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Dept for International Development

Answer

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the objectives were of the (a) Western Balkans, (b) NIS and Mongolia/ CEECS and (c) NIS and Mongolia/TACIS projects financed under the General Commission Budget in 2002; what his Department's involvement in them was; what the outcome was; and what assessment he has made of their value for money. [160713] Mr. Gareth Thomas: The objective of the Commission's programme of assistance to the Western Balkans (the CARDS programme) is to support the Stabilisation and Association Process in the region through reconstruction, work on democracy, human rights and the rule of law, economic and social development and promoting closer relations between recipient countries and between those countries and the EU. The objectives of the TACIS programme are to promote the transition to a market economy and to reinforce democracy and the rule of law in the CIS countries. Representatives of DFID sit on the Management Committees that oversee the Commission's implementation of these programmes. In addition proposals for spending in Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania and FYROM are approved by the Governing Board of the European Agency for Reconstruction, on which DFID is also represented. In both CARDS and TACIS, programmes funded under the 2002 Budget will typically last for at least three years. There are a multitude of individual projects in the areas cited by the hon. Member, each with different objectives and outcomes. I refer the hon. Member to the information available in the "2003 Annual Report from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EC Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance 2002" and the European Commission's website http:// europa.eu.int for further details. When considering Commission funding proposals, DFID took a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely cost-effectiveness and value for money. Any concerns about value for money were raised with the Commission. Many of the projects approved in 2002 are in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the value for money will only be possible once the projects have been completed. The EC, through its results- orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems, is best placed to carry out such an assessment.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

160713; 419 c22-3W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Cost effectiveness Balkans EU aid TACIS programme

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk