The Commission has presented its 2013 Annual Report on the Instrument for Stability.

This is the seventh Annual Report on the Instrument for Stability (IfS), the final such report under the existing legal basis. The Instrument for Stability has been an important tool placed under the authority of the High Representative/Vice President and Commissioner responsible for Development, enabling them to target resources in support of comprehensive EU approaches aimed at preventing, mitigating and dealing with the aftermath of crises and longer-term security threats around the world. The Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) works in very close collaboration with the European External Action Service (EEAS). It gives an overview of how the IfS was mobilised to this effect in 2013.

This report is complemented by three Commission Staff Working Documents which provide comprehensive and detailed global implementation updates on the urgent IfS crisis response measures that were launched and/or ongoing in 2013 and longer-term programmable IfS actions.

Overview and state of play of the IfS for 2007-2013 : over the period 2007-2013, the short-term crisis response component of the IfS has made available EUR 1.08 billion for some 288 actions responding to crises spanning over 70 countries or regions worldwide . Over the same period, some EUR 502.45 million was made available for the long-term, programmable element of the IfS.

Of the EUR 309.3 million budget available and fully committed for the IfS in 2013, the breakdown of allocations was:

EUR 210.7 million for crisis or emerging crisis situations; EUR 30.3 million for responses to trans-regional threats; EUR 44.3 million for CBRN risk mitigation; and EUR 24 million for pre- and post- crisis capacity building.

In terms of geographic distribution , the report noted the significant on-going IfS support across the Middle East and North and Sub-Saharan Africa, given the protracted crises in the regions.

Crisis response measures : in 2013, the IfS committed EUR 216.6 million through some 45 short-term crisis response measures. In the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) support continued in response to the protracted crises in Syria and the spillover affects felt by neighbouring countries. Support across sub-Saharan Africa was also evident, reflective of EU responses to volatile political situations and security threats across the region. And in South-East Asia, support continued towards the establishment of peace processes and the rule of law.

In conclusion , the report stated that IfS measures implemented in 2013 contributed significantly to EU efforts to help prevent conflict, respond to crises and preserve peace. In this respect, the wide range of interventions implemented under the Instrument for Stability enabled significant and visible EU responses with respect to many global crisis situations.

Given the continuing political instability and increasing number of natural disasters in many parts of the world, it is imperative to continue working towards the more efficient and effective deployment of the available EU instruments. In this context, the EU needs to ensure IfS actions are deployed as part of the full cycle of crisis prevention, crisis response and peace building measures. The IfS provided the EU with a unique response ability, in many cases acting as an entry point and a catalyst to enable a broad range of EU responses that combine to form the EU’s strategic and comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and crisis response.

In 2014, the IfS will make way for the new Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP). The consultations on the new IcSP have reaffirmed the need for the EU to maintain and expand its capacity to provide a swift and targeted response to crisis situations elsewhere in the world as well as to global and trans-regional threats and emerging threats (fight against organised crime; protection of critical infrastructure; countering terrorism; CBRN risk mitigation). The new IcSP will also re-emphasise the focus on conflict prevention, peacebuilding and crisis preparedness, recognising that an early response by the EU can often be an effective means to avoid that tensions escalate into a crisis.

COM(2014)0717
EUR-Lex

EUR-Lex
SWD(2014)0344

The Commission presents the 2012 Annual Report on the implementation of the Instrument for Stability (IfS). It was submitted in compliance with the reporting requirement set out in Regulation (EC) N°1717/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing an Instrument for Stability.

This report is complemented by two Commission Staff Working Documents which provide comprehensive and detailed global implementation updates on: (i) urgent IfS crisis response measures that were launched and/or ongoing in 2012; and (ii) longer-term IfS programmes.

Implementing actors : the IfS actions are undertaken by a wide range of implementing bodies, including agencies of the United Nations, other international and regional bodies, EU Member State bodies, NGOs and other civil society organisations.

IfS from 2007-2012 : after six years in existence, the IfS is firmly established as an EU instrument that provides a necessary adjoint in the EU comprehensive approach to addressing the full cycle of conflict and crisis prevention, response and recovery around the world, addressing security threats at national and regional levels and building capacities to prevent conflict and respond to crises.

Over the period 2007 - 2012, the short-term crisis response component of the IfS has made available EUR 872 million for some 243 actions responding to crises spanning some 70 countries or regions worldwide.

IfS in 2012 : of the EUR 286.1 million budget available and fully committed for the IfS in 2012 the breakdown of allocations was:

EUR 195.8 million for crisis or emerging crisis situations; EUR 22 million for responses to trans-regional threats; EUR 46.3 million for CBRN risk mitigation; and EUR 22 million for pre- and post- crisis capacity building.

IfS measures implemented in 2012, complementing other EU actions under geographic and thematic development instruments, humanitarian assistance and CSDP missions, have contributed significantly to EU efforts to help prevent conflict, preserve peace, respond to crises and strengthen international security. In this respect, the wide range of interventions implemented under the Instrument for Stability enabled significant and visible EU responses with respect to many crisis situations around the globe.

During 2012, the EU addressed several major crises, including the Arab Spring upheavals across North Africa and the Middle East which, in turn, also directly impacted on stability in the Sahel region. Such challenges in 2012 included the evolving situation of the Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa region which, two years down the line, continues to not only shape the future of the entire region but also has repercussions far beyond the countries concerned, as well as on volatile situations in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The EU also responded to crises in other parts of the world, all of which required effective and timely interventions in situations of fragility and/or post-crisis, including in Syria and Libya.

The Commission report presents a precise list of activities carried out in various locations around the world.

Conclusion : the IfS will continue to be a key EU instrument in providing uniquely swift and targeted response to these countries and regions in their efforts to overcome obstacles they are facing in consolidating peace and stability.

Given the continuing political instability and increasing number of natural disasters in many parts of the world, it is imperative to continue working towards the more efficient and effective deployment of the available EU instruments.

In this context, the EU needs to ensure IfS actions are deployed as part of the full cycle of crisis prevention, crisis response and peace building measures.

In turn, the strategic approach taken in the programming of long-term IfS actions has begun to yield results in the form of stronger links with key actors in various regions and more robust platforms from which to launch crisis response actions . It is this dynamic of effective conflict prevention that can reduce the future need for crisis response and intervention.

COM(2013)0563
EUR-Lex

EUR-Lex
SWD(2013)0292

In accordance with Regulation (EC) N°1717/2006, the Commission presents its fifth annual report on the Instrument for Stability (IfS). The report gives an overview of how the IfS was mobilised in 2011.

