External actions: financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the recommendation for second reading in the joint report by Kinga GÁL (EPP, HU) and Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE) on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 on establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide.

It recommended that the European Parliament adopts its position at second reading under the ordinary legislative procedure, amending the Council position at first reading as follows:

Delegated acts: following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament is now fully recognised as co-legislator alongside the Council on virtually all legislation. Members consider that this should be reflected in the area of the implementation of external cooperation financial instruments.

During the first reading in October 2010, Parliament expressed its favour for the application of the "delegated acts" procedure for the financing instruments for external assistance.

The delegated acts procedure significantly strengthens Parliament's powers: Parliament's veto right allows it to block a draft measure it objects against, and requires the Commission to present an amended proposal.

Faced with the rejection of the Parliament’s position by the Council, Members recommend representing, at second reading, the requests formulated at first reading:

·        the Commission should be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in respect of strategy papers, as those strategy papers supplement Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 and are of general application;

·        annual action programmes, and any revisions or extensions thereof, to be adopted by the Commission taking into account the opinions of the European Parliament and of the Council;

·        all measures of which the cost is equal to or exceeds EUR 3 000 000 to be adopted by the Commission taking into account the opinions of the European Parliament and of the Council;

·        special measures costing below EUR 3 000 000 to be sent, by the Commission, to the European Parliament and to the Council within a given time limit.

Other amendments focus on the objectives, scope and duration of the delegation of power, as well as the conditions to be respected by the delegations.