Palestine, refugees: 10th EC-UNRWA Convention 1999-2001, the EC budgetary contribution prior to signature

PURPOSE : the conclusion of the Convention between the European Community and UNRWA concerning the contribution of the Community to UNRWA's ordinary programmes as well as to its food aid programme. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Decision 1999/660/EC concerning the conclusion of the Convention between the European Community and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) concerning aid to refugees in the countries of the Near East, for the years 1999 to 2000. CONTENT : the Convention determines for the period 1999-2001 the contribution of the Community to the ordinary budget of the Relief and Works Agency of the United Nations for the refugees of Palestine (UNRWA). The contributions applied by the UNRWA under this 10th Convention amount to EUR 120,82 million from 1999 until 2001. They aim to finance health and education programmes. The amount of the contribution to the education programme rises to EUR 32,45 million in 1999, EUR 34,07 million in 2000 and EUR 35,77 million in 2001. The amount of the contribution to the health programme rises to EUR 5,88 million in 1999, EUR 6,17 million in 2000 and EUR 6,48 million in 2001. The contributions may be amended by an exchange of letters between the parties in the course of the duration of the Convention. The new Convention also foresees the annual determination of the Community's contribution to the budget for food aid to the UNRWA in nature and in financial terms based on refugees' needs evaluated each year (the budget will be distinct from those for the health and education programmes and the contribution already drawn from the European Community budget lines B7-200 - food support actions). The implementation of the food aid programme will be governed by the procedure defined by the Community Regulation 1292/96/EC. In addition, the Convention provides for regular information from UNRWA to the Community on projects financed using the Community contribution, as well as the drafting of annual reports on the implementation of the Convention. At the end of the year 2000 at the latest, the evolution of the political situation concerning refugees will be examined by the parties and there will be an evaluation of projects prepared and, where appropriate, implemented by the UNRWA, with a view to transferring, in time, a part or all of its functions to the Palestinian Authority and/or to all other competent authorities. Provisions are made with a view to ensuring the transparency of Community interventions. ENTRY INTO FORCE : the decision will take effect on 27.09.1999 (the Convention enters into force when all the necessary procedures to this effect have been completed by the parties).