Instrument for Stability (2007 – 2013)

The European Union (EU) leads external cooperation actions aimed at supporting the stability of third countries. The measures financed by the Instrument for Stability shall contribute to the preparedness for responding to natural or man-made disasters, and to rehabilitating countries following a disaster or a situation of instability.

ACT

Regulation (EC) No 1717/2006 of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 November 2006 establishing an Instrument for Stability.

SUMMARY

The Instrument for Stability finances cooperation actions for development and for financial, economic and technical cooperation led by the European Union (EU) in partnership with third countries. These actions aim to:

• re-establish stability in emergency situations, situations of crisis or emerging crisis in order to enable the effective implementation of development and cooperation policies;
• strengthen the capacity of third countries to prepare for crises and global and transregional threats.

In the case of crisis or emerging crisis situations, including situations which could evolve into armed conflict, the Instrument for Stability contributes to protecting democracy, law and order, the safety of individuals, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The cooperation actions can also support:

• the technical and logistical measures of state and non-state actors, and regional and international organisations;
• establishing interim administrations;
• the development of democratic public institutions and independent judiciaries;
• national and international criminal courts and national reconciliation commissions;
• the demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants into civil society and measures to address the situation of child soldiers and the rehabilitation of victims;
• the development of civil society and the promotion of independent media;
• reducing the impact on the civilian population of anti-personnel landmines and unexploded ordnance or explosive remnants of war;
• the promotion of equal access to natural resources;
• the response to natural or man-made disasters and threats to public health.

In cases where the situation of the country offers stable cooperation conditions, the Instrument for Stability can contribute, in particular, to:

• improving the preparedness for crisis, in terms of response and rehabilitation;
• strengthening the public institutions and infrastructures, including with regard to combating terrorism and organised crime and improving the security of critical infrastructure and public health;
• mitigating the risks connected to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear material or agents.

Implementing the aid

The aid provided must take into account the actions led by the other European instruments for external assistance.

The implementation of the fund is based on geographical and thematic strategy documents, and on the multi-annual indicative programmes for each country. Special measures may also be adopted in response to exceptional crises or situations.

Beneficiaries of the funding

Several types of actors can receive funding from the Instrument for Stability, whether they are in the EU or in third countries. They may be local, regional or national authorities in the partner countries, international organisations, public or private organisations, non-governmental organisations and natural persons.

Context

The provisions of the Instrument for Stability repeal and replace the regulations concerning the rapid reaction mechanism and the different regulations concerning combating anti-personnel landmines.

RELATED ACTS

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1717/2006 establishing an Instrument for Stability [COM(2009) 195 final – Not published in the Official Journal]. This Proposal extends the application of the regulation for combating the illicit use of small arms and light weapons, in compliance with the aims of the Community’s cooperation policies.

Codecision procedure: (COD/2009/0058)

Last updated: 28.06.2011