Brussels, 16/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - Echoing the communication from the European Commission on the future political framework for coherence in EU development policies (EUROPE 9979), European development NGOs warn against any attempt to reduce future coherence efforts to the meanest share.
CONCORD (the European confederation of emergency and development NGOs) denounces the fact that European policies are making developing countries poorer. It calls on the EU to put an end to its malpractice especially in trade and agriculture.
The new approach proposed by the Commission gives NGOs cause for concern. They see this as a clear break in the line hitherto followed as the Commission reduces from 12 to five the areas relating to the future coherence framework. “Vital areas such as trade which has enormous implications for the lives of millions of poor people have suddenly been abandoned”, CONCORD deplores.
This warning was made on 14 October during the publication of the CONCORD report, “Spotlight on Policy Coherence for Development”, which blames European policies for adverse effects on developing countries, contrary to the development objectives pursued by the EU. To give just one example: - the EU subsidises beef, pork and dairy exports by practising price dumping in developing countries, and at the same time it spends money under development cooperation to support farmers of those same countries. “The European Union gives with one hand what it takes away with the other. This does not make sense either for the developing countries or for the European Union. Such inconsistencies mean money is wasted inside the Union but also that lives are lost in poor countries”, commented Justin Kilcullen, CONCORD President.
In its communication of 17 September, the Commission states that the EU should continue to take development objectives into account in all policies likely to affect developing countries. It adds that the centre of political gravity should, however, concern a small number of essential priorities. (A.N./transl.jl)