17/1/2003
Commission welcomes Parliament report on ECHO's activity

In a report adopted on15/01/2003 in Strasbourg, the European Parliament expressed its appreciation of the way in which the EU's humanitarian aid the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) implemented policy during 2000 and 2001.

Welcoming the report, drawn up by Marie-Arlette Carlotti (PES), Poul Nielson, the Commissioner responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said : "It is particularly gratifying to see the Parliament commending ECHO on its rigorous approach to management of aid and congratulating the Commission on simplifying its procedures". He continued : "The Commission believes it is important to work closely with the Parliament in the future, to communicate to European citizens the very positive results of ECHO's action, particularly as regards the victims of forgotten crises."

The Parliament has noted that there are pressures on both the budget for humanitarian aid and on staffing resources, something that should be clearly addressed if the Union wants to maintain quality standards in the management of aid and increase the impact of its humanitarian action in the world.