Financial aid: extension to Tajikistan of the exceptional assistance for Armenia and Georgia

In adopting the report by Gilles SAVARY (PES, F), the European Parliament approved the extension of exceptional financial assistance to Tajikistan but only in the form of a long-term loan of EUR 75 million. It also limits the straight grant of assistance to Armenia and Georgia for the period 1997-2001 and removes all the references to a straight grant for the assistance of Tajikistan both in the body of the text as in the recitals. The European Parliament believes, furthermore, that the Community should provide assistance to this country in the form of a grant by means of clearly defined programmes, and using the existing legal bases. In addition, the Parliament also stresses the objectives of the Community grant. These should aim to improve people's living conditions and creating jobs. They should be used in accordance with the rules of budgetary control. Recognising that Tajikistan is the poorest of the New Independent States of the ex-USSR, the European Parliament, nevertheless, requests the Commission not to implement this decision unless continuity in the process of national reconciliation is assured and elections (and in particular the forthcoming parliamentary elections) are held under the proper conditions.