PAF  ProActive File  - Regular News Update from Eurostep

No. 308
28 March 2003

1.      COMMISSION REJECTS CRITICISMS OF ITS “EVERYTHING BUT ARMS” INITIATIVE

In an evaluation report on the opening of European Community’s market to least developed countries (LDCs) under the “Everything but Arms” (EBA) initiative, the World Bank (WB) states that it is failing to benefit these countries. This is the first year of EBA entry into force. The European Commission (EC) finds the judgement of the WB unfair stating that it is too early to make an evaluation of this initiative.

Since entry into force of the EBA, total imports coming from 49 beneficiary countries has risen in value by 8,9%. It has to be borne in mind that 99,7% of exports from the least developed countries in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions already benefit from duty free access under Cotonou agreement (although some products still subject to quotas). In opinion of the Commission, the preferential treatment will gradually result in certitude of access to the European market and in turn reinforce the EBA’s impact on investments and diversification of production in beneficiary countries. The true impact of the EBA will be measurable not before early 2004.

2.      EUROPEAN DEBATE ON THE ROLE OF NON – STATE ACTORS

The long awaited Commission Communication on the participation of non-state actors was presented in the end of 2002 to the European Council and the Parliament. Last week the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on this issue Richard Howitt, MEP, organised an exchange of views with two representatives from civil society. Simon Stocker, Director of Eurostep, provided perspectives from a European NGO perspective, while Fletcher Tembo of World Vision Malawi presented views from the practical experience of involving local civil society organisations.

The Commission’s Communication was welcomed as a contribution to the debate, particularly with its catalogue of experiences. Crucial issues are how the independent and autonomous nature of civil society could be assured, and how vulnerable and marginalized groups could participate. Questions were raised on expectations of the Commission and other official institutions. Provision of funds is certainly important, but not if it results in finance-lead agenda. The importance of a constructive alliance between civil society organisations in Europe and in developing countries was stressed for strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations in developing countries.

The Council is currently working on conclusions relating to the Commission Communication, and the Greek Presidency is organising a conference on this issue involving civil society representatives in Athens in early May. Meanwhile the Commission is preparing guidelines for their delegations on non-state actors.

3.      ACP – EU CIVIL SOCIETY INFORMATION NETWORK

Civil society organizations from the countries of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and the EU have joined forces in an Internet based information and communication project. Through the information sharing project the organizations hope to better inform each other on the ACP – EU cooperation.

The project is a joint activity of ACP Civil Society Forum, EUFORIC, Eurostep, and the Dutch NGO ICCO among others. The Cotonou Agreement, which was signed by the EU and ACP countries in June 2000 and opens the door for active involvement of civil society in all ACP – EU development work.

The current three-year project focuses on knowledge sharing among civil society groups and partnership-building on issues like poverty reduction, sustainable development and international trade.

The project welcomes any contributions from civil society that will help advance information sharing. For more information visit http://acp-eu.euforic.org/civsoc

4.      AUDITORS CRITICAL ON EUROPEAN UNION’S FOOD AID EFFORTS

EU efforts to guarantee secure food supply to poor countries are not adequately coordinated and monitored, finds the European Court of Auditors. More than € 464 million was paid out of the EU budget for the benefit of 51 countries in 1997-2001. Much in effort to meet the objective of cutting the number of the world’s malnourished people from 800 million to 400 million by 1215. The auditors found that EU-funded programs have been hampered by long delays in signing contracts, substandard controls of running aid schemes, poor coordination with national aid efforts by EU member states.

The auditor’s report was based on studies in Ethiopia, Niger, Madagascar, Yemen, Bolivia and Georgia of the former USSR. Some of the auditors’ harshest criticisms concern Ethiopia, where authorities were too focused on food aid, ignoring land reform, women’s rights and environment issues, which impinge on food security. Replying to the report, the Commission stated that it plans to conduct an evaluation of its food security activities in 2004.

5.      IN BRIEF

• A Round Table debate in the European Parliament (EP) was organized earlier this week by three NGOs: Coopération Internationale pour le Développement et la Solidarité (CIDSE), Caritas Europa and Pax Christi International and sponsored by the President of the EP Committee on Development Cooperation Joaquim Miranda. The event is part of the lobby activities, which are undertaken by the three organizations in the run-up to the second EU – Africa summit that was planned to be held in Lisbon 4-5 April but indefinitely postponed following the extension of EU sanctions on Zimbabwe.  The joint position paper issued by the three organizations in preparation for the summit entails policy recommendations to the EU, its Member States and to African governments on peace and conflict, migration, HIV/AIDS, trade, finance and governance.

• Amnesty International (AI) has criticised the British proposal to create external processing centres for asylum seekers outside the European Union as contravening the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention regime. The proposal unduly restricts the member states obligations regarding the human rights law. AI points out that signatories of 1951 Convention are committed to protect asylum seekers who arrive on their territory and should not restrict their freedom of movement. The director of AI European office added that it was incredible that such proposal came at a time when war in Iraq could lead many people to flee their country.

• The European Parliament failed on Wednesday to take position on the war in Iraq, which brought its internal divisions to light. The proposed resolution was too mealy-mouthed to more radical Members of the European Parliament, who wanted to see condemnation of war. Neither was it accepted by the supporters of war. Although the EP has not issued formal declaration since the beginning of the war, its previous resolution opposing unilateral military action in Iraq remains its official position.

6.      FORTHCOMING EVENTS

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