1999 discharge: 6th, 7th and 8th European Development Funds (EDF)

The committee adopted the report by Heide RÜHLE (Greens/EFA, D) which recommended giving the budgetary discharge for the sixth, seventh and eighth European Development Funds (EDF) for 1999. The committee noted that tangible steps had been taken to improve the performance of Commission services and delegations, although it was still too early to assess the effectiveness of these measures. MEPs stressed the urgent need for a reform of development cooperation, including a new definition of development aid policies and priorities directed at eradicating poverty. The Commission was encouraged to strengthen its delegations in beneficiary countries in order to create a system for the management of development projects that was adapted to local conditions.