Overview for period 2007-2011 : after five years in existence, the IfS is now well established as an EU instrument responding to conflicts and crises around the world. Over the period 2007 - 2011, the short-term crisis response component of the IfS has made available EUR 670 million for some 203 actions responding to crises worldwide.

State of play for 2011 : of the EUR 282 million budget available and fully committed for the IfS in 2011 (a near 15% increase on the previous year) the breakdown of allocations was:

· EUR 188 million for crisis or emerging crisis situations, amounting to a 43% increase on the previous year;

· EUR 30 million for responses to trans-regional threats;

· EUR 49 million for CBRN risk mitigation; and

· EUR 15 million11for pre- and post- crisis capacity building

In terms of geographic distribution , the paper shows that various crises in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2011 required a high level of IfS funding to support important stabilisation efforts. In addition there was a very significant increase in the percentage of overall IfS funding allocated in 2011 for the Middle East and North Africa region, due to the events of the unfolding ‘Arab Spring.’ The EU’s strong commitment to supporting the Southern Mediterranean region, in line with the Joint Communication of 8th March 2011 by the High Representative and the Commission on A Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean, is also demonstrated by the planned funding transfers from the global IfS budget to the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument (ENPI) budget, amounting to EUR 60 million for 2012 and EUR 70 million for 2013.

Though there were fewer new IfS actions launched in a number of other regions in 2011, many actions already launched in these regions in 2010 remained ongoing throughout 2011. With regard to the longer-term IfS programmes, the year 2011 saw the end of the period covered by the 2007-2011 IfS Strategy Paper and its two accompanying Multi-annual Indicative Programmes covering respectively the periods 2007-2008 and 2009-2011.

Response to situations of crisis or emerging crisis (IfS Article 3): the report sets out details of some actions which are illustrative of activities in 2011 and demonstrate the wide scope and the many different types of crises the IfS was called to respond to in various locations around the world including: the ‘Arab Spring’, the turbulent situation in Yemen, substantial support given to the Palestinian people, the drought crisis in the Horn of Africa, the new country of South Sudan, programmes in Côte d’Ivoire supporting the new Ouattara Government and support to Security Sector Reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The paper also discusses programmes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, and electoral support in Haiti, Kazakhstan and Belarus, whilst in Afghanistan the IfS supported the Independent Electoral Commission to develop and consolidate capacity for future elections.

IfS crisis response measures are prepared in close cooperation with a variety of partners: civil society; public administrations; EU Member States; EU institutions; third countries; and others. EU Delegations play a key role, and this is discussed in detail.

Assistance in the context of stable conditions for cooperation (Article 4): the Commission describes the activities undertaken in the context of:

· threats to security and safety : in 2011, EUR 30 million were committed to actions in the above areas, with a total of around EUR 9.2 million in payments;

· risk mitigation linked to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) materials : from 2010 onwards, the CBRN ‘Centres of Excellence’ set up worldwide by the EU under the Instrument are gradually providing a single and integrated platform for actions in all of the domains of Border Monitoring/Illicit trafficking, export control, bio safety and bio security etc ;

· pre- and post- crisis capacity-building : the 2011 Annual Action Programme included eight thematically grouped actions, under what is known as the IfS Peace-building Partnership (PbP), which engages partners from civil society organisations, regional and international organisations and EU Member States in building capacities for pre- and post-crisis responses.

The paper concludes that IfS measures implemented in 2011, complementing other EU actions under regional and thematic development instruments, humanitarian assistance and CSDP missions, have contributed significantly to EU efforts to help prevent conflict, preserve peace, respond to crises and strengthen international security. In its fifth year of operation, and with a budget which has more than doubled from an amount of EUR 139 million in 2007 to EUR 282 million in 2011, the Instrument for Stability has demonstrated its robustness and capacity to contribute to timely and dynamic EU responses to a wide range of challenges around the world. Such challenges in 2011 included those associated with the impact of the Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa region as well as the ever more complex situation throughout the Horn of Africa region.

COM(2012)0405
EUR-Lex

EUR-Lex
SWD(2012)0225

In accordance with Regulation (EC) N°1717/2006 establishing an Instrument for Stability (the IfS Regulation), the Commission presents the fourth Annual Report, which gives an overview of how, in 2010, the Instrument for Stability, IfS, has been directed to make an impact on crises and to respond to threats throughout the world. IfS actions are undertaken by a wide range of implementing bodies, including the UN and other international and regional bodies, EU Member State agencies, NGOs and other civil society actors.

2007-2009 : by the end of 2009, the IfS was well established in responding to conflict and crisis on a global level, taking actions to address security threats on a national and regional level, and building capacity to respond to crises and to prevent conflict with timely and efficient interventions. A significant number of IfS measures in line with Article 3 (response to crisis) were crafted to complement humanitarian assistance, with a view to enhancing the link between relief, rehabilitation and development, or to facilitate the achievement of the political objectives of CSDP missions. EUR 350 million had been mobilised for 100 individual actions in 48 countries worldwide. There was a wide geographical spread: some 25% targeted Africa; 20% for Asia; 18% for the Middle East; 15% in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe; 11% in Latin America; and 11% for Central Asia and Southern Caucasus.

With regard to Article 4 (threats to law and order), the Commission adopted the new Multi-Annual Indicative Programme 2009-2011 for up to EUR 225 million for the three priority areas: (i) the support to international efforts to address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, by control of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials and agents, control of dual-use goods, and the redirection of weapons scientists’ knowledge towards peaceful activities; (ii) the fight against trafficking, terrorism and organised crime; and (iii) measures aimed at strengthening international and regional capacity to analyse, prevent and respond to threats to stability and human development.

2010: the total available budget for the IfS in 2010 was EUR 213,559,000, a 15% increase over 2009. Of this, EUR 21m was allocated for trans-regional threats (IfS Article 4.1), EUR 41m for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear risk mitigation (IfS Article 4.2), and EUR 20m for Pre- and Post- Crisis capacity building (IfS Article 4.3). The balance of EUR 131,559,000 responded to crisis or emerging crisis (IfS Article 3). All of these funds were committed.

The Working Group on Conflict, Security and Development of the Foreign Affairs committee of the European Parliament was established in the framework of democratic scrutiny of the IfS and met four times.

