EU Aid Research Articles

Alleviating the consequences of marginalisation? EU aid policy towards the Caribbean ACPs

AbstractThe article reviews the EU's development policy in relation to the Caribbean members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group. It considers the particular challenges faced by these small economies before assessing their trade and aid relationship with the EU. The article evaluates both the regional assistance programme and the particular experiences of Guyana and Jamaica. Both countries are singled out because of the breadth and depth of their aid relationship with the EU. Finally, the article provides an analysis of EU aid policy within the context of EU–Caribbean relations more generally. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The EU as a modest ‘force for good’: the European Neighbourhood Policy

In 2004 the European Union launched its European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) with a view to living up to its image as a 'force for good' in its dealings with neighbouring countries.1 The European Security Strategy of 2003 had aspired to create 'a world seen as offering justice and opportunity for everyone' and affirmed the EU's intention to work proactively towards this end.2 At first glance, the ENP appears to uphold this ambition to be a positive force in international relations rather well. The 2004 ENP strategy paper asserts that the EU wants to promote 'stability, security and well-being for all' by the use of incentives ('carrots') in lieu of sanctions ('sticks') and to foster cooperation in areas of mutual consent and interest.3 Moreover, the new financial instrument for the ENP came into force on 1 January 2007 and represents a noticeable increase in money allocated over previous EU aid programmes to these same countries. The policy thus appears remarkably balanced in its attention to interest and values, soft in respect of the absence of elements of coercion and rather generous in its offer of material assis tance. However, even at the end of 2006 there were already signs of a general ized 'ENP fatigue' among neighbouring countries, and in June 2007 the Union acknowledged this by embracing the German EU presidency's plan to revive the policy.4 What explains such lack of interest? While the causes are undoubtedly varied, we will argue here that part of the explanation lies in the failure of the EU fully to vindicate its assertion that the ENP is a positive-sum game. This article will examine the EU's claim to be a positive force for neighbouring countries by way of exploring its predisposition to ethical action. The first section will survey the current debate on ethics in the field of International Relations and provide a conceptual model for how to gauge the EU as a 'force for good'. The second section will look at how the Union frames its vision that the ENP

THE KOMATI DOWNSTREAM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES

ABSTRACTTo overcome widespread rural poverty, raise incomes and improve food security, Swaziland has begun a process of commercialisation of its subsistence farms. This strategy is based upon extending irrigation onto customary tenured land in the semi‐arid lowveld and converting land to sugar cane production. The paper demonstrates that if farmers adopt an irrigated home garden as a supplement to the cash crop, then food security may be improved. However, changes to the EU's Sugar Protocol is undermining the financial viability of the participating farmers’ associations and compromising the ability of the Komati Downstrean Development Project to improve living standards in the area. It argues that EU aid provided to offset changes to the EU Sugar Protocol should be targeted at the most vulnerable to those changes.

Comparative research as an instrument for EU aid and development programmes

This paper reflects on the usefulness and applicability of comparative inquiry for policy and practice in education development projects involving universities within the EU or EEA (Socrates, Erasmus, etc.) and especially in technical aid and outreach programmes (Tempus etc.), using concrete examples, exploring the distinctions made in EU regulatory documents and funding frameworks between research and development. The tension is shown between overt political objectives such as the transfer of assumed know‐how to solve immediate priority problems of common concern, and educational objectives of extending understanding among equal partners. It is suggested that the more a development project is a shared learning programme, the more applicable and fruitful are comparative methods. Experienced examples are considered of research investigation applied to development programmes from within, whether as practitioner research or by independent research commissioned by practitioners, to assist in pursuing development objectives; of surveys commissioned by the EC across programmes to evaluate the overall effectiveness of a scheme and identify best practice for the future; and of research undertaken independently, taking advantage of access to the project framework to explore questions which are not necessarily or exclusively instrumental. The need is identified to bring these into a coherent system, and recommendations are outlined for future policy.

Assessing the effectiveness of the EU's regional policies on real convergence: An analysis based on the HERMIN model

In this paper, an alternative methodology for the assessment of the European Union's (EU's) regional policies is proposed, making use of the HERMIN macro-econometric model. A major feature of this approach is that it allows the comparison of the actual evolution of the economy under analysis, with and without European funds, so that it is possible to assess in a more accurate way the effectiveness of the EU aid over the period of analysis. An empirical application of the methodology is also offered, using as a case study an Objective 1 Spanish region, Castilla-La Mancha, traditionally backward but showing in the last years a special dynamism.

