WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3149/97 by Klaus LUKAS to the Commission. Misappropriated development aid
Date: 1997-10-13
Institutions: European Parliament, LUKAS
Subjects: ACP countries, Africa, EU control, development aid, exchange of information, fraud against the EU, report, use of aid













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91997E3149

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3149/97 by Klaus LUKAS to the Commission. Misappropriated development aid  


Official Journal C 158 , 25/05/1998 P. 0044 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-3149/97 by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission (13 October 1997)Subject: Misappropriated development aidWhich African countries have received development aid monies and other financial support and under which headings?Will the Commission give a report evaluating development aid to Africa hitherto?What proportion of this development aid money has been misappropriated or was not used for its destignated purpose?What action did the Commission take in such cases?Has the Commission taken action to reclaim misappropriated funds and funds not used for their designated purpose?Is the Commission aware of the identity of those responsible for such misappropriation and/or or who have benefited from it?If so, will the Commission communicate their names to the European Parliament?Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (8 December 1997)As regards the development aid appropriations allocated by the Commission to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, the Honourable Member is referred to the information provided in the Commission's communication to the Court of Auditors, Parliament and the Council on the balance sheets and accounts of the sixth and seventh European Development Funds for the financial year 1996 ((SEC(97) 938 final. )).A major evaluation is currently being made of all the development aid going to ACP countries and managed by the Community. The final summary report is expected towards mid-1998.The Commission keeps a close watch on how appropriations are used to ensure that they are used for the agreed development objectives. A strategy which governs the aid to be provided is agreed with each country and agreement is followed by the signing of an indicative programme. Part of this programme involves identifying specific projects and approving their financing. Technical assistance may also be granted to recipient countries to help them manage the funds. Payments for projects are authorised by the Commission after the requisite documentation has been presented and checked. One of the points checked is whether the allocation and use of funds is in line with the project objectives and financing rules and this enables the Commission to act where fraud is suspected. Some cases of suspected fraud have been reported to the Commission's Unit for Coordination of Fraud Prevention and are now being examined.The procedures governing the award of tenders (particularly in risk areas) are regularly reviewed and adjusted to the situation on the ground. To make this approach even more watertight, anti-corruption clauses are now included in the general terms and conditions and will also be included gradually in the financing agreements and cooperation contracts.