CELEX: 51989PC0664
Language: en
Date: 1989-12-19
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ON THE CONCLUSION OF THE CONVENTION BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES ( UNRWA ) CONCERNING AID TO REFUGEES IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE NEAR EAST

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                         C0NC89) 664     final
                                                         Brussels, 19 December 1989
                                              Proposal tor a
                                             COUNCIL DECISION
                             on the conclusion of the Convention between the
                           European Economic Community and the United Nations
                         Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
                      concerning aid to refugees In the countries of the Near East
                                      (presented by the Commission)
MB*.;, „'i .*& •
 ---pagebreak---                          Explanatory Memorandum
The Commission made proposals to the Council in May 1989 (1) for a
mandate to open negotiations for the renewal of the Convention between
the EEC and UNRWA, which Is due to expire on 31 December 1989.
In accordance with the decision of the General Affairs Council of
3 October 1989, the Commission negotiated on 13 October 1989 with UNWRA
the text of the proposed new EEC/UNRWA Convention for the period
1990/1992.
As compared with the current Convention the main changes in the
proposed text, in conformity with the directives for negotiation, are
as fol low :
The cash contribution towards the cost of UNRWA's education and health
programmes (Including the supplementary feeding programme) shall be ecu
25.4 million for 1990, ecu 26.7 million for 1991 and ecu 28 million for
1992 (Article 2, para 1). The inclusion of a specific yearly amount for
the supplementary feeding programme is also new, as are its explicit
inclusion in the health programme and the Inclusion of a separate
quantity for the health programme. This is also reflected In articles
1, 2, 3, 2.4, 3.2 and 3.3.
UNRWA are happy with the form and the content of the proposed text and
they are ready to sign the Convention as soon as possible.
The financial Implications of the action proposed are set out in the
financial annex.
Action proposed
The Commission therefore proposes that the Council adopt :
1)   the Convention between the European Economic Community and the
     United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees,
     attached, and
2)   the decision concluding that Convention, also attached.
 (1) SEC (89) 724/3
 ---pagebreak---                              COUNCIL DECISION
                                    Of
             on the conclusion of the Convention between the
           European Economic Community and the United Nations
         Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
      concerning aid to refugees In the countries of the Near East
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 2 -
                               Article 2
Questions relating to the execution of the Community programme of food
aid to UNRWA shall be governed by the procedure defined In Regulation
(EEC) N° 3972/86 or, If appropriate, by any regulation on food aid
repealing and replacing it.
                               Article 3
The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the
persons empowered to sign the Convention In order to bind the
Community.
Done at Brussels,                      For the CounclI,
                                       The President
 ---pagebreak---                   CONVENTION
BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND
 THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY
       FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES (UNRWA)
          CONCERNING AID TO REFUGEES
      IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE NEAR EAST
 ---pagebreak---                                 ARTICLE 1
Desirous of continuing its aid to Palestine Refugees, the European
Economic Community (hereinafter referred to as "the Community") hereby
concludes this Convention with the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees (hereinafter referred to as "UNRWA") in
order to confirm its commitment to a programme of aid to UNRWA. This
aid shall take the form of contributions In kind or In cash extending
over a three-year period for use under the UNRWA education, health and
feeding programmes.
                                ARTICLE 2
1.  The Community shall pay to UNRWA annually a cash contribution
    towards the cost of the education and health programmes, including
    the supplementary feeding programme. The size of this contribution
    shall be: ecu 21 million In 1990, ecu 22 million in 1991 and ecu 23
    million in 1992 for the education programme-, ecu 1 million In 1990,
    ecu 2 million in 1991 and ecu 3 million in 1992 for the health
    programme; and ecu 3.4 million in 1990, ecu 2.7 million in 1991 and
    ecu 2.0 million in 1992 for the supplementary feeding programme
    (which is a part of the health programme). The distribution of
    these   amounts   within   the   health  programme   (including  the
    supplementary -feeding programme) will be amenable to adjustment
    each year depending on evidence of real needs.
2.  UNRWA shall send the Community each year a report on the use made
    of the Community contribution. UNRWA shall also provide the
    Community with all the documentation relating to the execution of
    the education and health programmes, Including the supplementary
    feeding programme; the detailed accounts of expenditure; and
    budgetary estimates of future expenditure and the yearly statistics
    of the UNRWA Departments of Education and Health.
3.  UNRWA shall inform the Community of any significant changes planned
    for the education or health services provided by the Agency.
