The Official Journal of the European Union, OJEU has published on February 11th 2009 three recommendations from the European Council of February 10th 2009 concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth European Development Fund (EDF) for the financial year 2007.

As established by Article 32.3 of the Internal Agreement on the financing and administration of Community aid, the discharge for the financial management of the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth European Development Fund (EDF), is to be given to the Commission by the European Parliament on the recommendation of the Council.

As the overall implementation by the Commission of the operations of the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth EDF during the financial year 2007 has been satisfactory, the Council has recommended that the European Parliament gives the Commission a discharge in respect of the implementation of the operations of the three EDF for the financial year 2007.

Background:

• Seventh, Eighth and Ninth European Development Funds were set up by Internal Agreements on the financing and administration of Community aid under the Financial Protocol to ACP-EC Partnership Agreement or Convention as set up in Lomé and Cotonou.
• The Council examined the revenue and expenditure account and the balance sheet relating to the operations of each EDF as at December 31st 2007 and the Court of Auditors′ report concerning the financial year 2007 together with the Commission's replies.

European Development Fund (EDF)

The European Development Fund (EDF) is the main instrument for providing Community aid for development cooperation in the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) countries and overseas countries and Territories (OCTs). The 1957 Treaty of Rome made provision for its creation with a view to granting technical and financial assistance, initially to African countries which at that time were still colonised and with which some Member States had historical links.

Each EDF is concluded for a period of around five years. Since the conclusion of the first partnership convention in 1964, the EDF cycles have generally followed the partnership agreement/convention cycles.

• First EDF: 1959-1964
• Second EDF: 1964-1970 (Yaoundé I Convention)
• Third EDF: 1970-1975 (Yaoundé II Convention)
• Fourth EDF: 1975-1980 (Lomé I Convention)
• Fifth EDF: 1980-1985 (Lomé II Convention)
• Sixth EDF: 1985-1990 (Lomé III Convention)
• Seventh EDF: 1990-1995 (Lomé IV Convention)
• Eighth EDF: 1995-2000 (Lomé IV Convention and the revised Lomé IV)
• Ninth EDF: 2000-2007 (Cotonou Agreement)
• Tenth EDF: 2008-2013 (Revised Cotonou Agreement)