Brussels, 12/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - After the European consensus of December 2005 establishing the 2005-2010 framework for EU development policy setting out common objectives and principles, the European Commission is now aspiring to a European consensus on humanitarian aid. To this end, the College of Commissioners is expected, on 13 June, to adopt a communication putting a common vision of humanitarian action to the EU, based on common values and principles.
Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel, who has now returned to the Commission after taking electoral leave (see related article), is expected to present the stakes of the initiative to his colleagues before the text is forwarded to the Parliament and Council.
Associating the Commission's action with that of member states around a common vision, the desired consensus is expected to consolidate one of the main external policies of the EU in the face of the new humanitarian challenges: - increasingly frequent humanitarian crises (of human origin or resulting from natural disasters), a growing tendency towards flagrant failure to respect international humanitarian law, and violation of the humanitarian area hampering access to victims that require assistance and threatening the safety of humanitarian workers. The search for a consensus also aims to increase the effectiveness and the impact of humanitarian aid provided by the EU, the largest donor worldwide with over €2 billion released in 2006.
The Commission's communication entitled “Consensus on Humanitarian Aid” will reaffirm the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence of humanitarian aid mobilised to assist vulnerable populations.
It will also recommend strengthened coordination of actions between the Commission and member states; recourse to principles and best practice in humanitarian aid; EU support for an international approach regarding the principles, standards and best practice of humanitarian aid; good coordination between EU donors and the partners entrusted with implementing aid on the ground; strict respect of criteria for the selection of partners, and guarantees for the quality of this partnership; increased EU rapid response capability to humanitarian crises; the wise use of resources and civil and military protection capacities, in the last resort, in order to keep the border between humanitarian action and military action well defined; a concerted approach to aid allowing disaster risks to be reduced and crisis response preparedness to be increased; and an enhanced link and smooth transition between emergency aid, rehabilitation and development.
The Commission hopes this European consensus on humanitarian aid may be set out in a three-party political statement (Parliament, Council and Commission). (an)