Brussels, 12/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU support for sustainable change in transition societies, the post-2015 Millennium goals, and EU support for the resilience of partner countries suffering from recurrent crises of food security are the three main subjects to be considered by the EU27 foreign affairs ministers, when they meet in Luxembourg at the end of the afternoon on Monday 15 October to tackle development issues. This part of the session, chaired by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, will be dominated by an exchange of views. European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs will also take part.
Support for sustainable change in transition societies. The ministers will discuss the best way for the EU to share its experience with countries undergoing major political change in order to help them put in place accountable governments, political freedom, economic inclusiveness, decent jobs, equity and social justice.
Support for resilience. The ministers will discuss means to help developing countries - like those in the Horn of Africa and Sahel region - fight against their chronic vulnerability and strengthen their resilience to crises, given that investing in agriculture is less costly than proceeding with a post-crisis humanitarian intervention. The communication that the European Commission has just presented - “The EU approach to resilience: learning from food security crises” - (see EUROPE 10702) will serve as a starting point for the discussion.
MDG/Rio+20 follow-up. The Council will discuss the means to ensure coherence and the best possible coordination between the follow-up to the Rio+20 conference on sustainable development and the future post-2015 development goals (like governance, inclusive growth, peace and security) led by the high level UN group, which is chaired by David Cameron and of which Piebalgs is a member. The discussion will particularly focus on the coordination of efforts within the EU - without losing sight of the need to keep up momentum in fulfilling the 2015 MDG.
The Council will adopt conclusions without discussion on the EU's commitment to civil society in its external relations. Other conclusions could be adopted if the United Kingdom's parliamentary scrutiny reservation can be lifted between now and then (it is a simple question of procedure). (AN/transl.fl)