§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if the Department will take steps to ensure that aid channelled through the EU that has until now been spent in the 10 EU accession states will from 2004 to 2006 be spent instead in(a) sub-Saharan Africa and (b) south Asia on (i) development and (ii) water, sanitation and hygiene improvements towards the Millennium Development Goals. [124441]
§ Hilary BennFrom 2004, the Pre-Accession budget will continue to provide funding for Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. Unallocated funds within the budget are being retained to handle any possible additional funding requirements for any new candidates up to 2006.
In 2004, Cyprus and Malta will join the Union and Turkey will move from the External Relations to the Pre-Accession budget. This will free up £150 million annually in the External Relations budget for new commitments.
Earmarking a sensible margin to support Iraq's reconstruction and the Middle East Peace Plan are a UK priority for the 2004 budget. The UK is also pressing for increased commitments to low income countries in Asia, particularly Afghanistan and support for the Global Health Fund, which would both help increase the European Commission's development budget poverty focus.
Assistance for sub-Saharan Africa is provided primarily through the European Development Fund (EDF), a separate off-budget fund replenished directly by member states contributions. Finds cannot be transferred between the EC budget and the EDF. Programmes under the EDF are based on the priorities of recipient countries and include water, sanitation and health programmes.