Commission to ease restrictions on EU aid to Haiti as it progresses towards democracy

The European Commission has adopted a proposal to ease restrictions imposed on EU development aid to Haiti since January 2001.

Following the departure of President Aristide in January 2004, an interim government lead by Gerard LaTortue was sworn in on March 2004. The interim government has taken a number of concrete commitments on the return to democracy, including the conduct of free and fair elections within 18 months.

Against these commitments and in view of accompanying the return to full democratic rule the Commission is proposing to:

(i) widen the scope of activities that can be financed with funds already available to Haiti from the European Development Fund (EDF) to cater for short and medium term priorities identified in the recently concluded needs assessment which has been conducted by the interim government of Haiti in close cooperation with international donors. The result of the assessment will be presented at a pledging conference in July to be co-chaired by European Commissioner Joe Borg;

(ii) notify funds to Haiti from the 9th EDF ;

(iii) prepare a Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme for the orientation of future development aid to Haiti to be signed with the newly elected government after a successful end to the current transition phase. The current proposal has been transmitted to the EU Council of ministers for adoption.

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