Brussels, 21/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 19 February, the members of the European Parliament development committee set out their wishes for the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) for 2014-2020. At the top of their list came: ownership of aid through increased involvement by local players in partnerships between the EU and the ACP States (African/Caribbean/Pacific); maintenance of the current level of EU official development aid (ODA); and the Parliament's right to democratic control of the EDF. Nonetheless, the Parliament still does not have a voice when it comes to financial resources allocated to development cooperation with the 80 ACP States and the 26 overseas countries and territories (OCTs), which is still separate from the EU budget. This was stated in a resolution on negotiation of the 11th EDF, adopted by a large majority (23 votes to 4), on the basis of an own-initiative report prepared by Patrice Tirolien (S&D, France).
The development committee calls on the EU to keep the EU's ODA at least at the current levels to help member states achieve their common objective of 0.7% of GDP for ODA. They also encourage the creation of new sources of EU budget revenue such as the financial transaction tax.
MEPs deplore the fact that the 11th EDF envelope has been significantly eroded in the agreement concluded by member states (-11% compared to the European Commission's initial proposal), and that it is necessary to await 2021 for EDF budgetisation.
On the other hand, MEPs welcome the Commission's decision to present, under the 11th EDF, a development aid budget that is separate for each ACP state, whatever the level of development, and advocate that 20% of EDF be reserved for the provision of basic social services, mainly healthcare and primary education, and that special attention be paid to the protection of women and girls.
MEPs welcome the Commission's intention to review the association agreements with OCTs in order to establish a partnership with them for sustainable development, but deplore the fact that no specific financial instrument has been included in the EU budget.
The breakdown of EU27 contributions to the 11th EDF is close to that of national contributions to the EU budget and this, MEPs say, is a good thing. However, there can only be true democratic control once the EDF is finally included in the budget. The plenary vote is scheduled for March. (AN/transl.jl)