On Tuesday 14 February in Strasbourg (see EUROPE 11711, 11677), MEPs called for European development policy to be renewed over the next three years, whilst preserving its benefits and creating a new impetus so that it is more efficient, better targeted and adapted to new challenges.
It is in this context that they approved by a large majority (539 votes to 71, with 83 abstentions), a non-legislative resolution as the basis for the Parliament to revise the European Consensus on Development, which since 2005 has set out the EU’s principles and objectives for development policy up to 2030 (see EUROPE 11672).
The future European Consensus will have to be negotiated with the Council and Commission, so that it is the subject of a declaration by the three cosignatory institutions on the common vision for European development policy. The Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU is hoping that this joint declaration will be ready in June for the 2017 European Development Days.
Norbert Neuser (S&D, Germany), co-rapporteur with Bogdan Brunon Wenta (EPP, Poland), was delighted with the broad Parliamentary support and stated, “This will strengthen our position towards the other EU institutions. It is of utmost importance to us that whilst meeting today’s challenges, the main driver for development co-operation remains poverty eradication and to empower the people to live in peace, dignity and prosperity”.
Parliament's resolution puts the Sustainable Development Goals at the heart of their European development policy. It also focuses on the differentiation of aid based on the needs of different countries, as well as coherent EU policies promoting development and tackling climate change.
Tackling the causes of migration and not stopping refugees. MEPs highlight the need to strengthen the links between humanitarian aid and development, security and development, and migration and development but without undermining the initial and primary goal of development policy, that of eradicating poverty.
In order to be more efficient, development policy will require increased cooperation and coordination between member states, as well as more systematic joint programming aid practices. Financing should obviously get to to the root causes of migration but it should not be used to stop refugees, explain MEPs. According to the latter, Parliament needs better oversight of the EU’s Trust Funds and External Investment Plan.
Parliament says further cooperation with the private sector should be encouraged, but must stay in line with social, environmental and human rights standards. It also argues that non-governmental organisations, national parliaments and local authorities need further recognition and support to improve effectiveness, transparency and accountability in development policy. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)