Article 6 Exceptional Assistance Measures and Interim Response Programmes

Community assistance under Article 3 shall be carried out through Exceptional Assistance Measures and through Interim Response Programmes.

The Commission may adopt Exceptional Assistance Measures in a situation of crisis as referred to in Article 3(1), as well as in exceptional and unforeseen situations as referred to in Article 3(3), where the effectiveness of the measures is dependent on rapid or flexible implementation. Such measures may have a duration of up to 18 months. Individual measures may be extended in duration by a further six months in the case of objective and unforeseen obstacles to their implementation, provided that the financial amount of the measure does not increase.

Where an Exceptional Assistance Measure is costing more than EUR 20 000 000, that measure shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 22(2).

The Commission may adopt Interim Response Programmes with a view to establishing or re-establishing the essential conditions necessary for the effective implementation of the Community's external cooperation policies. Interim Response Programmes shall build on Exceptional Assistance Measures. They shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 22(2).

The Commission shall keep the Council regularly informed about its planning of Community assistance under Article 3. Before adopting or renewing any Exceptional Assistance Measures costing up to EUR 20 000 000, the Commission shall inform the Council of their nature, objectives and the financial amounts envisaged. It shall take account of the relevant policy approach of the Council both in its planning and subsequent implementation of such measures, in the interests of the coherence of EU external action. The Commission shall likewise inform the Council before making significant substantive changes to Exceptional Assistance Measures already adopted.

At as early a stage as possible, following the adoption of Exceptional Assistance Measures, and in any case within seven months of doing so, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council by giving an overview of the existing and planned Community response, including the contribution to be made from other Community financing instruments, the status of existing Country and Multi-Country Strategy Papers, and the Community's role within the broader international and multilateral response. This report shall also indicate whether and, if so, for how long the Commission intends to continue the Exceptional Assistance Measures.