THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Partnership Agreement’,
Having regard to the Internal Agreement of 12 September 2000 between representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the financing and administration of Community aid under the Financial Protocol to the Partnership Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Community and its Member States signed in Cotonou (Benin) on 23 June 2000 and the allocation of financial assistance for the overseas countries and territories to which part four of the EC Treaty applies, and in particular Article 7(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission drafted in agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB),
Whereas:
(1)
In its conclusions of 27 January 2003 regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Council (General affairs and external relations) stated that it was prepared to assist the transition to free and transparent elections by the deadlines laid down in the Pretoria Agreement and reaffirmed its willingness to support the transition, as soon as its institutions were in place, with projects by the European Union and its Member States designed in particular to promote aid to the population, the strengthening of State structures, the economic reconstruction of the country and disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration, repatriation and resettlement (DDRRR) of former combatants.
(2)
The Democratic Republic of Congo received a reduced allocation of EUR 25,7 million under the eighth EDF.
(3)
The funds allocated to the Democratic Republic of Congo under the ninth EDF are insufficient to enable the Community to cover the cost of the commitments made by the Council on behalf of the European Union,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: