Recital 1

(1)Community action to promote human rights and democratic principles as set out in the Communication of 8 May 2001 from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on ‘The European Union's Role in Promoting Human Rights and Democratisation in Third Countries’ is to continue beyond 2004. Regulation (EC) No 975/1999 ² has proved to be an adequate legal instrument for the implementation of the Community's technical and financial support for human rights and democratisation activities in developing and other third countries in pursuit of the overall objectives in this field. The period of validity of that Regulation, however, expires on 31 December 2004. It is, therefore, necessary to extend that period.