With the war in Ukraine in full swing, the geopolitics of development dominated the speech of the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Trade, Johan Forssell, on Wednesday 25 January, when he presented the three priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council to the Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development (DEVE), namely: support for Ukraine, global health governance, and the fight against corruption as a barrier to development (see EUROPE 13092/7).
Support for Ukraine in the short and long term. Stressing that “Russia’s war on Ukraine is devastating for Ukraine, the region and the world” and that it has exacerbated humanitarian needs around the world, “and in particular on the African continent”, Mr Forssell said that the priority will be to address the considerable humanitarian needs in Ukraine and to prepare in advance for reconstruction.
“Our Presidency will work to further develop our concrete expressions of united solidarity contributions. It is a moral imperative and in our geostrategic interest to help Ukraine”, he said, predicting that “the war may last for years”. It is “an undeniable fact that by supporting Ukraine, we are helping others as well”, he said.
The European Humanitarian Forum will explore ways to close the public funding gap for growing global humanitarian needs.
Global health. A strong supporter of the EU’s new global health strategy, based on global governance under the auspices of the WHO, Mr Forssell “looks forward to fruitful deliberations” by the EU Council to “ provide a common political and strategic direction for moving forward”.
According to the Swedish minister, “the Global pandemic and global health threats in general, the climate crisis and the rapidly evolving geopolitical situations serve as clear incentives for a new approach to global health. Covid-19 serves as a reminder to us all about the importance on working on health on a global scale”.
Fighting corruption as an obstacle to development. “We know that a lot of development funds intended for those who need it most end up in the hands of a few”. According to him, this scourge must be recognised as a cross-cutting issue to be addressed in an integrated manner in all sectors and areas of development: “the effectiveness and credibility of our development cooperation depend on it”.
The Swedish Presidency therefore hopes for the adoption of EU Council conclusions “that call for an updated operational framework to further support all ‘Team Europe’ development actors (the EU, its Member States and its financial institutions: Editor’s note) to better fight corruption”, the minister said.
He also stated that the post-Cotonou Agreement initialled with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, but still not signed by the EU, continues to be one of the most important development issues for both the Swedish Presidency and the EU Council.
“To conclude this agreement is paramount. It is about upholding EU credibility and continuity in EU priority areas in turbulent geopolitical times”. Stressing that the agreement modernises the partnership with the ACP countries in terms of “common values, democratic development and trade”, the minister assured that the Swedish Presidency will work towards its “imminent signature”.
Johan Forssell also emphasised the Swedish Presidency’s intention to support the operational implementation of the Global Gateway strategy - the EU’s plan to invest in infrastructure in developing countries to counter China’s ‘New Silk Road’. He said it was “about offering smart and green connectivity solutions” to partner countries in times of economic downturn and debt restructuring, but that it is also “an opportunity to promote the EU’s leadership role in responding to climate change”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)