4.   In the event of any significant changes in the education or health
    services provided by UNRWA during the period of validity of this
    Convention, the Community reserves the right to give its approval
    to the use made of the funds it is making available to UNRWA.
                                ARTICLE 3
                     Aid for the feeding programmes
1. The Community shall contribute in kind or in cash to the various
UNRWA feeding programmes (the programme for distribution of rations to
special hardship cases, the feeding In training centres programme and
the supplementary feeding programme).
2. The size and form of the Community contribution to these programmes
and the conditions on which aid is granted shall be determined by the
Community each year in the framework of its food aid programmes, on the
basis of the requests submitted by UNRWA, with the exception of the
supplementary feeding programme (included within the health programme)
which will amount to ecu 3.4 million In 1990, ecu 2.7 million In 1991,
and ecu 2.0 million in 1992, subject to yearly adjustments as specified
in art icle 2.1.
 ---pagebreak--- 3. The Community shall pay the following contributions in cash to
UNRWA for the feeding programmes :
     a sum as a contribution to the operating costs of the supplementary
     feeding programme, as indicated,
     a sum for the purchase of products on the Community market.
     However, in the event of an emergency or non-availability on the
     Community market or in other exceptional cases after agreement by
     the Community, the products concerned may be purchased In the
     developing countries or on the local market,
     a specific sum per tonne of each product received or purchased by
     UNRWA under the programme for distribution of rations to special
     hardship cases and the feeding in training centres programme, as a
     contribution to transport and distribution costs.
4. UNRWA shall send the Community in April of each year a report on
the operation of the feeding programmes, indicating in particular the
number, category and location of recipients and the services provided,
the cost of the programmes and the use made of Community contributions
in kind and in cash.
                                  ARTICLE 4
                                 Informat Ion
UNRWA shall take all reasonable steps to inform the Palestine refugees
and the authorities of the host countries of the aid received from the
Community and from Its Member States.
                                  ARTICLE 5
UNRWA shall give every facility to any persons nominated by the
Community for the purpose of following the Agency's use of the
Community's    aid< 1 ). UNRWA  shall   also provide such    supplementary
 Information as may reasonably be requested by the persons so nominated.
                                  ARTICLE 6
Any questions arising out of this Convention shall be settled by
consultation between the two parties at the request of either party.
                                  ARTICLE 7
                         Duration of the Convention
This Convention    shall  cover a period of   three calendar  years  (1990,
1991 and 1992).
 (1) The checks will be carried out principally        by  the   Commission
     Delegates in the various countries concerned.
 ---pagebreak---                                ARTICLE 8
This Convention Is drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English,
French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish languages, each
version being equally authentic.
Done at Brussels,
For the United Nations Relief an      On behalf of the Council
   Works Agency for Palestine         of the European Communities
       Refugees (UNRWA)
 ---pagebreak---                                 FINANCIAL ANNEX
    Relevant budgetary lines
    Food aid programme : Budgetary lines within Chapter 92
    Cash contribution     : Article 926 - Expenses resulting from the
                            EEC/UNRWA Convention
                            Article 959 - Supplementary aid to UNRWA
                            (Education and health programmes).
    Description of action
    Establishment of a new Convention between the EEC and UNRWA for the
    allocation of food aid in kind and in cash for the Agency's feeding
    programmes and a cash contribution for the UNRWA education and
    health programmes (including the supplementary feeding programme).
3.  Legal base
    Article 235   of    the   Treaty   establishing  the European   Economic
    Community.
    Financial  implications
    Cash   contribution     for   the Education     and  Health   Programmes
    (Including the supplementary feeding programme).
    The contribution to the UNRWA education and health programmes
    (including the supplementary feeding programme) shall be ecu
    25.4 million for 1990, ecu 26.7 million for 1991 and ecu 28
    million for 1992, in accordance with the decision of                 the
    General Affairs Council of 3 October 1989.
    Contribution to Feeding Programmes
    The size and content of the aid to UNRWA for the feeding programmes
    (with the exception of the supplementary feeding programme, already
    quantified in the text of the Convention), will be decided, as in
    the past, following the procedure defined In Council Regulation
    (EEC) 3972/86.< 1 )
(1) O.J. L370 Of 30.12.1986 p.1
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                                                      11_^•„ A * w — - ^ . ^ i ; .
                                                              COM(89) 664 fina^
                                                      DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                                         11
                                 Catalocue number : CB-CO-S9-611-EN-C
                                                             ISBN 92-77-56156-4
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