Brussels, 23/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - After years of debate on the chance to integrate into the Community budget the European Development Funds (EDF), the European Commission is now prepared to publish a communication on the subject. The EDF is funded out of European Union co-operation and development projects in countries in the ACP group (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific), partners of the EU in the Cotonou Agreement.
Proposed on the joint initiative of Commissioners Poul Nielson (Development) and Michaele Schreyer (Budget), this communication on "budgetisation of the EDF)" is expected to be submitted to the College for adoption soon (probably 8 October). The Commission will examine the pros and cons of budgetisation, convinced that the arguments in favour outweigh the negatives, notably on the opportunity to guarantee greater flexibility with aid (expenditure could be more easily adapted to the reality on the ground, considers the Commission), while preserving the pre-visibility of funds allocated to each country within limits authorised by the budget.
Since the Yaoundé Convention up to the current Cotonou Agreement and the successive Conventions of Lomé, the EDF, is out of the control of the Community's budgetary authority. Constituted via voluntary contributions of Member States and the won resources of the European Investment Bank, it is managed by a committee composed of representatives form Member States (EDF committee).
The European Commission, like the European Parliament have for a long time supported budgetarisation of the EDF in an effort to achieve greater democratic control and increased efficiency when it comes to aid.