91996E2382 - EN






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91996E2382

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2382/96 by Glenys KINNOCK to the Commission. European Union development cooperation with Ethiopia  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0091 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2382/96 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (6 September 1996)Subject: European Union development cooperation with EthiopiaIn view of the alarming conclusions of the report commissioned by the EC on its development cooperation with Ethiopia, what action does DG VIII propose to take?Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (28 October 1996)The Commission does not agree that the conclusions of the report on development cooperation with Ethiopia are alarming.The report recognises that practically all Community aid to Ethiopia over more than 20 years was very relevant. In the context of the political instability, war and severe natural crisis faced by the country, the prospects for long term effectiveness and sustainability of aid were limited. It concludes that much of Community aid was a success in terms of meeting objectives, and in terms of the efficiency with which it was provided. As regards the failures, the report identifies reasons which are partly internal to Ethiopia and partly internal to the Community (including over-complex procedures - some of which are beyond the Commission's direct control - and organisational weaknesses due to a lack of specialised man-power). Comparison with similar large-scale country evaluations conducted by other donors shows their experience is very similar, even in contexts less extreme that those of Ethiopia in the 1970's and 1980's.The report recommends simplifying and focusing the range of aid instruments, strengthening strategic planning at the country level, improving macroeconomic and sectoral policy analysis and policy dialogue, reinforcing the project cycle (better project preparation and supervision), decentralising and simplifying aid administration including procedures for disbursement, tendering and procuring programme aid, improving standards of reporting, and better deployment of resources, including more staff.The report recognises 'some of these problems are currently being tackled'. The need for more coherent and integrated use of the different instruments and forms of aid, for an intensified dialogue on policies with the government, and for a more comprehensive country strategy were taken into account by the Commission in preparing for the negotiations leading to the conclusion of the 8th European development fund indicative programme for Ethiopia. Sectoral policy dialogue is already the context for the Community intervention in the road sector and substantial efforts are being made to improve the Community intervention in the structural adjustment process. In some areas quick progress is limited by a number of factors, (not exclusive to Ethiopia) including the problem of human resources, simplifying and focusing the range of instruments, and decentralising and simplifying administration and procedures.Working methods and delegation of authority need to be examined within the framework laid down for Community decision making, which involves consultation with Member States prior to decision and implementation. Improvements can be expected in project preparation, monitoring and reporting, and the deployment of resources of all kinds.