WRITTEN QUESTION P-2972/03 by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission. EU funding in Kenya.
Date: 2003-10-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Development Fund, Kenya, access to education, aid system

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/443

The Fund helps developing countries to improve gynaecological healthcare and is an important body in
the fight against population explosion and other demographic trends that lead to poverty. One of the
Fund’s responsibilities in this area is (advice on) contraception. The cancellation of American contributions
will lead to two million unwanted pregnancies and 800 000 abortions going unprevented. It is estimated
that thousands of mothers will die in childbirth and children at birth for lack of resources.

What is the Commission’s view of this step by the USA, and has it made its position known to the US
Administration?

Is the Commission prepared to provide UNFPA with extra financial support so that countless lives can be
saved?

If so, how much will the Commission make available?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 2003)

The Commission is very disappointed at the decision taken by the United States House of Representatives
to end contributions to the UNFPA. The Commission fully supports the policies set out in the Programme
of Action adopted at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo. The
Commission considers that
this latest decision by the United States House of Representatives puts
implementation of the Programme at risk.

The Commission has supported UNFPA projects on many occasions. Last year the Commission financed a
project to support UNFPA for EUR 20 million as part of a EUR 32 million package for sexual and
reproductive health agreed after earlier cuts in United States support. A further EUR 12 million has been
set aside for an extension of this programme. The Commission is also ready to review any proposals
received from UNFPA in the call for proposals launched under Regulation (EC) No 1567/2003 of the
Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on aid for policies and actions on reproductive and sexual
health and rights in developing countries (1). In the draft budget for 2004, this budget line has been
increased to EUR 17,8 million in order to respond to increased needs in this field.

(1) OJ L 224, 6.9.2003.

(2004/C 88 E/0451)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2972/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 October 2003)

Subject: EU funding in Kenya

Where have EU funds given to Kenya, particularly to the Gitaru Sub-location, gone and how are they
tracked? What mechanisms exist to monitor the dispersal of these funds? If no such mechanism exists,
could the Commission explain why this is the case? Furthermore,
is the Commission able to provide
information on the source of funding for places in secondary education for children in Kenya and the
Gitaru Sub-location?

C 88 E/444

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2003)

The basis of cooperation between the Community and Kenya is the Country Strategy Paper (CSP), which
includes an indicative programme. The CSP has been negotiated with the Government of Kenya in support
of sectoral and macroeconomic policies. The 9th European Development Fund (EDF) Country Strategy
Programme approved by the Commission on 16 September 2003 (EUR 215 million of programmable aid
for the period 2003-2007) mainly focuses on general budget support, rural development and road
transport. Education is not a focal sector for Community co-operation. A copy of the CSP is forwarded
directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

All actions financed by the Community are subject to detailed appraisal to establish clearly identified
objectives, beneficiaries and results to be achieved by a set of activities. They also have monitoring
schemes adapted to the different activities, providing regular operational and financial information. This
may also include external monitoring. Furthermore, Community programmes are, in general, subject to
mid-term and end of term evaluations in order to learn lessons and improve performance.

On the financial side, increasing use is being made of regular external audits to confirm that funds have
been utilised correctly. The Finance and Contract section of the Delegation in Kenya (deconcentrated since
April 2002) also carries out its own controls on the use of funds.

Whilst education is not a focal sector for Community support in Kenya, assistance to a certain number of
individual schools has been provided under the Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF), which aims
to support self help programmes. A list of secondary schools supported by CDTF is being sent directly to
the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat. The CDTF has not supported any projects in
Gitaru sub-location to date.

(2004/C 88 E/0452)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2990/03

by Professor Sir Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Benes Decrees (October 2002)

(6 October 2003)

With reference to the background papers and expert reflections prepared in relation to the Commission’s
official opinion on the Benes Decrees (October 2002), I request the following information:

1. What sources were used?

2. What were the main considerations?

3. Did the Commission administration follow consultations?

4.

If yes, with whom?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(24 October 2003)

The document entitled ‘The Czechoslovak presidential decrees in the light of the “acquis communautaire”
(cid:1) Summary Findings of the Commission Services’ dated 14 October 2002 was made available to the
Parliament and the public at large. A further copy of this document is now sent directly to the Honourable
Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.