In a resolution proposed by the Parliament’s development committee, the Plenary gave its views on the the draft Commission decisions establishing Country Strategy Papers and Indicative Programmes for Malaysia, Brazil and Pakistan.

To recall, the European Parliament received the draft implementing measures submitted to the DCI management committee and the results of voting pursuant to Decision 1999/468/EC and point 1 of the Agreement between the European Parliament and the Commission on procedures for implementing that Decision. (Please refer to COD/2004/0220 ) Regulation 1905/2006 which stipulates that the primary objective of cooperation under the Regulation is the eradication of poverty in partner countries and regions in the context of sustainable development. Measures referred to in Article 1(1) of the Decision must be designed so as to fulfil the criteria for Official Development Assistance (ODA) established by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD.

Parliament takes the view that in most draft Strategy Papers and draft Indicative Programmes the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are not clearly presented as a main priority. This is not in compliance with Article 2(1) of Regulation 1905/2006 as the pursuit of the MDGs is established there as one of the overarching principles of cooperation under the DCI.

Malaysia: Parliament felt that, in its draft Strategy Paper and draft National Indicative Programme 2007-2010 for Malaysia, the Commission exceeded its implementing powers laid down in the basic act by selecting as the only focal sector (for which 100% of the funds are earmarked) EU-Malaysia Policy Dialogue Facility on Trade and Investment, the overall objective of which is to facilitate trade and investment relations between the EU and Malaysia and by including two specific objectives for the actions, namely "to increase EU market knowledge for the Malaysian business community and vice versa" and "to raise EU visibility in Malaysia through joint initiatives". Parliament felt that these objectives are not in compliance with Regulation 1905/2006/EC, in that the primary objective of the Strategy Paper is not the eradication of poverty and in that the stated objectives do not fulfil the criteria for ODA established by the OECD/DAC.

Brazil: Parliament considered that, in its draft Strategy Paper and draft National Indicative Programme 2007-2010 for Brazil the Commission exceeds its implementing powers laid down in the basic act by earmarking 70% of the National Indicative Programme for Priority "Enhancing Bilateral Relations", which has as specific objectives: i) improve the sectoral dialogues between the EU and Brazil on themes of mutual interest; ii) expand cooperation and exchanges between relevant European and Brazilian institutions and civil society organisations; iii)] strengthen links between EU and Brazilian academia; iv) enhance mutual awareness between EU and Brazilian institutions and societies". A facility "to promote and support sectoral dialogues on themes of common interest" will be financed under this, as well as the establishment of a European Studies Institute, with the main purpose of raising the EU's profile and strengthening higher education links. Parliament felt that these objectives are not in compliance with Regulation 1905/2006/EC, in that the primary objective of the Strategy Paper is not the eradication of poverty and in that the stated objectives do not fulfil the criteria for ODA established by the OECD/DAC.

Pakistan: Similarly, Parliament took the view that in its draft Strategy Paper and draft National Indicative Programme 2007-2010 for Pakistan, the Commission exceeded its implementing powers laid down in the basic act by including in Non-focal area 3 of the National Indicative Programme "Anti-money laundering" activities, with the overall objective of contributing to the efforts of the Pakistani authorities to implement UNSCR 1373. This objective is not in compliance with Regulation 1905/2006/EC in that it does not fulfil the criteria for ODA established by the OECD/DAC.

Accordingly, Parliament called on the Commission to withdraw or amend its draft decisions establishing Country Strategy Papers and Indicative Programmes for Malaysia, Brazil and Pakistan, and to submit to the DCI management committee new draft decisions fully respecting the provisions of Regulation 1905/2006/EC.