Article 3 Complementarity and Coherence of Community Assistance

Community assistance under this Regulation shall be consistent with the framework of the Community's policy on development cooperation and with the European Union's foreign policy as a whole, and complementary to that provided for under related Community instruments for external assistance and the Partnership Agreement between the Members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, on the other part. Complementary Community assistance under this Regulation shall be provided to reinforce action under the related external assistance instruments.

The Commission shall ensure that measures adopted under this Regulation are consistent with the Community's overall strategic policy framework and in particular with the objectives of the above instruments, as well as with other relevant Community measures.

In order to enhance the effectiveness and consistency of Community and Member States assistance measures, the Commission shall ensure close coordination between its own activities and those of the Member States, both at decision-making level and on the ground. Coordination shall involve regular consultations and frequent exchanges of relevant information, including with other donors, during the different phases of the assistance cycle, in particular at field level.

The Commission shall inform and have regular exchanges of views with the European Parliament.

The Commission shall seek regular exchanges of information with civil society, at all levels, including in third countries.