8 Reproductive and sexual health and rights
| (a)
(24435)
8256/03
COM 03) 168
(b)
(24506)
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Amended draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on aid for policies and actions on reproductive and sexual health and rights in developing countries.
Note on political agreement [in so far as it relates to the above draft Regulation].[15]
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| Legal base | Article 179 EC; qualified majority voting
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| Document originated | (a) 3 April 2003
(b) —
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| Deposited in Parliament | (a) 14 April 2003
(b) —
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| Department | International Development
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| Basis of consideration | EM of 8 May 2003
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| Previous Committee Report | None; but see HC 152-xxix (2001-02), paragraph 9 (15 May 2002)
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| To be discussed in Council | 19-20 May 2003 GAERC
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| Committee's assessment | Politically important
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| Committee's decision | (Both) Cleared, but further information requested
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The document
8.1 This Regulation is intended to replace the 1997 Regulation
on aid for population programmes and policies in developing countries,[16]
which expired on 31 December 2002. It is designed to reinforce
the Plan of Action agreed at the 1994 Cairo International Conference
on Population and Development (ICPD) by giving all couples and
individuals the basic right and opportunity to fully protect their
reproductive and sexual health.
8.2 We cleared the Commission's first draft of this proposal on
15 May 2002.[17] According
to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty, as long as the Council has
not acted, the Commission may alter its proposal at any time during
the procedures leading to the adoption of a Community act. It
now puts forward this amended proposal in which it accepts all
the amendments adopted by the European Parliament at its First
Reading.
The Government's view
8.3 The then Secretary of State for International Development
(Clare Short) commented in her Explanatory Memorandum of 8 May:
"The new Regulation reflects the EC's commitment to increase
and accelerate efforts to help achieve the Millennium Development
Goals, and in particular those related to maternal and child mortality.
The EC has an important role to play in making sure that reproductive
health remains a central element within the international health
agenda. The Reproductive Health budget line will enable the EC
to continue to support innovative work in developing countries,
including being a catalyst for and supporting international initiatives
to lower maternal mortality. Reproductive health strategies are
also important for prevention of HIV/AIDS. The EC is potentially
well placed to contribute to efforts to meet a significant shortfall
in essential reproductive health commodities, including condoms
and contraceptives, being faced in a number of developing countries.
The increased poverty focus of the new regulation is welcomed.
"The main issues to arise from the UK's perspective in the
European Parliament's reading of the first proposal were around
procurement and the financial flexibility instrument.[18]
The UK were keen to introduce a further reference to untying,
but given that there is a separate Communication on untying currently
being discussed, there has been agreement to a Commission declaration
to accompany the regulation. The UK considers the financial amount
proposed by the Commission to be satisfactory to implement the
programme. The accompanying declarations are intended to ensure
that the correct inter-institutional procedures are followed.
The UK was keen to ensure that the regulation was consistent with
and lived up to the ICPD and ICPD+5 commitments."
8.4 The Note at document (b) makes it clear that the Development
Cooperation Working Party proposes that the accompanying declarations
to which the Minister refers are to be attached as Minutes Statements
to the Conclusions of the May General Affairs and External Relations
Council.
8.5 The Minister commented specifically that the Government supports
the increase in the financial provision proposed by the European
Parliament at First Reading from €60 million to €73.95
million. It is consistent with the Government's policy of increasing
the focus on poverty of EC spending.
Conclusion
8.6 The Minister commented that the EC
has an important role to play in making sure that reproductive
health remains a central element within the international health
agenda. The Government's support
for the increase in the financial provision suggests that it regards
reproductive health as an important priority.
We ask her successor to confirm that this remains the Government's
policy and whether she considers that it will be given sufficient
importance within the Millennium Development Goals.
8.7 Meanwhile we clear both documents.
15 See also paragraph 9 below. Back
16
Council Regulation (EAC) No 1484/97. Back
17
See headnote. Back
18
The financial flexibility instrument, established under the Inter-Institutional
Agreement of 6 May 1999, provides for additional financing for
clearly identified expenditure which cannot be made available
within a spending category of the budget. Back
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