Transparency and accountability in the allocation of EU financing in Uzbekistan

16.6.2011

Question for written answer E-006274/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Nicole Kiil-Nielsen (Verts/ALE) and Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE)

In a letter signed by Europa House in Uzbekistan and dated 20 April 2011, it is stated that the European Union awarded EUR 3.7 million in 2010 to the Republican Centre for Social Adaptation of Children (RCSAC) for a project on Inclusive Education of Children with special needs. The RCSAC, which is headed by the daughter of the Uzbek president, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, was actually set up by the government under Cabinet of Ministers Decree No 419 (dated 7.9.2004) and reports directly to the Cabinet of Ministers.

According to the Commission’s annual action programme for Uzbekistan, the maximum contribution of the EU in 2010 is set at EUR 4.2 million, to be financed from budget line 19.10.02 of the EU General Budget for 2010.

Although, in Uzbekistan, the majority of non-governmental organisations, including those aiming to help children with disabilities, were shut down in 2004‑06 in a campaign to crack down on civil society associations, some very well known local NGOs still exist in Uzbekistan.

Given the above, could the Commission explain what was the main reason/criterion behind the allocation of virtually the entire annual amount of EU aid to one single foundation controlled by the government? Could the Commission send us its financial decision (‘décision d'octroi’) concerning this grant and its call for proposals in order to prove that the RCSAC was the only eligible candidate for this funding?

This point raises the question of the accountability and credibility of the Commission services. When will the EEAS establish a full EU delegation in Uzbekistan?

Finally, how does the Commission ensure that the EU contribution will be used for the purposes for which it is granted to the recipient government, in this case the education of children with special needs? What measures does the EU apply in cases where money is not used by the recipient government for the purposes stipulated by the EU?

OJ C 128 E, 03/05/2012