Question écrite de
Mme Kinga GÁL
-
Commission européenne
Subject: Cuban authorities’ use of EU funds for increased violence and repression
Since 1988, the EU has provided EUR 300 million to fund over 200 development projects in Cuba. 80 projects worth EUR 155 million are still ongoing.
The EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) includes a conditional clause that makes implementing the agreement dependent on the improvement of freedoms and human rights in Cuba.
Little is known about how these funds are spent.
According to NGOs1, aid often ends up in the hands of Cuban police and military forces2and the funds are spent on buying oppressive tools that are used against protesters. As such, they contribute to strengthening the totalitarian regime.
In its resolution of 16 December 2021, Parliament expressed its regret that, despite the adoption of the PDCA, the situation with regard to democracy and human rights has seriously deteriorated.
1. How does the Commission monitor the spending of EU funds and verify that they are not used to increase oppression?
2. How does the Commission check that goods are not re-exported to other oppressive regimes such as those in Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia or Iran?
3. Will the EU uphold the essential elements clause of the PDCA and respond to Parliament’s call to trigger Article 85(3b) and put conditionality in practice in response to the deteriorating situation?
Supporter3
Submitted: 8.3.2023
1 Such as Frente Hemisferico por la Libertad.
2 Communist Party upper echelons and Communist Party organisations.
3 This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Emmanouil Fragkos(ECR)
Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission (27 April 2023)
EU-funded projects are not channelled through or implemented by the Cuban Government. Member States’ and United Nations’ agencies are the main implementers of EU-funded cooperation programmes in Cuba.
In addition, some European Non-Governmental Organisations implement some projects. All EU-funded projects contribute to the achievement of priorities consistent with duly approved and publicly available multi-annual programming documents, including the modernisation of the Cuban economy and support to the emerging private sector, and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
As with all EU cooperation programmes worldwide, a variety of tools are used to ensure the proper execution of EU-funded projects in Cuba. Each project budget is thoroughly analysed before the signature of its contract.
Regular reports are provided by implementing partners. Regular meetings, monitoring missions and external evaluations are carried out to verify the progress and achievement of objectives.
In addition, a system of controls and audits is in place to ensure that funds are spent in accordance with the activities and conditions set out in the contract.
When the Commission becomes aware of any suspected cases of fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the EU budget, it informs the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
1 ∙ ⸱ Such as Frente Hemisferico por la Libertad.
2 ∙ ⸱ Communist Party upper echelons and Communist Party organisations.
3 ∙ ⸱ This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Emmanouil Fragkos(ECR)
| | )In the framework of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (4), the EU will continue accompanying the reform processes in Cuba and to push for advancements and changes through critical and constructive engagement.
This engagement is guided by the EU’s founding principles, including the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, which the EU seeks to advance worldwide (5).
4 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2016:337I:FULL&from=en
5 ∙ ⸱ Article 21(1) of the Treaty on EU, https://eur‐lex.europa.eu/legal‐content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12016M/TXT&from=EN