Division 6

As it pursues the goal of sustainable economic and social development the Commission will, in the analysis contained within the indicative programmes and in its identification and design of programmes of cooperation, consider carefully the issues of environmental equilibrium, financial and economic viability, sustainability, gender repercussions and local institutional capacity (including those for research and technological development and technology transfer). The Commission, further in its analysis, will consider carefully the effectiveness of past Community activities, and the actions being supported by Member States and other donors. Such target groups as the neediest strata of the population, women and youth should receive particular attention in the analysis. At a bilateral level, the MEDA programme will provide support to the partners in the fields of economic transition and strengthening of socioeconomic equilibrium. Environmental impact assessment forms will be required for the relevant projects of bilateral and regional programmes, according to Community legislation in this field. The Commission should include appropriate conditionality in the project proposal and ensure coherence with Bretton Woods' criteria when necessary, in conformity with Annex II to the MEDA Regulation.