External actions: financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide

The European Parliament adopted by 586 votes to 33, with 8 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 on establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide.

It adopted its position at second reading under the ordinary legislative procedure.

The amendments concern in particular the issue of delegated acts and may be summarised as follows:

Following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament is now fully recognised as co-legislator alongside the Council on virtually all legislation. Parliament considers that this should be reflected in the area of the implementation of external cooperation financial instruments. During the first reading in October 2010, Parliament expressed its favour for the application of the "delegated acts" procedure for the financing instruments for external assistance. This procedure significantly strengthens Parliament's powers: Parliament's veto right allows it to block a draft measure it objects against, and requires the Commission to present an amended proposal.

Consequently, Parliament calls for:

• the Commission to be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in respect of strategy papers, as those strategy papers supplement Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 and are of general application;
• annual action programmes, and any revisions or extensions thereof, to be adopted by the Commission taking into account the opinions of the European Parliament and of the Council;
• all measures of which the cost is equal to or exceeds EUR 3 000 000 to be adopted by the Commission taking into account the opinions of the European Parliament and of the Council;
• special measures costing below EUR 3 000 000 to be sent, by the Commission, to the European Parliament and to the Council within a given time limit.

Other amendments focus on the objectives, scope and duration of the delegation of power, as well as the conditions to be respected by the delegations