Response to crisis (Article 3): in order to illustrate the activities in 2010, the paper gives short descriptions of some programmes demonstrating the breadth of scope, and the very different types of issue to which the IfS is called to respond, with particular reference to earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and the political crisis in Pakistan on the north-west region bordering Afghanistan, followed by the severe flooding which took place in that country. In addition, the paper discusses actions taken in Sudan, the Philippines, Georgia and the Somali piracy crisis. All programmes in 2010 are Exceptional Assistance Measures. No Interim Response Measures were put in place. The geographic distribution in 2010 is global, covering all continents other than Australia and Antartica: EUR 19.3 million in Africa; EUR 17.8 million in the Middle East; EUR 550 000 in Eastern Europe and Western Balkans; EUR 39 million in South and Western Asia; EUR 8.7 million in South-east Asia; EUR 17.1 million in Central Asia and Southern Caucasus; and, lastly, EUR 29.1 million in Latin America.

EU Delegations are responsible for 78% of commitments and 85% of payments under the IfS in 2010.

Threats to law and order (Article 4): in 2010, EUR 21.5 million were committed to actions in this area, with total of about EUR 7 million in payments. In 2010 more than 100 experts were recruited through the ESF from specialist public or semi-public organisations in the EU Member States, joining forces to make their specific knowledge and expertise available, and providing technical inputs to the identification and detailed planning of IfS actions, including the 2011 Annual Action

Programme.

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risk mitigation (CBRN IFS Article 4.2): historically, activities in most fields were concentrated on the former Soviet Union. In 2010, efforts have been made to enlarge the geographical coverage of the programme. Coverage has been extended to the Mediterranean Basin, Middle East, South East Asia, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Africa. The total number of countries newly involved, in addition to the former Soviet Union, is about 40.

Pre- and post crisis capacity building (IFS Article 4.3): the report details the activities which have taken place under the Annual Action Programme of IfS Peace-building Partnership activities, which started in April 2010. In addition, specific actions with the African Union and the League of Arab States have been put in place to enhance their early warning capacity. The ‘Peace-building Partnership’ has focused on enhancing dialogue with civil society organisations on peace-building issues. An illustration of how work carried out in 2010 has enhanced policy dialogue among the international community is the notable progress made under the joint EU/UN initiative on linkages between natural resources and conflicts. Knowledge materials were developed on subjects such as land, extractive industries and environmental scarcity and conflict.

The Commission concludes that IfS measures implemented in 2010, complementing EU regional and thematic development instruments, humanitarian assistance and CSDP missions, have supported the EU to preserve peace, prevent conflict and strengthen international security. In its fourth year, and with a budget which has increased by 59%, from EUR 139 123 000 in 2007, to EUR 213 559 000 in 2010, the overall IfS programme has now reached a state of maturity solid enough to deal with upcoming challenges, such as those that emerged in North Africa and the Arab States of the Middle East in early 2011. An external evaluation of the Instrument for Stability was launched at the end of 2010 “to ascertain the results to date of the IfS crisis response and preparedness components and help enhance IfS approaches towards future crisis response measures and strategies for future preparedness programming. The evaluation has concluded that IfS is a unique Instrument within the EU peace, security and development architecture. Articles 3 and 4(3) fill an important strategic, funding and capacity gap, and allow the EU to support a broad range of critical crisis preparedness and response initiatives. The design and management of the Instrument has led to a significant number of achievements that should be recognised and are important contributions to peace and stability globally.

COM(2011)0494
EUR-Lex

SEC(2011)1000
EUR-Lex

This document comprises the 2009 Annual Report from the European Commission on the Instrument for Stability. This third Annual Report is submitted in compliance with the reporting requirement set out in Article 23 of Regulation (EC) N°1717/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 November 2006 establishing an Instrument for Stability (the IfS Regulation). The practice established by the Commission since 2007 is to inform the Council as well as the European Parliament of Exceptional Assistance Measures about to be supported under the IfS as part of the EU’s crisis response. In order to also present information on downstream progress of adopted measures, the Annual Report is complemented by a Commission staff working document providing for a global implementation update on on-going measures.

Background : since its inception in 2007, and its endowment with some €2 billion over the period 2007-2013, the Instrument for Stability has responded to conflict and crisis on a global level, by taking actions to address security threats on a national and regional level, and by building capacity to respond to crises and to prevent conflict. Thus, the Instrument for Stability has enabled the EU to work across the conflict cycle with timely, efficient and complementary interventions. The Stability Instrument ‘crisis response’ component represents the bulk of the IfS budget (€1.4 billion for the period 2007-2013). The IfS can be used to anticipate or respond to political crisis, violent conflict or natural disasters, and is designed to ensure the delivery of timely, flexible, integrated and politically sensitive assistance to third countries.

The IfS also contains a longer term dimension covering three components, which are programmable, providing for ‘assistance in the context of stable conditions for cooperation’, for measures addressing safety and security threats, risk mitigation related to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials as well as for crisis preparedness purposes.

The main EU partners in this context are the UN agencies. Some 48% of IfS funds are implemented through these agencies, which in many cases have existing field structures able to deliver first responses in crisis and conflict-affected countries. The Commission Services responsible for IfS crisis response activities have also paid specific attention to building on expertise available within the growing network of international and local NGOs specialised in conflict prevention and peace building. The remainder has been delivered through private operators, EU Member States' agencies, and in some cases through government country systems.

Stability instrument budgetary execution in 2009 : on the 2009 budget, a total of €182,442,000 was committed and €132,822,913 was paid under the three budget headings for the short- and long-term components of the IfS (19.06 01, 19.06 02 and 19.06 03).

On Crisis Response and Preparedness (budget heading 19.06 01), commitments at year-end showed an execution rate of 100%. Out of the total amount, €5 million were committed for crisis preparedness under the Annual Action Programme 2009 of the IfS Peacebuilding Partnership. The remainder of €130 million was committed for Crisis Response. Payments for crisis response and preparedness amounted to €113 million. The execution of payment appropriations at year-end reached more than 90%. This represents a further increase over 2008 (86%) and 2007, when payment execution reached 68%. Another indicator for further improvement in timely delivery of crisis response is the fact that 92% of the 2009 commitments were contracted, and 2/3 of the contracted funds disbursed, all within the same year.

The 2009 budget of €47 million for the remaining long-term part of the IfS (budget headings 19.06 03 and 19.06 02) was also fully committed at 100%, with almost half of the funds contracted within the same year.

Main conclusions : the Instrument for Stability has considerably matured over the first three years since its inception, in terms of political relevance, strategic focus, overall coherence, but also regarding improved operational and budgetary performance.

A new comparative review of the Instrument for Stability, the UN Peacebuilding Fund, and the World Bank’s Statebuilding and Peacebuilding Fund confirms this view. The Review, commissioned by the UK Department for International Development, and supported by a donor group (Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden), concluded that the IfS enables the EU:

to contribute in fragile post-conflict transitions, to complement (its) broader institutional capacity and engagement in such contexts .

