Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) 2007-2013

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by István Szent-Iványi (ALDE, HU), making some amendments to the proposal. It should be noted that in negotiations between the three institutions, the Commission and the Council have agreed to Parliament's wish to have another, separate instrument for actions in the field of democracy and human rights. The principal amendments are as follows:

1) Parliament amended some of the areas to be supported by Community assistance, and added new ones, in particular:

- market-oriented economic reform to build a sustainable social, environmentally-friendly and competitive economy, by progressive price and trade liberalisation, gradual integration into the customs union, accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the implementation of WTO rules and those resulting from the Doha Development Agenda;

- preparation of EU-compatible provisional National Development Plans aimed at building institutional absorption capacity for future EU assistance, especially in the areas of rural, infrastructure and human resources development,

- the promotion of gender equality;

- the economic and social integration of vulnerable groups, particularly women.

2) The implementing instruments shall be presented to the European Parliament for its opinion before their adoption, and the Commission must have regard to the recommendation of Parliament. In its annual report, the Commission shall set out in detail the extent to which the European Parliament's recommendations have been taken into consideration. Should it deviate from the recommendations of the European Parliament, the Commission shall give its reasons for doing so.

3) The Commission shall promote detailed information and publicity about the projects and programmes financed in order to raise public awareness about the Community action and its objectives.

4) The Commission shall ensure consistency between assistance provided under this Regulation and assistance provided under other external assistance instruments including a separate instrument devoted to the promotion of human rights and democracy, as well as Member States" bilateral operations and funding from the EIB, other international organisations and regional development banks.

5) If the European Council recognises a State as a potential candidate for membership of the European Union, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, and after consulting the European Parliament, shall include that country in Annex I.

6) Not later than 30 June 2010, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the implementation of the Regulation together with a legislative proposal introducing the necessary modifications. The European Parliament and the Council, acting on a proposal by the Commission, shall re-examine the Regulation by 31 December 2013.