Hybrids on the rim? The European Union's Mediterranean aid policy

This article conceptualizes and evaluates the European Union's Mediterranean aid policy in regard to two contrasting ‘objectives’ of EU policy: the promotion of democratic governance and the moulding of a type of ‘hybrid state’. Is EU aid policy geared towards linking its reform of the economic governance of its partner countries with efforts to develop democracy within their political and economic institutions? Or is it designed to induce limited economic reform with concomitant institutional adjustment and thus ‘hybridization’? This is tested through an analysis of EU funding priorities, conditionality and its broader analytical and programmatic approach. A case study is made of Morocco, a relatively open country and a close partner of the EU. An analysis of EU aid to this country reveals that efforts to support democratic governance, even indirectly, have been weak. Moreover, the effort to reform economic institutions and governance is relatively limited, and the EU cannot or will not prevent the regime and its elites capturing the reform process. Accordingly, if the EU can be said to have a strategic vision for its financial assistance programmes it is best described as hybridization, however unpalatable this may seem.

Assessing the Effectiveness of EU's Regional Policies: A New Approach

In this paper, we propose a new methodology for the assessment of EU’s regional policies, making use of the HERMIN macroeconometric model. A major feature of our approach is that allows us to compare the actual evolution of the economy under analysis, with and without European funds, so that we should be able to assess in a more accurate way the effectiveness of the EU aid over the period of analysis. An empirical application of the methodology is also offered, using as a case study an Objective 1 Spanish region, Castilla-La Mancha, traditionally backward but showing in last years a special dynamism.

Trends in the volume and allocation of official flows from donor countries

This paper documents trends in official flows to developing countries over the last three decades. The most striking trend has been declining aid volume. Following two decades of relative stability, official flows have declined in the 1990s. A second trend is the decline in aid to low-income countries, partly as aid flows are diverted to transition economies and “trouble spots.” As a result of these trends, real aid per capita to sub-Saharan Africa fell by 40% in the 1990s. Continuing an existing trend, multilateral agencies account for a growing share of total aid, in part as a result of the expansion of EU aid.

Aid, Relief, and Containment: The First Asylum Country and Beyond

A fundamental problem that confronts the European Union today is how it can maintain its commitment to the institution of asylum while checking irregular migration and the abuse of its asylum system. In order to explore a response to this dilemma the paper addresses the following questions: what role can relief and aid policies play in influencing migration patterns? What should be the appropriate approach to the granting of relief and aid to developing countries of first asylum? Should it be viewed as a part of the larger problem of development or be treated as a distinct issue? What kind of a relief/aid model will help refugees return to post–conflict societies and stop the conflict from reproducing itself? The paper examines two different approaches to address these questions: the alliance–containment approach and the distributive–developmental approach. It also looks at some empirical evidence, which reveals that at present it is a conservative alliance–containment approach that informs EU relief and aid practices. This approach, however, does not help achieve the stated objective of checking abuse of asylum and migration procedures while sustaining a commitment to a liberal asylum regime. The paper goes on to identify the gaps in EU policy and the lessons that can be drawn. It concludes by looking at different policy alternatives and suggesting the adoption of a reformist distributive–developmental model. The implementation of this model holds out the hope of reverting to a more liberal asylum regime while controlling irregular migration and “bogus” asylum seekers, for the reformist distributive developmental model takes a more long–term view of migration trends and also seeks to address the growing North–South divide.

Environmental issues in central and eastern Europe

This paper considers the environmental challenges facing the countries of central and eastern Europe as they move towards a market economy—including legislation, standards, accession to the EU and European aid programmes. The speed with which these countries are adopting western European standards and approaches is variable, with those countries applying to join the EU on the fastest track. Although there are significant historic environmental liabilities to be overcome and some technical approaches need to be modified, the biggest challenge is to implement effective environmental legislation. Strengthening institutions and encouraging responsive, flexible yet robust regulatory bodies at a local level is key to increasing environmental performance. And where regulatory systems are weak, encouraging environmental management systems within industry is seen as a way forward.

Environmental issues in central and eastern Europe

This paper considers the environmental challenges facing the countries of central and eastern Europe as they move towards a market economy—including legislation, standards, accession to the EU and European aid programmes. The speed with which these countries are adopting western European standards and approaches is variable, with those countries applying to join the EU on the fastest track. Although there are significant historic environmental liabilities to be overcome and some technical approaches need to be modified, the biggest challenge is to implement effective environmental legislation. Strengthening institutions and encouraging responsive, flexible yet robust regulatory bodies at a local level is key to increasing environmental performance. And where regulatory systems are weak, encouraging environmental management systems within industry is seen as a way forward.

Allocation of EU Aid Towards ACP-Countries

In the renegotiations of the Lome Convention (1998-2000) not only trade issues but also the aid relationship were under review. A major challenge is induced by the EU's proposal of shifting the aid allocation from needs to merit criteria. Our regression analysis shows, however, that EU aid was not primarily allocated according to the needs and performance of the ACP countries in the past, but to other interests of the EU members. If transfers change now under the new agreement from being an entitlement to being subject to performance criteria, agreement on these criteria has to be reached. A fundamental reform of the Stabex system was also agreed on in the new Suva Convention and will change the allocation of EU aid further. It has proven impossible to support agricultural producers and encourage diversification with the same instrument. To reach the latter goal support for the private sector should be enhanced. Therefore it is also important to analyse further how the allocation and use of aid may increase productive investment.