The potential of (the IfS) to mobilise significant technical and financial resources in support of state-building and peace-building processes and reconstruction efforts, including the strengthening of key institutions and systems, and to link up to longer term development programmes is a clear comparative advantage. Its governance and decision-making systems appear to be effective and strongly linked to the high-level decision-making processes. The IFS headquarter-level governance structure also appears to enable strategic decision-making , including its handling of highly sensitive political issues and the management of risks associated with working in volatile environments.

This is a solid basis on which the IfS can further contribute to joined-up delivery by the European External Action Service under the High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission of comprehensive EU responses to crises and conflicts, together with relevant Community Instruments, CSDP and other EU crisis management policy tools.

COM(2010)0512
EUR-Lex

EUR-Lex
SEC(2010)1114

This report is submitted to the European Parliament and the Council in compliance with the reporting requirement set out in Article 23 of Regulation (EC) N°1717/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 November 2006 establishing an Instrument for Stability (IfS).

The Commission concludes that in the wake of the its second year of operation, the Instrument for Stability established itself as a highly useful instrument within the armoury of the EU’s crisis management tools .

Furthermore, the IfS, together with other relevant Community instruments, forms an important part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to crisis management which has gained significant support in the EU and globally.

Good co-operation with Member States, European Parliament and Council Secretariat has enabled the Commission to fashion IfS programmes, both short and long term, to respond to essential needs.

It is important that the IfS continues to be strongly funded in light of increasing demands which are made for IfS interventions.

COM(2009)0341
EUR-Lex

SEC(2009)0932
EUR-Lex

This report comprises the annual report from the European Commission on the Instrument for Stability (IfS) in 2007. It is submitted to the European Parliament and the Council in compliance with the reporting requirement set out in Article 23 of Regulation (EC) N°1717/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 November 2006 establishing an Instrument for Stability.

The report contains information relating to the previous year on the measures financed and information on the results of monitoring and evaluation exercises and the implementation of budget commitments and payments, broken down by country, region and cooperation sector. The current practice established by the Commission during 2007 is to systematically inform the European Parliament and the Council of Exceptional Assistance Measures about to be supported under the IfS as part of the EU’s crisis response. In view of the need to keep the reporting requirements on each individual programme manageable, it is proposed to use this and the future annual reports for a global implementation update on all on-going measures earlier described, including those aspects on which information could not be provided upstream of the start of implementation.

IfS crisis response programmes adopted in the course of 2007 : the crisis response component of the Stability Instrument represents the bulk of the budget under title 19.06 (EUR 91 million in 2007). This allocation was almost entirely used in 2007: consumption of commitment appropriations reached 99% of the available total , while consumption of payment appropriations reached 68% of the available total. While full use of available budget appropriations is not a priori an essential aim for an instrument of this nature, the high consumption rate of commitment appropriations demonstrates that more could have been spent. Thus, a number of already developed programmes had to be deferred for adoption in early 2008. This demonstrates the appropriateness of the foreseen increases on this budget article during the financial perspectives. The measures adopted in the course of 2007 vary both geographically and thematically. A number of programmes adopted in the course of 2007 have already started delivering concrete results.

Thematically , the measures supported cover a broad range of issues, targeted on the specific needs of each conflict/post-conflict situation: short-term advice to develop and kick-start post-conflict security system reform (DRC, Guinea Bissau, Lebanon), complementary measures in areas where European Security and Defence Policy missions are deployed (e.g. DRC, Afghanistan, Chad), support to regional peace-building capacity (AU – AMISOM Somalia, AU-UN Mediation in Darfur), Rule of Law and transitional justice (Afghanistan, Colombia, Haiti), support to interim administrations (ICO Kosovo), conflict resolution and reconciliation (Uganda, Zimbabwe, Burma/Myanmar, Southern Thailand), post-conflict needs assessments and rehabilitation (Lebanon refugee camp), support to displaced populations (Lebanon, Syria), and conflict resources (Kimberley Process through dedicated facility).

No major disaster response programmes were funded in the course of 2007 , however the IfS was able to support several post-disaster needs assessments in late 2007 and early 2008, which are likely to materialise in disaster response programmes this year.

Geographically , the largest share of funds (EUR 38.9 million, some 43% of the total) was allocated for measures in Sub-Saharan Africa , namely in Chad, Darfur, Somalia , DR Congo, Uganda, Guinea-Bissau and Zimbabwe. In the Middle East , some EUR 19.7 million or 22% of the funds were committed for programmes in Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territories, and in support of Iraqi refugees in Syria. In the Western Balkans , EUR 10 million were adopted to support the running costs of the International Civilian Office (ICO) in Kosovo. In Latin America and the Caribbean , EUR 9 million (some 10% of the funds) were used on programmes in Colombia, Haiti, and Bolivia.

Finally, in the Asia-Pacific region , EUR 5.9 million, some 6% of the total, were made available for IfS programmes in Afghanistan, Southern Thailand, and Burma/Myanmar.

In addition to the above-enumerated programmes adopted and measures supported, a series of preparatory measures (e.g. expert assessment missions) were funded in the course of 2007 towards related programmes likely to be proposed under the IfS in the course of 2008. Close and regular monitoring of all IfS programmes is ensured by EC Delegations in the beneficiary countries. Delegations are in many cases also directly responsible for the implementation of assistance programmes. In view of the fact that the first IfS programmes have only been on-going for some months, no evaluations were conducted to date.

The Crisis preparedness component of the Stability Instrument : the Instrument for Stability is innovating by introducing a ‘crisis preparedness’ component (EUR 7 million in 2007, and a further EUR 8 million in 2008). Framed as a new Peace-building Partnership, it aims at mobilising and consolidating civilian expertise for peace-building activities. It will focus principally on strengthening directly the up-stream capacity of the relevant partners to rapidly respond to a crisis scenario, and will address, notably, civil society organisations, but also international organizations and relevant agencies in EU Member States. The work under the Peace-building Partnership is the subject of a fruitful on-going dialogue with the relevant sub-group of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The first (2007) Annual Action Programme under the Peace-building Partnership will finance (to the tune of EUR 7 million), inter alia : capacity-building and early warning activities and exchange of experience on best practice for civil society organizations; early warning and early recovery work with UNDP and the African Union; and training for civil stabilization missions. A second (2008) Annual Action Programme for EUR 8 million has just been endorsed by Member States and the Parliament and shall be adopted by 31 March.

Mine Action and the Instrument for Stability : as far as landmines are concerned, it is worth recalling that the IfS is not meant to be an instrument replacing - legally or financially - the repealed Anti-Personnel Landmines (APL) thematic budget line. Main funds to support mine action should come from the geographic and development instruments (DCI, IPA, ENPI besides the EDF) or the humanitarian aid instrument in case of crisis situations.

