Summary: July 1, 2005: Future of EU Development Policy: consultation shows support for a common EU framework on development co-operation and a sharper focus on poverty eradication (Brussels)
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The European Commission has published today a report on the results of the public consultation on the future of EU development policy that was launched in January 2005 (IP/05/91). The aim of the consultation was to start a debate on how the Union should face the challenges of development co-operation. A majority of stakeholders agreed
that poverty eradication should remain the main goal of any new policy statement and that the European Union should agree on a common framework for development co-operation.
Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "We will make sure that the great variety of views expressed by the hundreds of individuals and organisations is duly reflected in the Commission's proposal for a new EU development policy."
Responses
The Commission received 529 contributions from various stakeholders: Members of the European Parliament, representatives from Member States, partner countries', international organisations, local and regional authorities, NGOs, trade unions, business associations, academic institutions and individuals. Two thirds of respondents were from donor countries, while developing countries respondents were from almost all geographical areas reached by EU programmes.
A clear majority agreed that poverty eradication should remain the main goal of any new policy statement within the framework of the Millennium Declaration. The need for coherence among the various elements of EU external action was also emphasized by various contributions. A vast majority of respondents agreed that development policy should not be subordinated to the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy or to the migration policy, calling instead for better taking into account
development objectives in other policy areas, such as the trade policy.
There was a clear consensus that the new development policy should apply to all developing countries. There was also widespread support for the proposal of a common EU thematic framework on development co-operation, although many felt that the proposed themes may be too broad. Most respondents also emphasized the importance of the principle of ownership and the need to anchor EU aid programmes in each country's Poverty Reduction Strategy. While concentration of EU aid in selected focal sectors
has been a positive contribution of the 2000 Development Policy Statement, there was consensus on the need for a flexible approach to accommodate partner countries' priorities and respect the principle of ownership.
Next steps
The consultation process and its outcomes have provided valuable advice and were taken into account in drafting the new Development Policy. The Commission will adopt a proposal for the new Statement by the end of July 2005. The Commission will propose a two-part statement, with the first part addressing the objectives, principles and values of EU development policy and the second providing guidance for its implementation at the Community level.
It is hoped that the Council and the European Parliament will reach a consensus on the Commission proposal, which could then become a Tripartite Statement on the EU Development Policy.
The report is available at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/theme/consultation/index_en.htm.
For further information:
EU Development Policy
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