EP hoort welke doelen Duits voorzitterschap heeft bij ontwikkelingssamenwerking (en)

Africa and Effectiveness of EU aid at the top of the agenda

Today, German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul presented the development cooperation priorities of the German EU Presidency in the field of development policy to the Development Committee of the European Parliament. She underlined Europe's responsibility for a fair global development: "The European Union must represent in a credible manner its ideas and views on a fair political, social and economic order - in its overall policy and in its development policy. Europe has the duty of using its substantial influence for the benefit of our partner countries in the South".

The Minister went on to say that the special commitment of the German EU and also G8 Presidency was directed at our neighbouring continent, Africa. She stressed that "Africa is increasingly forming itself into becoming a political community of interests and action - and, hence, as a strong partner for Europe in the 21st century. It is in our own interest for Africa to make exploit its immense economic and cultural potential and for the dynamism existing in that field to gain further momentum". Concrete action during the German EU Presidency is called for in shaping the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and the 78 ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific region) in such a way that they enhance development. Germany's aim is to create a juster participation of the developing countries in world trade with these agreements and to integrate them into the global economy in a sustainable manner.

Mrs. Wieczorek-Zeul emphasised the German government's determination to further improve the effectiveness of EU aid under its Presidency: "In order to reduce worldwide poverty by half by the year 2015 we simply must make the best of each Euro available for development cooperation. Aid that is poorly organised is a burden on the developing countries. Effective aid saves human lives" the Minister said. Accordingly, Germany had placed the issue of improving division of labour between EU Commission and Member States on the agenda. During the German Presidency concrete steps towards implementation are to be taken, and new principles of action introduced to improve efficiency at the EU level.

The beginning of the German Presidency further introduces a novelty at the European level: for the first time a Team Presidency has been established together with the two countries next in line for presidency, Portugal and Slovenia. A joint work programme for the next 18 months (January 2007 to June 2008) helps ensure the continuity of European policy and enhances Europe's growing together further.

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