Answer given by Ms Urpilainen on behalf of the European Commission
10.3.2021
1. On 15 December 2020, the EU decided to postpone the disbursement of three budget support payments due by the end of 2020 for a total amount of EUR 88.5 million. This is in line with the EU budget support policy as set out in the 2011 Commission communication[1] and related 2012 Council Conclusions[2] whereby, in case of significant deterioration with regard to EU fundamental values, the response should be progressive, proportionate and developed at country level.
2. Only in those circumstances where all possibilities for dialogue have been exhausted and concerns over human rights, democratic principles or the rule of law still remain, the Council is responsible to trigger Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. At this stage, no sanction has been taken towards the Government of Ethiopia.
3. Programmes financed under the 11th European Development Fund (EUR 815 million) and EU Trust Fund (EUR 409 million) continue their normal implementation. Any government has to abide by human rights principles and international humanitarian law.