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EU Council adopts financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights

Summary: EU Council adopts financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights (19 December 2006: Brussels)

The Council today adopted a regulation establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide, with a total of EUR 1.1 billion for the 2007-13 period. (PE-CONS 3688/06).

European Union financial assistance under the new instrument will include:

- promotion and enhancement of democracy and the processes of democratisation, mainly through civil society organisations;

- the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed by the universal declaration of human rights and other instruments, mainly through civil society organisations;

- the strengthening of the international framework for the protection of human rights, the rule of law and the promotion of democracy;

- building confidence in and enhancing the reliability and transparency of democratic processes.
The promotion and protection of gender equality, the rights of the child, the rights of indigenous peoples, the rights of persons with disabilities and similar principles will be also taken into account by assistance measures whenever relevant.

The instrument for democracy and human rights is part of a new framework aimed at making the EU's external assistance more effective for the 2007-13 financing period. The framework also includes:
- an instrument for pre-accession assistance to candidate countries and countries that are potential candidates for membership of the EU;

- a European neighbourhood and partnership instrument;

- an instrument for industrialised and other high-income countries and territories;

- an instrument for development cooperation.
In adopting the regulation, the Council accepted two amendments voted by the European Parliament in first reading, following an agreement between the two institutions under the co-decision procedure.

The regulation will enter force on 1 January 2007.

  • Ref: CL06-255EN
  • EU source: Council
  • UN forum: 
  • Date: 19/12/2006


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See also
 

European Union Member States