Public health and development: actions in the field of the AIDS in developing countries, 1997-1999 programme

1) Objective To formalise ongoing structural support to developing countries in their efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. 2) Content 1. The Community shall implement a programme to assist the developing countries in their efforts to combat the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and help them cope with its impact on health and economic development. 2. Priority shall be given to promoting an effective policy to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission, breaking the "poverty-instability-HIV/AIDS" cycle, reinforcing health and social services, helping government assess the epidemic's impact and developing scientific knowledge of the epidemic. 3. The proposal defines the agents of cooperation eligible for financial support in the form of non-refundable grants to cover both investment (with the exception of the purchase of buildings) and operating costs. 4. The instruments to be employed include studies, technical assistance, training or other services, supplies and works, along with audits and evaluation and monitoring missions. 5. The Commission shall take all necessary measures to coordinate operations financed by the Community and those financed by the Member States. 6. The Commission shall appraise, decide and administer the cofinancing of operations according to the budgetary and other procedures in force. Participation in invitations to tender and the award of contracts shall be open on equal terms to natural and legal persons of the Member States and of the recipient country. 7. The Commission shall be assisted by an advisory committee made up of representatives from the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission, i.e. for the ACP countries, the EDF Committee; for the Mediterranean countries, the MED Committee; for the Asian and Latin American countries the ALA Committee. 8. After each budget year, the Commission shall report to Parliament and the Council, summarising the operations financed in the course of the year and evaluating the implementation of the Regulation. 9. A financial statement is annexed to the proposal. Source : Commission Européenne - Info92 - 12/95