29.12.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 386/1 I (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 1889/2006 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 December 2006 on establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EURO- PEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Articles 179(1) and 181a(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty (1), Whereas: (1) A new framework for planning and delivering assistance is proposed in order to make the Community’s external assis- tance more effective and transparent. Council Regula- tion (EC) No 1085/2006 (?) establishes an Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) for Community assistance to candidate and potential candidate countries. Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 (%) etablishes a European Neighbour- hood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) providing direct support for the EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy. Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 (*) establishes a financing instrument for Development Cooperation (DCI). Council Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 (4) establishes a financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries and territories (ICI). Regu- lation (EC) No 1717/2006 (%) establishes a financing Instru- ment for Stability (IfS) providing assistance in situations of crisis and emerging crisis, and specific global and transre- gional threats. This Regulation establishes a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide (European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights) allowing for assistance independent from the consent of third country governments and other public authorities. () Opinion of the European Parliament of 12 December 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 20 Decem- ber 2006. OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 82. OJ L 310, 9.11.2006, p. 1. OJ L 386, 29.12.2006, p. 1 OJ L 327, 24.11.2006, p. 1. 2 3 ( ( (4 ( 5 (2)  Article 6(1) of the Treaty on European Union stipulates that the Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are com- mon to the Member States. (3)  The promotion, development and consolidation of democ- racy and the rule of law, and of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms constitute a prime objective of the Community’s development policy and economic, financial and technical cooperation with third coun- tries (°). A commitment to respect, promote and protect democratic principles and human rights is an essential ele- ment of the Community’s contractual relations with third countries (7). (4)  This financing instrument contributes to the achievement of the objectives of the development policy statement on the ‘European Consensus on Development’ (DPS) jointly adopted by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on 20 December 2005 (%). The DPS underlines that ‘progress in the protection of human rights, good governance and democratisation is fundamental for poverty reduction and sustainable development’, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). (5)  The DPS having reaffirmed that the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights is a fundamental human right and a question of social justice, as well as being instru- mental in achieving all the MDGs, the Cairo Programme of Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, this Regulation includes a strong gender component. (¢) Commission Communication of 8 May 2001 on the European Union’s role in promoting human rights and democratisation in third countries. (7) Commission Communication of 23 May 1995 on the Inclusion of Respect for Democratic Principles and Human Rights in Agreements between the Community and Third Countries. (5) OJ C 46, 24.2.2006, p. 1.