Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development Policy, writes to the Sunday Times to set the record straight concerning inaccuracies in their article “Euro billions wasted in African failures”, 17th April 2011. The Commissioner explains that contrary to claims, accountability of EU aid is in fact extremely high and the Commission’s commitment to strong and effective management of programmes and spending, has been internationally recognised.

Sir,

I refer to the article published in your newspaper on Sunday 17th April, entitled “Euro billions
wasted in African failures”. The issues that are raised, and in particular the importance of
ensuring value for money from development spending, resulting in real alleviation of poverty
amongst the world’s poorest citizens, are of great importance. However, the picture that you
paint regarding the Commission’s work is far from accurate.

The article argues that “EU (…) gives billions to corrupt governments without checking how
the money is spent”. This is incorrect; the EU’s approach to development …

Letter sent to the Editor, The Sunday Times, 16 December 2010

Dear Sir,

I was disappointed by a number of inaccuracies in your article “Billions wasted on EU wannabes” in last week’s Sunday Times.

The article claims its figure refer to 2009 funding, while they actually cover 6 years (2000-2006); mixes former and current applicant countries; and focuses on the very limited amount of EU funding that does encounter difficulties (1,4% according to the latest OLAF report for 2000-2006, published in July 2010), rather than the overwhelming part that does achieve its intended objectives.

Given the results of the EU funding in countries preparing for EU membership, I beg to disagree with the whole thrust of the article. The EU funding is an investment by the EU in its own security, stability and prosperity, as what happens at the EU’s border and in its immediate neighbourhood has a direct impact on the …

An article in last week’s Sunday Times claims that chairs purchased for our new offices at Smith Square cost £800 each. The same model may cost that much on the high street, but they were bought for our office after a competitive tender, so we didn’t pay anywhere near high street prices.

Myth: Britain’s unique collection of vintage steam trains could be in danger of being forced into an early retirement due to an EC proposal designed to protect drivers and footmen from hot surfaces, valves and steam. Locomotives will have to be radically redesigned, making them virtually impossible to drive in a traditional way.
(Sunday Times, p.7, 3.7.94 Daily Express, p. 18, 4.7.94 Daily Mail, p.3, 4.7.94)
Response: This is not the case at all. These claims are widely exaggerated. The relevant proposal, which aims to improve the health and safety of workers aboard means of transport, has been substantially revised since the European Parliament and representatives from the European Association of Railway Preservation Societies aired their respective criticisms of the original version last year. The European Commission has since amended this proposal, taking into account nearly all of their recommendations, but without compromising the health and safety of the workers concerned.

In no way …

Myth: Britain’s unique collection of vintage steam trains could be in danger of being forced into an early retirement due to an EC proposal designed to protect drivers and footmen from hot surfaces, valves and steam. Locomotives will have to be radically redesigned, making them virtually impossible to drive in a traditional way.
(Sunday Times, p.7, 3.7.94 Daily Express, p. 18, 4.7.94 Daily Mail, p.3, 4.7.94)
Response:  This is not the case at all. These claims are widely exaggerated. The relevant proposal, which aims to improve the health and safety of workers aboard means of transport, has been substantially revised since the European Parliament and representatives from the European Association of Railway Preservation Societies aired their respective criticisms of the original version last year. The European Commission has since amended this proposal, taking into account nearly all of their recommendations, but without compromising the health and safety of the workers concerned.

In no way …

Myth: Jacques Delors, President of the European Commission, has offered a 200,000 ECU prize to anyone who best define the term subsidiarity one one side of paper.
Response: The President did indeed make such a suggestion in an address to the European Parliament, but it was said in jest and was designed to illustrate the difficulties encountered by the Commission in coming to a precise definition.