Brussels, 11/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Confirmation of the full resumption of cooperation with the Republic of Guinea, cooperation with the African Great Lakes region, the future global framework for after 2015, and the coherence of policies for development are the items on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council that is meeting in Brussels on Thursday 12 December in its development format. The meeting will be chaired by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.
Future global framework for after 2015. The Council will review the work ongoing at the UN to establish a global framework for sustainable development and the eradication of poverty, which will take over from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The discussion will focus on the financing of sustainable development and the eradication of poverty, and it is expected to lead to conclusions. The Council is expected to call for an international approach to financing for post-2015, covering economic, social and environmental elements of sustainable development, and to confirm the importance which the EU and its member states accord to public development aid (PDA) - while taking account of the exceptional budgetary constraints. The Council is also expected to stress the decisive role that the private sector can play as driver of growth, and to reiterate the EU's readiness to support the developing countries that are undertaking ambitious economic reforms.
Coherence of development policies. On the basis of the Commission's fourth report on progress made by the EU and its member states, the Council will adopt conclusions. It will confirm its political commitment to the duty of coherence of the EU's internal and external policies with the development objectives (duty written into the Lisbon Treaty), and will request an overview of the future proposals in the five areas that have been identified as priorities - trade and finance, climate change, food security, migration, and security.
Republic of Guinea. The Council is expected to confirm without debate the resumption of full cooperation between the EU and this ACP country after the holding of inclusive and peaceful elections on 28 September.
Great Lakes. The Council will hold an exchange of views on development cooperation with the African Great Lakes region and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The discussion will focus on the best means of helping the region establish the basic conditions for peace and sustainable development after the military defeat of the M23 rebellion in the DRC and the conclusion expected on the Kampala dialogue between the government and the M23. The programming of the 11th EDF is under consideration. (AN/transl.fl)