Brussels, 09/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - How exactly does the EU spend development aid sector by sector, and does it really keep to its promises towards partner countries in the developing world? EU citizens will soon know. The Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Thursday in Brussels in development format laid the foundations for a future system of procedures common to the Commission and member states which will allow the public to be informed of data relating to aid volumes, the allocation of funds and the provision of aid to developing countries. The challenges of this approach and the practical arrangements for these harmonised procedures, to be gradually introduced from 2011 on, are set out in conclusions that the Council, chaired by Catherine Ashton, unanimously adopted without further debate. The EU27 ambassadors had, the previous day, given their clearance to the text allowing the EU to implement a new chapter of the EU operational framework on aid effectiveness (after coordination and the breakdown of work), which meets the requirements of the international Acra agenda. The aim is to allow the provision of more precise budgetary forecasts as well as the accountability of developing countries and the auditing of aid by these countries. Stepping up accountability and transparency of both donors and partner countries is essential if the impact of development policies is to be optimal, the Council underlines. Strong accountability on the part of partner countries regarding aid they receive is also essential to ensure good governance and effective use of development aid. To meet this aim, information on European aid flows should, from 2011, comply with the format of the OECD development aid committee, which is guarantor of data comparison at international level. EU member states that do not belong to the OECD will endeavour to keep to this format. Member states that so wish may, from 2011, use a system of online data communication perfected by the Commission (TR AID), which could become compulsory after assessment in 2012. Furthermore, procedures will be set in place under the aegis of partner developing countries on the performance of European donors and partner countries as far as complying with the commitments made to heighten aid efficiency is concerned. The EU and its member states will work to develop a common position to be defended at the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (Pusan, South Korea, end 2011), on the basis of a proposal that the Commission is to present by July 2011. Initiatives are already underway to improve information on aid flows in several partner countries such as Cambodia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Rwanda and Mozambique. (A.N./transl.jl)