Debate in Parliament

The Council was briefed by the High Representative and the Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva on their visit to Haiti on 2 and 3 March 2010. It mandated the High Representative to represent the Union at the International Donors' Conference – Towards a New Future for Haiti in New York – on 31 March 2010 and present a common EU position providing an overview of the EU's collective effort and its support for Haiti's long-term reconstruction and development.

It adopted the following conclusions:

- The Council expresses its support for the people of Haiti following the earthquake and underlines their ownership and central responsibility for determining their current and future priorities. Building on its swift and effective initial response the European Union will continue to assist them in addressing their humanitarian needs, including putting in place contingency measures in view of the upcoming rainy and hurricane seasons. Looking further ahead, the European Union stands ready to support a long-term plan over the next decade , led by the Government of Haiti, and in partnership with the international community, to support reconstruction and sustainable development in Haiti.

- The Council supports the Government of Haiti's leadership with regard to recovery and reconstruction efforts and welcomes its intention to present its "Plan d'action pour le relèvement et le développement national : les grands chantiers pour l'avenir" at the International Donors’ Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti in New York.

- The High Representative will represent the European Union in New York and set forth a common EU position with the following elements:

an overview over the EU's collective effort in providing humanitarian, civil protection and other emergency assistance since the earthquake, including military assets, and police support; the expressions of solidarity coming from European citizens and civil society; a common aggregated figure representing the overall EU commitment to the reconstruction of Haiti; support for a long-term plan that provides the basis for lasting inclusive economic growth and development in Haiti in the context of a joint EU approach linking relief to rehabilitation and development, underpinned by a commitment to joint programming to enhance aid effectiveness and promote an effective division of labour; an EU House in Haiti , where EU development capabilities could be co-located, to enhance EU coordination on the ground and support joint programming and to assist EU donors not present in Haiti.

- The Council underlines the leadership of the Government of Haiti in donor coordination, sector coordination, and management of the overall reconstruction agenda and the importance of democratic governance. It also stresses the need to ensure adequate coordination with the UN, as well as with the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, etc.

- The EU welcomes the consideration of implementation modalities such as a multi-donor trust fund to ensure support for long-term development priorities and ensure better coherence. Linked to its joint programming exercise, the EU will define its participation in different implementation bodies , based on an assessment of their effectiveness.

- Lastly, the Council welcomes the preparation of a joint EU Country Strategy Paper and a joint aid planning document for the EU1 in order to permit the effective coordination of Community development funds and those of the Member States contributing to the effort to rehabilitate Haiti. These will be drawn up after the New York Conference on the basis of the Government of Haiti "Plan d'action pour le relèvement et le développement national : les grands chantiers pour l'avenir," underpinned by the full Post-Disaster Needs Assessment, in consultation with the Government of Haiti and relevant stakeholders.