Task force for Balkans set to speed up aid

Date: 02/03/2000

By Simon Taylor

The European Commission has set up a special task force for the Balkans to cut through the red tape which holds up assistance for countries in the region.

The decision follows widespread public criticism that the EU and the rest of the international community have been slow to follow up military action in the region with civilian projects essential for long-term peace and stability in hotspots such as Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Officials say delivering aid quickly to the Balkans is one of the "most immediate and politically sensitive external relations challenges" for the Commission. But they admit that it currently takes too long for Union aid to arrive because of "cumbersome" decision-making procedures within the institution, although they add that delays are aggravated by problems in the region, where "public administrations are in turmoil" and "financial control is a nightmare".

The EU executive believes that improving its performance by speeding up its work is crucial to its reputation in the region. "The Commission's ability to deliver effectively represents a litmus test of our wider intentions", said one official.

In a frank admission of shortcomings, officials admit that problems have been caused by the failure of individual directorates-general to assign sufficient personnel to tasks and say decisions are often blocked by disputes between different departments.

To avoid time-wasting turf fights, the Commission has decided to create a special task force made up of officials from the external relations directorate-general along with other departments most heavily involved with the Balkans.

The EU executive believes staff from outside the external relations department should have "fast track access" to senior officials to deal with problems and to get decisions taken quickly.

The European Commission has set up a special task force for the Balkans to cut through the red tape which holds up assistance for countries in the region. The decision follows widespread public criticism that the EU and the rest of the international community have been slow to follow up military action in the region with civilian projects essential for long-term peace and stability in hotspots such as Bosnia-Herzegovina.