2002/817/EC: Council Decision of 23 September 2002 on the conclusion of the Convention between the European Community and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) concerning aid to refugees in the countries in the Near East (2002 to 2005)
Date: 2002-09-23
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European convention, Palestine question, UNO, UNRWA, aid to refugees, cooperation policy, food aid

L 281/10

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

19.10.2002

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 23 September 2002

on the conclusion of the Convention between the European Community and the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) concerning aid to refu-
gees in the countries in the Near East (2002 to 2005)

(2002/817/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

(6)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu-
nity, and in particular Article 181 in conjunction with the first
subparagraph of Article 300(3), and Article 300(4), thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

The appropriate internal procedure should be established
to ensure the proper functioning of the Convention. It is
therefore necessary to delegate to the Commission the
power to carry out modifications where the Convention
provides for modifications to be adopted by simplified
procedure (Exchange of Letters),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

The 10th Convention (3) concluded with the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East (UNRWA) expired on 31 December
2001.

The current crisis in the Middle East has put additional
burden on UNRWA.

The Community assistance to UNRWA is an important
element in stabilising the situation in the Middle East
and furthermore forms part of the campaign against
poverty in developing countries and therefore contri-
butes to the sustainable economic and social develop-
ment of the population concerned and the host countries
in which the population lives.

Support of UNRWA operations would be likely to
contribute to the attainment of the Community objec-
tives.

A new Convention should be concluded with UNRWA
so that the Community's aid can continue to be provided
as part of a comprehensive programme offering a
measure of continuity.

(1) OJ C 203, 27.8.2002, p. 142.
(2) Opinion delivered on 3 September 2002 (not yet published in the

Official Journal).

(3) OJ L 261, 7.10.1999, p. 36.

Article 1

The Convention between the European Community and the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
(UNRWA) concerning aid to refugees in the countries of the
Near East (2002 to 2005) is hereby approved on behalf of the
Community.

The text of the Convention is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The execution of the Community programme of food aid to
UNRWA shall be governed by the procedure defined in Council
Regulation (EC) No 1292/96 of 27 June 1996 on food-aid
policy and food-aid management and special operations in
support of food security (4).

Article 3

The Commission shall approve, in consultation with a special
committee, modifications to the Convention where the Conven-
tion provides for modifications to be adopted by way of simpli-
fied procedure (Exchange of Letters).

(4) OJ L 166, 5.7.1996, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC)

No 1726/2001 (OJ L 234, 1.9.2001, p. 10).

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Official Journal of the European Communities

L 281/11

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the persons empowered to sign the Conven-
tion in order to bind the Community.

Article 4

Done at Brussels, 23 September 2002.

For the Council

The President

M. FISCHER BOEL