Resolution on the draft Commission decisions establishing Annual Action Programmes for Brazil for 2008 and for Argentina for 2008
The European Parliament adopted a resolution tabled by the Committee on Development on the draft Commission decisions establishing Annual Action Programmes for Brazil for 2008 and for Argentina for 2008.
It recalls that on 10 June 2008, the DCI Management Committee voted in favour of the draft Annual Action Programmes (AAPs) for Brazil for 2008 and for Argentina for 2008. Parliament subsequently received the draft implementing measures submitted to the DCI Management Committee and the results of voting.
Members point out the following :
- Article 2(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 stipulates that 'the primary and overarching objective of cooperation under this Regulation shall be the eradication of poverty in partner countries and regions in the context of sustainable development' ;
- Article 2(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 stipulates that 'measures referred to in Article 1(1) shall be designed so as to fulfil the criteria for Official Development Assistance (ODA) established by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD/DAC)',
Brazil: the draft AAP for Brazil for 2008 contains the Academic Mobility Programme for Brazil 2008-2010 (which is the Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window for Brazil) as the only action. Parliament notes that this action comes under the Country Strategy Paper's priority sector I entitled 'Enhancing bilateral relations, Action 2: Higher education programme for Brazil' and that the financing for mobility of EU national students and academic staff (up to 30% of the total funding for individual mobility for students and staff) is provided for as an important element of the AAP for Brazil for 2008.
Argentina: the draft AAP for Argentina for 2008 contains the Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window for Argentina as the only action. This action comes under the Country Strategy Paper's focal sector entitled 'Strengthening of bilateral relations and mutual understanding between the EC and Argentina' and the financing of mobility of EU national students and academic staff (up to 30% of the total funding for individual mobility for students and staff) is provided for as an important element of the AAP for Argentina for 2008.
Parliament takes the view that the Commission, therewith, exceeds, in the AAP for Brazil for 2008 and in the AAP for Argentina for 2008, its implementing powers laid down in the basic act, given that the above-mentioned elements are not in compliance with Article 2(1) and (4) of Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006, as the primary objective of these elements is not the eradication of poverty, and as these elements do not fulfil the criteria for ODA established by the OECD/DAC.
It calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft decisions establishing AAPs for Brazil for 2008 and for Argentina for 2008 and to submit to the DCI Management Committee new draft decisions fully respecting the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006.