MEPs in the European Parliament's development committee said in Brussels on Wednesday 25 January that for the future, European development policy should be oriented to better address climate, migration and security challenges and should gain in effectiveness and benefit from new impetus.
This requirement features among the priorities that the MEPs established by a crushing majority (21 votes in favour, 1 against and no abstentions) for European development policy. Through their vote, the MEPs gave their opinion on the revision of the European Consensus on Development proposed by the European Commission back in November to update the framework that was set for this policy in 2005 (see EUROPE 11673, 11606).
The eradication of poverty should remain the primary objective of the EU's development policy, the MEPs state, "in order to better address the root causes of migration", said co-rapporteur Bogdan Brunon Wenta (EPP, Poland).
In order not to divert development policy from its initial purpose, the MEPs also say that the financing to fight the primary causes of migration should go to support social development in the partner countries, and not to stop refugees. They believe that the Parliament should therefore better control the trust funds, as well as the EU's external investment plan.
"With this resolution, we make sure that our essential values guide us in our fight against poverty, and for the dignity and well-being of people", co-rapporteur Norbert Neuser (S&D, Germany) stated.
The MEPs advocate better cooperation between the member states and better coordination of aid – guarantees of increased effectiveness, thanks especially to the joint programming and implementation of aid avoiding the overlap of work.
They believe that closer cooperation with the private sector should be encouraged, but should stay in line with social and environmental standards and the respect of human rights, according to the universal sustainable development goals which, in the MEPs' opinion, should be at the heart of the Revised Consensus on Development.
The draft resolution, which will be put to the Parliament's plenary session in February, also states that European development policy must be an integral part of the EU’s external policy.
Once approved, the European Parliament's recommendations will form the basis for the opening of negotiations with the Council and Commission on the new European Consensus. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)