As for the IfS, support to mine action is foreseen only under its short-term remit and with some constraints. There are no provisions for possible APL support under the IfS long-term part. However, the latter does cover firearms and ammunition. From a stock-taking exercise carried out among relevant Commission services in terms of programming funds committed to mine action after the repeal of the APL budget line, it is evident that funds have dropped by one third, which was the ratio covered by the APL horizontal budget line vis-à-vis the geographic and development instruments (the remaining two thirds). DG Relex A is strengthening internal coordination within the Commission to ensure that APL are given proper attention and hence are effectively mainstreamed in national programmes.

COM(2008)0181
EUR-Lex

SEC(2008)0446
EUR-Lex

PURPOSE: to establish an Instrument for Stability to tackle crises and instability in third countries or to help them maintain stability in post-conflict situations.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EC) No 1717/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Instrument for Stability.

BACKGROUND: following the adoption of the new financial framework 2007-2013 , a series of new instruments for economic, financial and technical assistance for third countries were adopted, consolidating, reforming and improving the procedures governing access to and planning of assistance granted under the Community’s external policy .

The different funding instruments of the external policy are now as follows:

an Instrument for Development Cooperation (DCI); a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) covering all external policy on cooperation and economic assistance (excluding development aid); an Instrument for Stability to combat serious crises in third countries; an Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation , supplementary to the Instrument for Stability; an Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA); an Instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights world-wide ; an Instrument for co-operation with industrialised and other high income countries and territories .

This Instrument for Stability is part of this new structure, streamlining existing assistance measures into one single instrument and replacing several other EU geographical and thematic programmes.

Furthermore, note that this Instrument included in its initial version the objectives of the current Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation which is complementary to it. In the end, the two instruments were split into two separate instruments during the legislative procedure, for mainly legal reasons and following the adoption of the Interinstitutional Agreement ( IIA ) on financial perspectives 2007-2013. The legal basis of the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation is Article 203 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (contrary to the Instrument for Stability which comes under the remit of development cooperation).

CONTENT: this Instrument, to the amount of EUR 2.062 million for the period 2007-2013 , aims to undertake development cooperation measures, as well as financial, economic and technical cooperation measures with third countries. These measures will take the form of:

aid to respond to a situation of urgency, crisis or emerging crisis, a situation posing a threat to democracy, law and order, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms or to the security and safety of individuals, or a situation threatening to escalate into armed conflict or to severely destabilise the third country or countries concerned; aid in the context of stable conditions for the implementation of Community cooperation policies in third countries, in order to strengthen the stability of the countries concerned before or after a conflict.

(1) Assistance in response to situations of crisis or emerging crisis : while assistance is aimed at a country in a crisis situation or an emerging crisis, Community support may also be used for: (i) the efforts undertaken by state and non-state actors in promoting confidence-building, mediation, dialogue and reconciliation; (ii) the establishment and the functioning of interim administrations mandated in accordance with international law; (iii) the development of democratic, pluralistic state institutions, including support for good governance and judicial authorities; (iv) international criminal tribunals, including truth and reconciliation commissions, and mechanisms for the legal settlement of human rights claims; (v) measures necessary to start the rehabilitation and reconstruction of key infrastructure (housing, essential productive capacity, etc.); (vi) the demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants into civil society (including child soldiers); (vii) restructuring of the armed forces; (viii) measures to address the socio-economic impact on the civilian population of anti-personnel landmines, unexploded ordnance or explosive remnants of war (including stockpile destruction); (ix) the fight against the illicit use of and access to firearms and for victim assistance (note that assistance shall not include support for measures to combat the proliferation of arms); (x) measures to ensure that the specific needs of women and children in crisis and conflict situations are adequately met; (xi) the rehabilitation and reintegration of the victims of armed conflict; (xii) measures to promote and defend respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; (xiii) socio-economic measures to promote equitable access to natural resources in a situation of crisis; (xiv) socio-economic measures to address the impact of sudden population movements; (xv) measures to promote the participation of civil society in the political process; (xvi) measures in response to natural or man-made disasters and threats to public health in the absence of, or to complement, Community humanitarian assistance.

In exceptional and unforeseen situations , the Community may also provide assistance. This assistance shall be limited to a period of 18 months and shall fall within the framework set out in the Regulation.

(2) Assistance in the context of stable conditions for cooperation : while assistance is aimed at a country in the context of stable conditions for cooperation, the Community shall provide assistance in the following areas:

· threats to law and order , to the security and safety of individuals, to critical infrastructure and to public health: (i) strengthening the capacity of law enforcement and judicial and civil authorities involved in the fight against terrorism and organised crime ; (ii) support for measures to address threats to international transport, energy operations and critical infrastructure (particularly in the fields of risk awareness, vulnerability analysis, emergency preparedness, alert and consequence management); (iii) support to be prepared for epidemics (emergency-planning and management of vaccine stockpiles). Note that no more than 7% of the financial envelope of the Instrument for Stability shall be allocated to measures in this paragraph;

· risk mitigation and preparedness relating to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials or agents . Assistance shall cover: (i) the promotion of civilian research activities as an alternative to defence-related research; (ii) support for measures to enhance safety practices related to civilian facilities; (iii) support for the establishment of civil infrastructure necessary for the dismantlement, remediation or conversion of weapons-related facilities and sites; (iv) strengthening the capacity of the competent civilian authorities involved in the enforcement of effective control of illicit trafficking in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials or agents; (v) the development of the legal framework for the enforcement of effective export controls on dual-use goods; (vi) the development of effective civilian disaster-preparedness. Note that no more than 15% of the financial envelope of the Instrument for Stability shall be allocated to measures in this paragraph.

· pre- and post-crisis capacity building : this involves supporting efforts in: (i) promoting early warning, mediation and reconciliation, and addressing emerging inter-community tensions; (ii) improving post-conflict and post-disaster recovery (including financial assistance for the implementation of the UN Recommendations for peace). Note that no more than 5% of the financial envelope of the Instrument for Stability shall be allocated to measures in this paragraph.

All the measures provided for under this Instrument may be complemented by complementary and coherent measures taken under the CFSP, pursuant to heading V and VI of the TEU.

Complementarity of Community assistance : assistance shall be provided only to the extent that it cannot be provided by other Community instruments for external assistance, thereby avoiding duplication.

