The Commission presented this report pursuant to Regulation (EU) 236/2014 laying down common rules and procedures for the implementation of the European Union's instruments for financing external action (the Common Implementing Regulation) which requires a mid-term review report on several EU external financing instruments.
As a reminder, the Common Implementing Regulation applies to the following:
Other instruments that follow the requirements set out in the Common Implementing Regulation and have therefore been included in this report are:
Since this report provides an overview of the instruments, it also includes the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). The 11th EDF refers to a performance review that needs to be carried out by the end of 2018. The performance review is similar to the mid-term review provided in the Common Implementing Regulation. The Decision on the association of the overseas countries and territories was included in the performance review of the 11th EDF. This mid-term review report therefore covers nine instruments as well as the Common Implementation Review itself.
In line with the requirements of the Common Implementation Regulation, this report covers the period from 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2017.
In particular, it assesses whether these instruments are still fit for purpose, so as to ensure the effective implementation of the EU's assistance. It will inform decisions on the renewal, amendment or suspension of the types of actions implemented under the set of instruments.
It also analyses whether the objectives have been met, focusing on the results, their efficiency, added-value, the scope for simplification, internal and external coherence including complementarity and synergies, the continued relevance of all objectives, their contribution to a consistent EU external action and where relevant to the EU priorities for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and the leverage effect achieved.
Summary of conclusions: the report concluded that the current set of instruments is still relevant and has proved to be sufficiently enabling. At this stage there is therefore no need to amend them through legislative proposals or delegated acts.
However, the staff working documents linked to this report point to some aspects deserving attention in the future, with a view to improving the implementation of the EU's external action and drawing lessons for the next generation of instruments.
While there is evidence of coherence among instruments, this could be enhanced by streamlining their number. This would help to ensure better interactions at the operational level, in particular between geographic and thematic instruments and programmes that can intervene in the same areas.