9 Gender equality in development co-operation
| (24807)
11923/03
COM(03) 465
| Draft Council Regulation on promoting gender equality in development cooperation
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| Legal base | Article 179 EC; co-decision; QMV
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| Department | International Development
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| Basis of consideration | Minister's letter of 2 April 2004
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| Previous Committee Report | HC 63-xxxii (2002-03), para 24 (17 September 2003);
HC 42-xi (2003-04), para 13 (25 February 2004)
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| To be discussed in Council | No date set
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| Committee's assessment | Politically important
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| Committee's decision | Cleared (decision reported on 17 September 2003)
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Background
9.1 The Regulation has replaced an existing Regulation ((EC) No.
2836/98), which expired on 31 December 2003. The purpose is to
continue measures to promote gender equality in Community development
co-operation policies.
9.2 The 1998 Regulation set out a dual approach,
combining "mainstreaming" of gender equality across
the whole development programme with specific measures to promote
gender equality funded from a separate budget allocation. When
we considered the proposal on 17 September 2003, we noted that
the Government supported the Regulation but was not in favour
of a separate budget line being retained. However, we considered
that it was likely to provide greater transparency. We asked to
be kept informed of progress.
The Minister's letter of 31 January
9.3 In his letter to us of 31 January 2004, the Secretary
of State for International Development (Mr Hilary Benn) said that
Member States had welcomed the proposed Regulation and generally
felt that, while there was some validity in the Government's view
that the continuation of a separate thematic budget line was inconsistent
with the agreed policy of mainstreaming gender issues across all
the Community's development programmes, a separate budget line
would act as a catalyst for activities to promote gender equality;
and it had therefore been agreed that it should continue.
9.4 The Minister added that the main matter still
at issue with the European Parliament was its proposed increase
in the financial provision of the budget line from €9 to
€11 million for the period 2004-2006, which the UK opposed
because no justification had been provided. Discussions were
continuing. A further progress report was promised. As we shared
the Minister's view on this, we asked, to be told, in particular,
what agreement was reached on the budget.
The Minister's letter of 2 April
9.5 In his letter of 2 April, the Minister recounts
the history of the proposal and reports that a Common Position
was reached on 19 February whereby 20 of the European Parliament's
amendments were accepted, which the Council considered improved
the text of the draft Regulation, and the budgetary increase was
rejected. The Common Position was approved by the European Parliament
at its 29 March-1 April plenary session. The Minister says: "I
consider this to be a very satisfactory outcome".
Conclusion
9.6 We agree with the Minister's assessment of
the outcome. We are grateful to him for having reported to us
so comprehensively, and thank him for the part he has played in
securing the right result.
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