Programming and allocation of funds : the Regulation specifies the conditions of adoption of financing decisions by the Commission for each type of action proposed, whether in the framework of exceptional measures, strategy documents, multiannual indicative programmes or thematic actions, annual action programmes or special measures:

for exceptional assistance measures and interim response programmes , the Commission shall define a framework for the implementation of assistance and keep the Council informed, taking account of its opinion. In principle, exceptional assistance may not cost more than EUR 20 million; at as early a stage as possible, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament on any measure taken in this context; for multi-country strategy papers, thematic strategy papers and multi-annual indicative programmes , the Commission shall proceed in stages and establish the framework for multiannual interventions as well as financial allocations with the support of partner countries and regions. These documents shall describe the priority measures to be taken in the countries concerned; for annual action programmes , the Commission describes the operations to be financed and the amounts allocated for each operation and establishes an indicative implementation timetable; for special measures , the Commission adopts a specific framework of actions not provided for by any aforementioned document and specifies the objectives pursued, the areas of activity, the expected results, the management procedures used and the total amount of financing planned (in principle, no more than EUR 5 million).

Implementing measures : the Regulation provides a general framework for the implementation of measures and projects as well as technical procedures for the management of measures. It lists, in particular:

eligible bodies: traditional entities, bodies and institutions for development cooperation; types of measures financed: projects, programmes and budget support to the States concerned provided that the management of the country’s public funds so permits, grants, etc., including support measures; the rules applied to cofinancing from other donors (including Member States); management procedures that the Commission must use to implement the measures decided upon; technical rules on budget commitments; anti-fraud and procurement measures (in accordance with the untying of aid policy); rules on funds made available to the European Investment Bank or other financial intermediaries; regular evaluation of assistance: the Commission shall monitor and evaluate the implementation of assistance programmes. It shall submit an annual report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the results of the Regulation. The Commission shall submit, by 31 December 2010, a report evaluating the implementation of this Regulation in the first three years, if appropriate with a legislative proposal introducing the necessary modifications. The measures are also evaluated annually and the European Parliament is informed.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Regulation enters into force on 14.12.2006. From the date of entry into force, a series of financial instruments applicable to cooperation policy shall be repealed. The Regulation shall apply from 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2013.

Regulation 2006/1717
OJ L 327 24.11.2006, p. 0001-0011

03634/1/2006

Following the adoption of the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA) of 17 May 2006 on the financial perspectives 2007-2013, and in accordance with the European Parliament, it has been decided to split the initial procedure aiming to establish a Stability Instrument in third countries into 2 separate instruments each with its own new legal basis (refer to the “ legal context ” in the summary of 12 May 2006):

the 1st shall include all the principal measures laid down in the Commission’s initial proposal on the Stability Instrument (please refer to procedure reference COD/2004/0223 ) excluding the provisions concerning nuclear safety; the 2nd shall concentrate specifically on nuclear safety in third countries and, in particular, on the costs relating to nuclear safety actions in third countries.

For more details on the financial implications of the split procedure, please refer to the financial statement of COD/2004/0233 and the financial statement contained in this procedure.

SEC(2006)1172
EUR-Lex

SP(2006)3801

Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Angelika BEER (Greens /EFA, DE) amending the proposed regulation establishing an Instrument for Stability. The main amendments were as follows:

1) A number of the amendments were the result of agreements reached between the rapporteur and representatives of the Council during preliminary contacts. (Please see the summary of 25/04/2006) Both sides agreed that the legal basis should not be Article 308 TEC, as originally proposed, but Articles 179 (Development Cooperation) and 181a (Economic, financial and technical cooperation with third countries). This modification would require changes to the scope of the proposal, e.g. all references to measures involving nuclear safety should be deleted as they would be covered by a separate proposal.

2) Parliament also made amendments to Article 1 (general objectives), stating that the specific aims of the Regulation shall be:

- in a situation of crisis or emerging crisis, to contribute to stability by providing an effective response to help preserve, establish or re-establish the conditions essential to the proper implementation of the Community's development and cooperation policies;

-in the context of stable conditions for the implementation of Community cooperation policies in third countries, to help build capacity both to address specific global and transregional threats having a destabilising effect and to ensure preparedness to address pre- and post-crisis situations.

3) Parliament made further radical changes restructuring the text of the proposal:

-provisions on complementarity of Community assistance are grouped under one article;

- provisions on a ssistance in response to situations of crisis or emerging crisis are grouped together in one article;

- provisions on assistance in the context of stable conditions for co-operation are grouped together under one article.

4) Community assistance under the Regulation will be implemented through the following measures:

- Exceptional Assistance Measures and Interim Response Programmes;

- m ulti-country Strategy papers, Multi-annual Indicative Programmes and Thematic Strategy Papers;

- a nnual Action Programmes;

- s pecial measures .

There are detailed provisions on all four of the above measures.

5) Parliament has deleted debt-relief as a form of Community financing.

6) The financial envelope for implementation of the Regulation over the period 2007-2013 is EUR 2 062 000 000. Annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework. Parliament has added ceilings on the amount that can be allocated under certain headings.

7) The Commission shall submit by 31 December 2010 (rather than 2011), a report evaluating the implementation of the Regulation in the first three years, if appropriate with a legislative proposal introducing the necessary modifications to the instrument

T6-0307/2006

SEC(2006)0828
EUR-Lex

Debate in Parliament

A6-0157/2006

A6-0157/2006

The committee adopted the report by Angelika BEER (Greens /EFA, DE) amending - under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure - the proposed regulation establishing an Instrument for Stability. A number of the amendments were the result of agreements reached between the rapporteur and representatives of the Council during preliminary contacts. Both sides agreed that the legal basis should not be Article 308 TEC, as originally proposed, but Articles 179 (Development Cooperation) and 181a (Economic, financial and technical cooperation with third countries). This modification would require changes to the scope of the proposal, e.g. all references to measures involving nuclear safety should be deleted as they would be covered by a separate proposal.

The committee also made amendments to Article 1 (objectives of the instrument) to reflect the changes to the legal basis, emphasising that Community assistance should contribute to peace, stability, the development of democracy and the rule of law and the upholding of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

MEPs made further radical changes restructuring the text of the proposal:

- general provisions regarding subsidiarity, complementarity and coordination with other instruments and with Member States' actions should be grouped under a single article, together with new horizontal provisions on the gender perspective as well as publicity for and visibility of Community action;

- all short-term crisis-related measures should be grouped together in one article. The committee also added a reference to the Democracy and Human Rights Instrument in order to emphasise that it should be maintained as a separate programme operating in parallel with the Stability Instrument;

- more long-term, stability-related actions should be grouped together in one article.

