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Regulation (EEC, Euratom) concerning the provision of technical assistance to economic reform and recovery in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 1991-1992

 
On the basis of a mandate from the European Council, meeting in Rome in December 1990, the European Commission established a programme of technical assistance to back the steps taken by the Soviet authorities to bring about the reform and recovery of the Soviet economy.

The breakup of the Soviet Union delayed the process of implementation and the 1992 programme approach was adjusted to take account of the new situation. A number of important changes distinguished the 1992 approach:
- negotiation, definition and implementation were based on a bilateral, geographical approach;
- National Coordinators and local Coordinating Units were set up;
- the shift from sectoral to more integrated projects and the concentration on a few priority sectors per country aimed at enhancing the impact of technical assistance.

The overall structure of the programme was reorganized on the basis of the categories of human resources development, food production and distribution, networks, support for enterprise and policy advice to governments. Integrated packages (Action Programmes) were drawn up in conjunction with the authorities of each of the twelve newly Independent States (NIS). The overall objective of the 1992 action programme was to develop the local skills and know-how required to accelerate economic reform and to encourage conditions favourable to private investment and the development of the private sector. The programmes therefore comprised a limited number of targeted and coordinated components. For each component, specific activities were defined and were ready for implementation from the beginning of 1992.
To assist the economic reforms underway in the former Soviet Union through the transfer of know- how and expertise.
Priority fields:

- Public and private-sector management training;

- Financial services;

- Energy and nuclear safety:
. Provision of advice to central and regional authorities;
. Management training;
. Pilot actions in energy efficiency;

- Telecommunications:
. Standardization of networks;
. Choice of investments;
. Evaluation and selection of projects compatible with the political directives set by Moscow;

- Transport;

- Foodstuffs distribution; ;

- Environment and public health;

- Promotion of democracy and equal treatment for men and women.
The Commission was responsible for the implementation of the programme assisted by a Committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission, known as the 'Management Committee for Assistance to the USSR'. The Commission, together with the Member States, ensured the effective coordination of the technical assistance efforts undertaken in the former Soviet Union by the Community and individual Member States, on the basis of the information supplied by the Member States.

A National Coordinator was appointed by each Independent State to act as official interlocutor of the Commission. National Coordinating Units, operating under the supervision of a local manager and staffed with Commission consultants, were established in each state for the day-to-day management of the programme in their respective countries. Six advice centres staffed by experts from western and eastern Europe (in Moscow, St Petersburg, Kiev, Minsk, Chelyabinsk and Alma Ata) were set up.

Technical cooperation was implemented on a decentralized basis. The final recipients of Community assistance were closely involved in the evaluation and execution of the projects. Operations to be financed were selected taking account, inter alia, of the recipients' preferences and on the basis of an assessment of their effectiveness in achieving the objectives aimed at by Community assistance. Assistance took the form of grants, which were released in tranches as projects materialized. Participation in invitations to tender and contracts were open on equal terms to all natural and legal persons in the Member States and the NIS.

Funds were also allocated towards furthering the process of democratization in central and eastern Europe. They were used to provide financial and technical support through parliamentary bodies and to stabilize and strengthen democratic principles in countries which have, or are developing, close ties with the European Community. They were not to be used , either directly or indirectly, for electoral purposes.

Annual general guidelines were laid down in an indicative programme covering all the operations financed and defining the thrust of Community assistance in the focal areas and the procedures for the implementation of operations.

The Commission informed the Committee by means of six-monthly reports. At the end of each financial year, the Commission drew up a progress report on cooperation activities which was addressed to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee.

The amount of Community funding for the implementation of the operation in the financial year 1991 was ECU 400 million and in 1992 the funding was ECU 445 million.