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According to the Guidelines for the implementation of the common framework for Country Strategy Papers, the first version of a CSP is usually prepared by the delegation working in close collaboration with the geographical desk officer (in EC headquarters). Wherever this is not possible, the Desk Officer is expected to take the lead. This approach is fully in line with the ongoing process of deconcentration of responsibilities to the field. The Desk Officer will be the Delegation’s main contact point in EC headquarters and will coordinate the support from thematic/sectoral services throughout the process.
Strategy and programming documents take as their starting points:
1. EU/EC Co-operation objectives. The CSP Framework requires that the broad EU/EC co-operation objectives be explicitly stated, as determined by the EC Treaty (Title XX), EC Regulations and international agreements based on geographical regions (ACP, ALA, MED) and the recent Statement on the EC's Development Policy.
2. The partner country’s own development agenda. The preparation of a CSP requires a clear appreciation and understanding of the country’s own development agenda as laid down in key policy documents. If the development plan is summed up in a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) this document is the point of departure. If there is no PRSP, an annual budget and a medium term revenue and expenditure framework may be a suitable source.
The next steps include the drafting of the following elements:
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An analysis of the political situation, trade policy and trade relations, the economic and social situation, including the sustainability of current policies and medium term challenges;
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An overview of past and ongoing EC co-operation (lessons and experiences) and information on programmes of EU Member States and other donors;
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The EC response strategy, identifying a strictly limited number of intervention sectors that is complementary to interventions by other donors;
All of the above should combine to produce a coherent national indicative programme to identify and define the appropriate measures and actions for attaining the objectives set down. The national indicative programme should be fully derived from and consistent with the strategic analysis. Both programming and implementation shall thus be managed on the basis of logically coherent documentation.
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