In other amendments, the committee called for Parliament as well as the Council to be kept informed about the planning of exceptional measures and interim programmes. It proposed a new Article requiring the Commission to submit a proposal for a Multi-annual Policy Framework (MPF) setting out the policy guidelines and strategic priorities underlying Community assistance, to be adopted under the codecision procedure. It also introduced a number of call-back mechanisms for certain measures to be proposed under the commitology procedure (thematic programmes, strategy papers, guidelines, etc.), enabling Parliament and Council to ask the Commission to withdraw such measures and submit a legislative proposal. Lastly, the committee introduced a new article proposing an indicative financial reference amount of EUR 4 455 million for the seven-year period beginning on 1 January 2007.

PE360.022

PE364.784

PE355.354

PE362.500

PE360.259

PURPOSE : to establish a new Instrument for Stability to tackle crises and instability in third countries and address trans-border challenges including nuclear safety and non-proliferation, the fight against trafficking, organised crime and terrorism.

PROPOSED ACT : Regulation of the Council.

CONTENT : in the context of the new financial perspective 2007-2013 ( INI/2004/2209 ), the Commission is proposing a new Community instrument designed to provide an adequate response to instability and crises and to longer term challenges with a stability or security aspect. It will be complementary to the Pre-Accession ( CNS/2004/0222 ), European Neighbourhood ( COD/2004/0219 ) and Partnership and the Development Cooperation and Economic Cooperation ( COD/2004/0220 ) and humanitarian aid instruments. This proposal aims to codify, consolidate and give coherence to the existing geographic and sectoral Community financing instruments.

Objectives : the proposal provides for the delivery of financial, economic and technical assistance in order to address three distinct issues:

- Political insecurity, crises and threats to human rights, democracy and the rule of law : provisions are made for an effective and integrated response to crises and threats to human rights, democracy and the rule of law, with the overall aim of aiding the establishment or re-establishment of the conditions necessary to permit the effective implementation of the Community's development and economic cooperation policies, its neighbourhood policy and its pre-accession strategy. Other measures include addressing the problems of anti-personnel mines action; safeguarding, re-starting or establishing conditions under which sustainable economic and social development can take place; establishing and supporting democratic, pluralistic state institutions, effective civilian administration at national and local level, an independent judiciary, good governance and law and order; responding to natural or man-made disasters; the rehabilitation and reconstruction after a crisis.

- Civil security : assistance is needed in order to further the cooperation between the EU and third countries in relation to global and regional trans-border challenges affecting the security of the citizen. The proposal seeks to ensure that the Community can address a number of key challenges in the mutual interest of the Community and the partner country. The Regulation focuses on efforts to combat organised crime, terrorism and other transnational threats to the rule of law, protection of strategic infrastructure and major unexpected threats to public health. The added value provided by the current

instrument will be the possibility for rapid and concerted global action, for instance addressing the financing of terrorism, money laundering or tax fraud, and the ability to promote issues of particular concern to the Community and to address issues that partner countries may find difficult to prioritise in the context of the policy framework guiding the three new Community policy instruments.

- Technological and nuclear threats : the provisions build upon established Community practice in the field of nuclear safety and will enable the Community to support programmes tackling the new security challenges coming from the possible misuse of materials, equipment or technologies related to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. Assistance in this respect will address issues that can be dealt with in the civilian domain and which do not have military or defence implications. Such measures might include establishing the supporting infrastructure around nuclear/chemical weapons destruction plants: (access roads or railroads, electricity/water/gas supplies, but not the weapons decommissioning itself); support for environmental monitoring and public information; handling of the toxic residue resulting from decommissioning; reconversion of former chemical weapons plants into civil facilities; civilian retraining; support for the development of effective export control of dual use materials and support for specific border security measures to prevent the illicit trafficking of WMD related materials. The inclusion of nuclear safety within the present Regulation (rather than in the geographic policy-driven instruments) is necessary given that such support may be required in several regions.

- Other initiatives : the proposal provides the flexibility to allow the Community to respond in a timely way to future global challenges to stability and security that cannot be anticipated at this time. It also provides a basis to promote international action in support of the general objectives of the Regulation, including research and the training of civilian experts for deployment on EU crisis management missions.

Programming and allocation of funds : the proposal describes the three mechanisms through which support will be delivered under the instrument.

1) Exceptional assistance measures and interim programmes are intended to respond to crisis situations. These will be modelled existing provisions under the EC Rapid Reaction Mechanism, with three important innovations designed to improve the linkages with the overall EU response and quality and coherence of follow-up measures. First, the provisions on informing the Council are strengthened by ensuring a constant dialogue with it before measures are adopted. This dialogue will be underpinned by

the establishment of an information exchange system, modelled on the successful precedent established under the existing Humanitarian Aid Regulation. Second, the adoption of exceptional assistance measures triggers a new obligation to provide, within 9 months, a report containing a strategic overview of the planned Community response across the full range of its instruments. This report will place the Community response in the context of the overall international response and also identify measures to ensure coherence between EC and CFSP actions. Third, the adoption of exceptional assistance measures may now trigger the adoption of an 'interim response programme', which will build on the exceptional assistance measures and work towards the resumption of the normal conditions for the delivery of assistance. The interim response programme will be submitted to the consultative committee, and should ensure effective bridging between measures adopted under the Instrument for Stability and those adopted under the principle policy-driven instruments.

2) Multi-annual programmes will address long-term issues in the context of stable conditions for cooperation. Provisions are provided for which intend to ensure the complementarity of assistance delivered under the Instrument for Stability and assistance delivered under the three policy-driven instruments. Thus, multi-annual programmes financed under the Instrument for Stability may be based on country or regional strategies adopted in the context of the Integrated Pre-Accession Instrument, the Development and Economic Cooperation Instrument and the European Neighbourhood Instrument. This establishes a single strategic programming bridging the core policy instrument and the added-value elements of the Instrument for Stability. The Commission may, however, also adopt specific regional or thematic strategies under this instrument. This is intended to cover areas of cooperation that cannot be adequately addressed within the framework of the strategies adopted under the other external financing instruments (either because of the nature of the issue or its geographic scope).

The proposal also contains provisions to ensure better integration of Community measures and measures adopted by the Council under the Common Foreign and Security Policy. This is particularly important for the effectiveness and impact of EU civilian crisis management operations, which often present aspects coming under both CFSP and Community responsibility.

Implementation methods: the measures to be taken under the present Instrument shall normally be implemented by the Commission by direct or indirect centralised management, but may in certain cases as specified in the Regulation be implemented by indirect centralised management (by public or public-service bodies of the Member States), by decentralised management (under the responsibility of a beneficiary partner country), or by delegated management (by international organisations or third-country donors, in cases of joint co-financing).

