Brussels, 07/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the reconstruction of Haiti will be the main topics discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council which, on Monday 10 May (5.30pm to 7.30pm), will be devoted to “development” issues under the chairmanship of Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy.
The 27 member states will also discuss the EU's contribution to stepping up efforts for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, in particular, the 12-point action plan recently presented by the Commission as part of its April package on MDGs (EUROPE 10123). The aim will be to direct work so that it results in formal conclusions on 14 June this year, before the European Council on 17 and 18 June gives political impetus at the highest level to the position to be defended by the EU during the UN conference on review of MDGs (New York, 20-22 September).
In the meantime, on Monday, the Council is expected to adopt, without debate, conclusions on guidelines drawn up by the Commission to make the European contribution to achieving certain MDGs more effective (Objective No 1 - reduce poverty and hunger in the world by half by 2015; Objectives No 5 and 6 - improve maternal health and combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases - an integral part of the famous “April package”). The text of these conclusions was the subject of broad consensus at ambassadorial level (Coreper).
MDG 5 and 6 - Role of the EU in world health. The Council is expected to welcome and give details of the strategy proposed by the Commission in its communication of 31 March in order to speed up work on world health and help developing countries catch up with regards to health (EUROPE 10110). It will also call on the EU nations to work together in all relevant policies to support the strengthening of health in partner countries.
MDG 1 - Helping development countries to tackle food supply security challenges. The Council conclusions will welcome the strategic framework proposed by the Commission (EUROPE 10110 and 10109) and will unreservedly support a comprehensive approach based on the five principles of Rome in favour of a sustainable world food supply.
MDG 1 - Food aid of a humanitarian kind. In its conclusions, the Council is expected to point out that the framework action suggested is appropriate given the rise in the number of people worldwide suffering from malnutrition. It must set out the key principles to guide European assistance and subscribe to intervention criteria set in place by the Commission.
West Africa and Economic Partnership Agreement. The Council will adopt conclusions on the “EPA for development” programme set in place by the ECOWAS (Economic Community of the West African States) and containing elements of support that West Africa needs from fund donors in order to make the most of the economic partnership agreement being negotiated with the EU and the regional integration process. The Council is expected to give its support to this mechanism, using the resources of the European Development Fund and the relevant instruments financed by the EU budget.
Reconstruction and development of Haiti. Ministers will hold an exchange of views on the follow-up of financial commitments taken on 31 March this year by the EU at the donors conference for a new future in Haiti (€1.235 billion in donations for rebuilding the country) and on the prospects of the joint development aid programme for this country devastated by the earthquake of 12 January (EUROPE 10124 and 10111).
During dinner, High Representative Ashton will speak on equality between men and women and on strengthening the role of women in development, and will brief ministers on the progress already made in setting up the European External Action Service on the basis of the political agreement reached by member states on 26 April (see our series EUROPE Documents No 2533). (A.N./transl.jl)