Strengthening implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will remain one of the main focuses of the EU's external action in order to achieve one of the Croatian EU Council Presidency’s four priorities: an influential Europe.
In this context, the Presidency is stressing the importance of deepening the strategic partnership with Africa, jointly addressing security threats and taking greater advantage of opportunities for economic cooperation, investment and sustainable growth.
The promotion and full implementation of the UN's Agenda for Sustainable Development up to 2030 will continue to be at the heart of European development policy over the next 6 months, with a focus on the role of women and young people.
The Croatian Presidency is also continuing with this agenda by promoting the most appropriate division of labour in international development cooperation and encouraging the link between short-term humanitarian aid and long-term development cooperation.
EU development policy should encourage the development of political and social measures in partner countries that can prevent man-made or natural crises or develop long-term resilience to such crises, which are factors in instability and migration. It should also contribute to the reduction of inequalities using economic means and investments.
The Croatian Presidency advocates strengthening cooperation with both middle-income countries and the least developed countries.
Also on its agenda is support to complete the negotiations between the EU and the 79 countries of the ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) group on their post-2020 partnership. These negotiations should already have been concluded by the end of October, as the Cotonou Agreement expires on 20 February (see EUROPE 12380/17).
The Croatian Presidency will also be working towards successful negotiations on the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) in the EU budgetary framework 2021-2027. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)