A key priority of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU over the next six months in the field of development will be implementation of Agenda 2030 and the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The European Commission’s strategy for spelling out the SDGs in all relevant sectoral policies has been awaited for a while now (see EUROPE 11869, 11824). The United Nations policy was adopted in New York in September 2015 and has already influenced the European Consensus for Development setting out principles and policies for the EU's development policy (see EUROPE 11803, 11800), and it is under this banner that work will continue on the other priorities, following on from the efforts of the Estonian Presidency
Migration and development. The connection between migration and development will continue to be a priority with the aim of dealing with the underlying causes of migration, explains the Bulgarian Presidency.
Digital agenda and development. The presidency is planning to work on digital matters in the service of development policy, as set out in the Digital4Development strategy unveiled in May 2017 by the European Commission to boost EU action in support of sustainable development, particularly in Africa (see EUROPE 11860, 11782).
ACP-EU partnership post-2020. The Bulgarian Presidency aims to contribute to the emergence of a position by the Council of the EU on future partnership modalities between the EU and ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) post-2020, when the Cotonou Agreement expires, based on a negotiating mandate proposed by the European Commission on 12 December 2017 (see EUROPE 11924).
Humanitarian development aid. The connection between humanitarian aid and development, especially in the EU's neighbourhood countries, is another area the on which Bulgarian Presidency is planning to work. The priorities for the first six months of the year include coordinated implementation of humanitarian aid, focusing on ‘forgotten’ humanitarian crises which are largely ignored in the media, along with greater effectiveness of humanitarian assistance, as set out at the first Global Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016 (see EUROPE 11555). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)