Suspension of budgetary aid to Ethiopia

Question for written answer  E-006964/2020/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Michèle Rivasi (Verts/ALE)

We have learned of the suspension/deferral of the payment of budgetary aid to Ethiopia, amounting to almost EUR 90 million, this suspension/deferral of payment being justified on account of the situation in the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia.

• 1.Given that the leadership of the Tigray region was in power in Ethiopia from 1991 to 2018, and taking into account their track record of human rights violations, how does the Commission explain the suspension/deferral of payment of budgetary aid to Ethiopia, which is led by a reformist government? What is the legal basis for this suspension? What distinction does the Commission draw between a suspension and a deferral of payment? Is it not a sanction in both cases?
• 2.As the budget support comes from the European Development Fund, why did the Commission not invoke Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, which provides for a clear procedure in the event of human rights violations?
• 3.Is the Commission not concerned that this measure will be interpreted politically as indirect support for the leaders of the Tigray region?