Cooperation with third countries: democracy, rule of law, human rights
PURPOSE : to extend for a further two years (until 31.12.2006) the period of validity of Council Regulation 976/1999/EC on the consolidation of the rule of law and the respect of human rights, following the splitting of the Commission's proposal on the extension of this Regulation and the parallel
Regulation (975/99/EC) on the respect of human rights within the framework of development cooperation.
LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Regulation 2242/2004/EC amending Regulation 976/1999/EC laying down the requirements for the implementation of Community operations, other than those of development cooperation, which, within the framework of Community cooperation policy, contribute to the general objective of developing and consolidating democracy and the rule of law and to that of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in third countries
CONTENT : Regulation 976/1999/EC expires on 31 December 2004. This Regulation extends that period until 31/12/2006. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the Regulation during the period 2005 to 2006 is EUR 78 million. In addition:
- the provisions of Regulation 976/1999/EC on procedures for the implementation of aid are aligned with the legal requirements of Council Regulation 1605/2002/EC on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities in the implementation of EU Election Observation Missions;
- agreements and contracts concluded pursuant to Regulation 976/1999/EC authorise the Commission to carry out the measures provided for in Council Regulation 2185/96/EC concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities;
- the Commission will produce an annual report setting out programming for the coming year by region and by sector, and will report back on implementation to the European Parliament.
This Regulation is closely tied to procedure reference COD/2003/0250.
DATE OF EFFECT : 30/12/2004.