Brussels, 30/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 29 June, European Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs called for a genuine global, pragmatic partnership to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He was addressing development and foreign ministers at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Development Cooperation Forum in New York. This partnership should be built on political engagement and increased financial sources. “Europe is committed to ending the lottery of where you live determines how you live. Last week, European leaders reaffirmed their commitment towards the Millennium Development Goals and their development aid targets by 2015. At the G8/G20 meeting, President Barroso called to speed up work. I now call on other international development aid donors to join our ambition to make the fight against poverty a reality. It is time to turn pledges in actions and Millennium Development Goals in Millennium Development Achievements,” Piebalgs said.
The commissioner thus set out the European position (see EUROPE 10162) for the UN High Level Summit on MDGs, which will take place in New York from 20 to 22 September. (A.N./transl.rt)