Once a coherent working draft of the strategy is ready, CSPs are subject to a process of quality control. The Interservice Quality Support Group (iQSG) was set up in September 2000 for that purpose. It has to screen programming documents for quality and consistency. The iQSG is composed of representatives from the different Directorates-General related to the “external relations family”. It includes:

• 1 Director (position currently held by Mr Bernard Petit, Director of the Unit “Development policy and sectoral questions” from DG Development)
• 2 Representatives from DG External Relations (RELEX)
• 2 Representatives from DG Development (DEV)
• 2 Representatives from the EuropeAid Co-operation Office (AIDCO)
• 2 Representatives from DG Enlargement
• 1 Representative from DG Trade
• 1 Representative from DG Economic and Financial Affairs (ECFIN)
• 1 Representative from ECHO
• 1 Representative from the Evaluation Unit

The Interservice Quality Support Group (iQSG) screens the draft CSP, monitor its consistency with the Common Framework for Country Strategy Papers (CSP Framework) and ensures the quality of the programming process across the board. All programming documents should be submitted (by e-mail) to the iQSG Secretariat in accordance with the established timetable. The Chairman of the iQSG makes a continuous selection of documents to be discussed in the iQSG. If the CSP is selected for discussion, the geographical service responsible for the document is asked to be present in the meeting. Programming documents that are not selected for discussion are nevertheless read by the iQSG and commented on in writing. In both cases, the iQSG issues its conclusions and recommendations within 10 working days of receiving the document.

Taking into account any comments made by the iQSG, the CSP is assessed by RELEX Director-Generals (as a rule by written procedure). The approved draft may then be transmitted back to the delegation for further consultation with the partner government to discuss the modifications to the CSP that have been proposed in the consultations in HQ.

Note: Because of the legal obligation to elaborate the CSPs for ACP countries jointly with the partner government, this consultation is obligatory in ACP countries. It is not obligatory for countries falling under the responsibility of DG Relex.

The formal proposal for the CSP is subsequently put before the relevant Member States Committee where the appropriate legal procedures in force are followed. DG RELEX/DEV presents the programming documents and chairs the discussion. If under existing procedures the CSP is not approved, it has to be referred back to the responsible geographical service.

It should be stressed that there is no obligation to modify the text at each of these steps. The need for revised versions will depend on the quality of the first version and the importance of the comments made. In many cases, subsequent versions are likely to differ very little from each other.

Contacts
European Commission
Secretariat of the Interservice Quality Support Group
Phone: +32 2 299 04 01