At this stage the Commission is not ready to propose the establishment of an executive agency for programme implementation but this possibility has not been excluded, in particular for certain tasks of expert recruitment and logistical support.

For further information concerning the financial implications of this measure, please refer to the financial statement.

COM(2004)0630
EUR-Lex

PURPOSE : to establish a new Instrument for Stability to tackle crises and instability in third countries and address trans-border challenges including nuclear safety and non-proliferation, the fight against trafficking, organised crime and terrorism.

PROPOSED ACT : Regulation of the Council.

CONTENT : in the context of the new financial perspective 2007-2013 ( INI/2004/2209 ), the Commission is proposing a new Community instrument designed to provide an adequate response to instability and crises and to longer term challenges with a stability or security aspect. It will be complementary to the Pre-Accession ( CNS/2004/0222 ), European Neighbourhood ( COD/2004/0219 ) and Partnership and the Development Cooperation and Economic Cooperation ( COD/2004/0220 ) and humanitarian aid instruments. This proposal aims to codify, consolidate and give coherence to the existing geographic and sectoral Community financing instruments.

Objectives : the proposal provides for the delivery of financial, economic and technical assistance in order to address three distinct issues:

- Political insecurity, crises and threats to human rights, democracy and the rule of law : provisions are made for an effective and integrated response to crises and threats to human rights, democracy and the rule of law, with the overall aim of aiding the establishment or re-establishment of the conditions necessary to permit the effective implementation of the Community's development and economic cooperation policies, its neighbourhood policy and its pre-accession strategy. Other measures include addressing the problems of anti-personnel mines action; safeguarding, re-starting or establishing conditions under which sustainable economic and social development can take place; establishing and supporting democratic, pluralistic state institutions, effective civilian administration at national and local level, an independent judiciary, good governance and law and order; responding to natural or man-made disasters; the rehabilitation and reconstruction after a crisis.

- Civil security : assistance is needed in order to further the cooperation between the EU and third countries in relation to global and regional trans-border challenges affecting the security of the citizen. The proposal seeks to ensure that the Community can address a number of key challenges in the mutual interest of the Community and the partner country. The Regulation focuses on efforts to combat organised crime, terrorism and other transnational threats to the rule of law, protection of strategic infrastructure and major unexpected threats to public health. The added value provided by the current

instrument will be the possibility for rapid and concerted global action, for instance addressing the financing of terrorism, money laundering or tax fraud, and the ability to promote issues of particular concern to the Community and to address issues that partner countries may find difficult to prioritise in the context of the policy framework guiding the three new Community policy instruments.

- Technological and nuclear threats : the provisions build upon established Community practice in the field of nuclear safety and will enable the Community to support programmes tackling the new security challenges coming from the possible misuse of materials, equipment or technologies related to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. Assistance in this respect will address issues that can be dealt with in the civilian domain and which do not have military or defence implications. Such measures might include establishing the supporting infrastructure around nuclear/chemical weapons destruction plants: (access roads or railroads, electricity/water/gas supplies, but not the weapons decommissioning itself); support for environmental monitoring and public information; handling of the toxic residue resulting from decommissioning; reconversion of former chemical weapons plants into civil facilities; civilian retraining; support for the development of effective export control of dual use materials and support for specific border security measures to prevent the illicit trafficking of WMD related materials. The inclusion of nuclear safety within the present Regulation (rather than in the geographic policy-driven instruments) is necessary given that such support may be required in several regions.

- Other initiatives : the proposal provides the flexibility to allow the Community to respond in a timely way to future global challenges to stability and security that cannot be anticipated at this time. It also provides a basis to promote international action in support of the general objectives of the Regulation, including research and the training of civilian experts for deployment on EU crisis management missions.

Programming and allocation of funds : the proposal describes the three mechanisms through which support will be delivered under the instrument.

1) Exceptional assistance measures and interim programmes are intended to respond to crisis situations. These will be modelled existing provisions under the EC Rapid Reaction Mechanism, with three important innovations designed to improve the linkages with the overall EU response and quality and coherence of follow-up measures. First, the provisions on informing the Council are strengthened by ensuring a constant dialogue with it before measures are adopted. This dialogue will be underpinned by

the establishment of an information exchange system, modelled on the successful precedent established under the existing Humanitarian Aid Regulation. Second, the adoption of exceptional assistance measures triggers a new obligation to provide, within 9 months, a report containing a strategic overview of the planned Community response across the full range of its instruments. This report will place the Community response in the context of the overall international response and also identify measures to ensure coherence between EC and CFSP actions. Third, the adoption of exceptional assistance measures may now trigger the adoption of an 'interim response programme', which will build on the exceptional assistance measures and work towards the resumption of the normal conditions for the delivery of assistance. The interim response programme will be submitted to the consultative committee, and should ensure effective bridging between measures adopted under the Instrument for Stability and those adopted under the principle policy-driven instruments.

2) Multi-annual programmes will address long-term issues in the context of stable conditions for cooperation. Provisions are provided for which intend to ensure the complementarity of assistance delivered under the Instrument for Stability and assistance delivered under the three policy-driven instruments. Thus, multi-annual programmes financed under the Instrument for Stability may be based on country or regional strategies adopted in the context of the Integrated Pre-Accession Instrument, the Development and Economic Cooperation Instrument and the European Neighbourhood Instrument. This establishes a single strategic programming bridging the core policy instrument and the added-value elements of the Instrument for Stability. The Commission may, however, also adopt specific regional or thematic strategies under this instrument. This is intended to cover areas of cooperation that cannot be adequately addressed within the framework of the strategies adopted under the other external financing instruments (either because of the nature of the issue or its geographic scope).

The proposal also contains provisions to ensure better integration of Community measures and measures adopted by the Council under the Common Foreign and Security Policy. This is particularly important for the effectiveness and impact of EU civilian crisis management operations, which often present aspects coming under both CFSP and Community responsibility.

Implementation methods: the measures to be taken under the present Instrument shall normally be implemented by the Commission by direct or indirect centralised management, but may in certain cases as specified in the Regulation be implemented by indirect centralised management (by public or public-service bodies of the Member States), by decentralised management (under the responsibility of a beneficiary partner country), or by delegated management (by international organisations or third-country donors, in cases of joint co-financing).

At this stage the Commission is not ready to propose the establishment of an executive agency for programme implementation but this possibility has not been excluded, in particular for certain tasks of expert recruitment and logistical support.

For further information concerning the financial implications of this measure, please refer to the financial statement.

COM(2004)0630
EUR-Lex