Programming Co-operation with Latin America
Reviewing the ALA Regulation
The European Union's co-operation with countries in Asia and Latin America is governed by a legal Regulation, commonly known as the ALA Regulation. This provides the legal base on which the EU's aid to Asia and Latin America can be provided.
The European Commission has proposed that the current Regulation be reviewed, and in July 2002 published a proposed text for a revised Regulation.
These proposals are now being looked at by the European Parliament and the EU's Council of Member States under the co-decision procedure. Both the Parliament and the Council have to approve the final version of the new Regulation.
An alliance of NGOs and civil society organisations from Asia, Latin America and Europe are following the work of the Parliament and Council and have produced a Joint paper which sets out civil society's expectations for the the EU's co-operation with Asia and Latin America, and wants to see these firmly reflected within the new Regulation. This paper has been produced through a broad process of consultation, including at the Asia Social Forum in Hyderabad, India, and the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil. It has was presented to Members of the European Parliament in preparation for an EP Development Committee's Hearing on the ALA Regulation (19 February).
The Hearing of the European Parliament provided an input for the Parliament's position on the Review. Following the Hearing the Parliament Development Committee is preparing a report, including amendments to the Commission proposal, that will be adopted by the plenary of the European Parliament, probably in July. This first hearing of the Parliament will be followed by the preparation and adoption of a position by the Council. If the Council do not accept the position of the Parliament, the debate will return to the Parliament for a second reading after which the Parliament's second position will return to the Council. Ultimately a common position will need to be found, if necessary involving a conciliation process. The whole process may run well into 2004.
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