Brussels, 30/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, Poul Nielson, European Commissioner for development policy and humanitarian aid and Lousie Fréchette, Deputy Secretary General for the United Nations signed a new framework agreement for a closer and more effective partnership between the UN and the European Commission.
This financial and administrative agreement, establishes the framework for the management by the United Nations and the funding by the Commission. It amends the agreement (concluded in 1999) to reduce the costs of joint projects and programmes to the benefit of those it aims to support. With this aim, it introduces a more regular dialogue between the two institutions regarding fund programming and programming for long term financing for development programmes, fighting bureaucracy and simplifying rules for reporting. Consultations will take place every year between the Commission and the UN to identify the means for increasing the effectiveness of their cooperation.
During the signing ceremony, Poul Nielson declared, "The European Union and United Nations have natural partners for promoting development and humanitarian aid in the world. I note with great satisfaction that we have travelled down this road for facilitating cooperation at a technical level between our two institutions".