§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the future of(a) the PHARE programme and (b) the TACIS programme. [73278]
§ Clare Short[holding answer 25 February 1999]: (a) The European Commission has started consultations on new guidelines for the PHARE programme from 2000. We will be seeking to ensure the programme responds to the priority needs of countries preparing for accession to the European Union, addresses the quality of the transition process so that benefits are sustainable and brings benefits to all levels of society, includes effective measures to strengthen institutions and promote better public administration and draws from previous experience in ensuring funds are efficiently and effectively used.
(b) The current Tacis Regulation expires at the end of this year, and a draft Regulation for the period 2000–06 is now under consideration. The draft is broadly acceptable, but it contains a number of new initiatives on which we are seeking clarification.