The European Union as a Global “Civilian Power”: Development Cooperation in EU-Latin American Relations

The European Union’s attempts to strengthen ties with Latin America relate to a broader international strategy of demonstrating that it is a “global player” and attaining the image of a “civilian power.” Yet many observers suspect that European aid is simply instrumental to trade and investment promotion and other interests. They question whether the EU’s strong position as a donor in Latin America means that Latin America is strongly important to the EU. This article reviews the history, context, and latest trends in EU aid to Latin America, then looks at the prospects for a biregional partnership.

Court of Auditors’ Special Report on the Implementation of EU Aid for the Reconstruction of former Yugoslavia

Court of Auditors’ Special Report on the Implementation of EU Aid for the Reconstruction of former Yugoslavia

‘Europeanization’ and the Centre Periphery: The Case of Greece in the 1990s

This article discusses the notion of ‘Europeanization’ as it might apply to the position of Greece in the European Union. It advances three basic propositions: (i) that the domestic impact of EU integration can be differentiated along various dimensions; (ii) of particular relevance is differentiation between the centre and periphery; and (iii) that the impact of the EU in Greece can be gauged in terms of a series of inter-connected features: a Gramscian hegemony, external penetration of the state administration, dependence on EU aid, fragmentation, and a ‘core executive’ empowerment.

EU aid to Palestinians focuses on hardware

EU aid to Palestinians focuses on hardware

軸不斉ビナフチル誘導体の不斉誘導化剤への応用

Axially dissymmetric 2′-methyl- and 2′-methoxy-1, 1′-binaphthy1-2-carboxylic acid (1, 2) were effectively utilized as chiral derivatizing agents for discrimination of enantiomeric alcohols and amines by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on silica gel. Especially, 2 had excellent chirality-recognizing ability, and could also be utilized for discrimination by 1H NMR with the aid of Eu (fod)3. The elution behavior of a pair of diastereomeric esters or amides on HPLC, as well as the NMR behavior of the diastereomers were rationally explained based on X-ray crystallographic analyses. Carbonyl cyanide derivatives of 1 and 2 were successfully applicable to resolution of β-adrenergic blocker enantiomers in biological fluids by HPLC. These diastereomeric esters were highly responsive to a fluorescence detector, the limit of detection being 200 pg and 30 pg (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5), respectively. Also reported are convenient methods for the preparation of these reagents.

Use of Axially Chiral 2′-Methoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-2-carboxylic Acid as Chiral Derivatizing Agent for Discrimination of Enantiomeric Alcohols and Amines by 1H NMR

Abstract Axially chiral 2′-methoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-2-carboxylic acid (1) was effectively utilized as chiral derivatizing agent for discrimination of enantiomeric alcohols and amines by 1H NMR with the aid of Eu(fod)3. Among a pair of the diastereomeric esters or amides prepared from (aS)-1 and an α-chiral alcohol or amine, the methoxyl protons of the (aS,R)-diastereomer showed the larger lanthanoid-induced downfield shift than those of the (aS,S)-counterpart. Thus, addition of up to 0.5–1.0 equiv amount of Eu(fod)3 caused base-line separation of those protons, allowing determination of the enantiomeric purities and assignment of the absolute configurations of the enantiomeric alcohols and amines. An X-ray crystallographic analysis of the amide ((aS,S)-2) obtained from (aS)-1 and (S)-1-phenylethylamine showed structural resemblance between the amides and esters of 1. Steric models which explain the NMR behavior of the diastereomeric esters and amides are presented based on X-ray analyses. Also reported are two methods to regenerate free acid 1 from amide 2 to afford axially homochiral 1.

2H and 13C NMR spectra of deuterated adamantan‐2‐ols

AbstractThe composition of a mixture of adamantan‐2‐ol and its two epimeric 4‐deuterio derivatives was determined by 2H NMR spectroscopy with the aid of Eu(fod)3. In addition, unambiguous assignments of the two H‐4 signals and the two δ carbon signals were possible; these assignments had previously been speculative.

Determination of absolute configuration of the derivative from 2-[4-(1-oxo-2-isoindolinyl)-phenyl]-propionic acid and R-(+)-1-phenylethylamine by 1H-NMR spectroscopy; use of shift reagent with diastereoisomeric amides

The assignment of the S-(+), R-(−) absolute configuration of Indoprofene, an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug, has been made via an NMR configurational correlation of diastereoisomeric phenylethylamides with the aid of Eu(fod) 3.