Cooperation, third countries: democracy, rule of law, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms

[Unknown:fe][Unknown:fe][Unknown:fd][Unknown:fd][Unknown:fe][Unknown:fe]The Committee voted to endorse the proposal for a Council Regulation which aims to provide a legal basis for the EU's human rights activities by setting out the cases when it is appropriate to provide EU funding in support of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratisation and conflict prevention measures in third countries. It does not cover measures implemented as part of the EU's development cooperation for which a separate and similar regulation is also under consideration by Parliament. The EU measures will comprise technical and financial assistance, and the Commission will be responsible for managing, implementing and monitoring them with the assistance of a committee consisting of representatives of the member states. The Committee adopted a series of amendments that were tabled by the rapporteur Gerardo GALEOTE QUECEDO (EPP, E). Among other matters these extended the scope of the proposal to include support for the sound management of public affairs; support for refugees and displaced persons; and support for initiatives to abolish the death penalty. Other amendments seek to ensure that small scale and new operators are able to receive funding under the programme and a further one deletes the financial reference amount of ·150 m for the implementation of the programme. Finally amendments were passed increasing the involvement of Parliament in the monitoring of the programme.